October 14 / 14.30 Chepstow

14.30

Good To Soft

Native River Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 2m 7f 131y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Native River Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

OUR TIP

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.20
  • Place: £2.40

Form: /U2P0-

Last run: 212 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Good second of 16 off today's mark at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day and could have untapped potential over this longer trip, but tends to reserve his best form for Cheltenham and we haven't seen him since his down-the-field finish at the Festival there in March.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Stolen Silver

12st 2lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Well beaten all five starts last season, the last three times in valuable chases for new stable since February; plummeting down the weights and will appreciate this ease in grade but needs a revival.

33/1

10

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Stolen Silver

11st 2lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Seemingly nothing like the force of old; not proven beyond 3m either, with heavy defeats on his only two attempts at 3m1f or 3m2f; the former was on latest start when beaten 46l at 150-1 in the Ultima at Cheltenham and all this season's form suggests he will be a big outsider again.

100/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 3468-9 C

Last run: 139 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Signed off with some below-par runs this spring and returns with a point to prove, but his excellent record at this meeting includes wins in 2020 and 2021 and a close second off 4lb higher in this race last year (good to firm); ground slower than good to soft would be a worry but, otherwise, he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

8th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

15:35 Exeter

Tea Clipper

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Very useful handicapper on good ground but he's 1-17 over fences and fluffed some very winnable opportunities last season in hunter chases; ran okay in a C&D handicap last month but he's rarely the percentage call and now tries a visor.

8/1

Form: /P3P-P C

Last run: 161 days

W: 10st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner (once here); ran big race when placed off 4lb higher at Sandown (3m, good to soft) in February but was pulled up on his other two starts last season and also on latest outing in May; won't mind if the ground turns soft but it's hard to know what to expect from him today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 3

15:42 Ffos Las

Emir Sacree

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful chaser at best but he's been inconsistent since his last win and was tailed off at Kempton (3m, soft) in his last run in February; mark is falling but he's in the veteran stage now and others are more convincing.

9/1

1

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 3

15:42 Ffos Las

Emir Sacree

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful chaser at best but he's been inconsistent since his last win and was tailed off at Kempton (3m, soft) in his last run in February; mark is falling but he's in the veteran stage now and others are more convincing.

9/1

6th

7

9th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:40 Kempton

Emir Sacree

11st 5lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Fairly useful but has shown inconsistent form since last win and sometimes jumps left, including when modest fourth at Ascot 11 weeks ago; opposed kept to right-handed course.

12/1

Form: 2164U- CD

Last run: 182 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Thorough stayer who battled on bravely to land a good prize at Cheltenham (3m2f, good; slow ground also suits) last December; only 1lb higher now and won over this C&D when fresh in 2021; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Evas Oskar

12st 0lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

Running well in the 2023 Grand National when he unseated at the 21st; confined to only four runs in the meantime and he'll need to find plenty on his recent hunter chase exploits (narrowly beaten by Captain Tommy last time).

33/1

9

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Evas Oskar

12st 0lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

Running well in the 2023 Grand National when he unseated at the 21st; confined to only four runs in the meantime and he'll need to find plenty on his recent hunter chase exploits (narrowly beaten by Captain Tommy last time).

33/1

2nd

3

5th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

17:00 Catterick

Evas Oskar

12st 2lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

prominent, went second 5th, pushed along after 5 out, outpaced and lost second 3 out, soon ridden, rallied and went second again last, stayed on and challenging towards finish, just held

7/4

Form: /1F1P- D

Last run: 210 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
3-7 over fences, the latest win gained in good style at Newcastle (2m7f, soft) in January; found 4m2f Midlands National too taxing in March and not seen again since but further progress is possible this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

14th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:30 Chepstow

French Paradoxe

11st 3lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

in rear

7/1

5

18th Mar 2023

Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

French Paradoxe

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

Improved in a big way this season and would have been on a four-timer had he not tipped up with the race in safe-keeping at Ffos Las (3m, soft) two starts back; showed no ill effects when winning as he liked at Newcastle and it's hard to grumble with the 11lb hike; will be entering new territory trip-wise a long way from home (unraced beyond 3m) but lots to like otherwise.

9/1

1st

4

31st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

14:35 Newcastle

French Paradoxe

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

Progressive 8yo who scored at Wetherby (3m, heavy) on seasonal debut in November and looked sure to follow up before last-fence fall at Ffos Las (3m, soft) last month; has to take a 7lb rise on the chin but might still be improving; major player.

9/4

Form: 111P4/ D

Last run: 637 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Completed hat-trick with win at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) in November 2021 but we haven't seen him since the following January and he may benefit from this outing; 2lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

4th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

14:35 Ludlow

Strictlyadancer

10st 9lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

Shaped well on seasonal debut at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) in October and was very respectable fifth at Cheltenham (3m1f, good) later that month; didn't fire when back at Cheltenham 18 days ago but this race is less competitive and he's on a good mark.

13/2

8

4th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

14:35 Ludlow

Strictlyadancer

10st 9lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

Shaped well on seasonal debut at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) in October and was very respectable fifth at Cheltenham (3m1f, good) later that month; didn't fire when back at Cheltenham 18 days ago but this race is less competitive and he's on a good mark.

13/2

11th

9

16th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

13:10 Cheltenham

Strictlyadancer

10st 10lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: Christian Williams

Won this in 2021 and he hasn't run badly on his two starts this autumn, latest when 14l fifth of 18 over C&D (good); however, he needs a bigger performance today if he's to snap an 11-race losing sequence.

11/1

Form: 81P5-F D

Last run: 104 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Gained only win from ten chase starts in a three-runner contest but ran big race in defeat behind Manothepeople over C&D (good to soft) in December, and his fifth at the Punchestown festival (3m7f, good to yielding) in April was also a good effort; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th May 2024

Good

3m 3f 208y

Class 4

16:30 Ffos Las

Coeur Serein

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Ended last year in poor form and he struggled again on his return at Cheltenham (3m4f, good) last month; mark continues to fall but he's now 1-15 over fences and needs to get back on track.

20/1

7

15th May 2024

Good

3m 3f 208y

Class 4

16:30 Ffos Las

Coeur Serein

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Ended last year in poor form and he struggled again on his return at Cheltenham (3m4f, good) last month; mark continues to fall but he's now 1-15 over fences and needs to get back on track.

20/1

10th

1

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Coeur Serein

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Ended last year in poor form on soft/heavy ground but the drier conditions ought to suit him better here and he won't fail through lack of stamina; can be very dangerous off current mark if refreshed by 130-day break.

33/1

Non-runners

Threeunderthrufive, Courtland, Certainly Red, Brief Times, Switch Hitter, Hidden Heroics, Manothepeople

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.60
Straight Forecast £14.71
Tricast £49.39
Trifecta £60.30

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Courtland

RP RATINGS:

Tea Clipper

LAMBOURN:

French Paradoxe

Telegraph:

Stolen Silver

SPOTLIGHT:

Manothepeople

WEST COUNTRY:

Threeunderthrufive

Daily Record:

Switch Hitter

POSTDATA:

Courtland

Daily Mail:

Courtland

Daily Mirror:

Courtland

The Sun:

Courtland

The Star:

French Paradoxe

The Times:

Tea Clipper

The Guardian:

Tea Clipper

D Express:

Stolen Silver