January 24 / 15.45 Chepstow

15.45

Soft

cheltenhamfestival.com Cheltenham Festival Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5096.16
  • 2m 3f 98y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
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cheltenhamfestival.com Cheltenham Festival Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

6/1 (Won)

Form: B3-434 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner who has made the frame in all three chases this season, most notably when third at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy) two starts ago; slightly disappointing when well-held fourth there on Boxing Day but is suited by this track and enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:50 Taunton

Kingofthewest

11st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

raced in second, fell 3rd

5/2

2nd

4

13th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:10 Lingfield

Kingofthewest

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

prominent, left in third 9th, stayed on run-in, went third towards finish, no match for winner

7/2

Form: -12255 C BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner who lost out by only a neck when clear second to progressive rival on chasing debut at Ffos Las (2m3f, soft) in November; has strong claims if judged on that performance but was very disappointing favourite on last two outings and now has a point to prove; definite player if he can revive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:30 Hereford

Walkinthewoods

12st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Best at about 2m4f and he's looked to have stamina limitations in the majority of his runs beyond that trip; below his latest winning mark, last May, but he's failed to complete in two of his last three runs since back chasing and some reservations remain.

6/1

1

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Walkinthewoods

12st 0lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Mrs C Williams

Unseated rider when returned to chasing in January and has suffered a heavy defeat since; on a workable mark and suited by this C&D/slow ground but has some questions to answer.

8/1

6th

1

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:50 Wincanton

Walkinthewoods

12st 0lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Evan Williams

Landed the odds in three-runner chase at Plumpton (about 2m3f, good; acts on soft/heavy) in May; solid hurdles second under Osian Radford in December and still on the premises when blundering that rider away over fences (also Ludlow, 3m, good to soft) last month; drops back down in trip; respected.

4/1

Form: 11-365 C

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Enjoyed a revival towards end of last season, winning twice over 2m7f here on soft ground; back on a workable mark now and should be fine over today's trip but needs to better his last couple of efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 145-53 CD BF

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Not as good as he was but made all over C&D (soft) just over a year ago and returns here after a fairly good third at Lingfield (2m4f, good to soft) last month; could give this a good shot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Moonlighter

12st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Nothing like the force of old but is handicapped accordingly now; dropped another 2lb since last month's very respectable fourth at Ludlow and will be suited by the return to this C&D; can make a bold bid from the front.

9/2

1

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Moonlighter

12st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Nothing like the force of old but is handicapped accordingly now; dropped another 2lb since last month's very respectable fourth at Ludlow and will be suited by the return to this C&D; can make a bold bid from the front.

9/2

4th

5

21st Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 4

16:10 Ludlow

Moonlighter

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

11yo who was disappointing at Ayr (2m, soft) last month but posted two respectable performances previously when making the frame at Lingfield (2m4f, good to soft) and Chepstow (2m3f, heavy), and he's been given a chance by the handicapper; could have a part to play.

5/1

Form: 3-9852 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Drew clear to open chasing account here (2m, soft) just over a year ago but has largely been disappointing since; stayed on dourly from poor position to claim second at Fontwell (2m2f, soft) on Boxing Day but is effectively 13lb higher from out of the weights here; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

6th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:42 Fontwell

Valirann Gold

10st 13lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Harriet Brown

Course winner; a lot of his form is over shorter but he proved his stamina for 3m when runner-up at Ffos Las two weeks ago (good); unlikely to be far away off the same mark.

5/1

2nd

10

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:42 Ffos Las

Valirann Gold

10st 5lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Harriet Brown

Produced a remarkable late surge to snatch what had looked an unlikely victory at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft; blinkers removed) last month but this inconsistent 9yo tends to race lazily nowadays and got going too late when back at Fontwell a fortnight ago; other are much less risky.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4137-5 BF

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Yet to build upon last winter's heavy-ground maiden hurdle win and was safely held on seasonal/chase debut in November but remains lightly raced and could still have a good future over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

6th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:05 Ffos Las

Hermes Du Gouet

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Performed poorly in handicap chases this season, blinkered on last two outings; easily his best run over fences came in a four-runner race (3m2f, heavy) last March and he's 11lb lower today, also dropped in class, but some recent positives would have been preferable.

