April 24 / 14.15 Hexham

14.15

Good To Soft

Langley Castle An Outstanding Small Hotel Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5201.78
  • 1m 7f 133y
  • Class 5
  • 16 runners
SKY
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Langley Castle An Outstanding Small Hotel Handicap Chase

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/2 (Won)

Form: U05441 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Course specialist who recorded his first four wins at about 3m but he got back in the groove with a game win over C&D (heavy) last month; back up 4lb in the weights but he did really well to cope with that big drop back in trip last time and he's an interesting contender; first-time cheekpieces replace blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

14th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:48 Hexham

Cudgel

10st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: James Walton

towards rear

20/1

Form: 233573

Last run: 67 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
His last win was over two years ago but that was off a 15lb higher mark and he ran well to finish a close third at Newcastle (2m, good) in February; this return to slower ground is no problem and he has possibilities back from a short break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

16th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

16:50 Perth

Fourth Of July

10st 7lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: R Mike Smith

Dual 2m1f chase winner (both good to soft); losing run is now at 20 starts; hasn't threatened to end that on either his final start last spring or his return last month after a lengthy break; others preferred.

20/1

9th

9

16th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

16:50 Perth

Fourth Of July

10st 7lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: R Mike Smith

Dual 2m1f chase winner (both good to soft); losing run is now at 20 starts; hasn't threatened to end that on either his final start last spring or his return last month after a lengthy break; others preferred.

20/1

9th

8

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

17:20 Perth

Fourth Of July

11st 1lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: R Mike Smith

14-race maiden over hurdles, but has won two chases, both over 2m1f on good to soft at Kelso; effective on soft ground, is 3lb lower over hurdles but may need the run after 345-day break.

8/1

Form: 5-U794 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Well treated on his win at Wetherby (1m7f, heavy) last March but things have not gone well this season and he was tailed off behind Cudgel over C&D last month; has something to prove and he needs to jump better than last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

6th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

18:05 Hexham

Choix Des Armes

11st 1lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Alison Hamilton

Shouldn't be the answer on these terms but at least he ran a half-decent race last time.

25/1

3rd

16

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

14:15 Hexham

Choix Des Armes

10st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Alison Hamilton

Well treated on his win at Wetherby (1m7f, heavy) last March but things have not gone well this season and he was tailed off behind Cudgel over C&D last month; has something to prove and he needs to jump better than last time.

25/1

4th

4

30th Mar 2023

Heavy

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

14:10 Hexham

Choix Des Armes

10st 3lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Alison Hamilton

7lb lower than when winning at Wetherby (1m7f, heavy) last March and he's not totally written off in this weak race, but this inconsistent 11yo has been soundly beaten the last twice and needs to raise his game.

7/1

Form: 05552U

Last run: 206 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
20-race maiden but he chased home Going Mobile over C&D (good) in September and was blazing a trail when he unseated his rider over 2m4f here later that month; returns after 206 days off but he's still lightly raced over fences and could make a bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

17:40 Cartmel

Ensel Du Perche

10st 8lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Stella Barclay

1-1 over C&D and won twice over 2m at Catterick (soft/good) earlier in year; well held despite making the frame in his last two starts and needs a bit more from this mark.

12/1

5

9th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:10 Southwell

Ensel Du Perche

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Stella Barclay

Four chase wins, making all in two small fields at Catterick (1m7f, good/soft) last season; remains in good form and he's better over shorter than the 2m4f he ran over here last time.

4/1

Form: PU48P3

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Fair third behind Cudgel over C&D (heavy) last month but this 12yo is not easy to predict and his last win was in France in 2019; new headgear is now tried but others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

14th Oct 2023

Heavy

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Bandit DAinay

10st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Four-time chase winner in France but his last success was in 2019 and he's been generally very disappointing in Britain; on reduced mark but he was a remote third at Perth two weeks ago and others are preferred.

8/1

3rd

9

27th Sep 2023

Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

15:30 Perth

Bandit DAinay

10st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Four-time chase winner in France but generally very disappointing in Britain; unlucky to come to grief after first fence at Cartmel last month (first-time blinkers) and Brian Hughes is booked again here but he's 4lb out of the weights and remains difficult to enthuse over.

25/1

0

11

28th Aug 2023

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

13:20 Cartmel

Bandit DAinay

10st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Four French wins (up to 2019) but 0-15 in Britain and some way behind two of today's rivals over C&D last month; Brian Hughes back on board and blinkers the latest aid to be fitted but too many doubts.

25/1

Form: 325-42 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo who has had only two runs over fences and he went very close at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) on his stable debut last month; this is a much deeper race but he's only 1lb higher than last time and is open to more progress; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

19th Jul 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Uttoxeter

Patagonia

10st 3lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Gary Hanmer

Only beaten a short head on stable debut at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in March but hard to trust on what he's done since; tongue-tie now left off.

8/1

8th

10

2nd Jul 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 4

17:10 Cartmel

Patagonia

11st 1lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Gary Hanmer

Lightly raced 6yo; lost out only by a short head on stable debut at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in March but two very disappointing runs have followed and he now has a point to prove.

