October 25 / 13.25 Chepstow

13.25

Good To Soft

Download The Vickers.Bet App Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 3f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 15 runners
SKY
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Download The Vickers.Bet App Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.60
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 62-

Last run: 237 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Represents a top stable but made just a mildly encouraging rules debut when sixth in course bumper in February, and didn't achieve huge amount when remote second in Wincanton novice hurdle (2m5f, soft) the following month; significant improvement required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Makinyourmindup

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Made low-key return from long layoff when remote fourth at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) last month but well handicapped on form shown in February/March 2024 and has possibilities on first attempt at a marathon trip.

12/1

2nd

1

31st Mar 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 152y

Class 3

15:40 Plumpton

Makinyourmindup

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Second run over fences was disappointing but he's come back with wins in two small-field handicaps over 2m7f at Newbury (again on heavy); raised another 5lb but he's on the up and today's extra yardage may well help.

13/8

3/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beat only four rivals in maiden point at Charm Park (2m4f, soft) in March but the form was given a significant boost when the runner-up won what looked a fairly good Worcester bumper this month; now with Dan Skelton for rules career; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

19:30 Newton Abbot

Hoe Joly Smoke

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Ran really well in defeat in some strong Cheltenham handicaps (2m4f-3m1f) during the first half of last season and his Kempton effort in February wasn't too shoddy; what needs forgiving is his Ayr run after a wind operation as that was underwhelming; still looks dangerous.

11/8

6th

7

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Hoe Joly Smoke

10st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

He hasn't quite been at the top of his game on his last two starts; however, he's had wind surgery since and is certainly of interest on his two third-place finishes at Cheltenham in the autumn (3m1f/2m4f, good/soft); top trainer has won five of the last eight runnings of this race.

7/2

6th

9

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Hoe Joly Smoke

10st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won twice as a novice chaser over 3m at Sandown (soft/good); has been running well in some strong Cheltenham handicaps this season without looking that well handicapped, but returning to a right-handed track might benefit him, as might the first-time cheekpieces; could also have this run to suit if he's held up as usual; effective from 2m4f to 3m1f, he's a big player.

7/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 15-

Last run: 345 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won Ffos Las bumper on debut just over a year ago and was very respectable fifth in Cheltenham Listed race (also on good) a month later; this hurdling debut comes after a long layoff but he still looks a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 3

15:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Leading Choice

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Nicky Martin

Very lightly raced 9yo who has won a bumper and a 2m4f maiden hurdle; he was in last throughout in a three-runner novice chase last week at Newbury when returning from 13 months off; as was the case then, these terms aren't favourable.

16/1

3rd

2

17th Feb 2026

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

14:15 Newbury

Leading Choice

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Nicky Martin

Bumper and 2m4f maiden hurdle winner; very lightly raced 9yo who seems to enjoy the mud but has a long absence to overcome on his chasing debut and he's the lowest rated of these by some margin.

25/1

9th

6

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 5f 50y

Class 4

13:20 Haydock

Leading Choice

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Nicky Martin

Bumper and 2m4f maiden winner, whose best form in light career was registered on heavy; never dangerous when well beaten on seasonal/handicap debut (2m4f, heavy) early last month, whereas he won last season when returning from a much longer break.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a close relative of high-class chaser Mister McGoldrick; bought for £75,000 after promising third on Irish point debut last December (soft ground); the winner of that race subsequently followed up in a Newbury bumper; makes rules debut today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Tightenourbelts

11st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Emma Lavelle

towards rear

10/1

5th

3

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Tightenourbelts

11st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Emma Lavelle

towards rear

10/1

1st

4

18th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

12:50 Ludlow

Tightenourbelts

11st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Emma Lavelle

Became rather disappointing after winning over 2m4f here 13 months ago but got himself firmly back on track when making most of the running at Exeter (3m, good) and battling on best; a 3lb rise is no hardship; chance.

2/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made all to win comfortably on Irish point debut in April (good) and was bought for £120,000 soon afterwards; the runner-up didn't do much to advertise that form in two subsequent maiden hurdles but, nevertheless, this 5yo looks very interesting on his rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 192y

Class 4

16:35 Ffos Las

Wideeyedandlegless

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Good-ground Irish point winner who has run pretty well on all three hurdle starts (2m3f-2m7f, good-soft); his form reads well in this line-up and it could be a good opportunity to get off the mark under rules.

