November 18 / 15.30 Chepstow

15.30

Good To Soft

Watkins And Gunn Solicitors Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5663.84
  • 2m 3f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Watkins And Gunn Solicitors Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 121-

Last run: 252 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 6yo who won Worcester bumper and Exeter maiden hurdle (2m, soft) from just three starts last season; makes seasonal/handicap debut from what looks a fair mark at worst and still has potential; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

2

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 123y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Operation Manna

11st 13lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

Returned from one-year absence with good second on chase debut at Exeter (3m, heavy) in December but looked out of sorts when pulled up last month and it's hard to know what to expect from him on return to hurdling.

16/1

6

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 3

15:37 Wincanton

Operation Manna

10st 13lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Low-mileage 10yo who was 5-12 over hurdles; having his first race over fences when a 5l second to Isaac Des Obeaux at Exeter (3m, heavy) where he needed some driving but kept on well; this stiffer stamina test could be up his street.

15/2

4

7th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 98y

Class 2

13:15 Sandown

Operation Manna

11st 5lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

Got up near the finish in this race 12 months ago (heavy) and warrants respect in his bid for a repeat win, notwithstanding a 5lb higher mark and lack of recent match practice (off since April).

13/2

4/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 7611-2 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Displayed significant improvement to win two 2m3f Taunton handicaps (good to soft/soft) in cheekpieces towards end of last season; no match for easy winner when second on reappearance outing at Worcester (2m4f, soft) three weeks ago but may still have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

14:25 Ffos Las

Iberio

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

All three wins over hurdles were at Taunton, latest over 3m on heavy in March 2023; chasing last term and ended his time with the Hobbs/White stable on some low notes; pulled up after an early error over fences (0-6 in that sphere) 12 days ago on stable/seasonal debut; well treated on best efforts.

14/1

6th

8

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

14:25 Ffos Las

Iberio

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

pressed leader early, raced in second 2nd, prominent from 6th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened

14/1

15

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

14:35 Chepstow

Iberio

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Three-time hurdle winner; yet build upon last autumn's promising chase debut for the Hobbs/White stable and has been absent since March but is on a good mark for today's stable debut; cheekpieces removed.

12/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 9/244-

Last run: 240 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Weakened out of contention after racing too freely on handicap debut at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) in March and has been absent since; remains unexposed, though, and his slow-ground Irish point win in 2020 suggests stamina won't be an issue over today's trip if he settles better than last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

14:18 Southwell

Rossbeigh Strand

11st 0lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

Pulled up on both hurdling starts this season and now 0-7 in that sphere; his Irish point win in 2020 offers a ray of hope on this chasing debut but he remains a risky option.

25/1

8

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

14:18 Southwell

Rossbeigh Strand

11st 0lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

Pulled up on both hurdling starts this season and now 0-7 in that sphere; his Irish point win in 2020 offers a ray of hope on this chasing debut but he remains a risky option.

25/1

0

5

17th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:45 Southwell

Rossbeigh Strand

11st 10lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

prominent

16/1

Form: 33-324

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Ran well in defeat at Worcester (2m7f, good to soft) in September and has claims here if judged on that performance but raced lazily and was below form at Fakenham last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

9th Oct 2023

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

14:05 Stratford

Cawthorne Lad

11st 12lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: D J Jeffreys

Two fairly good runs for new stable this season, more recently when staying-on third at Worcester (2m4f, good to soft) six weeks ago; competes off same mark here and the longer trip will suit; shortlisted.

9/2

3rd

2

29th Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:55 Worcester

Cawthorne Lad

11st 12lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: D J Jeffreys

Infrequent winner (3-31) formerly trained by Jonjo O'Neill; only 3-1 for stable debut in a 3m2f handicap hurdle at Stratford three months ago (after 154 days away) but ran a laboured race in finishing third of the four runners; reservations despite this trip being a better fit.

