December 27 / 13.40 Chepstow

13.40

Good To Soft

Coral Racing Club Join For Free Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 7f 131y
  • Class 2
  • 14 runners
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Coral Racing Club Join For Free Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 211141 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Often a front-runner; completed a hat-trick over 2m7f (good/soft) in August-October and registered his best performance for about three years when scoring in good style at Ffos Las (3m, soft) five weeks ago; back up another 6lb but going great guns.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Classic Concorde

11st 10lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: David Brace

Veteran who is on a losing run but ran well enough for a long way in a Class 2 handicap at Chepstow two months ago (2m7f, good to soft) to command respect at this lower level; goes well on this ground.

6/1

10th

1

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Classic Concorde

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: David Brace

Won twice over C&D in 2023-24 season and ran well when fourth over C&D in February but this 12yo is far too inconsistent to rely upon nowadays, and has been absent since two heavy defeats in the spring.

20/1

5

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Classic Concorde

10st 13lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

Veteran who has proved far from consistent since winning a Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow 14 months ago; not the percentage call.

16/1

9/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 5-5P81 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Rattled off a four-timer over about 3m on testing ground early in 2021; well below that level in 2022 and 2023 but he broke his losing run on latest start when making most to score by a neck in four-runner race at Leicester (1m7f, heavy); back up 2lb today; needs to build on that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

16

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

JAi Froid

11st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

12yo returning from 315 days off when 33-1 at Chepstow (3m, soft) 19 days ago but he had the call from approaching the final flight; back up 5lb in this hot race, he needs to find best form since his peak year of 2021.

66/1

1st

7

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:32 Chepstow

JAi Froid

10st 12lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

Useful at his peak and still versatile last term, winning over 1m7f (heavy) and 3m1f (soft); however, backward steps on last two starts and he's now a 12yo returning from 315 days off.

25/1

8th

13

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

JAi Froid

10st 11lb

J: John Kington

T: L J Morgan

Useful at his peak and still versatile at the age of 11, winning over 1m7f (heavy) and 3m1f (soft) this term; however, put firmly in his place by Cuthbert Dibble at Haydock last time and may struggle to turn things round.

28/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 16-451 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
2-9 over hurdles in Britain, the wins gained at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) in February and Bangor (2m7f, heavy) 12 days ago; back up 4lb but dug deep last time and respected after that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Tanganyika

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Up in class and up in trip (by some way) having never gone beyond an extended 3m; however, he's got low mileage as a chaser and won eased down last time at Carlisle (good to soft); handicapper saw fit to raise him 9lb for that but if his stamina reserves can stretch this far then he might not be far away.

8/1

1st

4

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:50 Carlisle

Tanganyika

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Four-time hurdle winner (heavy/good to soft; including here) who scored at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft) a fortnight ago on his third chase start; led close home having been outpaced and today's stiffer test should be right up his street; firmly in calculations up 4lb.

3/1

1st

1

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Tanganyika

12st 1lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

prominent, outpaced before 3 out, ridden and rallied after 2 out, good jump last, led final 110yds, kept on well

7/2

Form: 37-384 CD BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Trainer won this race in 2019 and 2021, latterly in runaway fashion on soft ground thanks to this representative; 2023 form (particularly latest start, when tried in cheekpieces) has not matched what he achieved over fences or hurdles last year and he now tries a visor, returning to hurdles off what should be a competitive mark; one to consider seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:47 Chepstow

Bells Of Peterboro

12st 2lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

Not one to rely upon heavily and doesn't always look wildly enthusiastic but didn't run badly when fourth at Uttoxeter (3m heavy) last month and this track suits him well; on a good mark; can't be ruled out.

14/1

7th

6

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Bells Of Peterboro

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Tim Vaughan

Best run during a fairly light campaign last season when second to progressive rival at Lingfield (2m7f, heavy) in February; contender if judged on that and Sean Bowen is booked today but this 10yo has not been seen since a lesser effort in March and he's too inconsistent to rely upon.

