May 30 / 20.45 Stratford

20.45

Good

White Swan Hotel Stratford Open Hunters’ Chase

  • Prize money: £3079.8
  • 2m 0f 213y
  • Class 5
  • 6 runners
RTV
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White Swan Hotel Stratford Open Hunters’ Chase

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Hunter Chase

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £2.90

Form: 1230-8 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
On the go since September, picking up a Fakenham handicap (2m5f; made all) and Ludlow hunter chase (3m) on the way; no ground issues and bags of stamina in hand at this trip, but offered little at Aintree (Foxhunters') and Cheltenham the last twice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 219y

Class 4

18:39 Plumpton

Frere DArmes

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Has been well out of form since returning in September from a break and has offered little switched to hunter chases this year; now back in handicap company for his leading stable and down to a potentially workable mark, but recent efforts temper enthusiasm.

2/1

4th

1

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:50 Ludlow

Frere DArmes

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Odds-on third in this race last year before comfortably making all in Stratford hunter chase (2m1f, good) in May; hasn't got near the latter form in eight starts since September however and latest pulled up, despite attracting some support, was a third non completion in a row; others look safer.

7/2

1

13th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

15:25 Fakenham

Frere DArmes

12st 6lb

J: Mr Dominic Lewis

T: Dan Skelton

He was in better form when runner-up in this last year having won his previous race; very disappointing when pulled up back here just before Christmas and then unseated at Ludlow when 33-1; hard to trust right now.

11/2

2/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: /2120-

Last run: 314 days

W: 11st 12lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Undefeated in four small-field 3m open points (good/good to firm), the successes around the sharp left-handers at Higham and Fakenham particularly relevant in today's context; can lead but needn't, and won't want for experience of regulation fences (24 chase starts); player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

The Big Lense

11st 12lb

J: Mr Rupert Stearn

T: Mrs J Owen

Undefeated in four small-field 3m open points (good/good to firm), the successes around the sharp left-handers at Higham and Fakenham particularly relevant in today's context; can lead but needn't, and won't want for experience of regulation fences (24 chase starts); player.

2/1

2nd

6

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

The Big Lense

11st 12lb

J: Mr Rupert Stearn

T: Mrs J Owen

Undefeated in four small-field 3m open points (good/good to firm), the successes around the sharp left-handers at Higham and Fakenham particularly relevant in today's context; can lead but needn't, and won't want for experience of regulation fences (24 chase starts); player.

2/1

11th

13

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

15:15 Market Rasen

The Big Lense

11st 3lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: James Owen

Better over fences than hurdles so encouraging to see him win over the smaller obstacles last month before chasing home a hot Bowen-trained favourite over C&D two weeks ago; should go well despite the 3lb rise.

33/1

Form: 2/33-4 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Should have stamina to spare as a dual Fontwell winner at up to 2m3f; fared okay deep into this month's Cheltenham stable debut (2m) but still beaten over 15l, and have to hope that run was simply needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

17:25 Stratford

Kansas Du Berlais

11st 10lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Christopher Mark Clarke

Made the frame (albeit safely held) in two good-quality hunter chases (2m/2m1f) last May and dug deep to beat useful rival in small-field open point at Charing (3m, good to soft; subsequently disqualified) in January; turned over at short odds in latest point but still enters calculations.

11/1

3rd

4

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Kansas Du Berlais

11st 12lb

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Christopher Mark Clarke

Should have stamina to spare as a dual Fontwell winner at up to 2m3f; fared okay deep into this month's Cheltenham stable debut (2m) but still beaten over 15l, and have to hope that run was simply needed.

12/1

3rd

4

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Kansas Du Berlais

11st 12lb

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Christopher Mark Clarke

Should have stamina to spare as a dual Fontwell winner at up to 2m3f; fared okay deep into this month's Cheltenham stable debut (2m) but still beaten over 15l, and have to hope that run was simply needed.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2/31F-

Last run: 57 days

W: 12st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Beaten favourite five times running, not always hitting the line strongly, before alighting upon a 2m Leicester hunter chase in March; player on that form, and exited the Aintree Foxhunters' too early to have had a hard race, but effectiveness on dry ground untested since early 2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

16

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Joker De Mai

12st 0lb

J: Mr R James

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

7-1 when early faller at the Chair in this last year; this 7yo was an eye-catching third at Ludlow in February on penultimate start, having been hampered, but needs to step up on this season's handicap form if he's to threaten.

20/1

3rd

2

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:05 Warwick

Joker De Mai

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Returned to form when finishing third at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) recently, when back up in trip on his third start for this yard; he came clear with two progressive opponents last time, despite being hampered in the back straight, and could have a big part to play today.

5/2

3rd

2

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

14:58 Ludlow

Joker De Mai

11st 13lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Won a hunter chase under former owner David Maxwell in March; sold for £90,000 in October; his quiet stable debut was at Cheltenham and he showed more at Newbury when about 11l off the winner (2m); returning to slower ground over further could be beneficial; respected.

8/1

Form: 4/0P-5

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Player on winter 2024's frame finishes in 2m chases for Willie Mullins, albeit gained on soft/heavy; dispiriting return following wind surgery in a Fakenham claiming hurdle latest, from which cheekpieces are retained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Figaroc

11st 12lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Alexandra Dunn

Player on winter 2024's frame finishes in 2m chases for Willie Mullins, albeit gained on soft/heavy; dispiriting return following wind surgery in a Fakenham claiming hurdle latest, from which cheekpieces are retained.

16/1

3

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Figaroc

11st 12lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Alexandra Dunn

Player on winter 2024's frame finishes in 2m chases for Willie Mullins, albeit gained on soft/heavy; dispiriting return following wind surgery in a Fakenham claiming hurdle latest, from which cheekpieces are retained.

16/1

5th

3

6th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

14:15 Fakenham

Figaroc

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Alexandra Dunn

soon prominent, lost position after 3 out, weakened after 2 out

12/1

Form: 44/28-

Last run: 365 days

W: 11st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
1-31 and not always a strong finisher under rules previously, but really dug in to wrest the prize back at Mollington latest (2m4f, good to firm); plenty to find on peak ratings but confidence restored at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Samtara

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Marshall

T: Ms Claire Hart

1-31 and not always a strong finisher under rules previously, but really dug in to wrest the prize back at Mollington latest (2m4f, good to firm); plenty to find on peak ratings but confidence restored at least.

33/1

5

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Samtara

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Marshall

T: Ms Claire Hart

1-31 and not always a strong finisher under rules previously, but really dug in to wrest the prize back at Mollington latest (2m4f, good to firm); plenty to find on peak ratings but confidence restored at least.

33/1

8th

7

30th May 2024

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Warwick

Samtara

11st 4lb

J: Mr Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Not the best of strike-rates but sound run when second over fences at Huntingdon last time (2m7f, good); well handicapped at present; a possible back hurdling.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £43.50
Straight Forecast £53.57
Trifecta £124.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Joker De Mai

TOPSPEED:

Frere d'Armes

SPOTLIGHT:

The Big Lense

POSTDATA:

Joker De Mai

The Times:

Joker De Mai

Telegraph:

Joker De Mai

The Guardian:

Joker De Mai

D Express:

Joker De Mai

Daily Mirror:

Joker De Mai

The Sun:

Joker De Mai

Daily Record:

Joker De Mai

Daily Mail:

Frere d'Armes

The Star:

Frere d'Armes