14/1

1

15th May 2023

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:45 Southwell

Patagonia

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Gary Hanmer

Low-mileage 6yo who lost out only by a short head on stable debut at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in March; needs to bounce back from a lesser effort last month but should be fine over today's longer trip and enters calculations.

7/1

Form: 448V77 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won by 9l over C&D (good to soft) last May but he's been disappointing since and was tailed off at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) last time; that was after a break but he needs a major revival on this drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

10th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Follow Your Fire

10st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Dual winner over hurdles and fences; generally out of sorts since last success (12 months ago) and beaten long way in both runs this spring; needs a big revival back hurdling.

20/1

7th

6

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

14:15 Hexham

Follow Your Fire

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Won by 9l over C&D (good to soft) last May but he's been disappointing since and was tailed off at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) last time; that was after a break but he needs a major revival on this drop back in trip.

25/1

7th

7

16th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

14:40 Huntingdon

Follow Your Fire

10st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jennie Candlish

Won by 9l at Hexham (1m7f, good to soft) last May and now 6lb lower after some forgettable performances during the past year; Sam Twiston-Davies is booked but not hard to have reservations.

10/1

Form: P9-0PP D

Last run: 104 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Point winner who won twice over hurdles (2m4f/1m7f) last season but she's struggled in her last five starts including pulled-up efforts in her last two handicaps; dropped another 4lb but she needs to turn things around on this switch to chasing; cheekpieces worn last time are removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

14:15 Hexham

The Player Queen

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Rose Dobbin

Point winner who won twice over hurdles (2m4f/1m7f) last season but she's struggled in her last five starts including pulled-up efforts in her last two handicaps; dropped another 4lb but she needs to turn things around on this switch to chasing; cheekpieces worn last time are removed.

25/1

15

10th Jan 2023

Good

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

15:00 Doncaster

The Player Queen

10st 12lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

Winner of 2m4f maiden and 1m7f novice hurdles last winter but her handicap form this winter has not been up to scratch; big turnaround needed for first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

3

3rd Jan 2023

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

12:15 Musselburgh

The Player Queen

11st 3lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

Won twice over hurdles last season (2m4f/1m7f) and is still lightly raced, but looked out of sorts on both appearances towards end of last year and needs a good boost from the first-time cheekpieces here.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: -1870P D

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won on his hurdling debut at Perth (2m, good) in September but he's struggled since, including when pulled up on his chase debut at Bangor (2m1f, good to soft) last month; still lightly raced but has questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

13

28th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:14 Kelso

Our Marty

10st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

His profile has been patchy since he won a novice hurdle at Perth (2m, good) in September 2022 and he doesn't look straightforward, dropping away tamely with blinkers added (retained) over 2m5f here three weeks ago; the return to 2m will probably help but he's still hard to be confident about.

20/1

0

4

8th Oct 2023

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:30 Kelso

Our Marty

11st 5lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

led

10/1

6th

3

20th Sep 2023

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

15:30 Kelso

Our Marty

11st 11lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

held up in rear, slightly hampered 3rd

11/2

Form: 313351 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner (good) who improved his chase record to 4-30 when scoring at Carlisle (2m, heavy) last month; that was a narrow success but he kept on well to seal the deal and a 3lb rise looks fair enough; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

16:55 Hexham

Going Mobile

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

midfield, some headway 3 out, weakened quickly after 2 out, pulled up before last

11/2

6

22nd Jul 2024

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:00 Cartmel

Going Mobile

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Looked in excellent nick when winning by 5l at Hexham (1m7f, good) in June, and ran well again there from out of the weights in higher-grade race a few days later; suited by this track too and versatile regarding trip; must be considered.

6/1

4th

7

23rd Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

16:48 Hexham

Going Mobile

10st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Gained three of his five chase wins over C&D, the latest by 5l from Dream Jet in Class 5 event eight days ago (good ground); effectively 11lb higher from 5lb out of the weights in this higher-grade contest but evidently in prime form.

3/1

Form: 7046-P D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Sole win for Nigel Twiston-Davies came four years ago; missed 2022 and he returned from a long absence with a pulled-up effort over hurdles at Carlisle (200-1) last month; now returns to chasing and he can only be watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

6th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

18:05 Hexham

Kingofthecotswolds

11st 1lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kevin Hunter

On a slippery slope since winning a maiden hurdle for previous connections and has pulled up in both starts (hurdle/chase) since returning from a long absence.

20/1

5

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

14:15 Hexham

Kingofthecotswolds

11st 4lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Kevin Hunter

towards rear of midfield, dropped to last when slow jump 5th, lost touch 6th, soon pulled up

50/1

7

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Carlisle

Kingofthecotswolds

11st 3lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Kevin Hunter

towards rear

33/1

Form: 414425 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 84

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

9

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Lingfield

Shaws Cross

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

Runner-up at Plumpton (2m3f, good to soft) in December and respectable fourth in his last two runs but this 13yo is now 1-24 over fences and that win was over two years ago; down the list.

