October 26 / 14.00 Chepstow

14.00

Good To Soft

Vickers.Bet Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4138.96
  • 2m 0f 11y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
SKY
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Vickers.Bet Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 2F5-

Last run: 277 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Showed plenty of promise with his debut second behind the useful Knappers Hill in a Chepstow novice (2m, good) last October; both subsequent runs have been in Grade 2 events and he wasn't beaten far at Haydock (1m7f, soft) when last seen in January; sets a good standard back in much calmer waters on his return and he's strongly respected for top yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

12th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Pikar

11st 6lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Won his novices on good to soft/good but acted on soft when close up in his latest handicap, in a good 2m1f race at Cheltenham in January 2023; had wind surgeries either side of his latest run that April and readiness for this is an unknown but it's possible a stiffer test at this trip would suit.

12/1

11

12th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Pikar

11st 6lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Won his novices on good to soft/good but acted on soft when close up in his latest handicap, in a good 2m1f race at Cheltenham in January 2023; had wind surgeries either side of his latest run that April and readiness for this is an unknown but it's possible a stiffer test at this trip would suit.

12/1

5th

5

19th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Cheltenham

Pikar

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

midfield, headway 3 out, headway before 2 out, ridden approaching last, weakened run-in

9/2

9/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 152- C

Last run: 200 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful and progressive bumper form last season, good second in Grade 2 at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft; tongue-tie applied) on his final start; had wind surgery since; could have a bright future over hurdles and he's an interesting recruit to this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Hullnback

11st 7lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Good second in Grade 2 bumper at this meeting last year; proving similarly useful over hurdles, winning at Haydock (1m7f, soft; strong form) and Warwick (2m, good; easily) the last twice; solid chance back here.

9/1

1st

2

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:13 Warwick

Hullnback

11st 7lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

made all, 3 lengths ahead 2 out, not fluent last, kept on strongly and went further clear run-in, easily

4/11

1

9th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

15:25 Doncaster

Hullnback

11st 9lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Runner-up in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last April and he built on his hurdle debut second at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in October to win a warm introductory hurdle at Haydock (1m7f, soft) in November; holds stand-out form claims under a 7lb penalty; unraced on good ground.

2/11

Form: 24- BF

Last run: 221 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fetched £300,000 after finishing third in an Irish point last November and it was a positive start under rules when pushing a useful winner close at Chepstow (soft) in February; was turned over at odds-on at Uttoxeter the following month but it is still very early days and he needs a close look on this switch to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Master Chewy

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Finished a creditable close second of three finishers in a Grade 2 at Kempton (about 2m4f, good) in January but he's an infrequent winner and it's two years since he ran well in a Grade 1 (not far away when falling two out in the Arkle here, then touched off at Aintree); well adrift in this race last year and there's no reason to expect much better today.

100/1

5th

1

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

14:45 Newbury

Master Chewy

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Landed this prize last year but incurs a bigger penalty this time, making him worse off with runner-up Libberty Hunter, and concedes weight to some other notable rivals that include a very promising 5yo; outgunned by 12yo Edwardstone at Kempton most recently; chance of doing the Game Spirit double partly depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.

11/1

2

26th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Master Chewy

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Unproven at this trip but kept on well to win Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, soft) in February and his two subsequent defeats came in Grade 1s; likes it here, with course form figures of 122, and he's fine on good ground; from in-form yard and can play leading role if seeing out the trip.

4/1

Form: 1118- C

Last run: 256 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made it 3-3 in bumpers when landing a Listed event at Cheltenham (2m, good) last November; finished down the field in another useful contest at Newbury in February but he has plenty of hurdle winners in his pedigree and he's an interesting contender on this switch to jumping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

15th Jan 2024

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 4

14:37 Hereford

Timeforatune

11st 6lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Ex-Paul Nicholls; has a couple of thirds to show from his five starts for Evan Williams but has been no closer than 24l; wouldn't be the percentage call.

10/1

3rd

4

16th Dec 2023

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 3

14:13 Hereford

Timeforatune

10st 12lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

2-5 in novice hurdles for Paul Nicholls last season; well beaten in four handicap chases on soft/heavy ground for new stable this autumn, the latest just one week ago, but this much quicker surface ought to show him in a better light; interesting.

