December 03 / 14.47 Chepstow

14.47

Good To Soft

Burnham Plastering & Drylining Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4520.18
  • 2m 3f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Burnham Plastering & Drylining Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 21-1 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
"Gallops all day" according to his trainer and he was never headed on his hurdling debut over C&D (good to soft) a month ago, jumping well and collecting with more in hand than the margins suggest (runner-up finished strongly); obvious chance of defying a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:35 Haydock

Knowsley Road

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Having had wind surgery he returned to form with a win at Taunton (3m, soft) last month; he's 4lb higher in this hotter race but appeared to idle in front last time so could have more left in the tank; has won on good to soft ground, unraced on good.

7/1

8

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:35 Haydock

Knowsley Road

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Having had wind surgery he returned to form with a win at Taunton (3m, soft) last month; he's 4lb higher in this hotter race but appeared to idle in front last time so could have more left in the tank; has won on good to soft ground, unraced on good.

7/1

1st

3

11th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

15:53 Taunton

Knowsley Road

11st 9lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Tailed off on handicap hurdle debut on final run last season and has struggled over fences on both runs this term; something to prove but he's had a wind op, which may help him recapture the promise shown when third in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Warwick (2m5f, heavy) last January; not ruled out.

13/2

Form: 40-4

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Smart Flat stayer for Ralph Beckett before changing hands for 70,000gns; has not yet delivered over hurdles, though there were positives to take from his 7l fourth here a month ago when the stable second string; further improvement likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

24th May 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:50 Warwick

Future Investment

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Very useful on the Flat but 0-7 over hurdles; just a respectable fourth in Newbury novice (2m4f, soft) on latest outing in March and will need to do better to pose a threat on today's handicap hurdle debut.

3/1

4th

8

24th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

13:30 Newbury

Future Investment

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Alan King

The form of his second at Chepstow in December (2m3f, good to soft) makes for good reading in this company but it's been rather underwhelming in the meantime, with him never dangerous at all when a well-held fourth at Taunton latterly (2m3f); going further should help, as may this galloping track; solid chance if at his best.

7/1

4th

4

7th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

14:00 Taunton

Future Investment

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Alan King

Tailed off in a hot maiden at Cheltenham on New Year's Day but he's back in calmer waters here and this useful Flat performer holds leading form claims judged on his second at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) in December; could bounce back with a big effort.

5/2

Form: 1/16-2 C BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
With Brian Eckley when winning a division of the bumper on this card 12 months ago and then finished a close sixth at Listed level on his debut for these connections; travelled the best when evens for a 2m maiden here last month only to be edged out by a subsequent winner; nice prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Libberty Hunter

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Evan Williams

In touch and still going okay when falling three out in this race last year but it's difficult to ascertain where he'd have finished with a clear round; overall record at Cheltenham is 121FU, both wins in handicaps on the New course; ran creditably, one place behind Saint Segal, in the Game Spirit most recently; at the age of ten he's unlikely to find the major improvement that's needed on ratings.

66/1

3rd

5

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

14:45 Newbury

Libberty Hunter

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Evan Williams

Acts on heavy ground; continued his progress with a good second to Master Chewy in this contest 12 months ago and he meets the winner on better terms in this rematch; subsequent form comprises two non-completions at Cheltenham and a remote fourth, albeit facing stiff assignment, in the Tingle Creek; return to this scenario puts him in calculations.

7/1

5

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Libberty Hunter

11st 10lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Has form figures of 112312 in completed chase starts and 121 (three handicaps) at Cheltenham; good second in the Grand Annual on this card 12 months ago and filled the same position in the Game Spirit at Newbury most recently; progressive but has the lowest rating of the field.

33/1

Form: 3

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Wide-margin winner of an Irish point and confirmed himself promising when beaten under 5l on his switch to hurdling over this trip at Lingfield (soft); this looks a better race and one he'll do well to win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:47 Fontwell

Grey Dalco

11st 2lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Richard Rowe

always behind, tailed off

25/1

10th

7

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:47 Fontwell

Grey Dalco

11st 2lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Richard Rowe

Went the wrong way over hurdles and pulled up in all four of his chases; absent for a year.

25/1

5

25th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Warwick

Grey Dalco

11st 7lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Richard Rowe

Became disappointing over hurdles towards end of last season and has been pulled up in all three chases this term (2m3f-2m4f); moves back up in trip with huge amount to prove.