7/1

7th

6

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Bells Of Peterboro

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Tim Vaughan

Best run during a fairly light campaign last season when second to progressive rival at Lingfield (2m7f, heavy) in February; contender if judged on that and Sean Bowen is booked today but this 10yo has not been seen since a lesser effort in March and he's too inconsistent to rely upon.

7/1

Form: 1-5564

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in two chases this autumn and his switch back to hurdling (cheekpieces first time) on latest start was only a modest revival; contender if judged on his last-gasp win at Plumpton (3m1f, soft) in April.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

16:12 Fairyhouse

Crossing The Bar

11st 6lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Cian Collins

Won his fourth hurdle race when scoring at Catterick over an extended 3m in January and a solid run over 2m6f at Thurles since; this trip suits better and can be involved.

8/1

5th

7

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

16:12 Fairyhouse

Crossing The Bar

11st 6lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Cian Collins

Won his fourth hurdle race when scoring at Catterick over an extended 3m in January and a solid run over 2m6f at Thurles since; this trip suits better and can be involved.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 080-94 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Led in the final stride at Sandown (2m7f, soft; acts on heavy) on reappearance last term; went downhill since until a change to this headgear back in the same Sandown race 18 days ago was his best performance since New Year's Day, so there is renewed hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Feb 2024

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 5

15:50 Wetherby

Dolphin Square

12st 6lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Mixed form over hurdles last year and tailed off at Chepstow over Christmas when last seen; however, he showed some spark earlier in December and he won hunter chases in February 2022 (2m7f/3m2f, heavy/soft) on his last two runs over fences; capable of having a big say.

4/1

6th

2

27th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

13:40 Chepstow

Dolphin Square

11st 3lb

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Led in the final stride at Sandown (2m7f, soft; acts on heavy) on reappearance last term; went downhill since until a change to this headgear back in the same Sandown race 18 days ago was his best performance since New Year's Day, so there is renewed hope.

10/1

4th

3

9th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 7f 98y

Class 2

12:40 Sandown

Dolphin Square

11st 0lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Led in the final stride in this race (soft; acts on heavy) on reappearance last term; has an 8lb lower mark this time round, having gone downhill after that win and he was tailed off at Newbury one month ago; first-time blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces.

12/1

Form: 754-34 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 143

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

9

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Eldorado Allen

10st 12lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

12yo who staged a renaissance when winning a veterans' chase at Cheltenham in November and has continued in pretty good heart; however, it's likely he'll be vulnerable today; soundly beaten in this race 12 months ago.

66/1

4th

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Eldorado Allen

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Form over shorter this term features a reappearance success in veterans' race at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft; beat Mister Coffey); record at Newbury includes a success in 2m7f Grade 2 in 2022 and respectable effort in major 3m2f handicap in 2023; solid claims.

9/2

4th

4

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Eldorado Allen

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Three-time Grade 2 chase winner who snapped long losing sequence to land veterans' handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in November; ran okay when third next time; however, this 12yo looks vulnerable in today's company.

50/1

Form: 23F/44

Last run: 52 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
His last hurdle race was four years ago, since which he has been 0-7 over fences and had 573 days off before this season; all of his completions over fences, including with cheekpieces enlisted on latest start, suggest that he shouldn't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

28th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 4

15:05 Cartmel

Mario De Pail

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

0-10 over fences; ran well for a long way when third in C&D hunter chase (soft; first-time visor) last month and should be okay on today's faster ground but probably needs a better performance in this handicap.

8/1

3rd

8

29th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

20:50 Cartmel

Mario De Pail

12st 0lb

J: Mr James King

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Pulled up in heavy-ground marathon at Bangor in February and now 0-9 as a handicap chaser but his fifth at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) two starts ago was respectable; swaps cheekpieces for first-time visor and has the services of James King for hunter chase debut; could be dangerous at this level.

13/2

Form: 11-111 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

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

2

21st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

15:15 Haydock

The Imposter

11st 12lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Nigel Hawke

Made it a remarkable nine wins (heavy-good to soft) from his last ten starts when scoring at Chepstow (2m7f) last December; pulled up on his only outing since but that was a tough ask in a hot handicap here four weeks ago, after an absence of nearly a year, and he's not written off.

