April 19 / 16.19 Newton Abbot

16.19

Soft

Plymouth Motor Company Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 4f 216y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Plymouth Motor Company Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.40
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 422402 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won three handicaps at about this distance as a novice and returned to form when second at Newbury four weeks ago; the winner ran well to be third at Cheltenham this week; versatile ground-wise and looks a safer bet than many in here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Scarface

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time chase winner and his last success was in this race (off 2lb lower) last year; has been in and out this season but he bounced back with a fair third in Class 2 handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) two weeks ago; has possibilities if he can back that up and he's versatile ground-wise.

12/1

3rd

6

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Scarface

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Inconsistent this season but has finished a good second on two occasions (November/December) and filled the same position in this race 12 months ago prior to beating Heltenham at Newton Abbot; well capable of posing a threat, provided he's back to form.

8/1

5th

5

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Kempton

Scarface

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Usually wears cheeekpieces; inconsistent (2P2P) this term but sole attempt in blinkers resulted in a good effort at Ascot (2m3f) on penultimate start; could go well in the reapplied blinds.

6/1

OUR TIP

15/2

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 8F-84P D

Last run: 56 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Only 13 months ago he won off a 2lb lower mark at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) and he could yet turn around what's been a modest season; market confidence would be welcomed, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Heltenham

11st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

All chase wins around 2m4f, including win at this meeting last year; Newbury specialist who landed fourth win at that track when bagging valuable handicap for second time on penultimate start; never won off a mark this high and drop back down to 2m also asks a question but he's impossible to rule out.

3/1

4th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Heltenham

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Back to something like his best last time, registering a second success in the Greatwood Gold Cup and taking C&D record to 4-6; won this contest in 2023 and 2024; back up the weights but commands respect kept to a scenario that suits him ideally.

9/4

1st

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Heltenham

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Record of 3-5 at Newbury features a success in this contest two years ago; proved no match for Twinjets in most recent course start and was a faller in last two handicap attempts (out of depth in Grade 1 since); however, holds a major chance off current mark provided he's in top form.

10/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 253312 BF

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Free-goer who was game in victory at Chepstow (2m, heavy) two runs back and he got competitive a long way out there over 2m3f last time, so that was a good run in the circumstances; likely contender with Harry Cobden booked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Royal Jewel

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won over C&D (good to soft) in the autumn and he got back on the scoresheet at Taunton (2m7f, heavy) in February; ran another good race when third at Taunton (good) last month and he should be in the mix again on this drop back in trip.

9/1

3rd

1

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:40 Taunton

Royal Jewel

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Gained his second success of the season over C&D last month; up 3lb but he remains unexposed over this sort of trip and is not taken lightly.

3/1

1st

2

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:45 Taunton

Royal Jewel

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Returned from layoff with two good runs (one win) over 2m5f in the autumn and bounced back quickly from a lesser effort when third at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) just after Christmas; not yet proven over this far under rules but seems versatile ground-wise and can make his presence felt.

13/8

Form: 32/P33 D

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Strike-rate of 1-17 over fences but has kept on to be third in his last two races (3m/2m4f); would prefer further ideally but the new cheekpieces might sharpen him up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:19 Newton Abbot

Smarty Wild

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

midfield, not fluent 10th

14/1

4th

8

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:19 Newton Abbot

Smarty Wild

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

midfield, not fluent 10th

14/1

Form: 17-73F D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
In contention when falling late on at Wincanton (3m1f) but that wasn't as deep a race as this; however, this is probably his best trip and he's not badly handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:52 Newton Abbot

Sheldon

11st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Infrequent winner, but running well since the turn of the year and his recent Newbury second (2m6f, good to soft) was solid; nudged up 1lb for that but he remains on a workable mark and is high on the list of dangers.

3/1

2nd

2

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 4

16:07 Newbury

Sheldon

11st 8lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Seamus Mullins

Not overly consistent and can make mistakes, as was the case when the clear leader for a long way over 2m7f here a month ago (soft; fine on good to soft); that was a good run all things considered and won't mind coming back in distance.

12/1

3rd

8

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Sheldon

10st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Seamus Mullins

Not overly consistent and can make mistakes; however, ran well for a very long way on testing ground at Exeter before no match for an unexposed winner over C&D; could give another good account of himself.

12/1

Form: 010/3- D

Last run: 410 days

W: 11st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner down the years but finished last of three over fences when last seen 13 months ago and that was after a lengthy absence; impossible to know what ability he retains.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

25th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

16:05 Cartmel

Equus Dancer

10st 9lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Never that threatening when inheriting second over 3m5f here three months ago, finishing 10l behind Ilikedwayurthinkin; this shorter trip could be a plus but an 11yo now.

12/1

2nd

3

26th May 2025

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

16:05 Cartmel

Equus Dancer

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Has won four times over fences, the latest over 2m5f at Hereford in first-time cheekpieces in December 2022; stable going great guns but needs to recapture his form after two modest runs this year; stamina to prove.

