February 25 / 16.52 Chepstow

16.52

Good To Soft

Pertemps Healthcare Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elimination) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £2614.08
  • 2m 0f 11y
  • Class 5
  • 15 runners
SKY
View Course
Pertemps Healthcare Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elimination) (GBB Race)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£60,000 3yo from a good family; finished 10l ahead of Choccabloc when short-headed on good to soft at Wincanton (11-2) and the winner ran okay next time at Ascot; looks useful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Beat The Bat

11st 3lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Sometimes let down by his jumping and he was none too fluent at the final flight when beaten about 5l in the Coral Cup (2m5f); wasn't exactly strong through the line that day and others might see this out better at 3m.

10/1

5th

12

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Beat The Bat

11st 3lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Sometimes let down by his jumping and he was none too fluent at the final flight when beaten about 5l in the Coral Cup (2m5f); wasn't exactly strong through the line that day and others might see this out better at 3m.

10/1

4th

24

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Beat The Bat

10st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Has a largely solid record and ran well over 2m3f at Haydock on reappearance; back to 2m for both starts since and he ran as if in need of further, nevertheless finishing a good fifth of 17 in top handicap at Newbury (soft; has won on good) last time; could be a leading player if he can iron out the repeated sticky jumping he showed that day.

10/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 3

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal of the same stable's prolific mare Chocca Wocca; plenty to find with Beat The Bat on Wincanton form but he proved difficult to saddle in the preliminaries and could improve any amount for that experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:03 Wexford

Choccabloc

10st 13lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Andrew McNamara

128-rated hurdler for Nicky Henderson; remote second in 2m6f Fairyhouse novice his best run over fences for current yard, most recently pulled up after never travelling in 2m5f Fairyhouse handicap on Saturday; hard to fancy unless quicker ground brings serious improvement.

20/1

8

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 45y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Choccabloc

10st 13lb

J: Anna McGuinness

T: Andrew McNamara

Bumper winner and fair 128-rated hurdler for Nicky Henderson, stayed 2m5f; beaten 14l in second over C&D in January before being pulled up in a 3m event at Navan; suffered the same fate in a Limerick race won by Kings Hill; questions to answer.

16/1

3

12th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 185y

14:54 Limerick

Choccabloc

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Andrew McNamara

Bumper winner and fair 128-rated hurdler for Nicky Henderson, stayed 2m5f; ran well up to the point of his fall two out over C&D on his second Irish start; fair second at Fairyhouse before being pulled up in a 3m handicap at Navan; out of his depth in a 2m Grade event on latest.

10/1

7/2

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 2

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
80,000euros 3yo; got outpaced before staying on behind a Nicholls newcomer at Wetherby (soft) in a race dominated by the market principals; the third has since run well over hurdles; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

27th Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Kempton

Home Free

11st 4lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

3

27th Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Kempton

Home Free

11st 4lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

4th

2

23rd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

12:40 Haydock

Home Free

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, led after 4th, jumped right 5 out, not fluent and headed 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon lost third and weakened

9/4

Form: 28

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in an Irish point and also here in December (good to soft) before presumably struggling with the soft ground back at this venue two months ago; not ruled out should goodish ground be key to him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 12lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Rebecca Curtis

Not wholly straightforward, but appreciated the return to hurdling sufficiently to record a new personal best in victory at Uttoxeter latest (2m7f, good to soft); blinkers debuted there will need to work at least as well now returned to his previous highest mark; has won on good.

11/2

1st

8

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 8lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Rebecca Curtis

Completed a double over hurdles at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in November 2024 but he's been up and down since and was pulled up over fences at Chepstow (11-4 favourite) last month; new headgear is now tried and he comes with risks attached back in this sphere.

6/1

7

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Won over C&D (good) last season and has made the frame all three hurdling starts this term, the latest here (2m7f, good to soft) in December; seems versatile ground-wise and, from a workable mark, probably won't be far away.

