November 08 / 20.30 Chelmsford (AW)

20.30

Standard

Christmas Party Nights Handicap

  • Prize money: £13500
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
Christmas Party Nights Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Showers

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 370682 D BF

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
More consistent on the AW than turf and appreciated the return to Tapeta last time, having tumbled a stone down the weights on grass this season; a slow start and steady early pace wasn't ideal down to 1m on that latest start and he's high on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

15:55 Perth

Chichester

11st 4lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Very smart when at his best on the Flat but doesn't look the force of old and pulled up here in June on handicap debut over hurdles.

20/1

1

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

14:12 Perth

Chichester

11st 12lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Makes handicap hurdle debut looking well treated on best Flat form, albeit with recent evidence (including under this code) suggesting he's not the force of old.

6/1

2

15th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:18 Perth

Chichester

11st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Smart at his best on the Flat; made low-key start to hurdling career during the winter but positives can be drawn from his fourth at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) in February and he ought to be better suited by the faster ground here.

7/2

33/1

  • Place: £8.00

Form: -66660

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Had struggled for Aidan O'Brien this year prior to joining his new yard; no signs of an imminent revival here last month and United Front looks his trainer's best chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:30 Newton Abbot

Howth

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Switched to hurdles for new yard last May-September and won four of his six starts (all on good ground), two of them over C&D (one a handicap); held in fourth of six at Plumpton last September when last seen but retains potential; yard among the winners and he could go well back from a break.

9/2

4th

1

21st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 195y

Class 3

15:50 Plumpton

Howth

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Useful Flat stayer who has won a handicap over hurdles (off 8lb lower) and has since made it 4-5 in this discipline when defying penalties in a 2m1f good-ground novice at Newton Abbot; he was entitled to win that and probably with greater ease than he did, but he's a likeable type.

11/8

1

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

14:45 Newton Abbot

Howth

11st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Useful Flat stayer who is 3-4 over hurdles and comfortably won a small-field handicap over C&D last month; penalised accordingly but he has the best form by some margin; the glaring concern would be should the ground go soft.

4/6

OUR TIP
3rd
1 (2)
Felix

16/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: -58448 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Winless in getting on for two years and hasn't been as good this season; remains 6lb higher than when last seen in a handicap, with cheekpieces given a third try as he comes back in distance, and needs a deal more if he's to end the losing run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(8)

13th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Felix

9st 6lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

Mark continues to fall and he showed that the abilty was still there when third of seven behind King's Code at Wolverhampton (9.5f, Tapeta) in December, but he remains without a win since the start of 2021; others are more persuasive.

14/1

6th

1

(6)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 3

16:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Felix

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Marco Botti

Two-time C&D winner; another good effort here when third to the reopposing King's Code on Boxing Day but his losing run goes back a long way.

7/1

6th

1

(6)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 3

16:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Felix

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Marco Botti

Two-time C&D winner; another good effort here when third to the reopposing King's Code on Boxing Day but his losing run goes back a long way.

7/1

6/1

Form: 217614 BF

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Last three wins have come over 1m4f and, while he's won on Polytrack, it's easy to argue Tapeta suits better (4-4 at Wolverhampton); needs a career best off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

6th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 180y

13:35 Down Royal

Old Port

11st 12lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

in touch with leaders, prominent 4 out, smooth headway and led narrowly when fell 2 out

9/2

2

6th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 180y

13:35 Down Royal

Old Port

11st 12lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

in touch with leaders, prominent 4 out, smooth headway and led narrowly when fell 2 out

9/2

0

14

14th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 157y

14:05 Punchestown

Old Port

11st 12lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Six Flat wins for David Evans, all but one on AW; only turf win on good-to-firm; unfancied when pleasing third on hurdles debut at Cork; unseated at first at Leopardstown, 16-1 on that occasion.

10/1

Form: 11-356

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Dual Tapeta winner last December, latterly off a 1lb lower mark; may have needed his recent heavy-ground comeback but was beaten a long way that day after making the running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(4)

15th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:25 Newcastle (AW)

Alexander James

9st 0lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Michael Herrington

in touch with leaders, in rear after 2f

20/1

8th

1

(8)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Alexander James

9st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

dwelt start

6/1

8th

1

(8)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Alexander James

9st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

dwelt start

6/1

Form: 305468 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Has two wins and two seconds to his name from four runs here and the return to Polytrack should help; now just below his last winning mark and won't mind the step back up in trip but he does need to improve on recent efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

28th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

17:45 Market Rasen

United Front

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

midfield, went remote third 4th, prominent when ridden before 2 out, lost position approaching last, mistake and weakened last

3/1

2nd

4

31st Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:05 Newton Abbot

United Front

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Not beaten far on any of his three hurdling starts for Fergal O'Brien this season and, given he was very useful on the Flat at his best, could quite plausibly turn out to be well treated for this handicap hurdle debut.

