February 21 / 15.58 Newcastle

15.58

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £9241.75
  • 2m 4f 19y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: P-3319 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
5-17 over fences and his win at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on Boxing Day was up there with his best efforts; ran poorly at Cheltenham four weeks later but in the mix if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Prairie Wolf

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Northern runner who has looked as good as ever in winning two of his last three races, taking chase record to 6-18; did it quite readily at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) latest; ran respectably at Newbury in November; likely player in current form.

5/1

1st

3

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Prairie Wolf

11st 8lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

5-17 over fences and his win at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on Boxing Day was up there with his best efforts; ran poorly at Cheltenham four weeks later but in the mix if bouncing back.

5/1

Form: 821126 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Always ridden by Jamie Neild; walked over on his second chase assignment and easily made all in four-runner handicap at Doncaster (2m3f, soft) in November; another big run from the front when second of five at Aintree (2m4f) next time, before his first attempt at 3m did not work out in a Grade 3 handicap four weeks ago; he should be of renewed interest back at 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Josh The Boss

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Novice chaser who has several pieces of sound form at up to 2m4f this season, including a second at Aintree; however, below that level in major handicaps in two of his last three starts, seeming a non-stayer at Doncaster (soft) in the sole 3m attempt; stamina to prove back up in trip.

16/1

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Josh The Boss

10st 12lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Fairly useful novice chaser who scored easily at Doncaster in November and has performed creditably off current mark twice since, albeit failed to justify favouritism when sent up to Newcastle (2m4f) last time; goes into deeper waters at this level.

11/1

2nd

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Josh The Boss

11st 6lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Always ridden by Jamie Neild; walked over on his second chase assignment and easily made all in four-runner handicap at Doncaster (2m3f, soft) in November; another big run from the front when second of five at Aintree (2m4f) next time, before his first attempt at 3m did not work out in a Grade 3 handicap four weeks ago; he should be of renewed interest back at 2m4f.

4/1

Form: 7-2356

Last run: 63 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Two wins in small-field chases last season and ran creditably on his first two outings this term; those, however, have been followed by two heavy defeats; well handicapped were he to revive but he's not proven beyond 2m1f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

28

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Primoz

10st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Exploited a reduced mark to win easily in a small field at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month and he's also effective on good/good to soft ground; his yard has done very well over these fences but from out of the handicap he's running off a mark 12lb higher than last time, and needs a career best.

20/1

1st

5

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:55 Ayr

Primoz

11st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Yet to win this season but put two below-par runs behind him when third at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft; also suited by soft) a fortnight ago and remains on a good mark; one to consider.

5/2

3rd

7

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Primoz

10st 11lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Two wins in small-field chases last season and ran creditably on his first two outings this term; those, however, have been followed by two heavy defeats; well handicapped were he to revive but he's not proven beyond 2m1f.

16/1

Form: 12-421 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 11yo, a zestful front-runner in recent campaigns who has won over 2m in the mud on the first and latest of his five races for current yard; the latter was a five-runner race at Uttoxeter four weeks ago, since which he's gone up another 4lb but it's this trip (despite 2m4f and 2m5f wins much earlier in career) which provides the most glaring question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Sunnyvilla

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Veteran of the field but he won over 2m with plenty of give underfoot on first and fifth races for this yard, latterly at Uttoxeter in January on penultimate start; 2m4f a plausible excuse last time and he needs consideration.

9/2

4th

6

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Sunnyvilla

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Ex-Irish 11yo, a zestful front-runner in recent campaigns who has won over 2m in the mud on the first and latest of his five races for current yard; the latter was a five-runner race at Uttoxeter four weeks ago, since which he's gone up another 4lb but it's this trip (despite 2m4f and 2m5f wins much earlier in career) which provides the most glaring question.

