January 15 / 14.37 Hereford

14.37

Good

Read Harry Cobden’s Blog At PlanetSportBet Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6522.03
  • 2m 4f 194y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Read Harry Cobden’s Blog At PlanetSportBet Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: -31213 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Two-time French chase winner who has turned a big corner since returning from wind surgery, winning his second race of 2023 over C&D (good) in November; patiently ridden when close up off this 4lb higher mark at Doncaster and fully entitled to be in the mix once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

16th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:38 Uttoxeter

Imac Wood

11st 4lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Deborah Cole

6-16 over fences, the latest win gained in this race a year ago (soft ground; also suited by good); returned from seven-month with encouraging run a fortnight ago and should now be teed up to defend his crown.

16/1

4

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

20:18 Stratford

Imac Wood

12st 1lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Deborah Cole

Has a good strike-rate over fences (6-15), latest win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) nearly a year ago; not at his best late last year on last two starts; now only 1lb above that win and Finn Lambert's claim will help, but needs to bounce back after his break.

16/1

9

3rd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

12:15 Southwell

Imac Wood

11st 7lb

J: Chris Ward

T: Deborah Cole

Already has six chase wins under his belt but he hasn't been quite on song since the latest of them, at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in July; will do well to add to his haul in this race.

14/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 22-332

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Now 0-13 but regularly knocks on the door and he only narrowly failed to make all at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) a month ago when ridden by Dylan Johnston; coped well with the rise in grade there (to a Class 3 from Class 5) and has a big chance here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:18 Ffos Las

Ballybeen

11st 13lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

0-11 over fences; well handicapped on some of his placed form for Sam Thomas in 2023-24 campaign but ran poorly on only appearance last season and made low-key reappearance for new stable last month; revival needed.

12/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Ballybeen

11st 10lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

0-10 over fences when trained by Sam Thomas; ran several good races in defeat and will be suited by today's trip/ground but was out of form when last seen last November; market may guide on stable debut.

10/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Ballybeen

11st 10lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

0-10 over fences when trained by Sam Thomas; ran several good races in defeat and will be suited by today's trip/ground but was out of form when last seen last November; market may guide on stable debut.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1323-R D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Superior strike-rate over hurdles than fences but seems to be as good in this discipline; however, he was beaten when refusing late on at Ludlow last month and couldn't blame the trip (3m1f) or ground (soft) for that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

30th Nov 2024

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 4

14:37 Doncaster

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

disputed lead early, slow jump 1st, soon in touch with leaders, mistake 5th, dropped to rear before 7th, some headway and went fourth before 4 out, switched right and went modest third before 3 out, no impression

6/1

3rd

1

30th Nov 2024

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 4

14:37 Doncaster

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

disputed lead early, slow jump 1st, soon in touch with leaders, mistake 5th, dropped to rear before 7th, some headway and went fourth before 4 out, switched right and went modest third before 3 out, no impression

6/1

4th

6

2nd Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:08 Wetherby

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Well beaten over hurdles at Worcester in September but was returning from a 104-day break and chasing is his game nowadays; won two in a row over fences at Southwell (3m, good) in the spring and he's a strong contender if back on song today.

6/1

Form: 135-PP D

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 13lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Looked as good as ever when winning veterans' chase at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) just over a year ago and is now 7lb beneath that mark; it was a struggle when confined to only three appearances last year but it wouldn't be a bolt from the blue should he bounce back for last year's winning stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 5

13:40 Ludlow

Magic Dancer

11st 9lb

J: Mr Zac Baker

T: Kerry Lee

Placed three times during the summer (2m3f-2m7f, good) but his final run was most disappointing; off new career-low mark but a 12yo now and he holds no secrets.

14/1

9

1st Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:10 Worcester

Magic Dancer

10st 12lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Veteran who last won in 2022 but has come down the weights and took third in three of his last four starts, latest when running on from off the pace over C&D 11 days ago; has been tried over this sort of trip on only his last two outings and that latest run showed there's something to build on.

10/1

Form: 24-213 CD BF

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Didn't really progress over hurdles despite holding his form but he rallied bravely to make a successful chase debut over C&D (good) before finishing a well-held third off 5lb higher at Doncaster; returning here is no bad thing and he's respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:50 Worcester

School Days Over

12st 0lb

J: Sean Grantham

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Placed twice off higher marks over C&D (good) for Fergal O'Brien last summer but was pulled up after weakening quickly on stable debut in May and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.

25/1

1

25th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

14:03 Uttoxeter

School Days Over

12st 0lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Bumper/chase winner but 0-10 over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien; sold for 8,000gns since last run; drops in class off a workable mark based on best form.

14/1

1

25th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

14:03 Uttoxeter

School Days Over

12st 0lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Bumper/chase winner but 0-10 over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien; sold for 8,000gns since last run; drops in class off a workable mark based on best form.

14/1

Form: 0256-P D

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Three wins in Ireland but has yet to show much in his three runs in Britain; best to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Song Of Earth

10st 8lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Julian Smith

Well handicapped on his 2024 form but this 11yo struggled on both starts towards the end of last year, following an absence.

25/1

8th

6

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Song Of Earth

11st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Julian Smith

towards rear

14/1

8th

6

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Song Of Earth

11st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Julian Smith

Well handicapped on his old Irish form and caught the eye from off the pace at Uttoxeter after 153 days away; could be interesting.

14/1

Form: 36-93P D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Well treated on last season's form but hasn't been on his game for a while now and was pulled up at Doncaster a month ago when Imac Wood finished third.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th Aug 2022

Good

2m 5f 150y

16:00 Tramore

Family Business

11st 7lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Donal Coffey

unruly at the post, prominent on outer early, held up in behind leaders before 3rd, mistake and hampered by faller 7th, towards rear when not fluent 9th, dropped to last after 12th, weakening when not fluent 13th, soon pulled up

20/1

Form: -377P3

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Ex-Paul Nicholls; has a couple of thirds to show from his five starts for Evan Williams but has been no closer than 24l; wouldn't be the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

15th Jan 2024

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 4

14:37 Hereford

Timeforatune

11st 6lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Ex-Paul Nicholls; has a couple of thirds to show from his five starts for Evan Williams but has been no closer than 24l; wouldn't be the percentage call.

10/1

3rd

4

16th Dec 2023

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 3

14:13 Hereford

Timeforatune

10st 12lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

2-5 in novice hurdles for Paul Nicholls last season; well beaten in four handicap chases on soft/heavy ground for new stable this autumn, the latest just one week ago, but this much quicker surface ought to show him in a better light; interesting.

20/1

0

4

9th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

13:02 Chepstow

Timeforatune

11st 10lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

2-5 in novice hurdles for Paul Nicholls last season but hasn't shown much in three soft-ground handicap chases for new stable this autumn (2m-2m3f) and comes here with a lot to prove.

25/1

Form: 2-7263 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 3lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Drying ground is a bonus for one who has gained all seven wins on good or quicker (five over fences at up to 2m5f); ran well enough at Huntingdon two months ago (2m7f, good) to make the shortlist.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.70
Straight Forecast £7.91
Tricast £42.03
Trifecta £51.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ballybeen

POSTDATA:

Imac Wood

WEST COUNTRY:

School Days Over

TOPSPEED:

Taste The Fear

The Times:

Imac Wood

Telegraph:

Imac Wood

Daily Mirror:

Imac Wood

The Sun:

Imac Wood

Daily Mail:

School Days Over

RP RATINGS:

Ballybeen

The Guardian:

Ballybeen

D Express:

Ballybeen

The Star:

Ballybeen

Daily Record:

Ballybeen