9/2

3rd

4

3rd Jun 2023

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 3

18:50 Stratford

Cawthorne Lad

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: D J Jeffreys

Infrequent winner (3-30); bang there at Leicester (2m4f, soft) and perhaps failed to stay 3m2f on his final run for Jonjo O'Neill; on a decent mark if his new trainer can get him going again.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: 321-P3 BF

Last run: 11 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Consistent in novice company last season before digging deep for narrow win on handicap debut at Worcester (2m, good) in April; finished a bit weakly when third on recent reappearance outing at Kempton (2m, good to soft) but reportedly had a respiratory issue there; has tongue-tie refitted here and remains one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

26th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 4

17:05 Uttoxeter

Charlies Glance

11st 0lb

J: James Martin

T: Andrew J Martin

Reportedly unsuited by the good to soft ground when well beaten over hurdles here last month but his second over hurdles here (2m4f, good) two starts ago was a pretty good effort, and he reverts to chasing on a good mark; dangerous to ignore.

5/1

10th

9

30th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:10 Uttoxeter

Charlies Glance

11st 11lb

J: James Martin

T: Andrew J Martin

Made the frame in three of his four races since returning from long layoff this spring, most recently when keeping-on second over C&D (good) 24 days ago; probably won't be far away but others appeal more.

12/1

2nd

7

6th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:43 Uttoxeter

Charlies Glance

11st 11lb

J: James Martin

T: Andrew J Martin

Has won a bumper, a novice handicap hurdle and a novice handicap chase, all at around 2m on good ground; fair third in a handicap hurdle at Fakenham in April when back from a 403-day break (2m4f, good; first run after win surgery); wouldn't rule out.

12/1

Form: /756-6 BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
His chasing debut in January didn't go to plan and, following a break, he was a very disappointing favourite when switched back to hurdling last month; not an easy horse to weigh up at present but too well handicapped to ignore.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

22nd Feb 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:10 Ludlow

Method Madness

11st 10lb

J: Alex Edwards

T: Alastair Ralph

Chasing debut last January didn't go to plan; very disappointing 6-4 favourite when next seen in October and again soundly beaten in November latest when he tried nearly 2m4f, both over hurdles; hooded last eight starts (won here on first of those) but not today.

10/1

6th

6

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

15:30 Chepstow

Method Madness

11st 9lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

His chasing debut in January didn't go to plan and, following a break, he was a very disappointing favourite when switched back to hurdling last month; not an easy horse to weigh up at present but too well handicapped to ignore.

8/1

6th

3

20th Oct 2022

Good To Firm

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

16:40 Ludlow

Method Madness

11st 9lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

jumped right on occasions, prominent, jumped right and dropped to rear 1st, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened (jockey said, regarding the running and riding, that the trainer had left the way the gelding should be ridden to him. he added that the gelding normally races keenly and he realised quite early on in the race that the gelding, was not travelling as well as he expected and had changed legs several times. he further added that he had considered that this was because the gelding was unsuited by the good to firm, good in places going, having had good form on Soft ground, which he had reported at scales on weighing in. he further added that that he had asked the gelding for an effort around the final bend but the gelding had failed to pick up and had again changed legs. the trainer confirmed that the way the horse was to be ridden was left to the rider as he had schooled and ridden the gelding in his work at home and added that he was satisfied with the ride given. the trainer further added that the gelding had been difficult to train having suffered an injury following its previous run at this course in january. trainer said gelding would prefer a softer surface than today's good to firm, good in places)

9/2

Form: 37P6-6 D

Last run: 195 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won a small-field chase last November but lost his way after the turn of the year, and was soundly beaten when reverting to hurdling for two runs in cheekpieces (now removed) in the spring; well handicapped now but needs to have been revitalised by 195-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

29th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:45 Chepstow

Winds Of Fire

11st 2lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Returned to form and gamely fended off a heavily backed rival to make all at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft; refitted visor) in July but a lesser effort followed last month and he's not easy to predict; headgear switched here.

