March 09 / 15.40 Taunton

15.40

Good

DragonBet The Roar Before Cheltenham Dragonboosts Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £9241.75
  • 2m 7f 3y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
RTV
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DragonBet The Roar Before Cheltenham Dragonboosts Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 727134 CD

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark at the first time in this sphere over C&D in December and has shaped well both runs since, faring best of those coming from off the pace when fourth of 11 in 3m Ascot handicap in January; that race has worked out really well (three subsequent winners) so he's a big player eased 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

18

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Kap Vert

10st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Chasing on last four starts, winning on good ground at Taunton (2m7f) on first and latest; overcame interference to oblige in eventually clearcut fashion in a small field on latest, so surely remains capable of better (up another 3lb since) and that suggested he could stay beyond 3m; this is his first attempt to do that and this 6yo ran respectably on soft ground on penultimate start.

16/1

1st

3

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:40 Taunton

Kap Vert

11st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Got off the mark at the first time in this sphere over C&D in December and has shaped well both runs since, faring best of those coming from off the pace when fourth of 11 in 3m Ascot handicap in January; that race has worked out really well (three subsequent winners) so he's a big player eased 1lb.

9/4

4th

6

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

Kap Vert

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Has taken his form to a new level since upped in trip and switched to chasing, winning easily at Taunton (2m7f) then creditable third at Kempton (3m), both on good ground; still unexposed in this sphere and at this sort of distance; remains of interest.

9/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 3-1197 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Made an excellent start over fences when landing a pair of 2m3f handicap chases at Exeter before Christmas but his form has really dipped, only seventh at Newbury (2m7f) last month; cheekpieces are reached for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:40 Taunton

U Cant Be Serious

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Made an excellent start over fences when landing a pair of 2m3f handicap chases at Exeter before Christmas but his form has really dipped, only seventh at Newbury (2m7f) last month; cheekpieces are reached for now.

8/1

7th

3

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

U Cant Be Serious

11st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Joe Tizzard

Showed a willing attitude to kick off his chasing career with two 2m3f handicap wins at Exeter (good to soft) and his Kempton run off this mark on Boxing Day looked too bad to be true; however, even if back on song, others may have his measure.

9/1

3rd

1

1st Mar 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 69y

Class 4

13:55 Newbury

U Cant Be Serious

12st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Handicap debutant; seemingly outstayed over 2m5f last time but may not be crying out for this drop back to 2m, having gained his Taunton win over 2m3f; testing ground would be a possible help, however.

11/4

OUR TIP

Form: -12631 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 1-4721 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Consistent sort who gained a first win of the current campaign in 3m Musselburgh handicap chase 37 days ago; not ruled out despite taking a 7lb hike in the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:40 Taunton

Kelce

11st 7lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Consistent sort who gained a first win of the current campaign in 3m Musselburgh handicap chase 37 days ago; not ruled out despite taking a 7lb hike in the weights.

7/2

1st

5

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

16:11 Musselburgh

Kelce

10st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Front-runner who won twice last season (soft/good) and bounced back from heavy-ground blip to finish second at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; runs well a lot more often than not and he's a leading player.

5/2

Form: 3F3314 D BF

Last run: 148 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Back to winning ways at Ludlow (3m) and not at all discredited given he made some mistakes when fourth of eight in 3m2f handicap at Chepstow later in October; off since but this veteran is still very much one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Worcester

Hold Your Fort

12st 0lb

J: Mr James Murray

T: Debra Hamer

Seven-time chase winner who developed into a useful performer last season; below form at Uttoxeter recently and tricky to weigh up over hurdles but still looks tempting, given he's 27lb lower in this sphere.

5/1

9th

7

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:27 Uttoxeter

Hold Your Fort

10st 11lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Debra Hamer

Chase record is 7-20, the most recent success in veterans' contest at Ascot (3m, good) in March; couple of sound efforts since demonstrate that he remains in form aged ten; faces a tougher assignment off current mark in this field, however.

12/1

3rd

4

4th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:03 Fakenham

Hold Your Fort

10st 9lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Debra Hamer

Made all in three-runner contest at Ascot (3m, good) in March and arguably bettered that form when close/clear second at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) last month; might be a shade vulnerable off new mark but at least we know he's in excellent nick.

5/2

Non-runners

Wicked Thoughts

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.10
Straight Forecast £6.05
Trifecta £12.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kap Vert

Telegraph:

Royal Jewel

D Express:

Kelce

RP RATINGS:

Kap Vert

TOPSPEED:

Kap Vert

POSTDATA:

Kap Vert

The Times:

Kap Vert

Daily Mirror:

Kap Vert

The Guardian:

Royal Jewel

Daily Mail:

Royal Jewel

The Sun:

Royal Jewel

The Star:

Kelce

Daily Record:

Kelce