August 22 / 18.20 Stratford

18.20

Good

IJF South West Hub Now Open Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 3f 98y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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IJF South West Hub Now Open Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: P-P761 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 8yo; initially very disappointing for current stable but capitalised upon some significant help from the handicapper with clearcut win over C&D (good; first-time hood) last month; still very well treated on older form; must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

13:30 Stratford

Blaze A Trail

11st 7lb

J: Connor Brace

T: John & Rhys Flint

took keen hold, chased clear leader, in touch with leaders before 8th

12/1

7th

1

19th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:05 Worcester

Blaze A Trail

12st 0lb

J: Connor Brace

T: John & Rhys Flint

Won five consecutive chases on good ground in 2022 but lightly raced and inconsistent since; respectable second at Wincanton (1m7f, good) in April, after a break, but looked out of sorts at Fontwell last month and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.

12/1

2

26th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

15:14 Fontwell

Blaze A Trail

11st 13lb

J: Connor Brace

T: John & Rhys Flint

Completed a five-timer in 2022 including two wins here (2m2f, good); second of five at Wincanton (2m, good) five weeks ago on his return from seven months off, but was beaten 10l by the winner; stays this far and 3lb below his last winning mark, but probably needs to find a bit more.

7/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 2-P623 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
0-6 over fences and tends to race a bit too freely but ran big race from the front when second over C&D (good) in June, and didn't run badly when third (albeit well held in the end) here last month; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

22nd Aug 2022

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

18:20 Stratford

Smiths Bay

11st 1lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Polly Gundry

jumped right on occasions, held up in behind leaders, went fourth after 10th, ridden home turn, went second before last, kept on but not pace to challenge

9/2

3rd

5

28th Jul 2022

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

13:57 Stratford

Smiths Bay

10st 6lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Polly Gundry

led, ridden after 2 out, raced wide and headed home turn, weakened approaching last, went third towards finish

4/1

20/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 5-056P

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
0-27 under all codes when trained in Ireland, most recently when pulled up in Tipperary beginners' chase five weeks ago, but ought to be suited by the trip/ground on today's stable debut; market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

19th Jul 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:50 Newton Abbot

Time To Bite

12st 1lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Better chaser than hurdler and forgiven latest heavy defeat in a strong handicap; his last hurdle run was four starts back when beaten a neck at Wincanton (2m5f, good); could run well, though some stamina reservations over quite this far.

13/2

10th

9

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:27 Uttoxeter

Time To Bite

10st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Chase record is 9-35, the most recent win in veterans' event at Fakenham (3m, good) on penultimate start; consistent sort but faces a stiffer task off current mark in this valuable and competitive affair; similar type to Hold Your Fort.

20/1

3rd

2

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:53 Newton Abbot

Time To Bite

11st 13lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Admirable veteran who recorded his ninth chase win when making all to score from 2lb out of the weights at Fakenham (3m, good) this month; this is tougher off 4lb higher but he seems as good as ever as an 11yo and three of his wins have come at this track; key player.

9/4

Form: P1-P38 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Four-time chase winner, most recently off 2lb lower at Southwell (3m, good) in April, but has become very inconsistent; tailed off over hurdles in first-time visor (retained) last month and not sure to benefit from today's drop back in trip; tongue-tie added today; others look much safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

13

17th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Debden Bank

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Completing has become a challenge in itself and he runs in his first cross-country chase from 45lb out of the weights.

150/1

0

1

19th Oct 2023

Good To Firm

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

16:52 Wincanton

Debden Bank

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Martin Keighley

Falling in the weights after some dispiriting runs and much depends on what effect further wind surgery might have; couldn't be ignored.

