February 03 / 16.40 Chepstow

16.40

Good To Soft

Cazoo Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £2614.08
  • 2m 0f 11y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
SKY
View Course
Cazoo Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 4

Last run: 68 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
5-2, raced prominently for a long way on Carlisle debut in November (soft) but that stiff finish found him out and he was galloping on the spot in the closing stages; should be capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Beachcomber

10st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Last win came in 3m Kempton handicap in Christmas of 2024; third to Bill Baxter in this race last year but not at best this season, chasing home a clear winner at Ludlow last time (only two finishers); 7lb lower than last year so don't rule out.

14/1

2nd

6

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

Beachcomber

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Appeared to get his campaign back on track when third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) and, when a 10l fifth over C&D since, he was softened up by getting competitive a good way out; he doesn't have a convincing profile but his pure ability is respected.

7/1

5th

1

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Beachcomber

12st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Out of form over fences this season but turned things around with creditable third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m good to soft) last month and it will be interesting to see whether he can build on that performance on this return to chasing.

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to high-class chaser Any Second Now, who was placed in two Nationals; pulled up on point debut (7-1) but has joined Dan Skelton since and is worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Delgany Bobby Blue

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Made the frame on all four hurdling starts during 2023-24 season, most recently when third in Wetherby handicap (3m, soft); not sure to be suited by the quicker ground here but should cope with the drop back in trip; major player if fully tuned up after 507-day absence.

9/4

2

3rd Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Delgany Bobby Blue

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Made the frame on all four hurdling starts during 2023-24 season, most recently when third in Wetherby handicap (3m, soft); not sure to be suited by the quicker ground here but should cope with the drop back in trip; major player if fully tuned up after 507-day absence.

9/4

3rd

2

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

13:40 Wetherby

Delgany Bobby Blue

12st 0lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced 6yo who has posted some solid efforts, including on heavy ground and when fair third on handicap debut at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) three weeks ago; he's a half-brother to Any Second Now, who has twice been placed in the Grand National, and could improve now up in trip again.

11/2

Form: 1 CD

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of half-sister to Grade 1-winning staying hurdler Paddy's Return; seemingly unfancied for debut here in November (good to soft) but came from off the pace to win in good style under Finn Lambert (claiming 7lb then); that form was nothing special but he did look promising and yard won this in 2021 with one who had made a winning debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Spirits Bay

10st 13lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Ran okay when seventh in this last year and he reappeared with a win at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) in October; however, his subsequent form has been mixed (fences/hurdles) and Top Jimmy looks the yard's chief hope.

33/1

7th

4

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Spirits Bay

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made a winning reappearance in Newton Abbot handicap hurdle (2m1f, good to soft) in October; switched to fences subsequently, matching his peak RPR over timber when fourth in 2m3f Exeter novice handicap (good to soft) five weeks ago; won his previous outing on heavy.

8/1

1

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

12:55 Warwick

Spirits Bay

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Two wins during his novice campaign included a handicap (2m, soft); 0-5 last season but ran well at the weights behind Constitution Hill at Cheltenham in January and comfortably regained the winning thread on his reappearance at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) three weeks ago; up 4lb but he's bred for fences and looks a player on debut in this sphere.

11/8

100/1

Form: 9

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
40-1 and tailed off on her bumper debut at Ffos Las last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

14:10 Fakenham

My Dream

11st 12lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah Humphrey

in rear but in touch with leaders

16/1

5th

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

14:10 Fakenham

My Dream

11st 12lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah Humphrey

Has only shown a modest level of ability in two bumpers and in four attempts over hurdles, most recently when pulled up on handicap debut at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft); needs to improve for the longer trip.

16/1

Form: 8

Last run: 101 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Good jumps family and yard has 35% strike-rate in bumpers this season (similar to overall course record), but this one made a low-key start here in October (5-1; good to soft) when done with a long way out; may be capable of a lot better today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:30 Ffos Las

Hurricane Danny

11st 10lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Paul Nicholls

Seven-race maiden but he ran his best race so far when fifth of 14 in a Chepstow handicap (2m7f, good) last month; was only beaten around 6l in that race and he's unexposed at staying trips; in the mix for top yard.

