November 08 / 16.15 Hereford

16.15

Good

Black Mountain Botanicals Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £8604.68
  • 2m 4f 194y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Black Mountain Botanicals Handicap Chase

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 3112-1 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Progressive hurdler and could be a better chaser judged on last week's clearcut success over C&D (good); turned out quickly with a penalty and might well go in again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Highstakesplayer

12st 4lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Tom Lacey

held up in rear, midfield 4th, prominent 8th, pressed winner approaching last, kept on

4/1

2nd

2

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Highstakesplayer

12st 4lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Tom Lacey

held up in rear, midfield 4th, prominent 8th, pressed winner approaching last, kept on

4/1

7

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Highstakesplayer

10st 8lb

J: David Bass

T: Tom Lacey

Record of 4-8 over fences; admittedly 0-3 this term and failed to show his form the last twice; good second over C&D on seasonal debut and has place possibilities on that effort.

10/1

13/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 0/232-

Last run: 243 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Placed in all three chases last season (won over fences in France), the latest when a good second at Carlisle in March; looks on a fair mark but the stable is only beginning to get going and he'll probably be better for this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

17

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Gemirande

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won good handicaps at Ascot (2m5f, good) and Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) towards the end of last year; a case can be made on that form but three lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track.

50/1

18th

17

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Gemirande

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won good handicaps at Ascot (2m5f, good) and Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) towards the end of last year; a case can be made on that form but three lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track.

50/1

17th

10

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Gemirande

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Found a new level of form in late 2024 with wins at Ascot (2m5f, good) and over C&D (good to soft); disappointing here next time but he was still going well when nearly down three out over C&D in January and the 6lb higher mark than for his latest win may not be beyond him; considered for yard that's won this race three times.

12/1

4/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 6831F- D

Last run: 234 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Only his second run over fences when coming some 8l clear at Warwick (2m4f, heavy) and was set to defy an 8lb rise only to fall late on at Uttoxeter (soft); a further 4lb rise to contend with but strongly considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

6th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

14:45 Southwell

Coupdebol

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Tom George

Made bright start to chasing career in early 2022 but never really got going during light campaign last season; back on a good mark now and will be suited by today's trip/ground but needs to up his game.

7/2

3rd

1

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

16:18 Chepstow

Coupdebol

12st 0lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Tom George

Opened chasing account with 8l success at Warwick (2m4f, heavy) last February and set to follow up before last-fence fall at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) three weeks later; still has low mileage but hasn't fired on any of three outings this season and was particularly disappointing in December.

7/1

8

31st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Warwick

Coupdebol

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Tom George

Opened his chasing account with 8l success over C&D (heavy) in February and was set to follow up before last-fence fall at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) three weeks later; still has low mileage but he's been well held in both runs this season and needs to get back near best.

10/1

Form: U30PP- D

Last run: 262 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Showed some fairly useful form when trained by Olly Murphy but no sign of that ability since moving yards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

21st Mar 2023

Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

15:50 Market Rasen

Fitzroy

10st 2lb

J: William Kennedy

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

prominent

33/1

5th

8

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:35 Ludlow

Fitzroy

10st 7lb

J: William Kennedy

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Won maiden hurdle for Olly Murphy in 2021 but uncompetitive in his six starts for this yard, over fences and hurdles, despite a tumbling handicap mark; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

33/1

5th

6

15th Feb 2023

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

14:30 Hereford

Fitzroy

10st 12lb

J: William Kennedy

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Winning hurdler for Olly Murphy but uncompetitive in five starts for this yard, over fences and hurdles, despite a tumbling handicap mark.

50/1

OUR TIP

Form: PP/14- D BF

Last run: 213 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
French import who nosed home in a 2m3f handicap chase at Wetherby (good to soft) in March; only fourth on good going at Bangor (2m1f) but has more to offer and the recent rain will help him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

3rd Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 31y

Class 4

16:20 Doncaster

Ecume Atlantique

11st 13lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Ex-French 9yo; defied a long absence to win on British debut at Wetherby (2m3f, good to soft) last March, and he was a fair fourth at Bangor (2m1f, good) next time; pulled up on return at Hereford (2m5f, good to soft) in November and something to prove after that but not written off.

9/2

2

8th Nov 2022

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 4

16:15 Hereford

Ecume Atlantique

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Richard J Bandey

disputed lead, prominent after 1st, lost position but in touch with leaders after 3rd, going okay but towards rear after 7th, pushed along and got behind after 10th

8/1

Form: 2414-P

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Reappeared over hurdles and usually needs a run anyway; has gained his three chase wins at Wincanton over 3m1f+ and this may be too sharp a test for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:17 Wincanton

Edeiffs Elton

11st 12lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Robert Walford

Reappeared with encouraging fourth over 2m4f here in November and this would be more his trip (all three career wins at this track at 3m1f/3m2f); has won on soft but has twice disappointed on heavy.

5/1

0

7

12th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Edeiffs Elton

11st 5lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Reappeared with encouraging fourth over 2m4f here last month and he can build on that now back up in trip and back in his usual cheekpieces, with his three career wins having come here over 3m1f/3m2f; respected.

11/2

Form: 573-31 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won a heavy-ground maiden over hurdles but the ground was good when bounding clear on his chase debut at Stratford (2m5f); 8lb higher in a race that may take more winning but he's respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:52 Newton Abbot

Sheldon

11st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Infrequent winner, but running well since the turn of the year and his recent Newbury second (2m6f, good to soft) was solid; nudged up 1lb for that but he remains on a workable mark and is high on the list of dangers.

3/1

2nd

2

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 4

16:07 Newbury

Sheldon

11st 8lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Seamus Mullins

Not overly consistent and can make mistakes, as was the case when the clear leader for a long way over 2m7f here a month ago (soft; fine on good to soft); that was a good run all things considered and won't mind coming back in distance.

12/1

3rd

8

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Sheldon

10st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Seamus Mullins

Not overly consistent and can make mistakes; however, ran well for a very long way on testing ground at Exeter before no match for an unexposed winner over C&D; could give another good account of himself.

12/1

Form: 244-51

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Comfortably saw off his four rivals on Kempton chasing debut three weeks ago (2m2f, good) and probably progressive enough to deal with the 8lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

31st Jul 2023

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

15:20 Newton Abbot

Ridgeway

10st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, not fluent 1st, not fluent 3 out, soon lost position and dropped to rear

6/1

6

10th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

16:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Ridgeway

11st 4lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, didn't jump with fluency, in rear, struggling when not fluent 3 out

10/1

2nd

1

22nd May 2023

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 4

19:15 Market Rasen

Ridgeway

12st 2lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, midfield, some headway when not fluent 5th, pushed along and went second after last (usual 4 out), ridden and no extra run-in

6/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.40
Straight Forecast £6.94
Tricast £37.13
Trifecta £43.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Highstakesplayer

The Times:

Sheldon

Daily Mirror:

Ridgeway

TOPSPEED:

Gemirande

WEST COUNTRY:

Coupdebol

RP Ratings:

Highstakesplayer

POSTDATA:

Highstakesplayer

Telegraph:

Highstakesplayer

Daily Mail:

Highstakesplayer

D Express:

Highstakesplayer

The Sun:

Highstakesplayer

The Star:

Highstakesplayer

The Guardian:

Sheldon

Daily Record:

Ridgeway