January 07 / 12.52 Chepstow

12.52

Heavy

Allsports Media Proudly Supporting Headway UK EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 0f 11y
  • Class 4
  • 15 runners
SKY
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Allsports Media Proudly Supporting Headway UK EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 37-611 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

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

4th

4

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Isaac Des Obeaux

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Made a bad mistake on penultimate outing but he won starts either side and latest was the 4m2f Midlands National at Uttoxeter (soft) in which he was always prominent and asserted by 8l on run-in, with Git Maker in third; up 7lb but his only attempt at a marathon trip brought a clear career best.

9/1

1st

5

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Isaac Des Obeaux

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Beat none other than Haiti Couleurs over hurdles; their respective careers have headed in very different directions and this 8yo is only 1-7 over fences, the win coming in a small field at Exeter two runs back (3m, heavy); since then he lost his position after a bad mistake at Wincanton (3m2f); may yet have more to offer over an extreme distance such as this but he certainly needs it.

11/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4-12 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
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Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 3

18:00 Hereford

Insurrection

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Back to his winning trip over fences after failing to defy some serious stamina doubts over the 3m2f of the Kim Muir; he's none too consistent and looked a hard ride at Musselburgh the run before (2m4f), but he's realistically handicapped if he can travel kinder in the new cheekpieces.

100/30

18th

4

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Insurrection

11st 7lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Paul Nicholls

Impressive at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) last February and back to form when third there (2m4f, good to soft) in January; however, this inconsistent 9yo was well beaten at Musselburgh last month and this is a big step into the unknown in terms of stamina (albeit that he did win a 3m point).

33/1

8th

2

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

Insurrection

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Inconsistent but he's run really well on both visits here, winning comfortably over C&D (good to soft) at this meeting 12 months ago and doing well to finish third over C&D (good to soft) on reappearance having made a bad blunder three out; effective on soft ground earlier in career; big chance.

3/1

Form: 221

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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2nd

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

16:02 Sandown

Lucky Place

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Dual Grade 2 winner last term; finished third at the same level on penultimate start but was behind Kabral Du Mathan and stablemate Jingko Blue in that Cheltenham race; seems set for another bronze medal at best.

11/1

Form: 235-21 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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10

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Range

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Sam Thomas

Acts on any ground; had very little to spare at Sandown (2m4f) most recently but the runner-up has franked the form since; still competitively treated back up 2lb, assuming he takes to first-time headgear.

8/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Range

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Did not make any significant further progress after making all for clearcut success at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last November but is still quite lightly raced over fences and makes his seasonal debut from a workable mark; can make a bold bid.

7/2

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Range

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Did not make any significant further progress after making all for clearcut success at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last November but is still quite lightly raced over fences and makes his seasonal debut from a workable mark; can make a bold bid.

7/2

Form: 59

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

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6

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Aworkinprogress

11st 6lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Well named as a hurdler and proving a revelation over fences, racking up six wins in his seven starts; has the canny habit of never prevailing by wide margins, with none of those wins gained by more than two lengths; unraced over this far (the same can be said for many) but he stayed on best over 3m5f at Lingfield last time (soft) and he impressed in how he moved through that race; loves the mud, so the recent rain was a major blessing.

13/2

1st

8

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Aworkinprogress

11st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Launched chasing career with five consecutive wins, the latest on seasonal debut at Uttoxeter (3m2f, heavy) in November; could still have more improvement to come over this new trip but needs to bounce back from last month's disappointing run.

8/1

26

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Aworkinprogress

10st 5lb

T: Nick Gifford

Reserve; won final hurdle start last March (2m5f, heavy) and 4-4 over fences this term (heavy/soft); travelled well at Lingfield (extended 2m7f) latest and this thriving 6yo could have plenty more left in the tank; may well take a 7lb rise in his stride if handling the forecast quicker ground.

12/1

Form: 54

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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5th

5

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:17 Ludlow

Everyonesacritic

11st 7lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Showed career-best form when drawing clear to score by just over 9l at Hereford (2m5f, heavy) a fortnight ago and is now 3-13 over fences; 7lb higher here but this trip-and-ground combination will also suit.

11/4

1st

6

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

Everyonesacritic

11st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Won this (good to soft) last year off 4lb lower, beating Kingcormac (second) and Greenways (pulled up); scored on heavy at Leicester next time and largely consistent since; swaps cheekpieces for a visor and has dipped below that last winning mark; player.

5/1

Form: 32-49

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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4

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Get The Value

11st 10lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: John O’Shea

Completed back-to-back wins last spring, including one here, but has been badly out of form since returning from a break in December; now 4lb below his last winning mark, but hard to make a case for in current form.

10/1

7th

1

5th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:48 Ffos Las

Get The Value

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: John O’Shea

Exposed 8yo who has topweight and he's looked out of sorts in four runs following a break.