4/1

4th

5

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:30 Ffos Las

Hurricane Danny

11st 10lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Paul Nicholls

Seven-race maiden but he ran his best race so far when fifth of 14 in a Chepstow handicap (2m7f, good) last month; was only beaten around 6l in that race and he's unexposed at staying trips; in the mix for top yard.

4/1

5th

12

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

20:15 Chepstow

Hurricane Danny

11st 0lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Paul Nicholls

Runner-up in a Chepstow maiden (2m3f, soft) in November but he's not gone on from that and was tailed off on his handicap debut at Kempton (2m5f, soft) in February; still early days in this sphere but he now steps up to 2m7f and has something to prove after another break; stablemate of Florencethemachine.

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
11th foal; brother to 2m-2m1f hurdle/chase winner Cedar Hill; dam unplaced 2m/2m1f hurdles, half-sister to 2m-2m2f hurdle/chase winner Paddy O Dee; yard has had success in bumpers in the past but 0-5 this season; hooded for debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

21st Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Wetherby

Ebony Spirit

11st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Harry Whittington

Half-brother to the useful Cedar Hill and improvement is possible on this second start, but he was beaten 31l when sixth of 14 at 22-1 on last month's debut at Chepstow (good to soft) and a big step forward is needed.

20/1

6th

5

3rd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

Ebony Spirit

11st 2lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Harry Whittington

11th foal; brother to 2m-2m1f hurdle/chase winner Cedar Hill; dam unplaced 2m/2m1f hurdles, half-sister to 2m-2m2f hurdle/chase winner Paddy O Dee; yard has had success in bumpers in the past but 0-5 this season; hooded for debut.

14/1

3

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

15:25 Market Rasen

Ebony Spirit

11st 4lb

J: David Bass

T: Harry Whittington

11th foal; brother useful chaser Cedar Hill; dam unplaced in juvenile hurdles, half-sister to a hurdle/chase winner; stable wins fair share of bumpers; market may guide.

9/1

Form: 4-

Last run: 578 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hinted at ability in a Worcester bumper during July 2021 but has been off the track since so makes limited appeal this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:02 Hereford

Parsons Stone

11st 1lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

Unable to land any sort of blow in novice hurdles at major tracks on his two appearances this season but made fairly encouraging hurdle debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last April and has a lowly mark for his handicap debut; moves up in trip with usual hood removed.

20/1

11th

12

10th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

12:55 Newbury

Parsons Stone

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

took keen hold, always behind

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; dam point/2m3f-3m hurdle/chase winner, half-sister to 2m1f-3m6f hurdle/chase winner Sea Saffron out of half-sister to 2m1f-3m1f hurdle/chase winner Saffron Sun; unlikely to be primed for belated debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

21st Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

17:00 Exeter

Sweet Saffron

11st 4lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Sue Gardner

Tailed off in two bumpers and hasn't raised her game over hurdles.

50/1

11

8th Apr 2023

Heavy

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

16:00 Newton Abbot

Sweet Saffron

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sue Gardner

in rear

100/1

7th

6

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

14:00 Fontwell

Sweet Saffron

10st 12lb

J: James Best

T: Sue Gardner

took keen hold, towards rear, headway after 3rd

40/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dam useful on Flat in France and over jumps in Britain, has bred winning bumper/hurdler; well-beaten fifth on point debut (3-1) in Ireland last May; others higher up the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

5th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Ffos Las

Minella Magical

11st 7lb

J: Robert Williams

T: Nikki Evans

prominent

100/1

9

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

12:47 Chepstow

Minella Magical

11st 9lb

J: Robert Williams

T: Nikki Evans

Well-beaten 200-1 shot in course bumper on rules debut three weeks ago; can only be watched on today's hurdling debut.

200/1

9th

8

3rd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

Minella Magical

11st 2lb

J: Robert Williams

T: Nikki Evans

Dam useful on Flat in France and over jumps in Britain, has bred winning bumper/hurdler; well-beaten fifth on point debut (3-1) in Ireland last May; others higher up the list.

100/1

Form: 5

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Was just 5-1 for her Warwick debut 20 days ago, when finishing a remote fifth of six runners; looks likely to be one for later on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

16:40 Hereford

Passing Kate

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

Won two soft-ground chases (both 2m3f) in early 2025 and has posted some good efforts in defeat this season; looked laboured and was below form here (2m, soft) last month but can be dangerous off current mark if back on song in first-time cheekpieces.

