November 27 / 12.50 Hereford

12.50

Good To Soft

Wye Valley Metals Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 0f 8y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Wye Valley Metals Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 714-71 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 12st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Built upon promise shown on seasonal/chase debut when making all for clearcut success at Warwick (2m, good to soft) a week ago; has plenty of scope for further improvement over fences and needs to be taken very seriously under 7lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 12y

Class 5

16:40 Taunton

Paddy In The Caddy

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

A three-time 2m chase winner last season but he's offered precious little this term, tried in blinkers when pulled up on his last two runs at Ludlow and Exeter either side of Christmas; his mark is plummeting but it's still easy to look elsewhere.

14/1

9th

5

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:55 Huntingdon

Paddy In The Caddy

11st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

3-8 over fences, the latest win gained gamely from the front at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) in March; ended last season with two lesser efforts, though, and current mark probably demands a career best.

12/1

9th

5

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:55 Huntingdon

Paddy In The Caddy

11st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

3-8 over fences, the latest win gained gamely from the front at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) in March; ended last season with two lesser efforts, though, and current mark probably demands a career best.

12/1

8/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 255-F6

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
0-8 over fences now but gave it a pretty good shot under very positive ride before weakening into sixth on stable debut at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) in September; could take some catching if he gets into a good rhythm over this shorter trip; hood/tongue-tie refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

17:25 Huntingdon

Flamelco

11st 1lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Sarah Humphrey

Has three wins over fences, including one over C&D; 2lb lower than for his last win at Plumpton last April but has been below his best on his last three starts, the latest when tailed off over hurdles.

16/1

7th

7

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Kempton

Flamelco

11st 1lb

J: Jamie Gambin

T: Sarah Humphrey

Hasn't raced over hurdles for nearly three years but is competitively treated assuming he's in top form; on last winning chase mark.

14/1

2nd

3

8th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 77y

Class 4

15:45 Sedgefield

Flamelco

11st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Sarah Humphrey

Gained a third chase win last season at Plumpton (2m1f) in April but went too freely when last of three in 2m Huntingdon handicap chase the following month; it would come as no surprise to see him bounce back after a break here though.

9/4

7/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 24B2-3 BF

Last run: 204 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
0-9 over hurdles but was placed off today's mark on consecutive starts at Ffos Las (2m4f/2m) in the spring and has possibilities here if he takes well to chasing at the first attempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

16th Mar 2025

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

14:52 Market Rasen

Smart Casual

10st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Anthony Honeyball

Not the best of jumpers and yet to win in four attempts over fences; spoilt chance with a bad error three out when second at Leicester last week (2m, good to soft; 6-5 favourite; cheekpieces tried); obvious contender.

6/4

Form: 5PP-17

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Returned to form and showed willing attitude to make winning seasonal/chase debut at Ludlow (2m4f, good) in October; can probably cope with the shorter trip here but was quickly back in the doldrums at Bangor last time and has become very hard to predict.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

4th Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:32 Warwick

Iron DEx

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Ended last season in poor form but made quite encouraging reappearance when fourth (about 9l behind Ballynaheer) at Hereford (3m1f, good) three weeks ago; on very good mark now and has cheekpieces refitted today; dangerous to ignore.

4/1

2nd

4

4th Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:32 Warwick

Iron DEx

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Ended last season in poor form but made quite encouraging reappearance when fourth (about 9l behind Ballynaheer) at Hereford (3m1f, good) three weeks ago; on very good mark now and has cheekpieces refitted today; dangerous to ignore.

4/1

2nd

4

4th Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:32 Warwick

Iron DEx

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Ended last season in poor form but made quite encouraging reappearance when fourth (about 9l behind Ballynaheer) at Hereford (3m1f, good) three weeks ago; on very good mark now and has cheekpieces refitted today; dangerous to ignore.

4/1

Form: F2-7U3

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Jumping has been an issue since he switched to chasing in the spring but there is little doubt he has the ability to win off his current mark if/when everything goes to plan; ran on well for third at Ludlow (2m, good) three weeks ago, having lost significant ground when slipping on landing at fourth-last fence, and can't be ignored here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 4

16:07 Newbury

Dunstall Rambler

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Tom George

Weakened to be beaten 22l last time at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) and all his three wins have been at about 2m; wouldn't be the obvious answer no matter how well the new headgear works.

25/1

4th

3

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:02 Southwell

Dunstall Rambler

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Tom George

Won for the third time over fences at Worcester in October (2m, good; by 18l); has a chance on that run but best form has been at shorter (jumped poorly when well beaten on last completed run at 2m4f); acts on good to soft but he's not a real mudlark.

7/1

1

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:57 Worcester

Dunstall Rambler

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Tom George

Consistent sort who won twice over fences last term; stable's first runner over fences this season and may have more to give.

10/1

Form: 677-40

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Not yet fully exposed after only seven starts but was beaten just over 30l in his first two chases, more recently when always towards rear over C&D (good) last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

12:50 Hereford

The Big Man

10st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Not yet fully exposed after only seven starts but was beaten just over 30l in his first two chases, more recently when always towards rear over C&D (good) last month.

16/1

6th

8

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

12:50 Hereford

The Big Man

10st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Not yet fully exposed after only seven starts but was beaten just over 30l in his first two chases, more recently when always towards rear over C&D (good) last month.

16/1

10th

11

4th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

16:20 Hereford

The Big Man

10st 7lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Offered little over hurdles but he's a well-bred 5yo with low mileage and, although well beaten on his switch to fences at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft), he was well backed; shaped as though the run would bring him on.

10/1

Form: F39423 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
In the frame on his last three hurdling starts, most recently when third of six here (2m, good) a fortnight ago, but has modest 2-41 strike-rate in that sphere and has left it rather late in the day to launch his chasing career.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

13:15 Stratford

Coup De Gold

10st 9lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Evan Williams

Made the frame twice in the spring (2m4f/2m5f) but was well beaten at Cartmel three months ago with no obvious excuse; just two wins from 45 attempts over hurdles and he's fully exposed.

10/1

8

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Coup De Gold

10st 9lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Evan Williams

Has very modest 2-44 strike-rate over hurdles but made the frame on both starts in the spring (2m4f/2m5f) and is suited by this C&D; won't mind what the weather does; probably won't be far away.

6/1

Form: 65-PP1

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on consecutive hurdling starts in May but kept on strongly from off the pace to cause 25-1 surprise on last month's chasing debut at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft); subsequent 4lb rise does not look excessive; interesting to see whether he can use that success as a springboard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:42 Fontwell

Wellwillya

10st 5lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Helen Nelmes

Record of 2-7 over fences and he ran a big race in defeat at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) last month; is also well suited by this track and he should be in the mix again after a short break.

10/1

2nd

10

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Wellwillya

10st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Helen Nelmes

2-6 over fences and was running well when last seen 12 months ago; trip/ground fine and on a competitive mark, while has won after a break in the past.

13/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.70
Straight Forecast £20.19
Tricast £86.97
Trifecta £120.50

Selections

The Guardian:

Paddy In The Caddy

Telegraph:

Wellwillya

POSTDATA:

Iron d'Ex

SPOTLIGHT:

Flamelco

D Express:

Smart Casual

Daily Mail:

Paddy In The Caddy

Daily Mirror:

Paddy In The Caddy

The Times:

Iron d'Ex

The Star:

Wellwillya

Daily Record:

Wellwillya

RP RATINGS:

Flamelco