December 15 / 13.45 Ffos Las

13.45

Good

dragonbet.co.uk Britain’s Newest Betting Site Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £7624.4
  • 3m 1f 60y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
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dragonbet.co.uk Britain’s Newest Betting Site Handicap Chase

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 32P2/P D

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Hurdle/chase winner (both on soft ground) when with Warren Greatrex; pulled up on stable debut here last month, on return from long absence; back up to this trip looks positive but there's clearly a bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Feb 2023

Good

3m 2f 54y

Class 5

16:17 Chepstow

Talktomenow

12st 0lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

Capable staying jumper at this level two years ago but he missed 20 months and few signs of life as yet for this yard; first-time tongue-tie/visor replace cheekpieces but he has lots to prove at present.

33/1

2

31st Jan 2023

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 5

14:15 Ffos Las

Talktomenow

12st 2lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

Won over hurdles and fences for Warren Greatrex during 2020-21 season but he's struggled on both starts since returning from a long absence and it's difficult to gauge his current ability.

66/1

7th

10

1st Jan 2023

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

14:40 Exeter

Talktomenow

11st 6lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

Won over hurdles and fences for Warren Greatrex during 2020-21 season but, following a long absence, made very disappointing stable debut in November; current ability hard to gauge.

50/1

Form: FP1P-P

Last run: 42 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
2m6f (good) and 2m7f (soft) hurdle winner, both when visored; has failed to complete in two chase starts, with a serious jumping error resulting in him being pulled up at Ludlow latest; has the ability to get competitive if avoiding that kind of mishap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th Feb 2023

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:35 Huntingdon

Guillemot

12st 2lb

J: Tom O’Brien

T: Henry Daly

led, disputed lead from 4th, prominent when reminders just after 5 out, ridden 4 out, weakened and pulled up home turn

9/1

7th

3

16th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 4

16:10 Hereford

Guillemot

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Henry Daly

Far from reliable having posted form figures of FP1PPP in his last six races (hurdles/fences); the win came at Ascot (2m7f soft) and he holds good claims on that performance; just hard to back with confidence.

12/1

1

20th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

14:20 Ludlow

Guillemot

12st 0lb

J: Tom O’Brien

T: Henry Daly

towards rear, mistake 1st, mistake 6th, reminders 7th, detached with one circuit to go

11/1

OUR TIP

Form: P-133P

Last run: 14 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Followed a successful spell back in points in the spring with a first chase win in a three-runner Chepstow event (2m7f, good to firm) in October; placed in his next two starts but pulled up latest; handicapper relenting, so not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

24th Oct 2023

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:10 Hereford

Galop Du Bosc

11st 9lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

prominent, lost position 8th, weakened 12th, pulled up before 15th

6/1

3

12th Oct 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Worcester

Galop Du Bosc

11st 4lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Won three points and (after a similar absence to today's) a Chepstow handicap chase during 2022, but pulled up over 3m2f when last seen in April; has something to prove despite being 13lb lower than latest winning mark.

9/1

Form: 414-3P C

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Chase and dual hurdles winner (on good/soft) over staying trips; 1lb lower than his most recent success in an Exeter hurdle in April; below that form in three starts since, the last two over fences; needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:25 Chepstow

To Be Sure

11st 9lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Four wins (two hurdles, two chases) over this sort of trip, including on soft ground; well short of his best on his last three starts but he's bounced back in the past; betting useful.

7/1

5th

10

31st Oct 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

13:30 Chepstow

To Be Sure

10st 13lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Finished a remote second in a small field at Ffos Las in June (3m, good); struggles with consistency but won't mind getting back on slower ground and he's not handicapped out of it.

7/1

3rd

3

8th Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

13:50 Ffos Las

To Be Sure

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Evan Williams

Struggled in huge field at Cheltenham last time and faces an easier task in this race, getting plenty of weight from his two rivals; successful over C&D (Class 5) two starts ago and warrants respect back here.

5/2

Form: 3154-2

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won a 3m chase at Wetherby (good to soft) in January; below that level on final two starts last season, before having wind surgery; reappeared with a career best effort at Doncaster (3m2f, good) last month; up 3lb for that very encouraging effort and a big player if he can back it up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

2nd Dec 2023

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 4

11:49 Doncaster

Bring The Action

10st 13lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Nigel Hawke

Good second in this race on last season's reappearance outing and now 7lb below that mark but not much has gone to plan since; well beaten over hurdles on latest start five weeks ago; needs to turn a corner.

