October 11 / 17.10 Chepstow

17.10

Good To Soft

dragonbet.co.uk Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 7f 131y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
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dragonbet.co.uk Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.30
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 094-P2

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Just 1-14 over hurdles when trained in Ireland but ran well in defeat on last month's stable debut at Worcester (2m4f, good) and is sure to be suited by today's move back up in trip; must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Tranquil Sea

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Bounced back to form with ready win in valuable race at Plumpton (3m1f, good) in April, and encountered traffic before keeping on for fourth at Haydock (3m, good; behind Al Sayah) 16 days ago; remains of strong interest.

3/1

4th

13

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Tranquil Sea

10st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Had one wind operation last November and another this March; surged back from a lean spell with 5l win at Plumpton (3m1f, good) three weeks ago on a rare run in cheekpieces, which are retained, but today's 7lb higher mark in a warm race demands a career best.

3/1

1st

11

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

Tranquil Sea

10st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Had further wind surgery prior to a poor effort last time (2m5f) but may benefit from this step back up in trip and he has become attractively treated, being 3lb below the mark he defied in October (2m7f); Harry Skelton prefers him over the improving Top Guy; interesting.

6/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: F213-3 BF

Last run: 139 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
May not be entirely straightforward but won Ayr maiden (2m3f, heavy) in February and was third off today's mark in two spring handicaps (2m5f/2m4f); had wind op during summer break and now wears a tongue-tie; could have untapped potential over this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Marlacoo

11st 6lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Won an Irish bumper and added an Ayr maiden hurdle last season; beaten seven times since that last win despite heading the market but did run well with the visor back on at Haydock (2m3f, good to soft) four weeks ago; should be involved once more.

100/30

3rd

9

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 191y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Marlacoo

11st 5lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Irish bumper winner who got off the mark over hurdles in Ayr maiden (about 2m3f, heavy) just over a year ago; expensive to follow subsequently and it was a moderate effort when sixth of eight over this sort of trip at Catterick (soft) last time; doesn't look the percentage call.

10/1

6th

5

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

15:00 Catterick

Marlacoo

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Irish bumper winner who got off the mark over hurdles in an Ayr maiden (2m3f, heavy) last February; two decent placed efforts this term, following wind surgery, in first-time visor latest (left off here); a possible.

11/4

10/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 12P66- C

Last run: 173 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with some below-par efforts but was creditable second off today's mark at Cheltenham (3m, soft) on New Year's Day and will be fine on the faster ground here; Sean Bowen rides; contender if back on song after break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 12lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Rebecca Curtis

Not wholly straightforward, but appreciated the return to hurdling sufficiently to record a new personal best in victory at Uttoxeter latest (2m7f, good to soft); blinkers debuted there will need to work at least as well now returned to his previous highest mark; has won on good.

11/2

1st

8

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 8lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Rebecca Curtis

Completed a double over hurdles at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in November 2024 but he's been up and down since and was pulled up over fences at Chepstow (11-4 favourite) last month; new headgear is now tried and he comes with risks attached back in this sphere.

6/1

7

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Won over C&D (good) last season and has made the frame all three hurdling starts this term, the latest here (2m7f, good to soft) in December; seems versatile ground-wise and, from a workable mark, probably won't be far away.

6/1

Form: 32-5P1

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 54-201 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Sold out of Jonjo and A J O'Neill stable after disappointing handicap debut in June (2m4f) but justified heavy market support when upped to 2m7f for Mickey Bowen at Worcester (good) a fortnight ago, winning readily by over 5l; hiked up 10lb for that but still commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 63y

Class 4

12:55 Ascot

Theatre Of Flight

11st 12lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Safely held when fifth at Chepstow three weeks ago but justified heavy market support on stable debut at Worcester (2m7f, good) in September, winning readily by over 5l, and could still build on that performance if coping with today's drop back in trip.

6/1

6

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 63y

Class 4

12:55 Ascot

Theatre Of Flight

11st 12lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Safely held when fifth at Chepstow three weeks ago but justified heavy market support on stable debut at Worcester (2m7f, good) in September, winning readily by over 5l, and could still build on that performance if coping with today's drop back in trip.

6/1

5th

9

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Theatre Of Flight

11st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Sold out of Jonjo and A J O'Neill stable after disappointing handicap debut in June (2m4f) but justified heavy market support when upped to 2m7f for Mickey Bowen at Worcester (good) a fortnight ago, winning readily by over 5l; hiked up 10lb for that but still commands respect.

7/2

Form: 45241- C

Last run: 188 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Rewarded a determined Sean Bowen ride when winning off reduced mark at Plumpton (3m1f, good) in the spring; still well handicapped on older form and unexposed at around 3m but others have more persuasive profiles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Shared

11st 10lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Rewarded a determined Sean Bowen ride when winning off reduced mark at Plumpton (3m1f, good) in the spring; still well handicapped on older form and unexposed at around 3m but others have more persuasive profiles.

10/1

1st

3

6th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:52 Plumpton

Shared

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Harry Derham

raced lazily, raced in last, headway before 3 out, went second approaching last, soon pressed leader, ridden to lead towards finish, all out

11/4

1st

3

6th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:52 Plumpton

Shared

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Harry Derham

raced lazily, raced in last, some headway before 3 out, went second approaching last, soon pressed leader, ridden to lead towards finish, all out

11/4

Form: -11157 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 11lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Veteran who won four times in a row (2m7f-3m1f; twice under Harry Cobden) and returned to peak form in the spring; safely held last month, after a short break, and may find younger rivals better treated again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Im A Starman

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mark Rimell

Grand veteran with eight wins over hurdles, including two over C&D last summer; down to his last winning mark and should be sharper for his fifth at Hereford last month following a five-month layoff, but you have to think that one of his younger rivals should have his measure.