7/1

4th

11

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:48 Lingfield

Shaws Cross

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

Veteran who scored over hurdles here (heavy) in 2019 and broke a long losing run two years ago over fences at Plumpton; no joy since but, even though he's 2lb out of the weights today, he's regularly shown enough to be given a place chance.

16/1

4th

11

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:48 Lingfield

Shaws Cross

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

Veteran who scored over hurdles here (heavy) in 2019 and broke a long losing run two years ago over fences at Plumpton; no joy since but, even though he's 2lb out of the weights today, he's regularly shown enough to be given a place chance.

16/1

Form: 6785P3

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Well treated on his old form and he ran his best race for some time when third at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) 16 days ago; has claims if he can build on that but his last four wins have been at 2m5f and the drop back to 1m7f is a concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

22nd Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:00 Hexham

Ashjan

10st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Sandy Forster

in touch with leaders

14/1

6th

9

22nd Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:00 Hexham

Ashjan

10st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Sandy Forster

Ex-Irish; has won three chases for this yard, the latest at Carlisle in April 2022 (2m5f, good); creditable fourth over hurdles from well out of the handicap on same track last month, but went up the ratings following that and others now look better treated.

14/1

6th

9

30th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

17:25 Carlisle

Ashjan

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Sandy Forster

Not the most reliable these days but was under 5l away in a C&D handicap three weeks ago when a stone out of the weights (behind Masked Crusader); remains to be seen if that flattered him and he's off the same mark here.

14/1

Form: 136812 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Back to form when winning over 2m4f at Musselburgh (soft) in February and he ran to a similar level when runner-up behind a well-handicapped rival at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) last month; on same mark here and he should be in the mix again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

10th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

17:48 Sedgefield

Budarri

10st 5lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Stuart Coltherd

No win since scoring at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in February 2023, but has finished runner-up four times since, including to Kicksaftersix at Hexham (2m) last summer; was "never travelling" when last in action at Musselburgh three months ago; no issue with the forecast conditions.

14/1

9th

11

10th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

17:48 Sedgefield

Budarri

10st 5lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Stuart Coltherd

No win since scoring at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in February 2023, but has finished runner-up four times since, including to Kicksaftersix at Hexham (2m) last summer; was "never travelling" when last in action at Musselburgh three months ago; no issue with the forecast conditions.

14/1

5

18th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

16:20 Musselburgh

Budarri

10st 13lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Fair second here (2m, soft) last month when 6lb out of the handicap and runs off his proper mark today, which is the same as when winning this 12 months ago (soft); strong contender.

7/2

Form: 534533

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Record of 0-22 over hurdles but he returned from a short break with a creditable third at Ayr (2m, good) last month; now switches to fences but he's 1lb lower than last time and has claims if he takes to this discipline.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(9)

25th Jul 2023

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

14:30 Musselburgh

My Macho Man

9st 2lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Katie Scott

Winless since his 3yo debut and has regressed under both codes in recent times; opposable.

10/1

10th

5

(6)

15th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 3f 15y

Class 6

20:00 Hamilton

My Macho Man

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: Katie Scott

Winless since his 3yo debut and has regressed under both codes in recent times; won't mind the softer ground, down another 3lb and going without the usual headgear by way of a change.

20/1

7th

3

(1)

5th Jul 2023

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

15:05 Musselburgh

My Macho Man

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

Debut AW winner (1m) who is on a 29-race losing run; last of seven when stepped up to 1m5f at Ayr latest; has finished runner-up over C&D (soft) previously; given a chance by the handicapper now, so not written off.

20/1

Form: /4223- BF

Last run: 616 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
24-race maiden; had a couple of close calls in chase handicaps (2m/2m1f) in the summer of 2021 but he missed last year and has something to prove back 616 days off; best watched unless market is persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

17th Jun 2023

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

15:45 Hexham

War At Sea

10st 10lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

held up in rear

14/1

10

31st May 2023

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

19:20 Cartmel

War At Sea

10st 2lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

25-race maiden; ran big race in defeat over C&D (good) in summer 2021 but is effectively 6lb higher from out of the weights today and made low-key return from long absence last month.

16/1

14

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

14:15 Hexham

War At Sea

10st 5lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

24-race maiden; had a couple of close calls in chase handicaps (2m/2m1f) in the summer of 2021 but he missed last year and has something to prove back 616 days off; best watched unless market is persuasive.

14/1

Non-runners

The Player Queen, Our Marty, Shaw's Cross, Budarri, My Macho Man

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £19.66
Tricast £227.74

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Patagonia

Daily Mail:

Going Mobile

RP Ratings:

Fourth Of July

Telegraph:

Cudgel

The Times:

My Macho Man

The Guardian:

War At Sea

POSTDATA:

Patagonia

Daily Record:

Patagonia

Daily Mirror:

Going Mobile

The Sun:

Going Mobile

TOPSPEED:

Fourth Of July

D Express:

Fourth Of July

The Star:

Cudgel