October 26 / 14.35 Chepstow

14.35

Good To Soft

Vickers.Bet Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4138.96
  • 2m 0f 11y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
SKY
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Vickers.Bet Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.00

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Horse

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sixth foal; half-brother to four winners including Princess Zoe (1m2f-2m4f including Group 1; RPR 115) and Palace Prince (7f-1m2f; 113); dam German 1m/8.5f winning half-sister to two German 1m Group 2 winners; off the mark in June 2020 (1m3f, good) on his fifth attempt on Flat in Germany; long absent but one to note.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

2nd Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 200y

19:00 Clonmel

Palace Boy

12st 0lb

J: Mr P W Gleeson

T: John F Gleeson

Hurdles winner for Fergal O'Brien and ran in the 2023 Supreme Novices'; three-time Flat winner; back from long absence when tailed off on sole Flat outing for Barry Brennan in December; bought for just £1,400 in January; Irish/handicap hurdle debut.

12/1

12th

5

(3)

11th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

13:30 Ascot

Palace Boy

9st 4lb

J: George Rooke

T: Ralph J Smith

Progressive over 1m6f/2m on AW for new yard, until form dipped on finals day; drops back in grade but reverts to a different scenario; hasn't raced over 1m4f or tackled a Flat turf race since 2020 when trained in Germany.

10/1

12th

5

(3)

11th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

13:30 Ascot

Palace Boy

9st 4lb

J: George Rooke

T: Ralph J Smith

Progressive over 1m6f/2m on AW for new yard, until form dipped on finals day; drops back in grade but reverts to a different scenario; hasn't raced over 1m4f or tackled a Flat turf race since 2020 when trained in Germany.

10/1

6/4

  • Place: £1.80

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third foal; half-brother to bumper/useful 2m hurdle winner Soft Risk; dam unplaced at 1m1f in France, half-sister to Group-placed 1m-10.5f winner Melody Blue and to the 8.5f-1m4f Flat and 2m1f hurdle/chase winner Amazone Bleue; hooded, won very well in a 13-runner conditions event at Moulins (2m1f, soft) in April; no shock if he also makes a winning British/hurdles debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:34 Chepstow

Beau Balko

11st 2lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Paul Nicholls

Largely consistent 7yo who was runner-up three consecutive times after his Wincanton win (2m4f, good) in November; slightly below form when dropped back to 2m at Newbury last month but this move back up in trip will suit and his current mark is workable.

8/1

3rd

8

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:34 Chepstow

Beau Balko

11st 2lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Paul Nicholls

Largely consistent 7yo who was runner-up three consecutive times after his Wincanton win (2m4f, good) in November; slightly below form when dropped back to 2m at Newbury last month but this move back up in trip will suit and his current mark is workable.

8/1

4th

3

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

17:00 Newbury

Beau Balko

11st 12lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Paul Nicholls

Consistent type, in frame all six starts this term, including over C&D; respectable fourth of 14 in Greatwood Gold Cup over 2m4f here last time; acts on any ground; should be in the thick of things again.

4/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fifth foal; half-brother to point winner Voyage De Retour; dam bumper winner, half-sister to bumper, 2m4f chase and 2m6f hurdle winner Crash out of point winning half-sister to 3m-3m3f jump winner High Island; evens when winning well last December (3m, soft) in his second maiden point; £40,000 buy in January; interesting newcomer to racing under rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Deafening Silence

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Sole win in eight chases came in a three-runner novice but he was racing beyond 3m for the first time when not beaten far in the Welsh National and again he was very competitive in the Grand National Trial at Haydock (3m4f, good to soft; could prove even better on soft); handicap mark hasn't really gone anywhere and he appeals as a likely type for this.

8/1

4th

5

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Deafening Silence

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced 9yo who was suited by the step up in trip when third of 17 in the Welsh National at Chepstow (3m6f, good to soft) in December; he's won on soft and heavy ground and may well have more to offer over marathon trips; key player.

7/2

5th

1

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Uttoxeter

Deafening Silence

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear but in touch with leaders, jumped right 1st, jumped right and bumped rival 5th, slow jump 7th, some headway after 11th

11/4

Form: 36P6-

Last run: 193 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) in the first of his two bumpers; pulled up at 33-1 on his hurdling debut at Exeter (2m2f, soft) in February and although he took a big step back in the right direction at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) in April, he surely needs a good deal better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:44 Chepstow

Dom Bosco

10st 3lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Tom George

midfield

33/1

14

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:44 Chepstow

Dom Bosco

10st 3lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Tom George

midfield

33/1

12

31st Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

12:20 Warwick

Dom Bosco

10st 9lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Tom George

in touch with leaders, dropped to midfield 5th

25/1

Form: 523-7

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pipped in a prolonged duel at Exeter in January in the second of his three bumpers; rather a disappointing favourite here (again heavy) next time and a good deal more so on hurdling debut here (2m, good) this month, when it looked as if he had plenty to learn.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

26th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

13:42 Exeter

Marty Byrde

11st 2lb

J: Connor Brace

T: John Flint

Made the frame in two heavy-ground bumpers (one here) in early part of last year but has shown only minor promise over hurdles this season and needs to improve to pose a significant threat in this.

14/1

6th

7

18th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 58y

Class 2

13:20 Ascot

Marty Byrde

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: John Flint

Made the frame in two heavy-ground bumpers in early part of last year and bettered low-key hurdle debut when keeping-on fifth at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in October; however, faces a very tough task here.

