April 24 / 14.20 Perth

14.20

Soft

GS Group Balnakeilly Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 2m 4f 20y
  • Class 3
  • 6 runners
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GS Group Balnakeilly Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Windy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.20
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 121-P3 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on chase debut at Chepstow in October and merely third of four at Newbury (2m4f, heavy) last time, although that has proved to be a warm little race; this 6yo remains lightly raced for top yard and may find a chunk of improvement at some stage; won on soft/good to soft over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Ioupy Collonges

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has won two of his six chase starts but was beaten off this mark in a six-runner handicap at Wincanton last time when in the new cheekpieces (3m1f, heavy); unraced beyond that trip but he's one who doesn't do much in a hurry and today's marathon trip could be up his street.

16/1

2nd

3

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

14:55 Wincanton

Ioupy Collonges

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Strike-rate of 5-10 under rules and has won two of his last three chases; it wasn't pretty here last time over C&D (good to soft) but he got the job done off just 3lb lower and today's slower surface could benefit him; cheekpieces added.

11/4

2nd

3

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

14:55 Wincanton

Ioupy Collonges

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Strike-rate of 5-10 under rules and has won two of his last three chases; it wasn't pretty here last time over C&D (good to soft) but he got the job done off just 3lb lower and today's slower surface could benefit him; cheekpieces added.

11/4

6/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 122223 BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Reappeared with a win at Carlisle (2m, soft) last October and has run well when second/third off this mark on his five starts since (1m7f-2m4f, heavy/soft); vulnerable if bumping into one ahead of their mark but he can give another good account; no surprise if he comes out on top.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

1st Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

14:29 Ayr

Travail DOrfevre

11st 6lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Won small-field event off today's mark here (3m, soft) in January and will be fine over this shorter trip but ended last season with two poor runs and needs to have been refreshed by eight-month break.

14/1

6th

5

1st Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

14:29 Ayr

Travail DOrfevre

11st 6lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Won small-field event off today's mark here (3m, soft) in January and will be fine over this shorter trip but ended last season with two poor runs and needs to have been refreshed by eight-month break.

14/1

5

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

15:25 Perth

Travail DOrfevre

11st 8lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Ran well in a 2m4f chase at this fixture last year and doubled his tally over fences at Ayr in January (3m, soft); last two runs weren't overly encouraging, though.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 92231F D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won maiden hurdle at Ayr (2m3f, heavy) in February and was 1l ahead and going okay when falling three out in novice chase at Down Royal (2m3f, soft) last month; has the ability to play a part but jumping issues have been a feature of his light chasing career so he comes with risks attached.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

15th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Bleu Denfer

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Back from wind surgery he bumped into one well handicapped at Bangor (2m4f, good) and it was a strong race in which he struggled at Haydock; he's no forlorn hope on that penultimate effort.

25/1

9th

11

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Bleu Denfer

10st 7lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Back from wind surgery he bumped into one well handicapped at Bangor two weeks ago (2m4f, good); it could be a similar story here and winning this would demand a career best from him.

16/1

2nd

1

31st Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

15:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Bleu Denfer

12st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Out of the handicap when a respectable fourth in a Class 2 at Musselburgh on his penultimate start (2m4f, good to soft) and has had wind surgery since finishing tailed off at Kelso; hard to dismiss.

12/1

Form: 7-P141 D

Last run: 109 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Two wins from final three starts for Nicky Richards (1m7f/2m, heavy/soft); looked fortunate at Newcastle on second occasion (left well clear two out) but that form still reads well; versatile ground-wise and won over an extended 2m3f on hurdles; not ruled out on stable debut (same ownership).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

23rd Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

15:20 Cartmel

Findthetime

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Stuart Coltherd

Regressive 9yo who ought to have been favoured by the soft ground when never-dangerous fourth (about 19l behind Dusky Days) here (2m6f) last month; on a very good mark now but needs to stage a revival.

14/1

2

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Findthetime

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Stuart Coltherd

Took step back in right direction when respectable fifth at Worcester (2m7f, good) this month and has the services of James Bowen again here but this regressive 9yo is patently not the force of old; others preferred.

14/1

Form: 31121P D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
This year's form figures did read 1121 (2m4f/2m3f, soft) prior to him being pulled up at Carlisle (2m4f, heavy) last time; something to prove after that but he lost both hind shoes so may be worth another chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Carrigeen Castle

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Micky Hammond

10yo who was in and out last season but returned to form when second at Hexham (2m4f, soft) in March last time; could have a part to play if conditions are suitable (he's unraced on good ground under rules).

11/4

100/30

Form: -43121 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won when back up in trip at Lingfield (2m4f, soft) in February and bounced back from lesser run to win in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Southwell (2m4f, heavy) three weeks ago; had just two rivals to beat last time but he's progressive and entitled to respect today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Clonakilty

12st 0lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Well treated on 2024 winning form for Olly Murphy; last-time 11l fourth at Sedgefield (2m5f, good) rates a best for his current yard, but he can't afford to repeat that day's constant jumping right.

10/1

4th

2

10th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 4

13:57 Sedgefield

Clonakilty

11st 13lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Dual 2m4f chase winner on testing ground; well treated on his form of 12 months ago when with Olly Murphy; needs to be much better than in his three starts so far for this trainer; has had wind surgery since last month's Wetherby appearance.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.90
Straight Forecast £10.44
Trifecta £36.50

Selections

Telegraph:

Clonakilty

SPOTLIGHT:

Ioupy Collonges

RP RATINGS:

Travail D'Orfevre

The Times:

Bleu d'Enfer

POSTDATA:

Ioupy Collonges

WEST COUNTRY:

Ioupy Collonges

The Guardian:

Ioupy Collonges

Daily Mail:

Clonakilty

D Express:

Clonakilty

Daily Mirror:

Clonakilty

The Sun:

Clonakilty

Daily Record:

Clonakilty

TOPSPEED:

Travail D'Orfevre

The Star:

Travail D'Orfevre