12/1

Form: 23236-

Last run: 391 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Placed in four consecutive chases in early part of last season (2m-2m4f; all on good) and a dual point winner this year; completes from 6lb out of the weights on return to racing under rules but with a promising 7lb claimer enlisted; can't be ignored.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

1st Oct 2022

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:20 Fontwell

Special Buddy

10st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Ben Pauling

led, not fluent 4th, mistake 4 out, ridden when headed home turn, lost second last, soon no extra

10/11

5th

9

22nd Aug 2022

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

18:20 Stratford

Special Buddy

10st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Ben Pauling

pressed leader, led 4th, hit 9th, ridden when headed home turn, weakened approaching last, lost fourth towards finish

13/2

Form: -31107 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Struck form and won two chases this spring, the latter off 3lb lower here (2m1f, good), but hasn't fired on either start this summer (hurdle/chase) and returns here with a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

5th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 5

17:22 Ffos Las

Boston Joe

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Goes well here, gaining fourth course success with a narrow verdict in March (2m3f, soft); beaten 8l behind L'Empire Vert off this 4lb higher mark on his return visit but he was held up in a race that favoured those ridden handier; good chance.

13/2

5th

1

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

16:20 Ffos Las

Boston Joe

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Prevailed from a solid rival in similar event over C&D (soft) last time, taking Ffos Las record to 4-15; should remain competitive despite going back up 4lb.

3/1

1st

2

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Boston Joe

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Gained three of his five chase wins here; must bounce back from a poor performance (over hurdles) in January but was placed here on first two starts this season (2m4f hurdle/2m chase) and has been given a chance by the handicapper.

9/2

Form: 1-1323 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Began chasing career with two 2m4f wins in blinkers this spring (made all both times) and comes here after two good efforts last month; probably still on a workable mark; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

10th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

17:10 Ludlow

Steady The Ship

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Steph Cameron

Pulled up in three successive chases before finishing tailed off back over hurdles; no appeal.

50/1

12th

9

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:50 Wetherby

Steady The Ship

10st 13lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Steph Cameron

0-7 over hurdles and has been pulled up in his last three races, all handicap chases; hard to recommend.

33/1

2

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

15:20 Musselburgh

Steady The Ship

11st 8lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Steph Cameron

Made all in small-field point last April (good ground) but pulled up in two handicap chases for new stable in the autumn and arrives here with a lot to prove.

25/1

Form: 321P-6 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Built upon promising chase debut when scoring off 1lb lower at Worcester (2m4f, good) last September; ultimately well beaten there last month, after a layoff, but she ran well ran to a point and might well have benefited from that outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

11th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:25 Huntingdon

Makety

11st 12lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Oliver Sherwood

0-15 over hurdles and most compelling form came over 2m in 2019 and 2020; hard to warm to, having not lasted out upped to 3m latest.

40/1

2

27th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

19:00 Taunton

Makety

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Oliver Sherwood

Chase winner in September 2021 but she's 0-14 as a hurdler; on reduced mark but she was a well-held sixth of seven at Hereford (2m5f, good) in February and it is not hard to have reservations after another break.

16/1

6th

2

15th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

15:35 Hereford

Makety

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Oliver Sherwood

Chase winner in September 2021 but 0-13 as a hurdler; placed five times but fell on her latest start three months ago; reservations for now.

13/2

Form: P9/6-P

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Fair on the Flat in his prime but was pulled up in only previous chase (in Ireland in 2020) and has looked out of sorts on AW/over hurdles this year; 2lb out of the weights; can't be recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

7th Sep 2022

Good

2m 6f 108y

Class 5

16:20 Uttoxeter

Severus Alexander

10st 6lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Clare Hobson

in touch with leaders, dropped to last 3rd, reminders after 5th, blundered 6th, slow jump 11th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out

50/1

8

22nd Aug 2022

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

18:20 Stratford

Severus Alexander

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Clare Hobson

held up in rear, pushed along from 9th, outpaced back straight, blundered and unseated rider 3 out

100/1

Non-runners

Makety

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.30
Straight Forecast £19.68
Tricast £102.94
Trifecta £88.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Blaze A Trail

TOPSPEED:

Steady The Ship

WEST COUNTRY:

Steady The Ship

Daily Mail:

Steady The Ship

Daily Express:

Steady The Ship

Daily Record:

Steady The Ship

RP Ratings:

Blaze A Trail

POSTDATA:

Blaze A Trail

The Times:

Blaze A Trail

Telegraph:

Blaze A Trail

The Guardian:

Blaze A Trail

Daily Mirror:

Blaze A Trail

The Sun:

Blaze A Trail

The Star:

Blaze A Trail