October 25 / 16.50 Chepstow

16.50

Good To Soft

Go Racing With Vickers.Bet National Hunt Flat Race (Conditional/Amateurs’) (Cat 1 Elimination) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £2614.08
  • 2m 0f 11y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Go Racing With Vickers.Bet National Hunt Flat Race (Conditional/Amateurs’) (Cat 1 Elimination) (GBB)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

25/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.70
  • Place: £3.60

Form: 4-

Last run: 206 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to useful hurdler Going Gold; just behind Moonshine Spirit when fourth over C&D (good) in April but that still goes down as a promising debut; now with new stable (was with Laura Hurley).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

11th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 1

15:15 Chepstow

Bullets Hill

11st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Ella Pickard

in touch with leaders, prominent 4th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off

50/1

6th

3

6th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:43 Uttoxeter

Bullets Hill

11st 13lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Ella Pickard

Made all to win novice handicaps at Exeter (2m2f, good) and Ffos Las in April (2m, good); pulled up after early error on chase debut at Ffos Las last time; up 14lb (raised 7lb for each win); could go well but may find others better treated.

5/1

4

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:05 Ffos Las

Bullets Hill

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ella Pickard

midfield, jumped badly right 1st, soon in rear, pushed along after 2nd, reminders after 4th, lost touch and pulled up after 7th

7/4

7/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
85,000euros yearling; second foal; half-brother to a French 2m3f chase winner; dam French Listed-placed 2m1f hurdle winner, half-sister to Listed hurdle winner Pop Art Du Berlais; stable does well in bumpers (17% strike-rate in last five seasons); no surprise if he features on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Steel Ally

11st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Pulled up on two of his last three goes over hurdles but the transition to chasing has been smooth and he's 3-3; showed further improvement when easily beating two rivals (Mambonumberfive well held in third) in Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices' at Warwick (2m, heavy; handles good) last month; faces his sternest assignment and will need another personal best.

12/1

1st

1

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 1

13:50 Warwick

Steel Ally

11st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Very useful hurdler with 2-2 strike-rate over fences this season, the latter win gained by 9l in Grade 2 novice at Ascot (2m3f, soft) in December; should be fine back at 2m and ought to be a very tough nut to crack.

4/5

3

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Steel Ally

11st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

in touch with leaders

10/1

40/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£15,000 3yo; sixth foal; dam fell in Irish point only start, half-sister to Irish National winner General Principle and useful chaser Saints And Sinners; stable has only occasional bumper winners and other newcomers in this line-up look more interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Donnacha

11st 3lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Can make mistakes but he was runner-up twice in a row prior to winning a quality handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in January, when clear with subsequent Ultima runner-up Jagwar; a 5lb rise for that career-best performance isn't harsh and he's entitled to respect.

5/2

1st

7

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:15 Cheltenham

Donnacha

10st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Hard to knock in terms of consistency and he again ran creditably when second of seven at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) on Welsh National day; however, he's prone to the odd mistake and may not get away with them on his first run over fences at Cheltenham.

12/1

3rd

1

28th Oct 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 3

15:28 Ffos Las

Donnacha

12st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Struck form over fences at start of this year, winning over 2m3f on soft ground at Exeter and Chepstow; subsequent 261-day break may have checked his momentum but further progress is possible this season.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2-

Last run: 206 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out a bumper-winning sister to smart hurdler Amaretto Rose; kept on for second over C&D (good) in April and has obvious potential to build on that performance this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

17th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

16:40 Uttoxeter

Moonshine Spirit

10st 10lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

0-8 over hurdles and absent since ending 2023 with some disappointing efforts, but he resumes on a reduced mark and is well worth keeping an eye on in the betting.

10/1

7th

8

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

11:45 Taunton

Moonshine Spirit

11st 9lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Placed off 5lb higher on handicap debut at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) in June but has looked out of sorts on recent outings and comes here with a lot to prove.

16/1

11th

6

27th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

13:05 Ludlow

Moonshine Spirit

11st 7lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

Reached the frame in three of his first four hurdle runs but he's returned from a break with two disappointing efforts this autumn; looks feasibly treated on his best hurdles form but needs to get back on track.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of an unraced sister to stable's smart hurdler/chaser Kings Palace; bought for 155,000gns soon after winning Irish point by 10l on debut in May; could be anything.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Royal Defender

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.

14/1

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Royal Defender

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.

14/1

6

25th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

15:20 Exeter

Royal Defender

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Bought for 155,000gns after winning Irish maiden point (3m) in May 2022; his rules form has been patchy but he was a fair third in a Lingfield novice hurdle (2m, good to soft) last November and is open to improvement now up in trip in first-time cheekpieces on handicap debut; watch the betting.

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
22,000euros 3yo; sixth foal; half-brother to Flat/useful hurdle winner Coffee; dam unraced half-sister to three winning jumpers; stable has very modest bumper strike-rate in recent seasons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:18 Ffos Las

Imperial Measure

10st 4lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Inconsistent 7yo who has modest 1-21 strike-rate and needs to rebound from a heavy defeat last month; competes off career-low mark here but needs a good boost from the new cheekpieces.

10/1

5th

11

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

15:47 Fontwell

Imperial Measure

10st 4lb

T: Evan Williams

Inconsistent but wasn't beaten far when third of four at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) and then fell early at Ffos Las (4-1); should be in the mix.

4/1

5

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

14:05 Ffos Las

Imperial Measure

10st 6lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

0-5 over fences and not very consistent but wasn't beaten far when third of four at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) last month and remains on career-low mark for this first venture beyond that trip.

