November 06 / 13.50 Chepstow

13.50

Good

Blacktalon Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) Angela Nettlefold Memorial

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 3f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Blacktalon Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) Angela Nettlefold Memorial

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 42-12

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Progressive in bumpers and he won by 8l at Haydock (1m7f, good) in final run in that sphere; returned from five months off with clear second on hurdling debut here (2m, soft) last month and he shaped as though this longer trip should suit; should be in the thick of things and he's respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

16:02 Sandown

French Ship

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Form has gone rather awry in last three outings but he has been progressive otherwise, culminating in 2m4f handicap wins at Cheltenham and Newbury in the autumn; may rebound and run a good race.

14/1

15th

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

French Ship

12st 0lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Largely progressive but came up short off top weight in the Lanzarote when bidding for a handicap hat-trick and needs to prove current mark isn't beyond him; unseated rider three out in 3m Grade 2 last time.

8/1

4

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:05 Haydock

French Ship

11st 2lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won big-field handicaps at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) and Newbury (2m4f, soft) in the autumn; having gone up the weights he was merely mid-division at Kempton (2m5f, good) last month and is untested at today's trip, but this lightly raced 6yo may still have more to offer and is not discounted.

11/2

4/6

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 11-

Last run: 320 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Impressive in mares' bumper at Warwick on debut last November and she beat the males when a smooth winner of a Listed race at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) the following month; out of a sister to top-class 2m4f-3m jumps winner Whisper and she's an exciting recruit to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:20 Stratford

Let It Rain

11st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Dual bumper winner, also landing the odds in a mares' novice at Wetherby (2m) in November 2024; fine effort (third) on handicap debut at Ascot (2m) in December but she disappointed - unsuited by heavy ground - at Newbury (pulled up, 5-2 favourite) latest; still ample potential.

11/4

13

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

Let It Rain

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Acts on soft ground; 2-2 in bumpers, including Listed honours, and has a solid record (213) since switched to hurdles; only about half a length behind Dance And Glance and All In You at Ascot (1m7f; handicap debut) in sole start this term; this Skelton mare is open to plenty of further improvement; major contender.

5/2

15/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won Irish point (3m, good) in May and was sold for £85,000 later that month; out of a half-sister to top-class French/Irish 2m-2m4f jumper Nickname and he needs a close look on rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Newton Tornado

11st 3lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Rebecca Curtis

Got the fourth-last fence all wrong here in October and pulled up at Newbury after a mistake; there's a strikingly good side too, however, as he scored comfortably at Bangor (3m, heavy) and Doncaster (3m, soft) in his other two chases; looks sure to stay beyond 3m; up another 6lb but he's a prime candidate, for last year's winning trainer, if the mistakes can be avoided.

9/2

1st

2

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

14:38 Doncaster

Newton Tornado

11st 8lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rebecca Curtis

Best to forgive latest effort (lost his action); solid record in completed starts otherwise and scored comfortably at Bangor (3m, heavy) the time before; may still have more to offer over fences.

7/2

11

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 3

13:10 Cheltenham

Newton Tornado

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

A couple of odds-on defeats before he got off the mark over hurdles at the sixth attempt in a maiden at Ffos Las (2m4f, good to soft) in April when last seen; this point winner is open to improvement now switched to fences on his handicap and seasonal debut and goes on the shortlist.

15/2

OUR TIP

Form: 517-

Last run: 207 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Wasn't overly troubled to win a Huntingdon bumper (soft) in March and his midfield finish in Aintree's Grade 2 next time was respectable; looks a nice prospect for novice hurdles and he's respected on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

18:40 Exeter

Got A Dream

11st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Nicky Martin

Bagged a pair of handicaps (around 2m4f) at Chepstow and Warwick before Christmas and wasn't disgraced after five months off when sixth in 2m7f handicap here 26 days ago; considered.

7/2

6th

5

22nd Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

16:47 Exeter

Got A Dream

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Signed off last season in a Graded race and has gone 2-2 switched to handicaps this term, with good-ground wins in the autumn; good value for the narrow winning margin last time (2m5f) and only went up 5lb; goes well fresh so the break is of no concern.

3/1

Form: 2/

Last run: 918 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a point in March 2022 and was a respectable second in hunter chase (3m, good) two months later, but he's been on the sidelines since; has something to prove now switched to hurdling after a massive absence and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

14th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 5

20:10 Uttoxeter

Socialiser

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Low-mileage 9yo who has generally been very disappointing since returning from a long absence in November; battled on from poor position to take fourth at Ffos Las (3m, good to soft) nine days ago but still needs to respond positively to a change of headgear here.

7/1

3

5th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:45 Ffos Las

Socialiser

11st 8lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Jamie Snowden

Runner-up in Fakenham hunter chase (3m, good) on rules debut in May 2022 but did not reappear until last season and his first two runs in handicap chases were very disappointing; needs to prove some ability remains.

10/1

3

5th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:45 Ffos Las

Socialiser

11st 8lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Jamie Snowden

Runner-up in Fakenham hunter chase (3m, good) on rules debut in May 2022 but did not reappear until last season and his first two runs in handicap chases were very disappointing; needs to prove some ability remains.

10/1

Form: 4

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £50,000 after finishing close up in Irish point in April but he finished a remote fourth on hurdling debut at Ffos Las (2m6f, good to soft; 18-1) last month; should benefit from that run but he needs plenty of improvement back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:25 Taunton

Babatunde

11st 11lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Perhaps a shade disappointing when dropped back to 2m3f at Chepstow recently but travelled strongly for a long way before weakening into third here (3m, good to soft) on last month's handicap debut and remains of interest.