5/1

Form: 108788 C

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Not at his best on turf lately and remains considerably higher in the weights on the AW (10lb above the mark off which he ran at Goodwood last time); hasn't convinced in two previous cracks at this trip and is some way down the pecking order.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(7)

1st Feb 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Via Serendipity

9st 7lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Fellowes

steadied start, in rear, switched right and got behind soon after start

8/1

4th

5

(5)

12th Jan 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

13:50 Newcastle (AW)

Via Serendipity

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charlie Fellowes

11-time winner who is equally effective on turf/AW and has gone close in handicaps at Lingfield (1m2f, Polytrack) and Wolverhampton (9.5f, Tapeta) the last twice; has a little bit to find on these terms, though, and may find a couple too good.

13/2

3rd

2

(2)

26th Dec 2022

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 2

16:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Via Serendipity

9st 10lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charlie Fellowes

Winner of 11 races including three on the AW, one of which was over 8.6f here; beaten a neck at Lingfield (1m2f, Polytrack) last time and, despite a 2lb rise for that, he can't be dismissed as that was very much a return to form.

5/2

Form: 13646

Last run: 103 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Debut win in the spring has worked out well but he's rather gone backwards from it (gelded after his third start); a hood didn't help when last seen (removed tonight) and he'll need to improve for the switch to the AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(6)

8th Nov 2022

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

20:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Natural World

9st 10lb

J: Adam Kirby

T: Charlie Appleby

Debut win in the spring has worked out well but he's rather gone backwards from it (gelded after his third start); a hood didn't help when last seen (removed tonight) and he'll need to improve for the switch to the AW.

7/2

4

(9)

22nd Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Newbury

Natural World

9st 7lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Back on the up when fourth of 12 to stablemate New London in a hot 3yo handicap at the Newmarket July meeting (1m2f, good to firm); bit disappointing with a hood added (retained) at Glorious Goodwood but his absence since suggests something may have come to light; still early days with him.

13/2

6th

1

(4)

28th Jul 2022

Good To Firm

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Natural World

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Appleby

midfield, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, lost shoe

16/1

20/1

Form: 815400 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Has won on Polytrack but is ideally suited by Tapeta and weighted to his best back on the AW, 5lb higher than when well beaten at Ayr in early autumn; would be a surprise winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(8)

1st Jun 2023

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 3

16:20 Ripon

Society Red

8st 11lb

J: Paul Hanagan

T: Richard Fahey

Has worn these cheekpieces the last twice; inconsistent 9yo who was disappointing at Ayr (1m2f, good) last time but prior to that he was a good second over this C&D (soft) and he's capable bouncing back from a poor run; has won over C&D and is versatile ground-wise; not written off.

25/1

9th

4

(3)

8th May 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ayr

Society Red

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Got back on track in first-time cheekpieces when second of eight in 1m2f Ripon handicap 18 days ago; he needs considering nudged up 1lb with the headgear retained.

6/1

2nd

7

(9)

20th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:30 Ripon

Society Red

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

in touch with leaders on outer

16/1

5/1

Form: 0-5302

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to four Polytrack winners who's making his AW debut after a fair effort back from a break recently (had been off since Royal Ascot, when unsuited by the fast ground); this easier 1m2f should work in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(1)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 2

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Fantastic Fox

9st 2lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Roger Varian

Drawn a blank since January 2024 but he hasn't had much clemency from the handicapper; latest AW run saw him finish fourth at Newcastle in June having met trouble in running and he will be in the shake-up if anywhere near that level.

5/1

8

(1)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 2

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Fantastic Fox

9st 2lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Roger Varian

Drawn a blank since January 2024 but he hasn't had much clemency from the handicapper; latest AW run saw him finish fourth at Newcastle in June having met trouble in running and he will be in the shake-up if anywhere near that level.

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £86.30
Straight Forecast £83.57
Tricast £752.63
Trifecta £657.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Chichester

The Times:

Natural World

TOPSPEED:

United Front

D Express:

Old Port

NEWMARKET:

Fantastic Fox

The Guardian:

Natural World

Daily Mail:

Natural World

The Star:

Natural World

RP Ratings:

Chichester

Telegraph:

Chichester

Daily Mirror:

Chichester

The Sun:

Chichester

Daily Record:

Chichester

POSTDATA:

United Front