November 19 / 15.15 Ascot

15.15

Good To Soft

Jim Barry Wines Hurst Park Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £65037.5
  • 2m 0f 167y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
ITV
View Course
Jim Barry Wines Hurst Park Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 492-P1 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Justified favouritism in novice handicap chase at Newton Abbot (2m, good) five weeks ago, beating a subsequent scorer with plenty in hand; still very unexposed over fences, having had just two chasing attempts, and looks an interesting contender despite 8lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Boothill

11st 9lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Ascot specialist who runs at Aintree for the first time; following wind surgery he ran okay when 13l eighth of 20 in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month, and he's another 4lb lower today; however, this 11yo is without a win since 2023 and needs to find something extra now in cheekpieces.

33/1

8th

6

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Boothill

11st 4lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Ascot specialist who ran really well when second to Jonbon in C&D Grade 2 (good) in November 2024; well handicapped on that form but this 11yo has struggled to get competitive this season; wind op needs to prompt a revival.

40/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 702111 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Represents shrewd Irish trainer Emmet Mullins, who has a good strike-rate with his British runners; enhanced that record with a success at Carlisle (2m4f, good) most recently, completing a hat-trick; 2-2 in the chasing sphere and should have more to offer; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 150y

16:58 Listowel

So Scottish

11st 6lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Emmet Mullins

Dual-purpose sort is on a long losing run; in action on Flat and over hurdles since a good run over fences in the spring; blinkers added now; potentially interesting, though he needs to reverse Grand Annual form with Jasko Des Dames.

6/1

10

(5)

16th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

19:37 Tramore

So Scottish

9st 2lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: Emmet Mullins

Dual-purpose sort is on a long losing run, well held in valuable 2m6f Galway handicap hurdle on latest; previous two Flat maiden runs were poor so seemingly fair bit to do off this opening mark but is unexposed in this sphere.

13/2

12th

9

2nd Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 108y

15:12 Galway

So Scottish

11st 5lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Emmet Mullins

One of three for yard; generally out of form in 2025 in chases and on the Flat; narrowly denied in this race last year off this mark and this may have been a long-term target so would be no surprise to see a revival; interesting.

14/1

Form: 1426-3 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Finished behind Thyme White and Frero Banbou here three weeks ago and isn't weighted to reverse placings with those rivals; thus may struggle to follow up last year's success in this contest (held on narrowly from Amoola Gold; now 2lb higher).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Kempton

Before Midnight

11st 12lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: S Loxton

prominent, chased clear leader after 4th

10/1

3rd

3

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Kempton

Before Midnight

11st 12lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: S Loxton

Will be suited by today's good ground and was a very useful handicap chaser in his prime but was out of form for Fergal O'Brien when last seen last summer and it's hard to gauge how much ability he retains as a 12yo.

10/1

5th

3

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 3

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Before Midnight

11st 8lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Ran well in defeat in Ludlow hunter chase (2m4f, soft) in April but was well beaten when back in a handicap two months ago and is patently not the force of old; pulled up at 2023 Cheltenham Festival on only previous start in cheekpieces.

8/1

Form: 1239-2 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Won at Lingfield in January and ran well in the Grand Annual two starts later; no match for Thyme White when second over C&D on reappearance but now gets a 7lb pull with that opponent and holds solid claims, being a largely consistent sort; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Frero Banbou

10st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

10yo who won when upped to an extended 2m7f at Newcastle (good) in November and ran well when 10l second at Kempton (3m, good to soft) next time; however, below par at Doncaster (3m, good) subsequently and pulled up at Cheltenham (3m1f, good to soft) last month; needs to get back on track.

33/1

14

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Frero Banbou

10st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

10yo who won when upped to an extended 2m7f at Newcastle (good) in November and ran well when 10l second at Kempton (3m, good to soft) next time; however, below par at Doncaster (3m, good) subsequently and pulled up at Cheltenham (3m1f, good to soft) last month; needs to get back on track.

33/1

20

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Frero Banbou

10st 10lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

10yo who was below par at Doncaster (3m, good) last time but had previously enjoyed a new lease of life following a step up in trip, winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good) then runner-up at Kempton (3m, good to soft); has a consistent record at Cheltenham and he's an each-way possible if back to form.

50/1

Form: U12F-1 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Second-season chaser who readily beat Frero Banbou in Grade 3 handicap over C&D (good) three weeks ago, taking record in completed starts over fences to 2-4; looks open to further improvement in this sphere; has won on slow ground; big player despite 7lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

15th Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:50 Cheltenham

Thyme White

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Second-season chaser who readily won a Grade 3 Ascot handicap (2m1f, good; reappearance) in October; not in quite the same form when fifth of seven back there the following month; absent since but clearly capable when fresh; has won on soft but his peak RPRs have been achieved on good ground; yard has won this contest four times.

14/1

5th

3

19th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 2

15:15 Ascot

Thyme White

11st 2lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Second-season chaser who readily beat Frero Banbou in Grade 3 handicap over C&D (good) three weeks ago, taking record in completed starts over fences to 2-4; looks open to further improvement in this sphere; has won on slow ground; big player despite 7lb rise.