11/2

5th

4

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:55 Chepstow

Babatunde

11st 9lb

J: Miss Thomasina Eyston

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Lightly raced 6yo who travelled strongly for a long way before weakening into third on handicap debut at Taunton (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; today's drop back in trip looks the right move; interesting.

7/1

4

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:55 Chepstow

Babatunde

11st 9lb

J: Miss Thomasina Eyston

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Lightly raced 6yo who travelled strongly for a long way before weakening into third on handicap debut at Taunton (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; today's drop back in trip looks the right move; interesting.

7/1

Form: 7

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in both completed starts in Irish points, but he made a low-key start over hurdles here (2m, soft) last month; this stiffer stamina test could help but he was a big price last time and needs to leave that form miles behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

16:50 Ffos Las

River Run Free

10st 13lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Regained the winning thread at Leicester (2m6f) in January but back on the regress since, having performed below market expectations at Ffos Las (only third of four finishers) and Leicester (ran dismally).

10/1

2

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

15:00 Leicester

River Run Free

11st 10lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Added a second course win when back on track in cheekpieces over 2m6f (good to soft) in January but, while running creditably off 5lb higher, failed to quite match that level when third at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) last month; respected back at this venue on better ground; now tried in blinkers, with Rian Corcoran's claim a plus.

9/4

3rd

3

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

13:52 Ffos Las

River Run Free

11st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Chase career started well with two wins (2m4f; heavy/soft) and got it back on track when making it 2-3 at Leicester a month ago, winning by 2.5l (2m6f, good to soft); has form claims off 5lb higher but some concerns that he pulled up on previous visit here.

6/4

Form: 16/9-7

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner in 2022 for previous stable, but he's struggled for current yard including in two runs over hurdles (2m3f/2m4f); opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

17:15 Chepstow

Largy Valley

10st 3lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Given wind surgery before pulled up this winter in his only two handicaps (bled from the nose on chase debut first occasion) so caution has to be advised.

33/1

12

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:55 Chepstow

Largy Valley

10st 11lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Pulled up on chase/handicap debut in December (bled from the nose) and now quickly reverts to hurdling; needs to better his jumping form but remains very unexposed, and it's worth remembering he won a bumper in 2022.

16/1

12

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:55 Chepstow

Largy Valley

10st 11lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Pulled up on chase/handicap debut in December (bled from the nose) and now quickly reverts to hurdling; needs to better his jumping form but remains very unexposed, and it's worth remembering he won a bumper in 2022.

16/1

Form: 87P-

Last run: 196 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Struggled in a bumper and two hurdles runs (2m/2m1f) early this year and can only be watched back from 196 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:45 Ffos Las

El Bandido Pancho

11st 6lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Ben Clarke

Held on gamely to make all at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) in April and returned from break in even better form ten days ago, drawing clear to score by 7l over C&D (soft); commands respect under 7lb penalty.

11/8

1st

12

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

14:34 Newton Abbot

El Bandido Pancho

10st 10lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Ben Clarke

made all, not fluent 5th, not fluent 6th, ridden after 2 out, kept on run-in, all out

5/1

1st

12

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

14:34 Newton Abbot

El Bandido Pancho

10st 10lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Ben Clarke

made all, not fluent 5th, not fluent 6th, ridden after 2 out, kept on run-in, all out

5/1

Form: 9-00

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in all five starts including a bumper, two Flat runs in Jersey and two maidens over hurdles; no appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

17th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:50 Fontwell

Johnnie River

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sue Gardner

Tailed off in all his races and being 10lb out of the weights clearly won't help.

50/1

11

17th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:50 Fontwell

Johnnie River

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sue Gardner

Tailed off in all his races and being 10lb out of the weights clearly won't help.

50/1

10th

4

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:50 Chepstow

Johnnie River

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sue Gardner

Tailed off in all five starts including a bumper, two Flat runs in Jersey and two maidens over hurdles; no appeal.

100/1

Form: 5

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Went close in two points in the spring but he was only fifth of six on hurdling debut at Ludlow (2m5f, good) last month and was beaten 27l.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:50 Chepstow

Pethers Run

11st 4lb

J: Mr Tommie M O’Brien

T: Adrian Wintle

Went close in two points in the spring but he was only fifth of six on hurdling debut at Ludlow (2m5f, good) last month and was beaten 27l.

66/1

11th

7

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:50 Chepstow

Pethers Run

11st 4lb

J: Mr Tommie M O’Brien

T: Adrian Wintle

Went close in two points in the spring but he was only fifth of six on hurdling debut at Ludlow (2m5f, good) last month and was beaten 27l.

66/1

5th

6

9th Oct 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:05 Ludlow

Pethers Run

11st 0lb

J: Mr Tommie M O’Brien

T: Adrian Wintle

Went close in two maiden points in the spring and evidently has some ability but seems unlikely to meet the standard required on rules debut.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.20
Straight Forecast £3.18
Trifecta £8.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Let It Rain

RP RATINGS:

French Ship

Telegraph:

Got A Dream

POSTDATA:

French Ship

WEST COUNTRY:

French Ship

The Guardian:

French Ship

The Sun:

French Ship

The Times:

Let It Rain

Daily Mail:

Let It Rain

D Express:

Let It Rain

Daily Mirror:

Let It Rain

The Star:

Let It Rain

Daily Record:

Let It Rain