11/2

1st

2

24th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 214y

Class 3

13:57 Uttoxeter

Sunnyvilla

11st 5lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Nicky Richards

Ex-Irish 11yo who made all at Haydock (2m, heavy) on stable debut in December 2024 and lost out only narrowly in this season's edition of that race five weeks ago (soft); has to take recent 4lb rise on the chin but can still make his presence felt here.

9/4

Form: 33-241 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Flat winner who added a juvenile hurdle success last season and also scored at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) four weeks ago in his third handicap chase, travelling best before he needed strong pressure to get up; tongue tied last two starts and cheekpieces latest; up 4lb but probably has more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

17:58 Bangor-on-Dee

My Noble Lord

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Seemingly boosted by change of headgear when winning by 6l over C&D (good) in first-time blinkers in April; obvious contender if judged on that evidence but ran a lacklustre race at Aintree last month and it's hard to tell whether he'll be in the right mood in first-time visor today.

3/1

8th

6

15th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

My Noble Lord

11st 5lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Back down in grade with blinkers tried he registered a second chase win when 6l to the good at Bangor (2m4f, good); 6lb rise has elevated him to a career-high mark but it was comfortable last time.

6/1

1st

3

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

My Noble Lord

11st 11lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in January when wearing first-time cheekpieces (retained) and subsequent defeats have come in better races than this; didn't run at all badly in the latest at Kelso (2m5f); back down in grade and with blinkers given a go, he's feared.

9/2

Form: P65P-8

Last run: 294 days

W: 12st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
His last win was at the Punchestown festival (3m, soft) in May 2024; right out of form in his last three starts (same Punchestown race last time) and this is his first start since leaving Gordon Elliott for £10,000 last May; probably best watched this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

17:00 Haydock

Minella Crooner

10st 13lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Once very smart for Gordon Elliott but left that yard on a downer and has continued in similar vein for current team; too risky at the minute.

25/1

11

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Minella Crooner

10st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Very useful at his best for Gordon Elliott but was pulled up in this race last year and changed hands after a heavy defeat over regulation fences at Punchestown festival; struggled when dropped back to 2m4f for last month's stable debut; 6lb wrong here and has too much to prove.

100/1

1

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Minella Crooner

12st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sarah Humphrey

His last win was at the Punchestown festival (3m, soft) in May 2024; right out of form in his last three starts (same Punchestown race last time) and this is his first start since leaving Gordon Elliott for £10,000 last May; probably best watched this time.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1/133- C

Last run: 371 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Good third off this mark in a hot Cheltenham race (3m1f, good to soft) in December 2024 but tailed off in Grade 2 at Ascot (3m, good) on stable debut last February on his only start since; had wind surgery in September; it's hard to know what to expect (market may guide) but he has Cheltenham entries.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:47 Cartmel

Peaky Boy

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Unraced over hurdles since winning Cheltenham novice in 2024 but recent 2m7f/3m chase form has been very respectable and he's edging down the weights; swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers; could have a say.

12/1

6th

6

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:27 Uttoxeter

Peaky Boy

10st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Steadily coming back to form since joining current stable, as a couple of third-place finishes this season attest; was a useful/progressive sort earlier in career and looks interesting off a reduced mark, assuming his resurgence is sustained.

14/1

3rd

1

11th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:40 Worcester

Peaky Boy

12st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Disappointing for new stable last season but appreciated the ease in grade when respectable third of six in quite valuable contest at Uttoxeter (3m, good) last month and won't mind what the weather does here; contender if able to build on that recent effort.

13/2

Non-runners

OToole

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.40
Straight Forecast £16.56
Tricast £104.62
Trifecta £92.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

My Noble Lord

RP RATINGS:

Josh The Boss

The Guardian:

Sunnyvilla

TOPSPEED:

Primoz

Telegraph:

My Noble Lord

D Express:

My Noble Lord

Daily Mirror:

My Noble Lord

Daily Record:

My Noble Lord

POSTDATA:

Josh The Boss

The Times:

Josh The Boss

Daily Mail:

Josh The Boss

The Sun:

Sunnyvilla

The Star:

Sunnyvilla