4/1

Form: 3123-4 D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
Dual Grade 2 winner (on good ground) last term but has finished behind Edwardstone on three occasions over fences; now receives 10lb from that rival but needs to bounce back from a disappointing reappearance effort in the Haldon Gold Cup.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Third Time Lucki

10st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Had his troubles after such a promising start over fences for the Skeltons but he's back in the good books after small-field handicap wins at Bangor and Uttoxeter (both on good ground; effective on softer); returns to far classier company here and may be found wanting.

9/1

1st

2

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

16:20 Uttoxeter

Third Time Lucki

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has regressed since showing such smart form for the Skeltons but looked back on good terms with himself when comfortably accounting for Fringill Dike at Bangor (2m1f, good), having led from halfway; back up 9lb but might well have turned a corner.

3/1

1st

5

17th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

14:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Third Time Lucki

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Very well handicapped on old form but, following a long absence, did not really fire on any of five starts for new stable last season; not beaten far when last of five in Ascot race won by Coastguard Station in March and another 5lb lower here but still needs to up his game.

13/2

Form: 4384-7 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Close second in the last two runnings of this contest; however, looks far from certain to fare so well this time having been tailed off here three weeks ago (long way behind three of today's rivals); change of headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

27th Nov 2023

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:05 Kempton

Amoola Gold

11st 2lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Both wins last season came over hurdles, including Chepstow contest on final outing; hasn't won over fences since 2020 and current mark reflects a general decline in his form; very well handicapped on his useful best.

7/1

1st

1

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

12:45 Chepstow

Amoola Gold

11st 9lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

Very useful chaser at his best; very much on the downgrade now and was tailed off at Haydock last month but was able to exploit his novice hurdle status in three-runner contest at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) two starts ago and ought to play a leading role here.

11/10

6th

4

22nd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

17:20 Haydock

Amoola Gold

11st 10lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

No win since 2020 as a chaser and he's not been firing on all cylinders this season; won latest start but that came when 8-13 in a three-runner novice hurdle; acts on soft, unraced on heavy; down the weights (14lb lower than this time last year) but has questions to answer.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 11112- D BF

Last run: 224 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 161

Form & Verdict
Leading 2m novice chaser last season, completing a notable five-timer that culminated in his Arkle success (good to soft); beaten favourite at Aintree but wasn't disgraced on form; could well have even more to offer this term and commands respect despite conceding weight all round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

14:55 Sandown

Edwardstone

11st 10lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Admirable veteran, albeit isn't quite the force of old and gained this season's win in substandard Grade 2 at Kempton (2m4f); also perhaps ideally suited by further than about 2m nowadays; beaten twice in this race.

33/1

3rd

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 219y

Class 2

14:35 Plumpton

Edwardstone

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

12yo whose career highlight came when winning the Tingle Creek in 2022; showed he retains considerable spark when winning Grade 2 at Kempton (2m4f, good) this January; he may prefer a longer trip than this nowadays but he's a leading player nevertheless now back in a handicap.

5/2

4th

3

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 1

15:35 Ascot

Edwardstone

11st 10lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Acts on any ground; formerly a high-class chaser at about 2m, best form when winning the 2022 Tingle Creek; seems better suited by further nowadays and, despite his advancing years, managed to land a Grade 2 prize over 2m4f at Kempton most recently; recapturing Grade 1 honours at the age of 12 is not completely implausible, as he's technically still unexposed at this sort of trip and his two main rivals are also veterans.

10/1

Form: 31PP-1

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Raced mainly over longer trips; made all in 2m5f contest at Market Rasen (good to soft) most recently, returning to peak form; something to prove off a career-high mark in this stronger race back down distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

19

14th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Kiltealy Briggs

10st 8lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Jamie Snowden

Prominent racer who could show up well for a long way if taking to these fences and it's probably a mere coincidence that he's yet to win a chase with more than six runners; 3lb below his last winning mark, he's no forlorn hope.

33/1

5th

4

4th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

13:45 Sandown

Kiltealy Briggs

11st 8lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Jamie Snowden

Prominent-racer who scored at Market Rasen (2m5f, good to soft) on reappearance but has failed to repeat the form, well held at Wincanton (2m4f) on latest start; back down to his last winning mark but needs to bounce back and there's a doubt about his effectiveness over this shorter trip.

16/1

5th

2

7th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 2

13:30 Wincanton

Kiltealy Briggs

11st 13lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Jamie Snowden

raced in second, pressed leader from 9th, ridden after 4 out, lost second after 3 out, weakened after 2 out

5/1

Non-runners

Edwardstone, Kiltealy Briggs

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.70
Straight Forecast £6.55
Tricast £44.00
Trifecta £43.00

Selections

Telegraph:

Edwardstone

RP Ratings:

Boothill

SPOTLIGHT:

Thyme White

The Times:

So Scottish

TOPSPEED:

Frero Banbou

LAMBOURN:

Kiltealy Briggs

Daily Record:

So Scottish

WEST COUNTRY:

Boothill

The Guardian:

Boothill

POSTDATA:

Thyme White

D Express:

Thyme White

Daily Mail:

Edwardstone

Daily Mirror:

Edwardstone

The Sun:

Edwardstone

The Star:

Edwardstone