November 26 / 13.28 Bangor-on-Dee

13.28

Heavy

Xenon Workplace Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £6317.36
  • 3m 0f 5y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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Xenon Workplace Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: /7602-

Last run: 240 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
1-8 over hurdles, the win gained in 2m4f novice in February 2021; not yet proven over this far but signed off for Evan Williams with keeping-on second at Wetherby (2m5f, soft) in March; changed hands for £30,000 in May and it will be interesting to see what David Pipe can do with him over fences; tongue-tie/cheekpieces fitted for first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Only The Bold

10st 3lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Staged a major revival last May/June and finished well for close third in veterans' event at Sandown (3m) in November, but not so good on latest start; pulled up on both attempts at about 3m5f/3m6f, admittedly two winters back but a stronger promise of stamina would be preferred.

18/1

1st

10

29th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 2

14:00 Uttoxeter

Only The Bold

10st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Would probably prefer slower ground and he got outpaced before running on to finish third over 3m1f at Aintree the final time (good; second run for this yard); looks vulnerable for win purposes and he's 1lb wrong at the weights.

16/1

3rd

4

16th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Only The Bold

10st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Pulled up on final three starts for David Pipe in 2023-24 season but, following a layoff, was in process of running well for new stable before chance-ending jumping error in home straight at Ludlow (3m1f, good to soft) in December; not seen again since and not sure to be ideally suited by the faster ground here but remains well handicapped on old form.

6/1

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 531-22

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 6yo who won good-ground maiden hurdle last season (2m5f); no match for very easy winner when second of three on last month's chase/handicap debut (2m5f, good) and it's hard to tell whether today's much stiffer stamina test will suit, but he remains one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

1st May 2026

Good

4m 0f 218y

Class 4

19:25 Warwick

Jefferys Cross

12st 4lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Beaten under 1l in this race last year (Myth Buster pulled up); won't mind the move from Cheltenham given his strong body of work around sharp tracks (including 2-2 in hurdles races here, albeit losing one for interference), and nice break since hard-fought Newbury win; ground fine.

Evs

1st

3

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

17:16 Newbury

Jefferys Cross

12st 6lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Has a solid record in hunter chases and he chased home last week's Cheltenham hero Barton Snow (did win by 12l) before making light work of Java Point at Southwell (3m, soft; cheekpieces returned); in the mix.

9/2

1st

4

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:15 Southwell

Jefferys Cross

12st 2lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Consistent sort whose record in hunter chases (3m-4m) reads 1232; beaten by main market rival at Ludlow returned to this sphere last time (treated for post-race ataxia); solid and leading claims.

5/4

12/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: /344P- C BF

Last run: 274 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Thorough stayer who gained his last two wins over 3m4f and 3m6f; on workable mark for today's seasonal debut but ran poorly on latest outing in February and would appeal more over a marathon trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:00 Exeter

Samuel Jackson

12st 0lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Veteran who is very well suited by this track and won't fail through lack of stamina; proved he retains some ability when respectable fourth at Warwick (3m1f, soft) in January but was pulled up on three of his last four appearances and it's hard to predict whether he'll fancy the job today.

12/1

6

17th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:17 Wincanton

Samuel Jackson

11st 9lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Now a 12yo and he's struggling to recapture his best form, with a remote fourth at Warwick no real indication that he's about to turn a corner.

16/1

4th

7

22nd Jan 2024

Frozen

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

15:40 Warwick

Samuel Jackson

11st 11lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

It was over hurdles that he pulled up on his comeback and this is more his game, though he also failed to complete on his final two chases of last season; has just turned 12 and might do well to get his form back.

20/1

Form: 86F74- D

Last run: 282 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Will be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination and has become well handicapped but never really got going last season (five runs) and returns from 282-day abreak with fair bit to prove; cheekpieces refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

16:00 Taunton

Eclair Mag

12st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

His mark continues to fall and his reappearance at Bangor in November was fairly encouraging, but pulled up at Exeter since and back to having something to prove; blinkers return (no positive impact when worn in France).

16/1

5

10th Jan 2023

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

15:15 Exeter

Eclair Mag

11st 3lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Richard J Bandey

Never really got going last season but he's become well handicapped and seemed to need the run when tried in this new headgear combination at Bangor; successful under these conditions in the past and could feature.

10/1

4th

6

26th Nov 2022

Heavy

3m 0f 5y

Class 3

13:28 Bangor-on-Dee

Eclair Mag

11st 6lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Richard J Bandey

Will be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination and has become well handicapped but never really got going last season (five runs) and returns from 282-day abreak with fair bit to prove; cheekpieces refitted.

10/1

Form: 22111- C

Last run: 248 days

W: 12st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Scored over hurdles here (2m7f, soft) in February then began chasing career with two consecutive wins (2m4f/3m4f); has fitness to prove after eight-month absence but still commands respect; had wind op in September.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:53 Southwell

Tim Pat

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Useful chaser at his best but has regressed this season; safely held when reverted to hurdling for two starts in January and needs subsequent wind op to have made a difference.