20/1

13

29th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:45 Chepstow

Winds Of Fire

11st 2lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Returned to form and gamely fended off a heavily backed rival to make all at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft; refitted visor) in July but a lesser effort followed last month and he's not easy to predict; headgear switched here.

20/1

7th

4

1st Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Worcester

Winds Of Fire

11st 12lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Returned to form and gamely fended off a heavily backed rival to make all at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft; refitted visor) in July; not sure to be in same mood again here but good ground also suits and a 3lb rise is manageable.

8/1

Form: 313-FP

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle in spring 2021 but returned from 16-month absence with two non-completions this autumn; others are much less risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

Barrowmount

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Seamus Mullins

Ran quite well from the front when fourth at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) in December but this regressive 8yo is yet to add to his maiden hurdle win in spring 2021 and is not the percentage call; 1lb out of the handicap.

12/1

4th

9

30th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

13:35 Taunton

Barrowmount

10st 3lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

Now 13lb lower than when placed in good-ground hurdle in the spring but was soundly beaten in two chases this autumn (2m7f/3m1f) and has a lot more to prove than some of these.

20/1

Form: P612-5 D BF

Last run: 197 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
1-13 over hurdles for Philip Hobbs, the win gained at Market Rasen (2m2f, good to soft) in March; sold for £4,000 after below-par run in May and has fitness to prove on today's stable debut; had wind op last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

15th May 2023

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:45 Southwell

Forever Des Long

11st 3lb

J: David Noonan

T: Claire Dyson

Very well handicapped on some of last year's hurdling form for Philip Hobbs but hasn't shown a great deal for current stable (five runs) and has quite a bit to prove on today's chasing debut.

33/1

8th

4

28th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

20:00 Southwell

Forever Des Long

11st 8lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Claire Dyson

Very well handicapped on some of last year's form for Philip Hobbs but hasn't shown a great deal for current stable (four runs) and is not the most obvious answer here.

33/1

8th

2

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:55 Taunton

Forever Des Long

11st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Claire Dyson

Defied a higher mark when with previous stable; holds poor claims on form for current yard, however, and first-time tongue-tie needs to prompt a major turnaround.

25/1

Form: 695U-0

Last run: 191 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Regressive 7yo who has modest 1-22 strike-rate over hurdles and was tailed off when last seen in May; difficult to enthuse over from 9lb out of the weights here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

22nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Ffos Las

The Wire Flyer

10st 4lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Alison Thorpe

Won by 5l over C&D (good) this month but that was a surprise outcome at 66-1 and, rather typically, he couldn't replicate the form at Worcester since; that was under a penalty and he's now 4lb higher.

16/1

5

22nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Ffos Las

The Wire Flyer

10st 4lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Alison Thorpe

Won by 5l over C&D (good) this month but that was a surprise outcome at 66-1 and, rather typically, he couldn't replicate the form at Worcester since; that was under a penalty and he's now 4lb higher.

16/1

6th

8

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

The Wire Flyer

10st 7lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Alison Thorpe

Only his second win in 42 career starts when doing it easily last week at Ffos Las (2m4f, good), defying odds of 66-1; that was from out of the weights so only 3lb higher here with a penalty; whether he'll replicate the form is the glaring concern.

7/2

Non-runners

Forever Des Long

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.20
Straight Forecast £8.37
Tricast £36.82
Trifecta £49.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Operation Manna

WEST COUNTRY:

Iberio

POSTDATA:

Charlie's Glance

Telegraph:

Iberio

RP Ratings:

Operation Manna

TOPSPEED:

Operation Manna

The Times:

Operation Manna

The Guardian:

Operation Manna

Daily Mail:

Operation Manna

D Express:

Operation Manna

Daily Mirror:

Operation Manna

The Sun:

Operation Manna

The Star:

Operation Manna

Daily Record:

Operation Manna