20/1

Form: 1/

Last run: 1041 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £80,000 soon after winning a modest soft-ground Kelso bumper by 4l in early 2020; never raced for Paul Nicholls and his second run has been a long time coming; probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

3rd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Warwick

Manorbank

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Low-mileage 9yo; returned from layoff with good second at Chepstow (2m, good) in April but was tailed off at Worcester in August, after another break, and needs to put that performance behind him.

12/1

9th

1

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:40 Worcester

Manorbank

12st 2lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

Low-mileage 9yo; back over hurdles when second of nine at Chepstow (2m, good), but was finding it hard work when falling at Warwick in early May; this is a drop in grade, though.

8/1

6

11th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

19:05 Warwick

Manorbank

11st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

midfield, hit 8th

4/1

Form: 5/7

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won one of his four points in Ireland and then bought for £18,500; 20-1 when midfield in a C&D maiden here two weeks ago and he'll need to find plenty on that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

21st Mar 2023

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:35 Wetherby

Grave La Klass

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Kim Bailey

Well beaten on his first three hurdle starts (2m2f/2m3f) and not obviously well treated on handicap debut, but the step up in trip could be a positive for this 3m point winner; interesting, especially if well backed.

6/1

7th

5

1st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

14:05 Exeter

Grave La Klass

11st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Won an Irish point last March but began hurdling career with two underwhelming runs in the autumn (both over 2m3f at Chepstow) and will probably be of greater interest when qualified for handicaps.

40/1

Form: 160

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
It was a run-of-the-mill summer bumper that she won at Worcester (good) and she has been comfortably held at Cheltenham since; could be up against it on this switch to hurdling against male opposition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st Dec 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

15:20 Leicester

Dreaming Diamond

10st 11lb

J: Oliver Boyden

T: Max Young

led, headed after 7th, weakened 3 out, pulled up 2 out

16/1

3

1st Dec 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

15:20 Leicester

Dreaming Diamond

10st 11lb

J: Oliver Boyden

T: Max Young

led, headed after 7th, weakened 3 out, pulled up 2 out

16/1

4th

6

19th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

13:55 Fakenham

Dreaming Diamond

10st 4lb

J: David Noonan

T: Max Young

took keen hold, led, headed but prominent after 2nd, outpaced and lost position before 10th, weakened before 5 out, tailed off

33/1

Form: 7-9

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In good hands but has finished tailed off in a bumper here and a novice hurdle at Kempton; was 125-1 the last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

30th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

16:24 Plumpton

Champagne Mesdames

11st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Struggled on first two hurdling starts but was prominent for a long way and displayed some promise when fifth in first-time blinkers at Taunton (2m, soft) this month; needs to improve again here but has potential.

12/1

5th

2

9th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:30 Taunton

Champagne Mesdames

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Perhaps needed the experience on sole bumper run; has achieved nothing in two novice hurdles (2m/2m3f) since but first-time headgear is a possible source of improvement.

25/1

Form: 9-

Last run: 293 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Only 5-1 for an Exeter bumper (soft) but he dropped out to finish a tailed-off last; now goes hurdling in what's probably a good race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

3rd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

14:47 Chepstow

Maximum Dex

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Tom George

Only 5-1 for an Exeter bumper (soft) but he dropped out to finish a tailed-off last; now goes hurdling in what's probably a good race.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

14:05 Southwell

Salt Rock

12st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

in touch with leaders, lost ground after 9th, no impression after 4 out

9/4

1st

4

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 4

12:55 Doncaster

Salt Rock

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Low-mileage 7yo who started career with an impressive point win (2m4f); duly proved suited by the switch to chasing at Hereford (2m; handicap debut) most recently and should build on that success; respected.

5/2

1st

4

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 4

12:55 Doncaster

Salt Rock

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

in touch with leaders, headway before 4 out

5/2

Non-runners

Salt Rock

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £7.46

Selections

RP Ratings:

Knowsley Road

SPOTLIGHT:

Libberty Hunter

TOPSPEED:

Knowsley Road

POSTDATA:

Knowsley Road

WEST COUNTRY:

Knowsley Road

The Times:

Knowsley Road

The Guardian:

Knowsley Road

Daily Mail:

Knowsley Road

Daily Mirror:

Knowsley Road

Telegraph:

Libberty Hunter

D Express:

Libberty Hunter

The Star:

Libberty Hunter

Daily Record:

Libberty Hunter