14/1

2

21st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

15:15 Haydock

The Imposter

11st 12lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Nigel Hawke

Made it a remarkable nine wins (heavy-good to soft) from his last ten starts when scoring at Chepstow (2m7f) last December; pulled up on his only outing since but that was a tough ask in a hot handicap here four weeks ago, after an absence of nearly a year, and he's not written off.

14/1

Form: P-14F5

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Won at Perth (2m4f, soft) in September; ran respectably in his two completions since, plugging on for fifth of ten at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) last time in a style suggesting he is worth this step up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Uncle Bert

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

1-6 over fences, the success at Aintree (2m4f) on seasonal debut; seemed a non-stayer in the Welsh National before eventually falling, then ran below form at Cheltenham (2m4f); return to this venue may have a positive effect but he ideally needs assistance from the weather, having gained all wins on soft ground.

20/1

7th

5

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:15 Cheltenham

Uncle Bert

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made much of the running when winning in dominant style at Aintree (2m4f, soft) in December; beaten when falling late on in the Welsh National three weeks later, lack of stamina a possible factor; back to a more suitable trip here but now off a career-high mark and others appeal more.

9/1

Form: 3U24-2

Last run: 64 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

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

7th

3

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

18:20 Market Rasen

Royal Pretender

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

His first win since 2021 when staying on to collect by 5l at Stratford (2m6f, good) a month ago, for which he's back up 5lb; that might not prevent him from doubling up if he can replicate the form.

11/4

1st

5

21st Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

13:50 Stratford

Royal Pretender

11st 9lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Third over 2m7f at Uttoxeter in June (good) but was well held in the end and remains without a win since 2021.

8/1

Form: 2-3414 D BF

Last run: 4 days

W: 10st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 123

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

7th

13

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:32 Chepstow

Ballymagroarty Boy

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Now 3lb lower than for Ffos Las win (3m, heavy) in December 2023 but this season was a major struggle even before he clipped heels and fell early on latest outing; overall score is 2-40, with 32 of those races over hurdles.

33/1

Form: 243-1U D

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

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

7

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Goshhowposh

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won a Pertemps qualifier at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) on Boxing Day 2023; well handicapped on that form but he's had only four runs since and was pulled up on his comeback at Newbury last month; has something to prove and yard also runs Oh My Johnny.

20/1

7

7th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

13:35 Newbury

Goshhowposh

11st 3lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Pulled up sole start on heavy; won off this mark in a Pertemps qualifier at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) on Boxing Day 2023 but did not live up to that in his three races in 2024, in headgear on last two occasions; absent 484 days since, so assessing his revival prospects requires some guesswork.

16/1

6th

6

11th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

16:25 Chepstow

Goshhowposh

11st 2lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won a Pertemps Hurdle qualifier at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) on Boxing Day but failed to go on from there, albeit in just two subsequent starts (blinkered the final time); doesn't do much in a hurry but he's a strong stayer who is bred for fences and could be in for a good season; cheekpieces added.

7/1

Form: 3-2222

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

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

10

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

16:18 Ffos Las

Balkardy

10st 13lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Multiple winner but hasn't become easy to predict and followed two modest runs over hurdles with a pull-up on his return to fences at Ludlow; others safer.

20/1

3

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:22 Ffos Las

Balkardy

12st 0lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Found Class 2 race at Newton Abbot slightly too hot last time but is now only 2lb higher than when winning here (2m4f, good to soft) in June, and today's longer trip probably suits him better; one to consider.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £82.70
Straight Forecast £88.51
Tricast £353.49
Trifecta £419.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Classic Concorde

POSTDATA:

Tanganyika

TOPSPEED:

Uncle Bert

The Times:

Mario De Pail

RP RATINGS:

Bells Of Peterboro

The Star:

J'Ai Froid

WEST COUNTRY:

Uncle Bert

The Sun:

Tanganyika

Daily Record:

Tanganyika

D Express:

Mario De Pail

The Guardian:

Classic Concorde

Daily Mail:

Classic Concorde

Daily Mirror:

Classic Concorde