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; dam maiden bumpers/hurdles, half-sister to 3m chase winner Book Of Gold; pedigree doesn't leap off the page, but stable has good strike-rate in bumpers (16%).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:45 Chepstow

Kash Tara

11st 2lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

Displayed first glimmer of promise over hurdles when plugging on for modest fourth in 2m Southwell maiden in January; probably needs to improve again on today's handicap debut but is with a top stable and can't be ignored.

7/1

4th

5

29th Jan 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:00 Southwell

Kash Tara

11st 2lb

J: David England

T: Dan Skelton

Uncompetitive in a bumper and two hurdles; looks the stable's third string.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
150,000euros 3yo; fourth foal; half-brother to bumper winner Gold Bullion; dam French maiden jumper, sister to French 2m4f Listed chase winner Flower Des Champs, half-sister to high-class hurdle/chase winner Crystal D'Ainay; with a top stable; looks the part on paper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:30 Ffos Las

Hurricane Danny

11st 10lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Paul Nicholls

Seven-race maiden but he ran his best race so far when fifth of 14 in a Chepstow handicap (2m7f, good) last month; was only beaten around 6l in that race and he's unexposed at staying trips; in the mix for top yard.

4/1

4th

5

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:30 Ffos Las

Hurricane Danny

11st 10lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Paul Nicholls

Seven-race maiden but he ran his best race so far when fifth of 14 in a Chepstow handicap (2m7f, good) last month; was only beaten around 6l in that race and he's unexposed at staying trips; in the mix for top yard.

4/1

5th

12

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

20:15 Chepstow

Hurricane Danny

11st 0lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Paul Nicholls

Runner-up in a Chepstow maiden (2m3f, soft) in November but he's not gone on from that and was tailed off on his handicap debut at Kempton (2m5f, soft) in February; still early days in this sphere but he now steps up to 2m7f and has something to prove after another break; stablemate of Florencethemachine.

16/1

Form: 9-

Last run: 199 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Raced too freely and made low-key debut when ninth of 13 at Bangor (good; 25-1) in April; tongue-tie fitted today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

12th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

12:28 Huntingdon

Libor Lad

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

in touch with leaders

20/1

4

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

12:50 Market Rasen

Libor Lad

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: David Dennis

midfield, bad mistake and unseated 2nd

20/1

4

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

12:50 Market Rasen

Libor Lad

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: David Dennis

midfield, bad mistake and unseated 2nd

20/1

Form: U-9

Last run: 167 days

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Arguably shaped with more promise than bare result suggests when ninth at Newton Abbot (good) in May but makes no significant appeal here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 150y

Class 5

16:50 Taunton

Nathan Walker

10st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Keiran Burke

Offered little in her two handicaps over hurdles and was beaten a sizeable distance on her switch to fences over 2m1f at Plumpton in January; others are far more solid.

20/1

4th

3

29th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 214y

Class 5

14:20 Plumpton

Nathan Walker

10st 11lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Keiran Burke

held up in rear, mistake 4th, not fluent 9th, mistake and outpaced 3 out, left in remote fourth when not fluent last

33/1

Form: 57-

Last run: 301 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed clear promise on both starts in Ireland towards end of last year but makes stable debut in what looks a competitive race and other appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

16:48 Fontwell

Flemens Tipple

10st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Andy Irvine

Overall strike-rate of 1-28 and the win came over fences; 0-18 over hurdles and has to bounce back from some shoddy efforts; in cheekpieces and a visor for the last two and now goes in blinkers.

25/1

6

21st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:20 Plumpton

Flemens Tipple

10st 8lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Andy Irvine

Has questions to answer after two disappointing runs in July but is very well suited by this C&D and competes off new career-low mark today; swaps cheekpieces for first-time visor; dangerous to ignore.

12/1

5

20th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

17:33 Stratford

Flemens Tipple

11st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Andy Irvine

Only win was a 2m7f handicap chase at Huntingdon in May 2024; mixed efforts over hurdles and fences since but well beaten last of six at Bangor on latest start.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
£80,000 3yo; eighth foal; half-sister to very smart chaser Hell's Kitchen, useful chaser Militarian and two hurdle winners; dam French hurdle/chase winner; nice pedigree, but it's unnerving to see a hood fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

23rd Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:00 Warwick

Golden Millie

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Dan Horsford

Bumper winner; cut little ice over hurdles but there were positives to take from chase debut at Ffos Las (2m3f, good to soft) where she made up some ground from off the pace; still needs more and Lunar Ocean was ahead of her last time.

12/1

6th

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

16:20 Ffos Las

Golden Millie

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Dan Horsford

Lightly raced 8yo who may improve for this combination of switch to chasing and return to Ffos Las; sole course start resulted in bumper win in 2022 (peak form).

14/1

7th

4

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Wetherby

Golden Millie

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Dan Horsford

Bumper winner who returned from a very long absence to make her handicap and stable debut at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) last month and ran well for a long way before fading into seventh of 12; could take a step forward now back down in trip and she's one to be interested in.

7/1

Non-runners

Iwenn Bihoue

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £48.00
Straight Forecast £34.31
Trifecta £452.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Royal Defender

RP Ratings:

Moonshine Spirit

Daily Mail:

Steel Ally

Telegraph:

Donnacha

POSTDATA:

Moonshine Spirit

D Express:

Moonshine Spirit

Daily Record:

Moonshine Spirit

The Times:

Royal Defender

The Guardian:

Royal Defender

Daily Mirror:

Royal Defender

The Sun:

Royal Defender

The Star:

Royal Defender