July 01 / 20.18 Stratford

20.18

Good To Firm

Farmers Farewell Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4568.06
  • 2m 3f 98y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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Farmers Farewell Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: 06-324 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Three-time hurdle winner, most recently off this mark at Exeter (2m, good) in November; made a promising chase debut in May when a staying-on second at Huntingdon (2m, good) but never involved at Newton Abbot (2m, good to soft) last month, shaping on both occasions as though a step back up in trip would help; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

17:35 Newton Abbot

Magic Seven

11st 11lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Three-time hurdle winner (2m-2m3f) who is still seeking a first chase success after four attempts over fences, though he's gone close on a couple of occasions; the drop in trip will not be an issue and he's not yet fully exposed, but he'll need to step up on those efforts if he's to break his duck.

10/1

5th

8

24th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 Worcester

Magic Seven

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Three-time hurdle winner (2m-2m3f); not one to rely upon heavily nowadays but ran well in defeat over fences at Stratford (2m3f, good to firm) last month and has possibilities if this new trip suits.

8/1

1

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

20:18 Stratford

Magic Seven

12st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Three-time hurdle winner, most recently off this mark at Exeter (2m, good) in November; made a promising chase debut in May when a staying-on second at Huntingdon (2m, good) but never involved at Newton Abbot (2m, good to soft) last month, shaping on both occasions as though a step back up in trip would help; player.

5/1

Form: 5/164- C

Last run: 94 days

W: 12st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Lightly campaigned last season but won a hunter chase (2m1f, good) here last May; well held back in handicap company for new trainer in December but then showed more returned to hurdles back here in March; returns from another break and switches back to fences; not easily dismissed at a track he runs well at.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Worcester

Kaproyale

11st 10lb

J: Mr James King

T: Max Comley

Three-time hunter chase winner; gave good account when fourth over hurdles at Stratford (2m6f, good) in March and has become well handicapped in this sphere but was soundly beaten here (2m7f, good) last month.

6/1

6th

5

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:50 Worcester

Kaproyale

11st 10lb

J: Mr James King

T: Max Comley

Won 2m1f Stratford hunter chase last spring and ran well when fourth over hurdles there (2m6f, good) in March but was safely held in a handicap chase when back at Stratford this month and others in this field appeal more.

14/1

2

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

20:18 Stratford

Kaproyale

12st 1lb

J: Mr James King

T: Max Comley

Lightly campaigned last season but won a hunter chase (2m1f, good) here last May; well held back in handicap company for new trainer in December but then showed more returned to hurdles back here in March; returns from another break and switches back to fences; not easily dismissed at a track he runs well at.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 326-53 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 12st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent 10yo who was well beaten when back over fences in May (2m6f), then unsuited by the drop back to 2m on his most recent start at Newton Abbot last month when a well-held third of six; on a good mark if the mood takes him now back up to a more suitable test.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:23 Uttoxeter

Ballybegg

11st 11lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Dual C&D winner; went close off today's mark at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March but this regressive 10yo was soundly beaten over fences when last in action and would appeal much more on slower ground.

25/1

3

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

20:18 Stratford

Ballybegg

12st 1lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Inconsistent 10yo who was well beaten when back over fences in May (2m6f), then unsuited by the drop back to 2m on his most recent start at Newton Abbot last month when a well-held third of six; on a good mark if the mood takes him now back up to a more suitable test.

10/1

3rd

3

13th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

19:55 Newton Abbot

Ballybegg

11st 6lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Went close over hurdles at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March but this inconsistent and steadily regressive 10yo was well beaten when back over fences last month (2m6f); drops back to about 2m for first time since hurdle debut in 2020; has done all his winning on ground slower than good.

10/1

Form: 6136P- D

Last run: 210 days

W: 12st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Has a good strike-rate over fences (6-15), latest win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) nearly a year ago; not at his best late last year on last two starts; now only 1lb above that win and Finn Lambert's claim will help, but needs to bounce back after his break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

16th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:38 Uttoxeter

Imac Wood

11st 4lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Deborah Cole

6-16 over fences, the latest win gained in this race a year ago (soft ground; also suited by good); returned from seven-month with encouraging run a fortnight ago and should now be teed up to defend his crown.

16/1

4

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

20:18 Stratford

Imac Wood

12st 1lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Deborah Cole

Has a good strike-rate over fences (6-15), latest win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) nearly a year ago; not at his best late last year on last two starts; now only 1lb above that win and Finn Lambert's claim will help, but needs to bounce back after his break.

16/1

9

3rd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

12:15 Southwell

Imac Wood

11st 7lb

J: Chris Ward

T: Deborah Cole

Already has six chase wins under his belt but he hasn't been quite on song since the latest of them, at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in July; will do well to add to his haul in this race.