50/1

Form: 65-

Last run: 207 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two Irish points; soundly beaten in a bumper but showed more in a novice hurdle at Newbury (2m, good; again under Ben Sutton) in April and that is the best 2022 hurdling form in this field; better should still be needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

13

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:35 Wincanton

Jet Marshall

11st 0lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 5th

8/1

3rd

13

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:35 Wincanton

Jet Marshall

11st 0lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 5th

8/1

10/1

Form: 3/6- BF

Last run: 505 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
40-1 when third of 17 in a Navan maiden hurdle (2m, yielding) in March 2021; sold for £20,000 soon afterwards but flopped when 11-8 favourite for maiden hurdle at Southwell (2m, good) that June and not seen since; it will be interesting to see whether his backers return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

26th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

14:35 Chepstow

Valupo

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

midfield, headway from 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened before last

10/1

Form: 3-

Last run: 215 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Brother to useful bumper, 2m hurdle and 2m3f chase winner Prudhomme, half-brother to four winners including Pont Alexandre (very smart 2m1f-2m6f jumps); 9-2, chased leader turning for home when third of 11 in maiden bumper at Newton Abbot (2m1f, soft) in March, which he should build on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

26th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

14:35 Chepstow

Pataille

10st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Mrs Jane Williams

midfield, not fluent and pushed along 3 out, weakened 2 out

6/1

Form: 31 D

Last run: 144 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shaped well in a bumper at Worcester (good to soft) in May on debut; 5-4 favourite when clearcut winner of a six-runner bumper over that same C&D (good) in June and has since been sold by his trainer; a promising hurdling debutant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Worcester

Uncle Arthur

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Struggled on all three starts for Sarah-Jayne Davies last season (chase/hurdle) and is 10lb out of the weights for first run since October.

50/1

10

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Worcester

Uncle Arthur

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Struggled on all three starts for Sarah-Jayne Davies last season (chase/hurdle) and is 10lb out of the weights for first run since October.

50/1

12th

11

19th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:50 Stratford

Uncle Arthur

10st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Became disappointing for James Owen last season and has struggled on both starts for new stable (chase/hurdle); very difficult to enthuse over at present.

50/1

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
18,000euros yearling, 38,000euros 3yo; second foal; dam maiden in France (bumpers/jumps), half-sister to 2m3f-3m1f hurdle/cross-country chase winner Flash De Cheneau from good French jumping family of Nupsala and Ucello II; not entirely dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

14:35 Newton Abbot

Ideallko

11st 6lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Did his winning for Evan Williams in batches, latterly when notching a hat-trick the winter before last; on a fair mark back from a short break but needs a revival after a few poor efforts in recent times.

8/1

4th

4

4th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 65y

Class 5

14:07 Sedgefield

Ideallko

11st 11lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Enjoyed very good campaign last season with three wins (two over fences); he's on a handy mark on that form but has been well beaten in fourth on both outings this term; needs to turn things around.

10/1

9

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

16:35 Chepstow

Ideallko

10st 11lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Off since April but in was in the zone back then having delivered seasonal form figures of 111222; the latest near miss was over C&D and he's only 2lb higher for this; hard to dismiss.

5/1

Form: 7/317P D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Mixed bumpers and points for nearly two years, winning a bumper at Worcester (good) in August on final occasion; two runs over hurdles since have not gone well, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

14:05 Market Rasen

Ironhill

10st 4lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tim Reed

held up in rear

20/1

9

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

14:05 Market Rasen

Ironhill

10st 4lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tim Reed

held up in rear

20/1

10

2nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 110y

Class 5

13:23 Ayr

Ironhill

10st 4lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tim Reed

in rear early, headway into midfield 5th

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2/154/ D

Last run: 716 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper for Nicky Henderson but no better than fourth in two novice hurdles later in 2020 and, after a lengthy absence, he changed hands for £2,800 in July; there have to be doubts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

12th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

13:37 Uttoxeter

Diamond River

12st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

midfield, not fluent 3rd, towards rear when awkward jump 5th, in rear when not fluent 6th, pushed along and got behind before 3 out, tailed off

25/1

12th

2

26th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

14:35 Chepstow

Diamond River

11st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

never better than mid-division, dropped to rear before 3 out, tailed off

33/1

2

7th Oct 2022

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Diamond River

11st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

Won a bumper for Nicky Henderson but no better than fourth in two novice hurdles and, after a lengthy absence from the track, he recently changed hands for only £2,800; very opposable in a race of his nature.

66/1

Form: 8-U

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unplaced in two point bumpers and tailed off in April on stable/hurdle debut; 250-1, unseated at the fourth back at Newton Abbot (2m1f) 11 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

13:52 Wincanton

Freddie Fleetfoot

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Carroll Gray

Gave good account when close fourth over C&D (good; also suited by soft) in November but was below that form at Taunton last month and is now 0-16 over hurdles; 1lb wrong; others preferred.

16/1

11

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

13:15 Stratford

Freddie Fleetfoot

10st 2lb

J: Miss Thomasina Eyston

T: Carroll Gray

Made the frame twice (2m, soft/good) in spring 2024; now returns from a lengthy absence but he'll have possibilities if ready to roll.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.10
Straight Forecast £21.00
Trifecta £142.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Uncle Arthur

The Times:

Beau Balko

Telegraph:

Dom Bosco

POSTDATA:

Jet Marshall

Daily Record:

Deafening Silence

Daily Mail:

Palace Boy

WEST COUNTRY:

Uncle Arthur

The Guardian:

Uncle Arthur

D Express:

Uncle Arthur

Daily Mirror:

Uncle Arthur

The Sun:

Uncle Arthur

The Star:

Uncle Arthur