6/1

Form: 3

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Never far away when beaten just over 5l at Hereford (soft) and the first two haven't disgraced that form; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Kruger Park

11st 2lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Good fourth over C&D (soft) in November and outstayed next-time-out winner Jalisco Star when scoring at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; still on workable mark after latest 2lb rise; likely contender again.

5/1

1

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Kruger Park

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Took a hiding at the weights for Newbury win (2m4f, heavy) last March; he's run to a similar level in defeat twice since but was pulled up at Fontwell in February and 3m2f may be further than he wants to go.

12/1

20/1

Form: 7

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nicely bred and only 8-1 at Doncaster (good to soft) and yet never really emerged from mid-division; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:20 Wincanton

Muskoka

11st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Runner-up behind Broomfields Cave over C&D in December but his form has slumped in two subsequent runs (2m7f/3m5f); overall record is now 1-18 and he has something to prove again.

6/1

5

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:48 Warwick

Muskoka

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Record is only 1-17, the success over 3m1f, but he is largely consistent having made the frame in most starts; chance of doubling his tally partly depends on whether the new trip sparks a new level of form.

8/1

4th

2

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

14:05 Newbury

Muskoka

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Just one win from his 16 starts but he's consistent and has been runner-up in this visor on his last two outings (3m, good/good to soft); there's every chance he'll be bang there.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 232

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
A little below his best at Ludlow in November but produced useful RPRs of 110 on either side of that at Worcester and Southwell (good for both); unlikely to be far away if running to that level but looks vulnerable to something with a bit more zip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

23rd Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:08 Worcester

Cawthorne Banker

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Has proved unreliable but he resumed winning ways at Uttoxeter (2m) in July and followed up with another 2m handicap win there 30 days ago, overhauling Ocean Heights late on; not taken lightly in his current mood.

5/1

1st

6

24th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:40 Uttoxeter

Cawthorne Banker

11st 5lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Resumed winning ways (in a change of headgear) in C&D handicap 17 days ago; he's not always proved the most reliable so needs to back it up now from a 5lb higher mark.

3/1

1st

9

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:30 Uttoxeter

Cawthorne Banker

11st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Proven winner who had lost his way but got back on track with a near miss at Worcester (2m, good) 20 days ago; just 2lb higher but the new blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) cast some doubts.

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
60,000euros 3yo; fourth foal; brother to French 2m1f hurdle winner Law Of Attraction; dam placed French 11.5f and 1m7f Flat/2m1f hurdle, half-sister to useful 9.5f-1m7f Flat/smart 2m-2m4f hurdle winner Sentry Duty; one to note in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

13:23 Bangor-on-Dee

Le Bon Vivant

11st 7lb

J: Fergus Gregory

T: Olly Murphy

Beaten about 38l when midfield on last month's bumper debut at Chepstow (good to soft); in good hands and ought to be capable of better at some stage but is not the obvious answer here.

33/1

8th

9

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:52 Chepstow

Le Bon Vivant

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

60,000euros 3yo; fourth foal; brother to French 2m1f hurdle winner Law Of Attraction; dam placed French 11.5f and 1m7f Flat/2m1f hurdle, half-sister to useful 9.5f-1m7f Flat/smart 2m-2m4f hurdle winner Sentry Duty; one to note in the betting.

12/1

100/1

Form: 5

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Probably unwise to read too much into his remote finish on heavy ground at Exeter when sent off at single-figure odds; could show more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

15th Jan 2024

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

15:37 Hereford

Starvidov

10st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Lightly raced; only 11-2 for his second run in a handicap at Exeter (2m2f, soft) but was beaten 22l in the end; stamina to prove over this far and he's 5lb out of the weights.

