February 24 / 15.25 Ayr

15.25

Soft

Virgin Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 2m 0f 110y
  • Class 3
  • 3 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 3 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

4/5 (Won)

  • Win: £1.84

Form: 8-3112 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Dual winner over hurdles (2m, soft) last season; sound efforts over fences on last three starts, making all to win small-field novice handicaps over C&D (good) and at Aintree (2m, soft) before a creditable second at Sandown (1m7f, soft); good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

13:10 Kelso

Doyen Du Bar

12st 1lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Three wins last season (2m, various ground) and ran well to be placed towards the end of last year on first two starts for this yard; faded when upped to 2m5f last month and firmly in calculations now back down in trip.

7/2

3rd

6

16th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

14:05 Market Rasen

Doyen Du Bar

11st 1lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Nicky Richards

Won three small-field chases for Pauline Robson last season and was placed on first two starts for Nicky Richards this term, more recently when second at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) just after Christmas; untested beyond an extended 2m1f but is a major player if this new trip suits.

5/2

1st

1

24th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

15:25 Ayr

Doyen Du Bar

11st 10lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Pauline Robson

made all, went clear going easily after 3 out, nudged out run-in, comfortably

4/5

Form: 3-2261 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
C&D winner over hurdles in March 2024 (good); improved on first run over fences when a C&D winner last week, coming from off a decent pace to score by 7l; this looks stronger; wouldn't rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Dance Thief

11st 2lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: R Mike Smith

Won a five-runner handicap chase at Ayr in March (2m, soft) but well beaten both starts since (latest over hurdles); conditions suit; a possible.

14/1

10th

13

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Ayr

Dance Thief

10st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: R Mike Smith

All three wins have been here, a hurdle and two chases; over fences for his last three races and has been good and bad; others preferred.

33/1

9th

5

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 2

15:17 Carlisle

Dance Thief

11st 0lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

Pulled up on his return to fences but then beat three other finishers at Ayr (2m, soft) with Ben Smith claiming his 7lb; only 3lb higher but this is a deeper race.

8/1

Form: B0-305 D

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won two mares' events over hurdles last season, the second a Listed handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown (2m2f, soft; went up 16lb); hasn't run quite as well since; on a fair mark and although she has a Flat pedigree is quite interesting on her chase debut
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

12th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 1

14:42 Chepstow

Brucio

10st 12lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Very useful hurdler without being in the same league as some of today's opposition and she wasn't overly convincing in her jumping when comfortably held in two chases earlier this year; left former Irish yard for £28,000.

20/1

4th

2

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 140y

16:12 Down Royal

Brucio

11st 9lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

124-rated hurdler won two mares' events last season on soft, the second a Listed handicap at the DRF; last of three on recent chase debut in 2m Ayr handicap where jumping novicey; may need more time to make her mark chasing.

11/2

3rd

2

24th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

15:25 Ayr

Brucio

11st 9lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

novicey jumping, raced in third and in touch with leaders, outpaced after 4 out, weakened 2 out

3/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £2.60
Straight Forecast £3.03
Trifecta £2.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Doyen Du Bar

POSTDATA:

Dance Thief

D Express:

Dance Thief

The Sun:

Dance Thief

RP RATINGS:

Doyen Du Bar

TOPSPEED:

Doyen Du Bar

The Times:

Doyen Du Bar

Telegraph:

Doyen Du Bar

The Guardian:

Doyen Du Bar

Daily Mail:

Doyen Du Bar

Daily Mirror:

Doyen Du Bar

The Star:

Doyen Du Bar

Daily Record:

Doyen Du Bar