October 23 / 15.45 Plumpton

15.45

Soft

Nick Embiricos Memorial Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £12146.3
  • 2m 3f 164y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Nick Embiricos Memorial Handicap Chase

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 96-231

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Ridden very patiently when placed over hurdles on first two starts for Dan Skelton then looked suited by radically different tactics when dominating Fontwell chase (2m5f, good) from the front this month; will be fine on today's slower ground and will be hard to catch if in similar mood again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 100y

Class 1

13:50 Kelso

Sacre Coeur

11st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

She's 2-17 over hurdles as opposed to 7-27 over fences and is unraced in this sphere since November 2023; however, won twice over fences this season (3m1f/2m4f, good/good to soft) and will be a major player if transferring that form back to hurdles.

8/1

1

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

16:20 Ludlow

Sacre Coeur

12st 7lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, led, faced challenge from 12th, headed on turn before 4 out, weakening when unseated 3 out

3/1

1

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:05 Ludlow

Sacre Coeur

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Front-runner who went down narrowly last time at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft), which was a good run over that far for one who stays 3m; Harry Atkins rides again and should hang around to have some say.

15/8

11/2

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 511/6-

Last run: 360 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner in March 2022 (2m1f/2m2f) but made low-key start to chasing career a year ago and has not raced again since; others have less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

22nd Feb 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Deeper Blue

10st 10lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: David Pipe

towards rear, not fluent 4th

20/1

7

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:50 Ayr

Deeper Blue

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Runner-up in three of his five chases and latest Newbury conqueror (2m7f, good to soft) was well handicapped on a going day; there was near enough 10l back to Abuffalosoldier who had been 2-2 at that track; it's probably strong form for the grade and this 8yo is just 3lb higher now tried in cheekpieces.

6/1

7

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:50 Ayr

Deeper Blue

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Runner-up in three of his five chases and latest Newbury conqueror (2m7f, good to soft) was well handicapped on a going day; there was near enough 10l back to Abuffalosoldier who had been 2-2 at that track; it's probably strong form for the grade and this 8yo is just 3lb higher now tried in cheekpieces.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 44163- CD BF

Last run: 196 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles and fences here last season; raced lazily in rear for much of the Sussex Champion Chase over C&D (soft) in April but stayed on well in the straight to take third; remains on a workable mark and enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

19:30 Newton Abbot

Lord Baddesley

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Rather lost his way last season after winning at Newbury in October and last week's Fakenham run was an all-time low; tries a visor this time, but blinkers and cheekpieces did nothing for him.

8/1

6th

6

4th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:03 Fakenham

Lord Baddesley

10st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Easily won three-runner race at Newbury (2m4f, good) in October but subsequent form last season was underwhelming; well handicapped now (even from 1lb out of the weights) and will probably be okay back at 3m but needs the new cheekpieces to perk him up.

11/2

7th

15

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Lord Baddesley

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Easily won three-runner handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good) on reappearance; jumped left when 6l third of four at right-handed Ascot (2m5f, good) next time, and his 13l sixth of nine at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) came in a race that worked out extremely well; heavy going excuses him being tailed off at Warwick and he could go well now back on better ground.

25/1

Form: 46365- D

Last run: 201 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Has some useful form on his CV but dropped a long way down the weights during disappointing campaign last season; tailed off in first-time tongue-tie and blinkers (both removed here) on latest start in April; needs a revival and may be better suited by right-handed tracks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Kempton

Flagrant Delitiep

11st 12lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Miss A Lewis

in touch with leaders

100/1

5

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Kempton

Flagrant Delitiep

11st 12lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Miss A Lewis

Regressive 10yo who has been pulled up in a Taunton hunter chase and three subsequent points this year; can't be recommended.

100/1

8

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 150y

Class 5

14:45 Taunton

Flagrant Delitiep

11st 12lb

J: Mr William Biddick

T: Miss A Lewis

didn't always jump with fluency, prominent, not fluent and lost ground 6th, soon in rear, struggling when pulled up after 8th

40/1

Form: 1306-7 D

Last run: 163 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
2-8 over hurdles; an interesting recruit to chasing but not seen since a below-par run in May and his best form is over 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Abuffalosoldier

10st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Front-runner who reappeared with a rallying second at Exeter (3m, good to soft) last month and he's back in cheekpieces today, in which he showed improved form earlier this year (including 10l win at Newbury); only seven and there's every chance this trip will be within range; one to consider.

11/2

1st

9

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Abuffalosoldier

10st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

jumped well, made all, kept on well, ridden out, collapsed after finish, heart attack

11/2

4

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

16:28 Exeter

Abuffalosoldier

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Not an instant success over fences last season but won by 10l in first-time cheekpieces at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft) in January and signed off with creditable fourth in valuable novices' handicap at Ayr (3m, soft) in April; respected.

3/1

Form: 562-72 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
No match for clear winner when second of four at Fontwell (2m2f, good) this month, after a break, but significant positives can still be drawn from that performance; on a good mark now and runs this track very well (three course wins); might be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

12th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

15:15 Plumpton

Fairway Freddy

11st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

in touch with leaders, midfield before 7th

12/1

5th

7

12th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

15:15 Plumpton

Fairway Freddy

11st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

in touch with leaders, midfield before 7th

12/1

4th

7

31st Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

16:50 Plumpton

Fairway Freddy

11st 3lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

All seven wins (five chasing) on good or quicker ground; however, had his conditions when pulled up after a 62-day break at Hereford and now returns from a similar one.

10/1

Form: 1364-8

Last run: 168 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Created pretty good impression when winning easily on chasing debut last October but had lost his form by the winter and was soundly beaten in May, after a break; returns from another break here; needs to get career back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

28th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Worcester

Zacony Rebel

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Won from well out of the weights at Ludlow and off only 3lb higher he followed up at the expense of three rivals (3m, good), taking his record there to 3-5; has another 6lb rise to contend with but has won here and has to be taken seriously.

13/2

1st

5

10th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:27 Ludlow

Zacony Rebel

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Veteran who bounced back with 33-1 success from well out of the weights over C&D (good) most recently, taking Ludlow record to 2-4; just no certainty to follow up, having been inconsistent for a while.

7/2

1st

8

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Zacony Rebel

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Won a five-runner handicap at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) in December but this veteran has struggled in five subsequent runs; has lots to prove and he's a long way out of the weights.

40/1

Non-runners

In The Air

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.70
Straight Forecast £15.54
Tricast £51.87
Trifecta £56.50

Selections

POSTDATA:

Sacre Coeur

RP RATINGS:

Lord Baddesley

WEST COUNTRY:

Deeper Blue

The Sun:

In The Air

LAMBOURN:

Abuffalosoldier

TOPSPEED:

Flagrant Delitiep

SPOTLIGHT:

Fairway Freddy

Daily Mail:

Deeper Blue

D Express:

Lord Baddesley

The Star:

Lord Baddesley

The Times:

Sacre Coeur

Telegraph:

Sacre Coeur

The Guardian:

Sacre Coeur

Daily Mirror:

Sacre Coeur

Daily Record:

Sacre Coeur