14/1

Form: 3217-2 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on soft ground at Plumpton in February but back to form returned to a quicker surface when back from a break with a 2l second of four at Warwick (2m4f, good) last month; doesn't appear to have a great deal of leeway off his current mark but shouldn't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

21:00 Warwick

Theonlywayiswessex

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

On a fairly tough mark but otherwise has plenty in his favour and ran a solid second over C&D last time; every chance.

6/4

2nd

5

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Warwick

Theonlywayiswessex

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Below par when last seen in August but ran pretty well in his previous two races, including here; has plenty in his favour, other than a tough enough mark.

8/1

4th

4

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

17:35 Newton Abbot

Theonlywayiswessex

11st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Two solid placed efforts since returning from a break, latest when a 7.25l third at Stratford (2m3f, good to firm; Magic Seven second) last month; should give another good account though he remains vulnerable off this sort of mark.

15/2

Form: 877-52 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Has a rather mixed record in recent years but he was touched off by a rapidly progressive one at Fontwell (2m3f, good) last month; back up 2lb but a leading contender if reproducing that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 205y

Class 4

14:30 Stratford

Midnight Jewel

11st 10lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Made it 6-17 over fences with his brave win at Fontwell (2m3f, good) last month; flopped in his follow-up bid at Huntingdon (pulled up) but he's only 1lb higher than for that penultimate run and he won here in the summer; player if he can bounce back.

5/1

1

7th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

15:37 Huntingdon

Midnight Jewel

11st 10lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Dual chase winner this season, latterly when battling on well at Fontwell (2m3f, good) last month; nudged up only 1lb for that and has a course hurdle win on his CV; ought to be right in the thick of things.

4/1

1st

6

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

15:05 Fontwell

Midnight Jewel

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Has won over C&D but had no answer to Lermoos Legend when third of five over C&D (good) 15 days ago.

7/1

Form: 22-432 C BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Multiple Flat/hurdle winner, mainly in Jersey; in the frame over hurdles all four starts since winning on the Flat in April, most recently when staying on second at Fontwell (2m1f, good) last month; makes a belated switch to fences as a 9yo but respected if taking to them, with conditions ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(7)

22nd May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:08 Bath

Man Of The Sea

9st 6lb

J: David Probert

T: Neil Mulholland

Veteran whose two 2025 wins were at this track over 1m6f and 1m5f; placed twice over hurdles last November but last week's run in that sphere (after a Flat reappearance here) was disappointing and dents his appeal.

8/1

4th

1

12th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:45 Hereford

Man Of The Sea

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Neil Mulholland

In good form without winning (runner-up over 2m3f at Taunton) before Christmas and should be sharper for a recent fifth on the Flat at Bath; this veteran needs considering.

6/1

5th

6

(4)

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 24y

Class 5

16:15 Bath

Man Of The Sea

8st 6lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Neil Mulholland

Has done a lot of his winning in Jersey but he scored here (1m5f, firm) in the autumn and was runner-up over hurdles at Taunton (2m3f) in his final run in 2025; returns after 141 days off but he needs watching in market back on the Flat.

3/1

Form: /PP/66

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Hasn't had a lot of racing in recent years and has been disappointing since winning an Irish maiden hurdle in 2022; hard to make a case for.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Worcester

Wee Willie Nail

11st 5lb

J: Mr Sam Burton

T: Richard Harper

Lightly raced in recent years and has been disappointing since winning an Irish maiden hurdle in 2022; hard to make a case for.

100/1

8

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

20:18 Stratford

Wee Willie Nail

10st 3lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Harper

Hasn't had a lot of racing in recent years and has been disappointing since winning an Irish maiden hurdle in 2022; hard to make a case for.

66/1

6th

3

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

15:13 Stratford

Wee Willie Nail

11st 12lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Harper

Lightly raced and very disappointing since Irish maiden hurdle win in 2022; well beaten when back under rules at Warwick (3m, good) a fortnight ago; drops sharply back in trip here.

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £35.20
Straight Forecast £30.06
Tricast £63.28
Trifecta £95.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Midnight Jewel

POSTDATA:

Theonlywayiswessex

Daily Mail:

Man Of The Sea

SPOTLIGHT:

Magic Seven

The Times:

Theonlywayiswessex

Daily Record:

Theonlywayiswessex

TOPSPEED:

Midnight Jewel

Telegraph:

Midnight Jewel

The Guardian:

Midnight Jewel

D Express:

Midnight Jewel

Daily Mirror:

Midnight Jewel

The Star:

Midnight Jewel

The Sun:

Man Of The Sea