15:58 Newcastle

Saturday 21 February 2026

All13:0513:3514:1014:4315:2015:5816:33

Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:58 | Winning time: 4m 13.53s

Minella Crooner^p²⁹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: R P McLernon| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 142

80/1

Smart Irish chaser at his best for Gordon Elliott. However, he ended his time there under a cloud so the percentage call is to look elsewhere now returning from 9 months off for his new stable.

Form: 1/P65P8-

Peaky Boy³⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 139| C| DWS

9/2

A useful winning hurdler/chaser who progressed well in a light career for Nicky Henderson but he showed little for his new yard when a tailed-off third of 4 in Grade 2 chase at Ascot a year ago. Back after breathing surgery now and could still do better.

Form: 111/133-

Prairie Wolf^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Callum Bewley| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 134| D

9/2

Resumed winning ways in 2m4f handicap chase at Aintree in December but he beat only two in handicap chase at Cheltenham (20.6f, soft) 28 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 3P-3319

Josh The Boss^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Jamie Neild⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132| D

5/2

Multiple hurdles winner who also scored over fences (around 2m4f) at Newbury and Doncaster in November. Ridden too aggressively on his first go over 3m when sixth of 8 back at Doncaster last time and can't be ruled out back in trip here.

Form: 821126

Sunnyvilla²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 126

3/1

On the up for his current yard and he comfortably bagged 5-runner handicap chase at Uttoxeter (16f, heavy) last month. This veteran remains quite low mileage and is weighted to go close despite a 4 lb weights rise.

Form: 3/12-421

Primoz^t⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 123

10/1

Unreliable type who arrives well below par, only sixth of 8 in handicap chase at Haydock (16.3f, good to soft) 63 days ago. Others are preferred.

Form: 07-2356

My Noble Lord^p,t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 120| D

13/2

Made a successful start over hurdles for current yard at Chepstow last October and bagged a first win in this sphere in 8-runner handicap at Uttoxeter (20f, heavy) 28 days ago. Up 4 lb but he looks to have more to offer so must enter calculations.

Form: 833-241

Non-Runners

O'Toole⁶³

Weight: 11-6| Age: 10

T: S R B Crawford J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Josh The Boss (5/2), Sunnyvilla (3/1), Prairie Wolf (9/2), Peaky Boy (9/2), My Noble Lord (13/2), Primoz (10/1), O'Toole (12/1), Minella Crooner (80/1)

SUNNYVILLA is the eldest in the line-up but has thrived for the switch to Nicky Richards and is taken to make light of a 4 lb rise for his stylish Uttoxeter success. Josh The Boss should prove suited by stepping back in trip and could emerge as the chief threat, atlhough the still-unexposed My Noble Lord can also have a say.