January 16 / 16.15 Chepstow

16.15

Good To Soft

Vickers.Bet Proudly Supporting British Racing Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 3f 100y
  • Class 5
  • 17 runners
SKY
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Vickers.Bet Proudly Supporting British Racing Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 433-5P BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Beaten favourite in all four handicaps and particularly disappointing when pulled up over 3m in November on latest outing; drops back in trip with cheekpieces added here; has a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Duke Of Moravia

12st 0lb

J: James Turner

T: Alexander Gibbons

Won over hurdles for Henry Daly here (2m5f, soft) last April and could appreciate the return to this sphere on today's stable debut (bought for £4,000); however, he was pulled up over fences in the autumn on his last two runs and there's a question mark regarding his current form.

20/1

2

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Duke Of Moravia

12st 0lb

J: James Turner

T: Alexander Gibbons

Won over hurdles for Henry Daly here (2m5f, soft) last April and could appreciate the return to this sphere on today's stable debut (bought for £4,000); however, he was pulled up over fences in the autumn on his last two runs and there's a question mark regarding his current form.

20/1

1

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:00 Market Rasen

Duke Of Moravia

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Ended last season with a hurdle win at Wincanton (2m5f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in April; pulled up on chase debut at Worcester (2m7f, soft) last month but that was without headgear and he may have needed the run; should have a future in this sphere and he needs watching in market with cheekpieces reapplied.

15/2

OUR TIP

Form: 45-750

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Showed only minor promise in his three qualifying races (2m-2m1f) but is bred to be suited by today's step up in trip and ought to have some improvement to come in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

16

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Mr Hope Street

10st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Four-time hurdles winner, including in one of only two attempts at 3m; campaigned over 2m4f/2m5f switched to fences this term, best effort when third behind very notable rivals in graduation chase at Haydock; well handicapped on that bare form and could be open to any amount of improvement back up in distance; a typically interesting runner of his type for the Skeltons.

5/2

4th

1

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Mr Hope Street

11st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Fairly useful hurdler who stepped up on his Carlisle chase debut sixth when beaten just over 6l into third behind The Jukebox Man and Iroko in a Haydock graduation event over an extended 2m5f (good to soft) in November; while his proximity to that high-class pair almost certainly shouldn't be taken at face value he could still be well treated back in a handicap off 131.

2/1

6th

3

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 198y

Class 3

12:32 Carlisle

Mr Hope Street

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Made very good progress over hurdles last season (three wins); signed off with creditable third in competitive Cheltenham handicap (3m, good) in April and has possibilities if he takes well to chasing at first attempt.

5/1

Form: 444/76 CD

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Looked useful when winning C&D maiden in February 2021 but lightly raced and generally very disappointing since; lurks on a dangerous mark now but the addition of cheekpieces needs to give him a lift.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

13

24th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Champagne Rhythm

11st 1lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Soundly beaten over C&D in November after a long absence and also disappointed in a chase a fortnight later; needs to stage a revival but very well handicapped on old form (includes a soft-ground C&D win) and might be perked up by first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

Abandoned

Form: -64279

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Tailed off when 80-1 for handicap debut at Hereford (3m1f, good) in November; drops back in trip here; not the most obvious answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:30 Hereford

Meranti

10st 3lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Showed staying promise over fences earlier in career but he's been in moderate form since back from an absence, pulling up on last two starts.

25/1

9

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

12:32 Ludlow

Meranti

10st 2lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Sheila Lewis

Can't judge too harshly on last month's pulling up in a Uttoxeter mudbath (only two of ten finished), but two efforts before that fall well short of the required here; blinkers need to prove transformative.

40/1

5th

7

4th Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:32 Warwick

Meranti

10st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Sheila Lewis

Ended string of dismal performances with creditable fourth of 15 over C&D (good) in April 2024 but finished lame that day and we haven't seen him again since.

16/1

Form: P5-882

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Beaten over 40l in first two handicaps (both 2m) but close second at Exeter (2m5f, good to soft) in November and still has scope for further progress; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Call Me Arthur

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Only his third run over fences when forging clear at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) in January; that resulted in a 10lb rise but he was only 9-2 when departing early at Taunton; seemingly on the upgrade.

7/2

4

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

14:50 Taunton

Call Me Arthur

11st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

All the sharper for his Hereford reappearance when making it third time lucky over fences in 2m7f Huntingdon handicap (soft) three weeks ago, forging 15l clear; that resulted in a 10lb rise but he should remain competitive if in the same form.

9/2

1st

5

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

13:30 Huntingdon

Call Me Arthur

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Temporary switch to front-running over a sharp 3m netted him a Southwell hurdle off this mark in May 2024 (soft), but rather lost in the crowd in big-field chases on only two starts since; tongue tie off.