20/1

5th

14

13th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Starvidov

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Tongue tied on last two starts and cheekpieces were fitted for handicap debut on latest (possibly stretched by 2m4f, on soft) but he still has not made a significant impact; 3lb out of the handicap.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£60,000 purchase not long after finishing second in a 3m point in Ireland (yielding to soft) and the winner there seemed to run below expectations when fourth in a Hexham bumper on his rules debut; tongue-tie added; needs respecting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

20th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

18:05 Uttoxeter

Old Beginnings

11st 3lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent, briefly went second 6th, soon ridden, weakened 7th, pulled up before 3 out

7/1

10th

11

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:52 Chepstow

Old Beginnings

11st 7lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

£60,000 purchase not long after finishing second in a 3m point in Ireland (yielding to soft) and the winner there seemed to run below expectations when fourth in a Hexham bumper on his rules debut; tongue-tie added; needs respecting.

14/1

11

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:00 Chepstow

Old Beginnings

11st 2lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fifth foal; half-brother to 2m hurdle winner Minnie Escape; dam 2m-2m4f hurdle winner, from family of Irish National winner Ebony Jane; hooded for debut and amateur rider was 0-10 under rules before today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

1st Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Gypsy Hill

11st 2lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

No worthwhile form in two bumpers and a maiden hurdle, trying different headgear on each occasion; now tries another combination.

100/1

0

16

21st Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:25 Exeter

Gypsy Hill

10st 11lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Victor Dartnall

Showed nothing in two Chepstow bumpers, in a hood and then cheekpieces; had wind surgery and now tries more new headgear.

50/1

10th

4

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

17:25 Chepstow

Gypsy Hill

11st 0lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Wore a hood and was always towards rear when 33-1 for debut here (good to soft) last month; tried in cheekpieces today.

25/1

Form: 8

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
150-1 for her debut here and was in rear throughout.
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: 8

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled hard and finished tailed off on good ground at Exeter 13 days ago when an 80-1 chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:52 Chepstow

Cosmore

11st 0lb

J: Mr Frederick Procter

T: Harriet Brown

Pulled hard and finished tailed off on good ground at Exeter 13 days ago when an 80-1 chance.

100/1

8th

7

12th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

17:00 Exeter

Cosmore

11st 0lb

J: Mr Frederick Procter

T: Harriet Brown

pulled hard, held up in rear, headway on outer 6f out

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sixth foal; brother to two maidens; dam 2m4f-2m6f hurdle winner, half-sister to 2m4f-3m hurdle/chase winner Rebel Swing; stable 0-8 in bumpers recent seasons; can only be watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

14th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Hay Up Harry

11st 1lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Sophie Leech

Well beaten when finishing last in two bumpers last season; makes no appeal on today's hurdling debut.

100/1

9th

3

16th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

17:00 Huntingdon

Hay Up Harry

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Sophie Leech

Went off a big price when finishing last on good to soft at Chepstow; no appeal.

66/1

14th

5

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:52 Chepstow

Hay Up Harry

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Sophie Leech

Sixth foal; brother to two maidens; dam 2m4f-2m6f hurdle winner, half-sister to 2m4f-3m hurdle/chase winner Rebel Swing; stable 0-8 in bumpers recent seasons; can only be watched.

66/1

Form: 3

Last run: 102 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

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

9th

6

30th Nov 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Haafbourd

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

midfield, not fluent 5th, not fluent 6th

33/1

6th

4

7th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

12:45 Warwick

Haafbourd

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

towards rear

250/1

7th

6

14th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Haafbourd

11st 1lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

Not beaten far when third of five in Fakenham bumper in November but struggled on his first two hurdling attempts.

100/1

Non-runners

Haafbourd

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.60
Straight Forecast £17.02
Trifecta £82.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Beat The Bat

The Times:

Home Free

TOPSPEED:

Cawthorne Banker

LAMBOURN:

Choccabloc

D Express:

Home Free

The Sun:

Home Free

Daily Record:

Home Free

RP Ratings:

Beat The Bat

WEST COUNTRY:

Beat The Bat

Telegraph:

Beat The Bat

The Guardian:

Beat The Bat

Daily Mail:

Beat The Bat

Daily Mirror:

Beat The Bat

The Star:

Beat The Bat

POSTDATA:

Cawthorne Banker