12/1

5th

4

16th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:30 Hereford

Im A Starman

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Mark Rimell

Registered a four-timer last April-June (3m1f/2m7f, good/good to soft); very in and out since and he's now a 13yo but he finished on the heels of the principals off today's mark at Warwick in November when last seen; more to prove after the break.

4/1

3

19th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Im A Starman

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Mark Rimell

Secured the second leg of a four-timer with wide-margin win over C&D (good) in May; now just 2lb above his last winning mark but generally well beaten since (the exception in a four-runner race) and he was tailed off last time; others look more likely.

16/1

Form: 12-

Last run: 227 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on Irish point debut last December and won run-of-the-mill 2m maiden hurdle on rules debut in February; remote when second at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) later that month and needs to improve to have any chance off opening handicap mark but today's even longer trip ought to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:12 Southwell

Rule Me In

10st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Won over hurdles on rules debut in February 2025, but disappointing since switched to chasing in the autumn (six attempts); he was beaten 40l+ over about 2m4f on both outings in March.

8/1

7th

10

31st Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

15:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Rule Me In

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Won over hurdles but no closer than 25l in five runs over fences and he's hard to trust at the minute.

10/1

Form: -41126 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner on good ground this summer (2m7f/3m2f); last month's chasing defeat is probably best overlooked (didn't jump well enough) but he has high mileage for his age and might be vulnerable in this grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

4th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:00 Uttoxeter

Faded Fantasy

11st 1lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Three good-ground wins at up to 3m2f during a profitable 2025, all off at least 9lb lower; yet to defy a break in excess of 45 days, so absence since January cannot rate a plus.

25/1

7th

13

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Faded Fantasy

11st 2lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Ran creditably at Hereford (3m1f) last time, bouncing back from two poor efforts, but this looks a tougher assignment; still seeking first handicap success above Class 5.

20/1

9th

11

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Faded Fantasy

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Christian Williams

Dual hurdle winner on good ground this summer (2m7f/3m2f); last month's chasing defeat is probably best overlooked (didn't jump well enough) but he has high mileage for his age and might be vulnerable in this grade.

20/1

Form: 9P4P6- CD

Last run: 170 days

W: 12st 0lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won twice over C&D in 2023-24 season and ran well when fourth over C&D in February but this 12yo is far too inconsistent to rely upon nowadays, and has been absent since two heavy defeats in the spring.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Classic Concorde

11st 10lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: David Brace

Veteran who is on a losing run but ran well enough for a long way in a Class 2 handicap at Chepstow two months ago (2m7f, good to soft) to command respect at this lower level; goes well on this ground.

6/1

10th

1

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Classic Concorde

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: David Brace

Won twice over C&D in 2023-24 season and ran well when fourth over C&D in February but this 12yo is far too inconsistent to rely upon nowadays, and has been absent since two heavy defeats in the spring.

20/1

5

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Classic Concorde

10st 13lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

Veteran who has proved far from consistent since winning a Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow 14 months ago; not the percentage call.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3462-3

Last run: 136 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Didn't run badly when third of five in Newton Abbot chase (3m2f, good) in May and today's switch back to hurdling won't be a problem but his record in recent years is mixed; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Investment Manager

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Didn't run badly when third of five in Newton Abbot chase (3m2f, good) in May and today's switch back to hurdling won't be a problem but his record in recent years is mixed; others preferred.

14/1

3rd

2

28th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:48 Newton Abbot

Investment Manager

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Often leads; has five wins and five seconds to show from 12 previous visits to this track, including a win in this 12 months ago (on soft); returns off a 3lb lower mark and latest 12l defeat here was on good ground that would have been on the lively side; every chance with rain forecast.

11/4

3rd

2

28th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:48 Newton Abbot

Investment Manager

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Often leads; has five wins and five seconds to show from 12 previous visits to this track, including a win in this 12 months ago (on soft); returns off a 3lb lower mark and latest 12l defeat here was on good ground that would have been on the lively side; every chance with rain forecast.

11/4

Form: 34315- D

Last run: 175 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Came good for Fergal O'Brien at fourth attempt, in 14-runner handicap at Newbury (3m, good to soft) in March; still on a manageable mark after 4lb rise but we haven't seen him since a lesser effort in April.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

24th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:12 Uttoxeter

Mahler Moon

11st 3lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Consistent gelding on his favoured good ground, winning twice this year in small fields; beaten 9l into second in another last time but there's a big run in him.

4/1

2nd

4

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

17:42 Hereford

Mahler Moon

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

In great form on good ground this spring, winning twice and running well in between; raised only a further 2lb for Wincanton performance (3m1f) last time; likely to remain competitive.

5/2

1st

3

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

13:47 Wincanton

Mahler Moon

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won 3m handicap hurdle at Newbury last March on good to soft; dug deepest to get off the mark over fences at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) and ran well last week at Exeter, for all that only two got round (he was hampered by the faller).

7/4

Non-runners

Road Senam, Pachacuti, House Of Habsburg

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.50
Straight Forecast £12.64
Tricast £89.82
Trifecta £120.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Theatre Of Flight

POSTDATA:

Paddy De Pole

The Times:

Marlacoo

LAMBOURN:

Shared

TOPSPEED:

Mahler Moon

RP RATINGS:

Theatre Of Flight

D Express:

Theatre Of Flight

Daily Mirror:

Theatre Of Flight

Daily Record:

Theatre Of Flight

The Guardian:

Marlacoo

WEST COUNTRY:

Paddy De Pole

Telegraph:

Paddy De Pole

The Star:

Paddy De Pole

Daily Mail:

Shared