2/1

3rd

9

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:40 Chepstow

Wideeyedandlegless

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Good-ground Irish point winner; not disgraced in two attempts over hurdles (2m3f/2m5f) and the way he finished last time suggests this 2m7f trip will suit; remains open to progress under rules.

9/1

4th

4

1st Mar 2023

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:10 Wincanton

Wideeyedandlegless

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

took keen hold, not fluent 1st, midfield, headway 3 out, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, stayed on run-in, eyecatcher

7/2

Form: 3-

Last run: 227 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in two Irish points in early part of this year (soft/good); beaten about 23l when third of five in heavy-ground Gowran bumper in between but the form has been well advertised by the second since; bought for £26,000 in April; makes stable/hurdle debut today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 4

16:00 Catterick

Not A Light

11st 5lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Didn't jump well on chase debut at Windsor in November but better in that department when runner-up at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) last month, when clear with an improving winner; this lightly raced 9yo is entitled to respect.

9/2

2nd

8

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

12:07 Wincanton

Not A Light

11st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Lightly raced 9yo; let down by his jumping on chase debut and again not at his best returned to hurdling a month ago (3m; in a first-time hood that's now discarded); now has a bit to prove.

16/1

7th

4

10th Feb 2025

Good

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

16:00 Catterick

Not A Light

11st 8lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

The form of his near-miss in a soft-ground 2m4f novice at Leicester in December 2022 is strong and he returned from an absence to win a 2m4f maiden at Hexham (soft) two months ago with the minimum of fuss; brings plenty of potential into handicaps.

11/4

Form: 224P-7 BF

Last run: 173 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Point winner who showed some fair form over hurdles last season, perhaps most notably when close second at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) in January; disappointed on handicap debut in May (2m4f) but has each-way claims at least if back on song here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

14th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Great HeartJac

11st 1lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Fair hurdler/chaser who was 2-5 over fences last season; not at best at Ayr last month but will be suited by today's trip/ground and has pretty good chance at the weights on this hurdling return; cheekpieces added.

11/4

4th

4

21st Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

16:10 Ayr

Great HeartJac

11st 2lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Two small-field wins at Leicester (2m, good to firm/good) from his first three chase starts and again ran well when second of four at Market Rasen (2m1f, good to soft) 12 days ago; needs another step forward here but that's possible, especially if good ground prevails; tongue-tie goes on.

6/1

3

10th Apr 2023

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

13:05 Huntingdon

Great HeartJac

11st 10lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Going great guns in 2m handicap chases, winning two of first three starts (on good to firm/good); failed to find much in one 2m4f handicap but, as an Irish point winner, he should stay this far over fences; ran well when runner-up at Market Rasen yesterday.

100/30

Form: 3-

Last run: 217 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won 15-runner maiden point in Ireland last spring (good to yielding) and made very encouraging rules debut when keeping-on third at Wetherby (2m3f, good to soft; tongue-tie fitted) in March; should improve this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

12th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:53 Hereford

Old Painless

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Tim Vaughan

raced lazily at times, midfield, outpaced 4 out, no impression before 3 out

33/1

1

9th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 110y

Class 5

14:30 Lingfield

Old Painless

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Tim Vaughan

Struggling for form since joining this stable but he's become very well handicapped; hard to completely rule out but he needs to step up; stable also runs Twilight Glory.

25/1

1

9th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 110y

Class 5

14:30 Lingfield

Old Painless

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Tim Vaughan

Struggling for form since joining this stable but he's become very well handicapped; hard to completely rule out but he needs to step up; stable also runs Twilight Glory.

25/1

Form: 350-

Last run: 245 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Outran 40-1 odds and made very promising bumper debut when third of 17 at Warwick (soft) last December but spoiled chance by refusing to settle on second bumper start and was well beaten (bled from the nose) when switched to hurdling in February; others come with fewer risks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

6th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:20 Exeter

Leissieres Express

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Progressive over fences last season when winning here and over 3m6f elsewhere; the glaring concern is his laboured reappearance a month ago over 3m2f at Chepstow, where he has form.

10/1

1st

7

6th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:20 Exeter

Leissieres Express

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Progressive over fences last season when winning here and over 3m6f elsewhere; the glaring concern is his laboured reappearance a month ago over 3m2f at Chepstow, where he has form.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 66F-

Last run: 192 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in two Exeter bumpers at start of this year and fell at sixth flight when 40-1 for hurdle debut at Newton Abbot in April.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

23rd Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:30 Ffos Las

Ardenay

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Christian Williams

First significant hurdling promise when tenth of 17 at Warwick (2m, soft; beaten 22l) in November and handicaps should see him in a better light; one to check in the betting over this longer trip.