20/1

0

4

9th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

13:02 Chepstow

Timeforatune

11st 10lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

2-5 in novice hurdles for Paul Nicholls last season but hasn't shown much in three soft-ground handicap chases for new stable this autumn (2m-2m3f) and comes here with a lot to prove.

25/1

Form: 1- C

Last run: 191 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Weak 9-1 shot for a bumper here (2m, good) in April but he surged clear to score by over 5l; that was an impressive start and he looks interesting on this switch to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

14:02 Fontwell

Sonification

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

A good-ground bumper winner who has yet to build on the promise shown in his novice hurdles (2m) since upped in distance and has been soundly beaten on both starts in handicaps this year; has something to prove at present but the return to maiden company on better ground could help.

4/1

9th

10

14th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

13:50 Kelso

Sonification

11st 7lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Harry Derham

took keen hold, midfield, headway and prominent after 3rd, led before 5th

14/1

7th

2

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 4

16:10 Sandown

Sonification

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Harry Derham

in touch with leaders

11/2

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Failed to complete in the first two of his four Irish points but was a promising second in final run in that sphere in April; bought for £30,000 the following month; now switches to rules after 185 days off but he's a half-brother to a useful hurdle/chase winner and needs checking in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

24th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:12 Uttoxeter

Ballydisco

11st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-11 over fences but he has the form to feature off this mark if ready to rock on his stable debut after a long absence; the market should be informative.

8/1

3

20th Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

15:10 Sedgefield

Ballydisco

11st 7lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent

100/30

3rd

4

24th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 4

14:25 Ayr

Ballydisco

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Ex-Philip Hobbs/Johnson White; dual hurdle winner (including on testing ground) but yet to win over fences, although came close when head second at Wetherby in November (3m, good); fair efforts since; one to consider.

12/1

8/1

Form: 2-

Last run: 234 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Prominent in the market and he showed plenty of promise with his close second in a Huntingdon bumper (2m, soft) on his debut in March; has several jumps winners in his good pedigree and he's an interesting contender on this switch to hurdling
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 3

13:50 Carlisle

Butch

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

led narrowly, raced in second 3rd, briefly left in lead after 7th, pecked on landing 11th, not fluent and outpaced 3 out, rallied and disputed lead 2 out, no extra and lost second inside final 110yds

4/9

1st

2

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 3

12:15 Leicester

Butch

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

soon pressed leader, led narrowly or disputed lead from 3rd, led and going best before 4 out, went clear before 3 out, went further clear approaching last, readily

1/2

1st

2

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 3

12:15 Leicester

Butch

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

soon pressed leader, led narrowly or disputed lead from 3rd, led and going best before 4 out, went clear before 3 out, went further clear approaching last, readily

1/2

14/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 164 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Gelding by Mamool who made a good start when justifying support in a Killarney bumper (2m, good) in May; changed hands for 75,000gns later that month; returns from 164 days off but he needs watching in the market on his hurdling debut for Evan Williams.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Lipa K

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Best known for his heroics at Bangor but showed career-best form when winning narrowly at Warwick (3m1f, good) last month; 3lb rise demands even more from him here; usual cheekpieces left off; tongue-tie added.

11/2

1st

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 3

14:30 Warwick

Lipa K

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Goes particularly well at Bangor but was runner-up at Aintree on final run in October (3m, good); however, a 3lb rise sees him on a career-high mark and he's been off a good while.

4/1

9

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Lipa K

11st 5lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Made it two wins from his last three starts when scoring at Bangor (2m7f, good) in September; however, his last four wins have come there and he was well beaten at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last time; has his first run here.

10/1

Form: 5

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to smart chaser Two For Gold; showed some ability in Irish points in the spring but was tailed off when switched to hurdling at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good; 12-1) last month and can only be watched after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

11th Sep 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:35 Uttoxeter

Carriglux

10st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Ruth Jefferson

Dual point winner and was a close third in a Worcester handicap chase on stable debut in June (2m7f, good); a 9yo but with low mileage on the clock.

