April 15 / 15.45 Chepstow

15.45

Soft

DragonBet Proud To Be Welsh Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3406.24
  • 2m 3f 100y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
DragonBet Proud To Be Welsh Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.40
  • Place: £3.10

Form: /2-F42

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Probably didn't achieve huge amount when well-held second of four behind short-odds winner at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) last month but moves up in trip here and might have some improvement to come in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

23rd May 2023

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:50 Hexham

Mr Hailstone

12st 0lb

J: Cillin Leonard

T: Dr Richard Newland

midfield

7/2

1st

4

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:45 Chepstow

Mr Hailstone

11st 8lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland

prominent in chasing group, disputing second and wandered around 2nd

5/1

2nd

2

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

14:15 Sedgefield

Mr Hailstone

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

Only a modest fourth in maiden event at Fontwell two weeks ago but should improve a couple of places this time; he's second-best in this field judged on bumper/hurdles form.

5/1

20/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: -5492P

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Made quite promising hurdle debut in the autumn but hasn't built on it, and was pulled up on handicap debut in February (2m3f); others in this line-up have much less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

13:35 Southwell

Boleyn Boy

10st 13lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Ben Case

in touch with leaders, reminder after 3rd, mistake 6th, headway before 8th, mistake when pressed leader 12th, lost ground with one circuit to go, struggling after 16th, pulled up before 3 out

14/1

4th

5

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

14:00 Fakenham

Boleyn Boy

11st 7lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

disputed lead, not fluent 2nd, prominent before 3rd, slow jump 5th, mistake last

9/1

4th

5

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

14:00 Fakenham

Boleyn Boy

11st 7lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

disputed lead, not fluent 2nd, prominent before 3rd, slow jump 5th, weakened before 3 out, no chance when mistake last

9/1

20/1

  • Place: £5.20

Form: 7-678

Last run: 73 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced in any of her three qualifying runs (2m-2m2f) and has much more realistic chance at the weights in this low-grade handicap; had wind op last month; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

14:40 Leicester

Ginderella

10st 9lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Tim Vaughan

Still a maiden at the age of nine but she reappeared after a long absence with fair third on chase/stable debut at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) in November; didn't build on that over hurdles (2m6f, heavy) last time but cheekpieces are now added and this return to a right-handed track looks a positive (jumped right on penultimate run); could be dangerous back over fences.

13/2

Form: -4U1P1 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Opened account in first-time visor at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) in January and bounced back quickly from a poor performance with C&D (soft) win last month; latest 7lb rise asks quite a lot of him, but he ought to be on the premises again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

16:18 Lingfield

Bert Wilson

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Both wins early in 2023; last season was disappointing but he's since had wind surgery (second time) and is 3lb below his last winning mark.

25/1

9

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

16:18 Lingfield

Bert Wilson

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

jumped slightly right throughout, pressed leader, briefly led before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up approaching last

25/1

12/1

Form: 2-863U BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Ran well for a long way before weakening into third at Exeter (2m5f, good) last month but was held in fourth before last-flight unseat at Hereford (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago and is now 0-7 over hurdles; 3lb wrong today; others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

17:15 Taunton

Hazy Dream

11st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Joe Tickle

Had looked limited until running away with a C&D handicap two weeks ago on the back of wind surgery (second run in a tongue-tie); that was after an absence of 350 days so this is a quick turnaround, but a 6lb rise should be manageable.

4/1

5th

8

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

17:15 Taunton

Hazy Dream

11st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Joe Tickle

Had looked limited until running away with a C&D handicap two weeks ago on the back of wind surgery (second run in a tongue-tie); that was after an absence of 350 days so this is a quick turnaround, but a 6lb rise should be manageable.

4/1

1st

7

11th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:08 Taunton

Hazy Dream

10st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Joe Tickle

prominent early, raced in last but in touch with leaders after 2nd, headway after 8th, led 2 out, kept on well, ridden out

25/1

Form: 576292

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
0-6 over hurdles but left his disappointing British debut a long way behind when clear second at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) last month and is 1lb lower here; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:15 Wincanton

Royal Mer

12st 0lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Six chase wins, the latest here (1m7f, heavy) under Rian Corcoran 19 days ago; still on workable mark after recent 5lb rise and will be fine over today's longer trip but the faster ground is probably not in his favour.