12/1

Form: 78P/92

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in 2m handicap here in October, after a long absence, and didn't achieve a great deal when remote second in a Plumpton seller the following month (first-time cheekpieces); needs to up his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

22nd Jan 2024

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

15:55 Plumpton

Canford Light

11st 6lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Well beaten in 2m Chepstow handicap in October, after a long absence, and did not achieve a great deal when remote second in a seller over that trip here the following month (first-time cheekpieces); revival needed.

25/1

Form: 0-227P

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Second in two uncompetitive novice/maiden races at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in early part of this season but both subsequent handicap runs were disappointing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

25th Jun 2024

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:00 Newton Abbot

Bala Brook

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Out of a sister to the stable's top-class chaser Cue Card but hasn't progressed since twice finishing runner-up in 2m5f non-handicaps here last summer; underwent wind surgery before falling at Wincanton when outpaced at the time, though that was on soft ground; tongue-tie tried last time is retained and he might yet turn a corner.

12/1

Form: 6-P59

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who ended 2033 with two fairly encouraging C&D runs (albeit well beaten in the end on latter occasion); makes handicap debut off lowly mark; any contractions in the market will make her of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

16th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:02 Chepstow

The Midwife

11st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Better chaser than hurdler and won by over 8l here last month; a 7lb rise didn't look too harsh and she duly ran well again at Warwick, finding only one too good (again on soft); enters the reckoning.

3/1

2nd

5

21st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Warwick

The Midwife

11st 10lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

didn't always jump with fluency, held up in rear, headway 12th, went third after 13th, no impression approaching last, kept on and went second towards finish, no match for winner

7/4

1st

7

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

The Midwife

10st 4lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Won her only point; handicap hurdle win came off 2lb higher and she ran two solid races in that discipline before finding only one too good on her switch to fences over C&D 12 days ago (heavy); aided by another low weight, she should have a part to play.

5/1

Form: 247P-4

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Just a respectable fourth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy; first-time blinkers) in November, after a layoff, but has slipped to a tempting mark and ought to be seen to better effect on the drying ground here; tried in a visor today; worth a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:50 Cartmel

Pilgrims King

11st 10lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Didn't fire in 3m1f race won by Judicial Review here last month and is not one to rely upon but ran big race when third to Defence Witness over C&D (good to soft) in May and has obvious claims if judged on that form.

8/1

7th

3

29th Jun 2025

Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Pilgrims King

11st 6lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Three wins over fences and ran well when beaten just over a length into third of seven behind Defence Witness here (2m5f, good to soft) last time; 2lb better off and has won off 1lb higher, but has been pulled up in all three previous attempts beyond 2m5f; stable also runs Unwanted Attention.

5/1

3rd

3

24th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

19:08 Cartmel

Pilgrims King

11st 7lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Kept on well to collar an idling Beat The Edge and score at Sedgefield (2m3f, good to soft) in February but it's probably wise to treat that form with a degree of caution, and he managed only fifth when back at Sedgefied (2m5f, good) the following month.

5/1

Form: 6-506

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in three slow-ground novice/maiden hurdles in December (2m-2m4f) but has a better chance to get competitive in this low-grade handicap and the forecast quicker surface may enable improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:43 Newton Abbot

Shillanavogy

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Runner-up at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in March and comfortably went one better when dropped back to 2m1f at Cartmel (2m1f, good to soft) in May; a 6lb rise isn't harsh and he's unexposed at this sort of distance; player.

8/11

3

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

20:10 Cartmel

Shillanavogy

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Opened chasing account at Fontwell (2m5f, soft) in December and bumped into a rejuvenated subsequent winner when second at Wincanton (2m4f, good) on latest outing in March; contender if this drop back in trip suits.

7/2

3

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

20:10 Cartmel

Shillanavogy

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Opened chasing account at Fontwell (2m5f, soft) in December and bumped into a rejuvenated subsequent winner when second at Wincanton (2m4f, good) on latest outing in March; contender if this drop back in trip suits.

7/2

Form: /5-301 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced 8yo who kept on well to force a dead-heat on handicap debut at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; subsequent 3lb rise does not look excessive and he's open to further improvement if more fluent over the hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:27 Southwell

Hobbs Delight

11st 0lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Has won twice over hurdles, the second a C&D novice handicap at this meeting in 2024; some fair runs over fences last term, but has yet to find his form this season.

25/1

3rd

2

17th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

16:20 Fontwell

Hobbs Delight

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Did not fire at Uttoxeter last month and is now 0-5 over fences but his clear second at Catterick (3m1f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) two starts ago was a good effort and he'll be suited by the forecast good ground here.

3/1

6th

3

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:58 Uttoxeter

Hobbs Delight

11st 10lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Sent chasing over 3m+ for last four starts, beaten a nose on first occasion and good second with first-time headgear at Catterick on latest; that requires respect but worse than good to soft ground would be a worry.

4/1

Abandoned

Form: -87367 C

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Five-time hurdle winner, most recently off 4lb higher at Taunton (3m, good to soft) last March; not firing on all cylinders this season, though, and tends to hit a flat spot in his races nowadays.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

16:30 Ludlow

Karakoram

10st 6lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Third over 2m5f in May (good) took his record here to 31823; no trip or ground issues and mark never lower, but poor the last twice.