25/1

Form: 600

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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5th

5

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Southwell

My Friend Sean

11st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

All five wins have been over hurdles; 0-5 over fences and finished last of six at Kempton (2m2f, good) in March; others preferred.

10/1

6th

5

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Kempton

My Friend Sean

11st 6lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Productive spell over hurdles culminated in a hat-trick last spring; 0-4 switched to fences since but ran encouragingly at Chepstow most recently; clear possibilities off a reduced mark.

4/1

Form: 7

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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1st

4

19th Feb 2026

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

13:41 Huntingdon

Owl Of Athens

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Won by 8l over hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) last January and on that evidence this 4lb higher mark shouldn't be beyond him; however, he's been well beaten this season on his first three chase starts.

7/1

Form: 90-362

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

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

5th

3

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Tedley

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Launched chasing career with two wins in the autumn (2m/2m3f. good to soft/good) and generally remained in good form until end of last season; looked a non-stayer over 2m7f on latest outing and now drops back in trip with usual cheekpieces refitted; recent 3lb drop gives him a decent chance.

6/1

5th

3

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Tedley

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Launched chasing career with two wins in the autumn (2m/2m3f. good to soft/good) and generally remained in good form until end of last season; looked a non-stayer over 2m7f on latest outing and now drops back in trip with usual cheekpieces refitted; recent 3lb drop gives him a decent chance.

6/1

5th

2

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

14:30 Newbury

Tedley

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Has done well since switched to this discipline (winning twice) and his blowouts have come in strong races, latterly in the 2m4f Greatwood Gold Cup here three weeks ago; more exposed than some in here and he's unraced past 2m5f, but can be competitive off this mark.

6/1

Form: 3

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
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Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:40 Sedgefield

The Cypriot

11st 9lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Evan Williams

Nine-race maiden but he returned to form when third in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) under Osian Radford at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; also effective on soft ground; has the same mark as last time and he's a leading player if backing up that latest run.

11/8

3rd

4

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:40 Sedgefield

The Cypriot

11st 9lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Evan Williams

Nine-race maiden but he returned to form when third in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) under Osian Radford at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; also effective on soft ground; has the same mark as last time and he's a leading player if backing up that latest run.

11/8

3rd

6

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:00 Uttoxeter

The Cypriot

11st 3lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Evan Williams

Unplaced all six hurdling starts but shaped quite well before fading at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft; first run after wind op) last month, and may benefit from combination of drop back in trip and first-time tongue-tie here.

14/1

Form: 173 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

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

2nd

1

6th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

14:10 Plumpton

Walks Like The Man

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Made virtually all to score over C&D (soft) in February, his third start over fences, and was very creditable third in higher-grade company at Sandown (2m4f, good) last month; ought to be a very tough nut to crack.

Evs

2nd

1

6th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

14:10 Plumpton

Walks Like The Man

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Made virtually all to score over C&D (soft) in February, his third start over fences, and was very creditable third in higher-grade company at Sandown (2m4f, good) last month; ought to be a very tough nut to crack.

Evs

Form: 70-0P

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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7

23rd Oct 2024

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

16:45 Fontwell

Jaunty Belle

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: David Rees

Ran much better than 30l defeat might suggest when fourth under very positive ride here (2m5f, good to soft; first-time blinkers) last month but she's effectively on the same mark from 2lb out of the weights today and has now been unplaced all eight hurdling starts; cheekpieces refitted.

14/1

4th

4

8th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

13:55 Fontwell

Jaunty Belle

10st 8lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: David Rees

prominent, led after 1st, bad mistake 2nd, joined 3rd, not fluent 5th

16/1

Form: 67

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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0

5

4th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 4

14:28 Hereford

Jenner Park

11st 4lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Third in a point bumper but last in her two bumpers under rules.

40/1

Form: 769

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
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6

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Sammys Guarantee

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Pick of her beaten handicap form rates a step up on that shown when victorious in a Doncaster novice previously (16.5f, good to soft), though can't say she's anything much in hand of her mark now.

14/1

6

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Sammys Guarantee

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Pick of her beaten handicap form rates a step up on that shown when victorious in a Doncaster novice previously (16.5f, good to soft), though can't say she's anything much in hand of her mark now.

14/1

5th

4

25th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

16:35 Huntingdon

Sammys Guarantee

11st 8lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Improved to win at Doncaster (2m. good to soft) in January; stepped up on that when second on handicap debut at Hereford (2m3f, soft); fell at Chepstow only eight days ago but considered on the earlier form.

3/1

Betting Forcast

Isaac Des Obeaux, Insurrection, Lucky Place, Range, Aworkinprogress, Everyonesacritic, Get The Value, My Friend Sean, Owl Of Athens, Tedley, The Cypriot, Walks Like The Man, Jaunty Belle, Jenner Park, Sammys Guarantee