16/1

Form: -445FP

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Pulled up when 80-1 for selling handicap hurdle last month; can't be recommended here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

10th Nov 2022

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:50 Taunton

Earth Spirit

11st 0lb

J: Mr Geoff Barfoot-Saunt

T: Tracey Barfoot-Saunt

Pulled up in a selling handicap hurdle before finishing tailed off in a maiden when 300-1.

100/1

11th

3

25th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:25 Chepstow

Earth Spirit

11st 4lb

J: Mr Geoff Barfoot-Saunt

T: Tracey Barfoot-Saunt

raced wide, took keen hold, never better than mid-division

200/1

3

7th Sep 2022

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

13:30 Uttoxeter

Earth Spirit

11st 4lb

J: Mr Geoff Barfoot-Saunt

T: Tracey Barfoot-Saunt

prominent, dropped to midfield when not fluent 3rd, pushed along and headway home turn, weakening when fell 2 out (usual 3 out)

100/1

Form: 0/6

Last run: 171 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Kept on well to win Irish point by 8l last November but was easily brushed aside after making the running in Haydock bumper (good to soft) for new stable in May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:50 Fontwell

Superstylin

11st 10lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Three wins over fences this season and last two have been at Fontwell (2m2f/2m3f, good to soft); well-held second of four at Plumpton 19 days ago but that was behind an improver from the Nicholls yard; 10lb lower on this return to hurdling and he's an interesting contender in suitable conditions.

5/2

2nd

3

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 4

16:40 Plumpton

Superstylin

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Mostly in very good form since joining this yard and under a positive ride he held on comfortably when back from a break at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft), beating a reliable yardstick in the process; 4lb rise was fair; cheekpieces replace usual tongue-tie.

5/4

1st

7

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 2

16:30 Fontwell

Superstylin

10st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Made a winning debut for Chris Gordon in September and has continued to run well in defeat; this longer trip shouldn't be a problem but he has been edging up the weights and he's 2lb out of the handicap here.

13/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed twice on the Flat last year but tailed off in low-grade handicap here on stable debut in June and faces a very tall order on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

10

25th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:25 Chepstow

Signal Twenty Nine

11st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Alexandra Dunn

took keen hold, never better than mid-division

66/1

Form: 59-600

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Twice displayed significant promise in maiden hurdles for Gordon Elliott but disappointed in two handicaps for that stable this summer (2m/2m3f) and was sold for £8,500 last month; first runner for Kate Hazard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

18th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

19:33 Uttoxeter

Deja Rouge

10st 2lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Kate Hazard

took keen hold, led

100/1

13

18th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

19:33 Uttoxeter

Deja Rouge

10st 2lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Kate Hazard

took keen hold, led

100/1

9

10th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

14:40 Market Rasen

Deja Rouge

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Kate Hazard

Ex-Gordon Elliott; has shown precious little since joining this yard; out of the weights.

100/1

Form: 8/2/

Last run: 826 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made promising hurdle debut when second to useful rival at Stratford (2m2f, good) in July 2020 but not seen again since; market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

17:10 Hexham

Sponthus

12st 0lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: W H Easterby

in rear

11/4

4th

6

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

17:10 Hexham

Sponthus

12st 0lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: W H Easterby

in rear

11/4

5th

3

26th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

13:07 Exeter

Sponthus

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Very lightly raced 8yo who made pleasing return from long absence when second (albeit no match for winner) in Chepstow maiden (2m3f, good to soft) in November; below that form after racing too freely at Huntingdon on Boxing Day but should have some improvement to come in handicaps.

11/2

Non-runners

Sponthus

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.70
Straight Forecast £22.17
Trifecta £200.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hoe Joly Smoke

Daily Mail:

Wideeyedandlegless

POSTDATA:

Old Painless

Telegraph:

Leading Choice

Daily Record:

Makin'yourmindup

The Guardian:

Sponthus

The Times:

Hoe Joly Smoke

The Sun:

Hoe Joly Smoke

The Star:

Hoe Joly Smoke

D Express:

Wideeyedandlegless

Daily Mirror:

Wideeyedandlegless

LAMBOURN:

Old Painless