4/1

3

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:33 Worcester

Carriglux

11st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Ruth Jefferson

Well-beaten favourite in a Cartmel maiden hunter chase last month (2m5f) but it is no certainty that's his preferred track type considering his point win in March (form franked repeatedly) came around Charm Park's fairer, more galloping line; rare runner here for Ruth Jefferson.

7/1

Form: 3- BF

Last run: 225 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
35,000euros half-brother to seven winners, including very smart hurdler Laurina; showed clear promise with his third in a Sedgefield bumper (13-8 favourite) in March and interesting to see how he figures in the market on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

24th Oct 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 125y

14:28 Clonmel

Tik Tok

10st 10lb

J: Miss P Elvin

T: P J Rothwell

Early promise in a Sedgefield bumper when trained by Christian Williams and while he hasn't shone over hurdles so far, he's worth a market check on first start for Philip Rothwell.

20/1

4

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:40 Taunton

Tik Tok

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Christian Williams

held up in rear, mistake 4 out, mistake and struggling 3 out

10/1

7th

9

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

17:07 Hereford

Tik Tok

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Soundly beaten in three 2m novice hurdles last season and makes handicap debut after a one-year absence but remains very unexposed and market support will make him of interest.

10/1

66/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for 15,000euros as a yearling; dam won on the Flat in France (1m4f+) but this is a tough assignment on his debut and he is probably best watched; hood applied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

14:50 Fontwell

Onnaroll

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Cynthia Woods

led

66/1

9

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

14:50 Fontwell

Onnaroll

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Cynthia Woods

led

66/1

13

2nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:27 Huntingdon

Onnaroll

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Cynthia Woods

taken down early

66/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No progress in three Irish points during the spring and was pulled up in his last run in that sphere; best watched on hurdling/stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

21st Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 5

16:40 Ludlow

Key Factor

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Henry Oliver

Still a maiden and has failed to improve for the switch to chasing this term, though he is seemingly thought capable of better judged on his market position in those races; 5lb out of the weights.

10/1

0

11

4th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

15:58 Hereford

Key Factor

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Henry Oliver

Modest form over hurdles and hasn't shown significant improvement in two runs over fences; others stronger.

14/1

Form: 8-5

Last run: 92 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed some ability in his second bumper in July but that form is modest and this is a tough starting point over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

10th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

20:20 Fontwell

Meraki Mist

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Dan Horsford

Safely held in two slow-ground handicaps (both 1m7f) for Simon Earle last year and makes stable debut after a six-month absence but improvement is possible if this new trip-and-ground combination suits.

16/1

5th

3

5th Dec 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 113y

Class 5

13:55 Leicester

Meraki Mist

11st 9lb

J: James Best

T: Simon Earle

Never threatened last season but ran okay behind talented winners in his last two maidens; one to note in the betting on handicap debut.

16/1

5th

3

5th Dec 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 113y

Class 5

13:55 Leicester

Meraki Mist

11st 9lb

J: James Best

T: Simon Earle

Never threatened last season but ran okay behind talented winners in his last two maidens; one to note in the betting on handicap debut.

16/1

Form: 58-5

Last run: 150 days

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well held in sole bumper and same story at biggish prices in two hurdle runs including over C&D; has stacks to find back in trip after a break and it is easy to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

18th Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

16:45 Uttoxeter

Oseleta

10st 2lb

J: Alex Edwards

T: Alastair Ralph

Big prices and pulled up in both handicaps, over 1m7f at Leicester and 2m3f at Hereford; wind surgery since which may improve matters but has masses to prove as things stand from 3lb out of the weights

33/1

8

5th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

14:33 Hereford

Oseleta

10st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

25-1 and never really got competitive on handicap debut at Leicester (1m7f, good to soft) in December; moves back up in trip with hood fitted here; major improvement needed.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.90
Straight Forecast £7.77
Trifecta £36.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hullnback

RP Ratings:

Pikar

D Express:

Timeforatune

LAMBOURN:

Sonification

Telegraph:

Butch

WEST COUNTRY:

Hullnback

The Times:

Hullnback

Daily Mail:

Hullnback

Daily Mirror:

Hullnback

The Sun:

Hullnback

The Star:

Hullnback

TOPSPEED:

Pikar

POSTDATA:

Pikar

The Guardian:

Pikar

Daily Record:

Timeforatune