May 28 / 16.18 Newton Abbot

16.18

Good

Chris Wills Memorial Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 5f 122y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Chris Wills Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 13332-

Last run: 261 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
In this month last year he completed a good-ground hat-trick in winning at Hereford (2m3f) when 6lb lower; coped okay with the soft when second to course specialist Investment Manager here in September; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Paddy De Pole

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

3-14 over hurdles, having battled well to beat two next-time-out winners at Sedgefield (3m3f, good) last month; effectively 7lb higher here if Freddie Keighley's reduced claim is considered; still enters calculations.

7/1

4

4th Sep 2025

Good

3m 3f 9y

Class 4

18:00 Sedgefield

Paddy De Pole

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Completed a hat-trick when winning at Hereford in May 2024 and remained in respectable form for the rest of that year; wasn't one of his better efforts when fifth on comeback at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in May, however, and pulled up in a three-runner chase at Worcester (mistakes) last time; last run can probably be forgiven and this return to hurdles is a positive.

9/2

2

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:05 Worcester

Paddy De Pole

11st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Completed a good-ground hat-trick over hurdles during the first half of last year and only 4lb higher than for the last of those wins; perhaps needed his comeback race and, given his yard, he may well do better over fences.

15/8

Form: PP257- CD

Last run: 204 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Chasing when last seen, going close here before two lesser runs; potentially well handicapped on this return to hurdling; peak form is on good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

17:05 Stratford

Bagheera Ginge

11st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made all in small field at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in September but absent since running poorly in Sedgefield marathon three weeks later and needs to resume in peak form to have a chance off current mark; swaps usual cheekpieces for first-time visor.

7/1

4

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 5f 48y

Class 2

16:06 Sedgefield

Bagheera Ginge

10st 10lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

First chase win was in October 2023 and the second wasn't until last month but he thoroughly dominated a four-runner race at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) on that latest outing, returning to his best; unraced beyond that and needs to find a bit extra given he's back up 7lb, so connections enlist 7lb-claiming amateur who's already won a hurdle race for them this week.

9/2

1st

5

29th Sep 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

16:16 Newton Abbot

Bagheera Ginge

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Returned from layoff with low-key hurdle run in May but has finished close up in two Worcester chases (both 2m7f, good) since; remains on a good mark and is also suited by this track; major player if stamina holds out over this new trip.

15/8

Form: 1224-9

Last run: 18 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Maiden winner who has been beaten about 18l (2m4f) and 11l (3m) in his two handicaps but both were competitive Class 2 races; respected at this easier level with cheekpieces now turned to; has form on good and soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

26th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

19:39 Plumpton

Escapologist

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nick Scholfield

Dual hurdle winner for James Owen, most recently at Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft) in March; backed that up with a solid effort next time but was beaten 22l when favourite back there 18 days ago, which leaves him with a bit to prove; makes stable debut with the booking of Sean Bowen catching the eye.

9/2

6th

7

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Escapologist

11st 9lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

C&D scorer in March (good to soft) on his first realistic staying assignment, and 3lb badly in when not quite up to defying a penalty next time; of renewed interest after a break, and a winner on good also.

6/1

4th

6

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:20 Wetherby

Escapologist

10st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Seems badly in under a penalty for recent 2m7f success at Market Rasen, with future mark 3lb lower; however, remains unexposed at this sort of distance and may show the progress that's needed to follow up.

11/4

Form: 5634-1 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Only two finished when edging home at Warwick (3m1f, good) but he's well handicapped on old form and the forecast rain will if anything aid his prospects.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

26th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

19:39 Plumpton

Striking A Pose

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Recorded his sixth hurdle win when making all off a reduced mark at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in April, and his follow-up bid off this mark was respectable back there 20 days ago; capable off this mark but not without risk.

9/2

4th

1

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:20 Newton Abbot

Striking A Pose

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Recorded his sixth hurdle win when making all off a reduced mark over C&D (good; 4-1) three weeks ago; back up 4lb but remains well treated on old form and is versatile ground-wise; key player.

5/2

1st

2

14th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

16:17 Newton Abbot

Striking A Pose

11st 13lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Five-time hurdle winner who hasn't looked like adding to that on recent efforts, although latest was more encouraging over C&D; well treated on past form but needs to step up.

10/1

Form: /P52-6

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
His third run after wind surgery and second for this yard when beaten a head at Exeter (2m5f); stayed on well for an 8l sixth at Worcester (2m4f; again on good; handles softer) last time; considered on this return to further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:10 Exeter

Teorie

12st 0lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Two-time winner over hurdles on good to soft, at around 2m (acts on a sound surface); stays 2m5f; some way below his best since last spring; well treated on form of almost a year ago if bouncing back but has that to prove.

10/1

6th

7

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:50 Chepstow

Teorie

11st 9lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

Out of form on slow ground during the winter but his recent fifth at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) was a step back in the right direction, and he might be seen to better effect if the ground is genuinely good here.

20/1

5th

7

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

13:37 Wincanton

Teorie

11st 5lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Well below best on soft/heavy ground in recent months and not yet proven beyond about 2m5f but now very well handicapped on last spring's good-ground form, and the drying conditions here offer renewed hope.

14/1

Form: /112-1 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
One Flat win and three hurdle victories, doing it comfortably in the end over C&D three weeks ago (good); might well cope with the 6lb rise and any rain shouldn't hurt her chances.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Al Sayah

11st 10lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Neil Mulholland

5-14 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Taunton (3m, good; wore cheekpieces) last month; posted another career-best performance when finishing well from the rear for close third in valuable Haydock handicap (3m, good; first-time visor) 16 days ago and commands respect here.

5/1

3rd

11

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Al Sayah

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

First four hurdle wins came in the month of May, before he took a four-runner race at Taunton (3m, good) last month; 5lb higher in today's much more competitive affair but that was his first attempt over this far and he might have more to offer as a stayer; first visor replaces cheekpieces.

14/1

1st

3

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

16:50 Taunton

Al Sayah

11st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Neil Mulholland

All four wins over hurdles have came in the month of May; returned from her winter break when last of four at Plumpton (2m2f, good to soft) last month; should be sharper and steps up in trip but is 10lb above her last winning mark.

6/1

Form: 6U36F-

Last run: 259 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
No wins in 13; has each-way claims on his best form and has undergone wind surgery since last seen; could have a part to play if resuming in good order; 1lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

20:27 Newton Abbot

Borderline

10st 6lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

0-11 over hurdles but returned from layoff/wind surgery with promising third of seven here (2m5f, good) last month and could have untapped potential over this longer trip; one to consider.

10/1

7

28th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:18 Newton Abbot

Borderline

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

No wins in 13; has each-way claims on his best form and has undergone wind surgery since last seen; could have a part to play if resuming in good order; 1lb out of the weights.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.10
Straight Forecast £14.86
Trifecta £83.70

Selections

Telegraph:

Al Sayah

SPOTLIGHT:

Striking A Pose

RP RATINGS:

Paddy De Pole

The Times:

Teorie

TOPSPEED:

Borderline

The Guardian:

Teorie

The Sun:

Al Sayah

The Star:

Al Sayah

Daily Record:

Al Sayah

WEST COUNTRY:

Paddy De Pole

D Express:

Paddy De Pole

POSTDATA:

Striking A Pose

Daily Mail:

Striking A Pose

Daily Mirror:

Striking A Pose