June 18 / 16.35 Stratford

16.35

Good

Happy Birthday Mary Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4832.11
  • 2m 6f 125y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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Happy Birthday Mary Handicap Chase

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 433-33 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Not the force of old but running well at present and latest third over 3m3f here was in a higher grade; might find this trip shorter than ideal but should again be competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Worcester

Bbold

11st 10lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

midfield, headway before 4 out, went second last, no extra final 110yds

3/1

1st

6

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:35 Stratford

Bbold

11st 3lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

Not the force of old but running well at present and latest third over 3m3f here was in a higher grade; might find this trip shorter than ideal but should again be competitive.

5/1

3rd

10

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Bbold

10st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

Not as good as he was but doesn't arrive here in bad form and he should have finished closer (beaten 7l) last time at Southwell (3m, good); this is a higher grade but he has each-way hopes.

11/2

3/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 411P-1

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Made it 4-8 over fences when good value for his narrow win at Southwell (3m, good to soft) and today's drier ground won't bother him, nor the 4lb rise if as good again; every chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

15:08 Newcastle

Do No Wrong

11st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Justin Landy

Five-time chase winner who was runner-up in that discipline last time, and he won his last race over hurdles at Cartmel in August (2m6f, good); well treated in relation to chase mark and William Maggs also takes off 5lb.

100/30

5

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

15:08 Newcastle

Do No Wrong

11st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Justin Landy

Five-time chase winner who was runner-up in that discipline last time, and he won his last race over hurdles at Cartmel in August (2m6f, good); well treated in relation to chase mark and William Maggs also takes off 5lb.

100/30

4

2nd Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:30 Southwell

Do No Wrong

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Justin Landy

Sound-surface wins in another C&D 0-120, a Cartmel hurdle and a Witton Castle open point since May; never travelling at Uttoxeter latest (first loss under Brian Hughes), but is one proven capable of bouncing back.

8/1

10/1

  • Place: £4.50

Form: 84/7P- D

Last run: 107 days

W: 12st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Has performed well in some valuable handicaps over the years but has seen little action in recent times and needs to stage a revival; front runs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:35 Stratford

Storm Control

12st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Has performed well in some valuable handicaps over the years but has seen little action in recent times and needs to stage a revival; front runs.

10/1

Form: 5P7-56

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Very well handicapped on his winning form in 2m4f handicaps at Sandown (good to soft) and Uttoxeter (good) in the spring of 2023; however, his reduced mark is for a reason and others arrive here in better nick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

14th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

14:54 Fakenham

Gloire Dathon

11st 11lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah Humphrey

led, clear after 3rd, reduced lead after 6th

33/1

7th

6

10th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

17:00 Plumpton

Gloire Dathon

11st 6lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah Humphrey

Bumper/hurdle/chase winner; didn't run up to his best over fences last year (pulled up last two starts); better ground will suit and well handicapped, but plenty to prove.

20/1

7

2nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

13:25 Huntingdon

Gloire Dathon

11st 4lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Sarah Humphrey

5-17 over fences but his latest win was May 2023 and last year went badly; often wears hood or cheekpieces and now tries a visor.

20/1

Form: 1315-7

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won three chases last year from 2m4f to 2m5f when the ground was no slower than good to soft; latest return to chasing at Ffos Las was underwhelming, even allowing for the trip of 2m3f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:35 Stratford

Dans Chosen

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won three chases last year from 2m4f to 2m5f when the ground was no slower than good to soft; latest return to chasing at Ffos Las was underwhelming, even allowing for the trip of 2m3f.

7/1

7th

1

30th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

15:00 Ffos Las

Dans Chosen

11st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won three chases over slightly longer trips last year when the ground was no slower than good to soft; current mark won't be easy but this race is a better fit than the novice hurdle he contested last time.

11/2

5th

7

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

16:42 Taunton

Dans Chosen

11st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Better known as a chaser these days, with three of his four wins in that discipline gained last year; returns to hurdling over a trip short of his best and looks vulnerable.

8/1

Form: 3331-P

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Sole chase success came in a match in October; had wind surgery afterwards and he stopped quickly at Southwell after a lengthy break; others safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:35 Stratford

Glengeever

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Ben Lund

Sole chase success came in a match in October; had wind surgery afterwards and he stopped quickly at Southwell after a lengthy break; others safer.

10/1

7

14th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

15:00 Southwell

Glengeever

11st 10lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Ben Lund

travelled strongly, midfield

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2412-2 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Two hurdle victories and a good-ground winner over fences; twice runner-up since that last win and bumped into an improver last time; pretty solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

17:05 Stratford

Bagheera Ginge

11st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made all in small field at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in September but absent since running poorly in Sedgefield marathon three weeks later and needs to resume in peak form to have a chance off current mark; swaps usual cheekpieces for first-time visor.

7/1

4

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 5f 48y

Class 2

16:06 Sedgefield

Bagheera Ginge

10st 10lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

First chase win was in October 2023 and the second wasn't until last month but he thoroughly dominated a four-runner race at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) on that latest outing, returning to his best; unraced beyond that and needs to find a bit extra given he's back up 7lb, so connections enlist 7lb-claiming amateur who's already won a hurdle race for them this week.

9/2

1st

5

29th Sep 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

16:16 Newton Abbot

Bagheera Ginge

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Returned from layoff with low-key hurdle run in May but has finished close up in two Worcester chases (both 2m7f, good) since; remains on a good mark and is also suited by this track; major player if stamina holds out over this new trip.

15/8

Form: 4U16/9 C

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Made it 0-8 over hurdles when well held after an absence but he's a five-time chaser winner and could strip fitter this time; should be on a good mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:48 Newton Abbot

On Springs

12st 0lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Luca Morgan

Five-time winner over fences for Ben Pauling and has won all this year's points with authority; needs respecting, though good ground seems ideal.

100/30

5

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:48 Newton Abbot

On Springs

12st 0lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Luca Morgan

Five-time winner over fences for Ben Pauling and has won all this year's points with authority; needs respecting, though good ground seems ideal.

100/30

4

18th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:52 Market Rasen

On Springs

11st 10lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Better known as a chaser (5-15); has reverted to hurdles since chase falls last summer; outran his double-figure odds when runner-up at Kempton (2m5f, good) in October; toiled on return from wind surgery subsequently; risky after break.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.80
Straight Forecast £14.40
Tricast £214.12
Trifecta £194.10

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Do No Wrong

SPOTLIGHT:

Bagheera Ginge

The Times:

Bbold

Telegraph:

Gloire d'Athon

TOPSPEED:

Dan's Chosen

WEST COUNTRY:

Bagheera Ginge

D Express:

Bagheera Ginge

Daily Record:

Bagheera Ginge

POSTDATA:

Do No Wrong

Daily Mail:

Do No Wrong

Daily Mirror:

Do No Wrong

The Sun:

Do No Wrong

The Guardian:

Bbold

The Star:

Bbold