9/2

1st

1

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

14:50 Wincanton

Royal Mer

12st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Five-time chase winner who relishes testing ground; runner-up in his first two starts this season including a close call at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft), but his form cooled at Hereford last time; needs to step up again after that but he remains well treated on his old form.

7/2

3rd

1

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Royal Mer

11st 13lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Five-time chase winner who relishes testing ground; runner-up on both starts this term and looks sure to go close.

13/8

Form: P074

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Beaten about 40l when fourth on last month's handicap debut at Southwell (2m, good) but the wide-margin winner has shown massive improvement in recent weeks and the two placed horses have also boosted that form since; up in trip today; remains unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

21st Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 5

16:40 Ludlow

Key Factor

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Henry Oliver

Still a maiden and has failed to improve for the switch to chasing this term, though he is seemingly thought capable of better judged on his market position in those races; 5lb out of the weights.

10/1

0

11

4th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

15:58 Hereford

Key Factor

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Henry Oliver

Modest form over hurdles and hasn't shown significant improvement in two runs over fences; others stronger.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 132547

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Just 1-16 over hurdles but has remained in pretty good form since his breakthrough win at Leicester (1m7f, good to soft) in November, and last month's Musselburgh seventh (3m, good to soft) came in a competitive series final; probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

28th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 110y

Class 5

14:55 Ayr

Bridge Road

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Has modest 1-23 strike-rate over hurdles and is steadily on the downgrade but ran well when second of 14 behind progressive rival at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) ten days ago and will be fine over today's trip.

5/1

4th

8

28th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 110y

Class 5

14:55 Ayr

Bridge Road

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Has modest 1-23 strike-rate over hurdles and is steadily on the downgrade but ran well when second of 14 behind progressive rival at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) ten days ago and will be fine over today's trip.

5/1

2nd

10

18th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:05 Uttoxeter

Bridge Road

10st 10lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

prominent early, in touch with leaders after 1st

12/1

Form: F43

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Well beaten before final-flight fall on hurdling debut in November but has improved since, more recently when third in Hereford maiden (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago; upped in trip for today's handicap debut and probably has more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Just Over Land

10st 11lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Two chase wins towards the end of last year (2m3f, good to soft) and did well to finish third of five at Sandown (2m4f, soft) last month having made mistakes; pulled up over 3m4f last January on sole previous run beyond 2m5f but he's worth a go at this trip; could go well if finding fluency.

9/1

3rd

3

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Just Over Land

11st 3lb

J: Mr Harvey Barfoot-Saunt

T: Sam Thomas

Returned to win handicap chases at Fontwell and Chepstow (both 2m3f, good to soft) in November/December; fared about as well as could be expected from 10lb out of the weights when fourth of 12 in a valuable Premier Handicap at Cheltenham (just short of 2m5f, good) on New Year's Day; respected with his sights lowered.

4/1

5

13th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 3

14:40 Leicester

Just Over Land

10st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Yet to score over fences and he has failed to progress since a promising second at Ffos Las (2m) in October; didn't stay 3m4f when pulled up in Windsor handicap chase 25 days ago but more is still needed on this drop back in trip.

10/1

Form: 7984

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Displayed first glimmer of promise over hurdles when plugging on for modest fourth in 2m Southwell maiden in January; probably needs to improve again on today's handicap debut but is with a top stable and can't be ignored.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:45 Chepstow

Kash Tara

11st 2lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

Displayed first glimmer of promise over hurdles when plugging on for modest fourth in 2m Southwell maiden in January; probably needs to improve again on today's handicap debut but is with a top stable and can't be ignored.

7/1

4th

5

29th Jan 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:00 Southwell

Kash Tara

11st 2lb

J: David England

T: Dan Skelton

Uncompetitive in a bumper and two hurdles; looks the stable's third string.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £158.80
Straight Forecast £122.64
Tricast £3918.25
Trifecta £3661.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Just Over Land

WEST COUNTRY:

Royal Mer

POSTDATA:

Bert Wilson

The Times:

Bridge Road

D Express:

Key Factor

Daily Mirror:

Mr Hailstone

RP Ratings:

Just Over Land

Daily Mail:

Just Over Land

The Guardian:

Royal Mer

The Sun:

Royal Mer

The Star:

Bert Wilson

Daily Record:

Bert Wilson

Telegraph:

Bridge Road