20/1

Abandoned

Form: 7/5522

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Posted a sound effort when second at Exeter (2m2f, soft) in December and stayed on stoutly when second again there (2m3f, heavy) on chasing debut two weeks ago; evidently in good heart but others appeal more all the same.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:55 Uttoxeter

Merry Monty

11st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

Lightly raced 8yo who build upon promising debut when winning by over 8l at Taunton (2m2f, good) in February 2024; not seen again since, though, and entitled to benefit from today's outing.

10/1

Abandoned

Form: 007

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Fast-ground winner on the Flat in France in 2022; unable to land any sort of blow in three slow-ground novice/maiden hurdles towards end of last year (2m3f-2m4f) but has a lowly mark for today's handicap debut and the drying conditions may show him in a better light.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Ffos Las

Parliament

10st 8lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Soundly beaten in three slow-ground novice/maiden hurdles towards end of last year but has a lowly mark for this handicap debut, and his French Flat win on good to firm in 2022 offers hope the less testing conditions will enable improvement.

8/1

6th

8

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Ffos Las

Parliament

10st 8lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

midfield, mistake 3 out, weakened gradually after 2 out

8/1

Form: 01F-05

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Kept on for respectable fifth at Taunton (2m3f, good) in November but has not progressed since winning a poor novice hurdle last February and others in this line-up have much stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

5th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:48 Ffos Las

Prince Rhinegold

10st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Linda Blackford

Only win came in a novice back in 2023; nearly added a handicap in March (good to soft) but he has his share of off days.

12/1

4th

7

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

17:00 Wincanton

Prince Rhinegold

10st 6lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Linda Blackford

Had Ugo Bingo behind when second over C&D last month but his run here 11 days ago was pretty miserable and he can be up and down.

9/1

9th

9

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

16:50 Wincanton

Prince Rhinegold

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Linda Blackford

Just one win from starts over hurdles but he returned after a short break with a close second here (1m7f, good to soft) last month; up 2lb but he seems effective at this trip and he's on the shortlist.

4/1

Form: 56P-94

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Not yet fully exposed after only six hurdle starts but was soundly beaten in his first three handicaps (2m-3m) and clearly needs to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

11

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

Rollos Kingdom

10st 4lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Jeremy Scott

Signs of progress when finishing 11l-third of seven at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy; cheekpieces on for second time) in February but Stratford was disappointing under similar conditions.

10/1

1st

11

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

Rollos Kingdom

10st 4lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Jeremy Scott

Signs of progress when finishing 11l-third of seven at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy; cheekpieces on for second time) in February but Stratford was disappointing under similar conditions.

10/1

5th

6

11th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

15:20 Stratford

Rollos Kingdom

10st 11lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

0-8 over hurdles; improved since going handicapping, on latest start finishing 11l-third of seven at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy, cheekpieces on for second time); each-way chance.

13/2

Abandoned

Form: P4-957

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Ran well for a long way in first-time cheekpieces at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy) last month but has now been unplaced all eight hurdling starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 136y

Class 5

14:50 Chepstow

Night Jet

10st 11lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Won chase debut in February 2025 and back to form with blinkers enlisted when second on last two outings, but all three of those runs were over 2m and there is plenty to prove judged on his attempts at 2m4f/3m; cheekpieces return and their previous usage includes that one win.

9/1

2nd

5

6th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

16:30 Leicester

Night Jet

10st 12lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Took a step forward in a change of headgear when second of eight in handicap over C&D 22 day ago, hindered by a blunder two out; this C&D winner is a likely player if blinkers have the same effect a second time.

9/2

2nd

8

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:15 Leicester

Night Jet

10st 12lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Opened his account when winning on chase debut over C&D (soft) last February but he's not come close to that form in four subsequent runs; overall record is now 1-21 and he needs new headgear to give him a boost.

7/1

Non-runners

Poet's Reflection

Verdict

There could still be more to come from CALL ME ARTHUR, who made an inauspicious start to his handicap career but ran a big race in defeat when upped to 2m5f at Exeter last month. Dan Skelton’s handicap debutant Mr Hope Street is feared most, ahead of last-time-out winner Hobb’s Delight. Pilgrims King has a bit more to prove but is well handicapped now and may not have been suited by the heavy ground when fourth on his reappearance outing in November.[Chris Wilson]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Call Me Arthur

RP RATINGS:

Hobb's Delight

WEST COUNTRY:

Merry Monty

D Express:

Mr Hope Street

POSTDATA:

Call Me Arthur

The Times:

Call Me Arthur

Telegraph:

Call Me Arthur

The Guardian:

Call Me Arthur

Daily Mail:

Call Me Arthur

Daily Mirror:

Call Me Arthur

The Sun:

Merry Monty

The Star:

Hobb's Delight

Daily Record:

Hobb's Delight