12/1

7th

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:53 Southwell

Tim Pat

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Useful chaser at his best but has regressed this season; safely held when reverted to hurdling for two starts in January and needs subsequent wind op to have made a difference.

12/1

7th

11

28th Jan 2024

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

15:05 Doncaster

Tim Pat

11st 7lb

J: Abbie McCain

T: Donald McCain

Beaten a neck over fences here (3m, good) one year ago off 14lb higher, but not so hot since; the return to hurdles last time (3m1f, soft) did not get a sufficient response for him to be greatly fancied at the moment.

14/1

Form: 2232-2

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 5yo who looked suited by step up to 2m7f when second over hurdles on last month's seasonal debut (soft ground; wore first-time visor); probably still has untapped potential over hurdles but connections are evidently keen to launch his chasing career; cheekpieces back on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

23rd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 2

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Lounge Lizard

10st 11lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Four-time chase winner at up to 3m1f; well handicapped on his Huntingdon win for Henry Daly last March but he's struggled since including in two runs for new yard this spring; ran well to a point at Ludlow last time but he was on the retreat when he fell and others preferred.

40/1

5

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

Lounge Lizard

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sarah Humphrey

Potentially well treated on old form but signed off for Henry Daly with his own ideas about the game and he made a quiet start for this yard at Huntingdon after wind surgery; risky.

16/1

5th

1

1st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 3

14:45 Huntingdon

Lounge Lizard

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Sarah Humphrey

Comes with some risk, having proved recalcitrant in sole start this term (left Henry Daly and had wind surgery since); otherwise interesting back at Huntingdon, with record of 2-2 over fences here comprising wins in this contest for the last two years.

8/1

Form: 313-74 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Much better known as a hunter chaser now but made respectable return to handicap company when fourth at Ayr (3m, soft) this month, after a break, and might come on for the run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

15th Dec 2023

Heavy

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

13:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Dieu Vivant

12st 0lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Posted career-best performance when winning easily by 13l over C&D (good) in September, his fifth chase success, but well beaten twice since (albeit faced tough task in cross-country chase last time); seems versatile regarding ground but Toby Wynne evidently prefers his stablemate Good Work today.

16/1

0

9

17th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Dieu Vivant

10st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Bordering on career-best form when running away with a Bangor handicap on reappearance (3m, good) but blew out at Uttoxeter when soft ground wasn't an obvious excuse; opposable on balance of form and remains to be seen what he'll make of this new challenge; 4lb out of the weights.

25/1

6th

1

19th Sep 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:45 Uttoxeter

Dieu Vivant

12st 0lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Runner-up in two hunter chases towards end of last season and posted career-best performance when back in a handicap a fortnight ago, coming from behind to win easily by 14l at Bangor (3m, good); won't mind if the ground deteriorates; respected.

7/2

Form: 5142-3

Last run: 17 days

W: 12st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner who ended last term with close second at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft; also handles heavy); made low-key reappearance when well-held third in recent novice hurdle but might have needed the outing; 10lb claimer Elizabeth Gale has ridden two winners this month; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

15th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 5

15:00 Kelso

Keep Wondering

12st 0lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Christopher Kellett

Long time since he won a race and this season's two thirds came at about 3m; ran poorly last time at Hexham.

25/1

9th

1

15th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 5

15:00 Kelso

Keep Wondering

12st 0lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Christopher Kellett

Long time since he won a race and this season's two thirds came at about 3m; ran poorly last time at Hexham.

25/1

1

22nd Mar 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

15:20 Hexham

Keep Wondering

12st 0lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Christopher Kellett

Without a win since 2021 but comes here after two very respectable thirds on slow ground at Carlisle (3m) this year and will appreciate this ease in grade; probably won't be far away.

8/1

Form: 5171-P D

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
3-5 over hurdles since switched to handicaps just over a year ago, the last two wins gained over 3m on heavy; not much went to plan on recent seasonal/chase debut (pulled up) but he may yet have a good future over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

30th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

17:25 Carlisle

Foillan

11st 10lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Patrick Neville

Three wins over hurdles, over 2m4f on good to soft and twice over 3m on heavy; hasn't been at his best since returning from a year out and, having travelled well, his finishing effort in this new headgear combination last time was disappointing.

12/1

4th

3

27th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 1f 71y

Class 4

16:50 Catterick

Foillan

11st 12lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Patrick Neville

3m winner on heavy ground and has become very well handicapped; has been contesting stronger races than this and didn't run at all badly at Haydock last time in a race he won two years earlier; that was after wind surgery and in new headgear; visor replaces cheekpieces this time.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.50
Straight Forecast £26.57
Tricast £230.18
Trifecta £284.50

Selections

Telegraph:

Tim Pat

RP Ratings:

Keep Wondering

TOPSPEED:

Eclair Mag

The Times:

Jeffery's Cross

SPOTLIGHT:

Lounge Lizard

The Guardian:

Only The Bold

POSTDATA:

Dieu Vivant

D Express:

Tim Pat

Daily Mirror:

Tim Pat

The Sun:

Tim Pat

Daily Record:

Tim Pat

WEST COUNTRY:

Keep Wondering

The Star:

Keep Wondering

Daily Mail:

Eclair Mag