16/1

7th

1

6th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:05 Ffos Las

Hermes Du Gouet

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

disputed lead, led clearly before 5th, headed before 4 out, soon weakened

16/1

6th

6

20th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

15:15 Warwick

Hermes Du Gouet

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Has performed poorly in 3m1f/2m4f handicap chases this season, latterly tried in the blinkers which are retained; easily his best run over fences came in a four-runner race; others are more compelling.

16/1

Form: 3114-7 CD

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Triple point winner who belatedly came good under rules with two course wins last February/March (2m3f/2m7f); made low-key reappearance at Taunton last month but the return to this track is a big plus; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

24th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

Skinflint

11st 4lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Henry Oliver

held up in rear, outpaced before 5 out

14/1

7th

6

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 2f 40y

Class 3

15:15 Taunton

Skinflint

10st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Henry Oliver

11yo who was in career-best form in refitted cheekpieces at the start of 2023, winning twice at Chepstow; remote fourth when bidding for the hat-trick there in April, though, and off since.

12/1

4th

6

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

13:55 Chepstow

Skinflint

11st 8lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Henry Oliver

11yo who has been in career-best form in refitted cheekpieces this year, winning twice here (2m3f/2m7f); moves up in grade today but is pretty versatile regarding ground and must be considered in current mood.

3/1

Form: 31P5-5 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 12st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Made low-key seasonal debut in November and has not raced again since but was a clearcut hurdle winner off today's mark at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) last winter and is still unexposed over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

21st Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

15:05 Ludlow

Kings Keeper

11st 6lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Runs off a mark fully 10lb lower than when winning over hurdles at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) in January 2023; however, he's been a long way below that level this season over fences and the first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) need to prompt major improvement.

13/2

4th

2

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 4

14:52 Hereford

Kings Keeper

11st 5lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Hurdle winner of 5lb higher in early 2023; entitled to have needed the run when well-held fifth on return to chasing in November but dropped away very tamely in straight at Chepstow in January and comes here with some questions to answer.

9/2

0

1

24th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

Kings Keeper

12st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

held up in rear, outpaced 4 out

7/1

Form: 14-3UP BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Caused 50-1 shock in a novice hurdle last season and didn't run badly when well-held third on chasing debut in October but two non-completions have followed and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

26th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 4

19:09 Plumpton

I Shut That DOr

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Posted three wins over fences in the winter of 2024-25, all at around this trip, and staged a revival when third at Fontwell (2m4f, good; Begin The Luck second) three weeks ago; back up in class but on a winnable mark and he's one to consider with the stable among the winners.

100/30

3rd

1

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:42 Fontwell

I Shut That DOr

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Joe Tizzard

His form took off with three wins over fences last winter; however, his good run came to a halt at Stratford last March and he was tailed off again on his comeback at Haydock (2m45f, good) last month; has some questions to answer and he needs to get back on track.

10/1

5th

3

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 4

15:55 Haydock

I Shut That DOr

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

His form took off with three wins over fences last winter; however, his good run came to an abrupt halt at Stratford last March and he hasn't been seen since; no great record fresh to date but the betting is perhaps the best guide to his chance.

9/1

Non-runners

Samtara

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £43.30
Tricast £111.93

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Moonlighter

Telegraph:

Hermes Du Gouet

SPOTLIGHT:

Walkinthewoods

POSTDATA:

Kingofthewest

RP RATINGS:

Rock Of Star

The Sun:

Skinflint

Daily Mail:

Hermes Du Gouet

D Express:

Hermes Du Gouet

TOPSPEED:

Walkinthewoods

Daily Mirror:

Walkinthewoods

The Star:

Kingofthewest

The Times:

Moonlighter

The Guardian:

Moonlighter

Daily Record:

Moonlighter