9/2

Form: -23P4P

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Beat none other than Kandoo Kid at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in November 2023 and his two runs after an absence were encouraging; lesser ones have followed, though the latest was in the Kim Muir over a trip of 3m2f he would struggle to stay.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

16:18 Ffos Las

Galop De Chasse

11st 8lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

He was weakening when falling in a small field at Bangor (2m4f, soft) and then tailed off at Newbury; too well handicapped to ignore but wouldn't be the percentage call.

20/1

7th

1

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 4

16:07 Newbury

Galop De Chasse

11st 10lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

He was weakening when falling in a small field at Bangor (2m4f, soft) but there were signs of returning to form and he's very well handicapped now.

25/1

Form: 2-4144

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
His fourth to Jagwar at Bangor (2m4f) reads well and he went in next time at Sandown (1m7f, soft); below that level the last twice but he's got the ability to have a say off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

12th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:52 Chepstow

Mount Tempest

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sophie Leech

Ex-Dan Skelton; started off for Sophie Leech with two disappointing French hurdle runs this summer (wore cheekpieces) but caused a 50-1 shock when back over fences at Worcester (2m4f, good to soft; blinkers) last month; subsequent 4lb rise is not insurmountable if he's in the same form.

11/2

1st

10

15th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Worcester

Mount Tempest

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Sophie Leech

Last win for the Skeltons was off this mark last December (1m7f, soft) but he's offered little since, including in two French hurdles for current yard.

20/1

4

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:19 Newton Abbot

Mount Tempest

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear

12/1

Form: 92-125 BF

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Won at Ascot (2m2f) on his chase debut and then an excellent second of nine in 2m3f handicap at Doncaster; has to bounce back from a poor run last time but that was two months ago; hard to dismiss.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 3

15:35 Sandown

Bucksy Des Epeires

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Had fallen in the weights prior to winning at Ludlow (3m, soft) 17 days ago, perked up by first-time cheekpieces; nudged back up 3lb but remains on a workable mark; high on the list.

100/30

1st

1

18th Feb 2026

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:35 Ludlow

Bucksy Des Epeires

12st 0lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Below best on his four outings in 2025 and unseated at the first fence at Taunton recently; also needs to prove his stamina; however, this 7yo has plenty of time to get his career back on track and is on a handy mark on his 2024 exploits; perhaps the new cheekpieces will give him a boost.

4/1

4

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:45 Taunton

Bucksy Des Epeires

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Back on a good mark now but ended last season on a low note and has not really fired on either appearance this term (favourite both times); comes here with a bit to prove, including stamina.

3/1

Form: PF3-43 D

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Good fourth at Haydock in December (2m4f, soft; won same race the previous season) and couldn't adopt his favoured front-running tactics next time; respected off what's a good mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Happy And Fine

12st 1lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Alex Hales

Scored at Warwick (3m, good to soft) in December but he's failed to complete in three subsequent runs and didn't get very far at Stratford (unseated at first) two weeks ago; only 2lb lower than for his last success but he comes with risks attached.

12/1

3

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Happy And Fine

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Scored at Warwick (3m) in December but he isn't the easiest to catch right and was pulled up in 2m7f handicap at Newbury last time; others are preferred.

10/1

4

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Happy And Fine

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Back to form when winning for a third time over fences in a 3m handicap at Warwick (good to soft) and would have won easier had he not idled late on; unseated midrace off this 4lb higher mark at Leicester three weeks later; respected.

10/1

Form: 1-5335 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Won back-to-back Wetherby handicaps over slightly shorter last season but hasn't hit the same notes this campaign; however, he's back from a break and too well handicapped to ignore.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:19 Newton Abbot

Eaton Collina

11st 1lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

headed after 3rd, led, not fluent 4th, soon lost ground, in rear when weakened after 10th

8/1

11

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:19 Newton Abbot

Eaton Collina

11st 1lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

headed after 3rd, led, not fluent 4th, soon lost ground, in rear when weakened after 10th

8/1

5th

5

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

14:05 Haydock

Eaton Collina

11st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Kerry Lee

Completed a Wetherby double (2m3f, soft) last February and he's back down to his last winning mark; hasn't hit the same heights this season but ran okay when third at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) last month and he now contests his first veterans' chase; could be involved.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £44.20
Straight Forecast £38.58
Tricast £94.93
Trifecta £163.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Royal Jewel

SPOTLIGHT:

Scarface

TOPSPEED:

Mount Tempest

RP RATINGS:

Heltenham

D Express:

Happy And Fine

Daily Mirror:

Royal Jewel

The Star:

Royal Jewel

Daily Record:

Royal Jewel

Telegraph:

Mount Tempest

Daily Mail:

Heltenham

WEST COUNTRY:

Scarface

The Times:

Scarface

The Guardian:

Scarface