7/2

4th

4

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Passing Kate

11st 6lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Matt Sheppard

Won three times last season on soft/heavy ground; runner-up on first three starts this term then fifth at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft) 17 days ago when three places behind Royal Mer; today's forecast slow ground could aid her cause.

9/4

1st

6

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:00 Chepstow

Passing Kate

10st 10lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Matt Sheppard

Three-time hurdle winner who kept on well to make winning chase debut at Exeter (2m1f, soft) last month; pulled up at Wincanton since, having made made jumping errors at consecutive fences, but still has scope to for further progress in this sphere.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
13th foal; half-brother to four winners including Santera (2m-2m5f hurdle) and Goldgig (French 2m1f-3m1f hurdle/chase); dam unraced; pulled up on point debut last spring and best watched for new trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:55 Warwick

Look Out To Sea

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Laura Hurley

250-1, pulled up in 2m Taunton novice on his hurdling debut in March; lots more is needed in first-time cheekpieces.

100/1

9

13th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:50 Taunton

Look Out To Sea

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Laura Hurley

took keen hold, prominent

250/1

11th

7

3rd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

Look Out To Sea

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Joe Tickle

13th foal; half-brother to four winners including Santera (2m-2m5f hurdle) and Goldgig (French 2m1f-3m1f hurdle/chase); dam unraced; pulled up on point debut last spring and best watched for new trainer.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£65,000 3yo; sixth foal; half-brother to winners Annie Angel (useful 2m4f-3m chase), Myztique (bumper/2m2f hurdle) and Krujers Girl (2m3f-2m7f chase); dam unraced sister to 2m4f-3m2f hurdle/useful chase winner Dun Doire; yard rarely targets bumpers now, 2-88 in them in the last five seasons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

24th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:20 Hereford

Duc Du Rene

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Set to finish second before falling in closing stages of Chepstow bumper in February 2023 and made fairly encouraging hurdles debut in November; suffered heavy defeat the following month and was sold out of Evan Williams' stable for 3,000gns in February but is worth a glance in the betting before this stable debut.

33/1

12th

1

24th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:20 Hereford

Duc Du Rene

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Set to finish second before falling in closing stages of Chepstow bumper in February 2023 and made fairly encouraging hurdles debut in November; suffered heavy defeat the following month and was sold out of Evan Williams' stable for 3,000gns in February but is worth a glance in the betting before this stable debut.

33/1

10th

2

20th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:35 Ludlow

Duc Du Rene

11st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Was still in second (though well held by the winner) when falling inside the final furlong on his debut in a Chepstow bumper; not sure if that's knocked his confidence as he was tailed off next time and then trailed home last on recent hurdling debut at Ffos Las.

33/1

Form: 5

Last run: 101 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Came well clear of a subsequent bumper winner in sole Irish point (yielding) but he found nothing off the bridle on bumper debut for this yard here in October (3-1); clearly capable of much better and fitting a tongue-tie may be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Royal Defender

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.

14/1

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Royal Defender

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.

14/1

6

25th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

15:20 Exeter

Royal Defender

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Bought for 155,000gns after winning Irish maiden point (3m) in May 2022; his rules form has been patchy but he was a fair third in a Lingfield novice hurdle (2m, good to soft) last November and is open to improvement now up in trip in first-time cheekpieces on handicap debut; watch the betting.

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; dam well beaten in bumpers, on Flat and over hurdles, half-sister to 2m hurdle/chase winner Lend A Hand Son and 2m hurdle winner Lucky Prince; yard is very respectable 3-23 in bumpers over last five seasons, including with 33-1 newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

3rd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

Yorgunnabealady

10st 9lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Brian Eckley

Second foal; dam well beaten in bumpers, on Flat and over hurdles, half-sister to 2m hurdle/chase winner Lend A Hand Son and 2m hurdle winner Lucky Prince; yard is very respectable 3-23 in bumpers over last five seasons, including with 33-1 newcomer.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £101.58

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Spirits Bay

Daily Mail:

Royal Defender

RP Ratings:

Spirits Bay

POSTDATA:

Spirits Bay

The Times:

Spirits Bay

Telegraph:

Spirits Bay

The Guardian:

Spirits Bay

D Express:

Spirits Bay

Daily Mirror:

Spirits Bay

The Sun:

Spirits Bay

The Star:

Spirits Bay

Daily Record:

Spirits Bay