September 19 / 14.03 Newton Abbot

14.03

Soft

Colin Stratton Retirement Novices’ Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £8169
  • 2m 4f 216y
  • Class 3
  • 2 runners
SKY
View Course
Colin Stratton Retirement Novices’ Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 2 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: -21111 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Kept on well for ready success in Class 2 handicap at Bangor (3m, good) a fortnight ago and is now 4-4 over fences since cheekpieces were refitted in June; 2m5f on slower ground will also suit him; ought to be very hard to beat in current mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

10th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

16:17 Chepstow

Art Of Diplomacy

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Has gone 5-5 over fences (2m5f-3m2f) since the cheekpieces returned in June, last time prevailing in a match; tackling stronger opposition here and he's penalised accordingly, but he's in the zone and fighting fit.

4/1

1

19th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

14:03 Newton Abbot

Art Of Diplomacy

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Kept on well for ready success in Class 2 handicap at Bangor (3m, good) a fortnight ago and is now 4-4 over fences since cheekpieces were refitted in June; 2m5f on slower ground will also suit him; ought to be very hard to beat in current mood.

Evs

Form: -54121 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Made all for comfortable success in Stratford handicap (2m1f, good) this month and has now won two of his last three; will be fine over today's longer trip and may gain a tactical advantage if allowed to dictate from the front but has quite at bit to find at the weights with the other two.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:58 Stratford

In The Air

11st 3lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Back in prime form when holding on well to score over C&D (good) on last month's chase return and now 4-10 over fences; recent 3lb rise does not look excessive and there's a good chance he'll be right in the thick of things again.

5/2

1st

3

16th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

15:15 Stratford

In The Air

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Three-time winner over fences (once over C&D) in early part of last season; returned from break with two below-par hurdle runs this spring but could be back at concert pitch for this return to chasing; a possible.

7/1

4th

1

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 3

18:50 Stratford

In The Air

11st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Won five over hurdles for previous yards and three over fences last term for current trainer; may have needed the run when seventh of eight finishers at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last month after six-month layoff but probably needs to come down the weights.

6/1

Non-runners

Catch Him Derry

Selections

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Daily Mail:

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TOPSPEED:

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POSTDATA:

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Telegraph:

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The Guardian:

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D Express:

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Daily Mirror:

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The Sun:

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The Star:

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Daily Record:

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