10/1

9th

16

29th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

16:04 Wincanton

Bring The Action

10st 13lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

Runner-up over fences in November (3m2f, good) first time out last season; well below form in his three runs afterwards, returned to hurdling for a novice event in March when last seen; tongue-tie (absent last term) returns; well treated judged on his better efforts.

25/1

Form: P1U1-1 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
In good form over hurdles this year, winning three times from 3m-3m2f on a variety of ground, including on his reappearance at Hereford in October; didn't jump well on sole chase start this time last year but looks well treated if he can fare better in that department.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

31st Jul 2023

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:45 Newton Abbot

Manintheshadows

11st 5lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jonjo O’Neill

didn't jump with fluency, took keen hold, in touch with leaders, went second 10th, mistake 5 out, ridden 3 out, weakened before 2 out

6/1

2nd

1

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:53 Worcester

Manintheshadows

12st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Four hurdle wins but was pulled up at Warwick five weeks ago, on return from a break (bled); has failed to finish either attempt over fences so plenty to prove for now.

7/1

1

31st May 2023

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:40 Warwick

Manintheshadows

12st 1lb

J: Mr A J O’Neill

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Triple hurdle winner in 2022, the latest win gained from the front at Hereford (3m1f, good) in October; not seen since falling in a chase in January and competes off career-high mark here but has possibilities if fully tuned up; untested on ground quicker than good.

11/4

Form: 343-3P

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner (seventh start) last December; novice chase form suggested he was harshly treated on his handicap debut and his effort bore that out; unfortunate to be badly hampered latest; bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

28th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 2f 202y

Class 5

12:50 Sedgefield

Reign Suepreme

10st 7lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Nikki Evans

led, soon clear, reduced lead 5th, faced challenge 12th, headed 2 out, outpaced before last, switched right before last, rallied and went second inside final 110yds, no match for winner

11/4

1st

6

11th Oct 2023

Good

3m 2f 202y

Class 5

16:05 Sedgefield

Reign Suepreme

10st 6lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Nikki Evans

prominent, led before 4th, increased tempo 14th, faced challenge before 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well run-in, gamely

16/1

3rd

3

1st Sep 2023

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

14:38 Fontwell

Reign Suepreme

10st 11lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Nikki Evans

Placed at Worcester (2m7f, good; first-time tongue-tie) in June but two non-completions have followed and he's now 0-14 over fences.

14/1

Form: -22225

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
24-race maiden (placed in half of those); went close to breaking his duck here (3m1f, good to soft, these aids) on his penultimate start; not as good at Ludlow latest; competitive mark and should again be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Jean Genie

11st 10lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

27-race maiden who was unable to land a significant blow at Ffos Las (3m, good) this month; ought to cope with today's slower ground but needs a significant boost from the change of headgear.

14/1

7th

9

5th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

15:55 Ffos Las

Jean Genie

11st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Tim Vaughan

26-race maiden who was last of three finishers when favourite for uncompetitive maiden hurdle last month; switches back to fences on a workable mark and is suited by this C&D but patience in him has worn thin; visor the headgear of choice this time.

14/1

3rd

2

15th Feb 2023

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

13:30 Hereford

Jean Genie

11st 4lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Frustrating type who made it 0-25 when unseating in a Wetherby chase latest; usually seen over fences but twice finished second in maiden hurdles last May; good enough to win this but no guarantee he will; cheekpieces return in place of a visor and wind surgery since last start.

10/11

Form: 40/605

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
His two chase wins came on a sound surface at up to 2m7f in 2018; well below that level ever since, including in three starts after a long absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

5th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

15:55 Ffos Las

Souriyan

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter Bowen

Useful in his prime but lightly raced and very disappointing in recent years; ought to have coped with the soft ground when pulled-up 200-1 shot over C&D six weeks ago; has too much to prove.

66/1

6

23rd Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

16:00 Ffos Las

Souriyan

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Peter Bowen

Multiple winner in his younger days; however, has achieved little since returning from a mammoth absence this term; still needs to prove he retains ability.

25/1

6

5th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

15:30 Ffos Las

Souriyan

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter Bowen

Pretty useful hurdler/chaser up to summer 2018 but struggled on his three starts in 2019 and, after a very long absence, it's been the same story in three runs this term; equipment is removed today.

33/1

Form: F4P6-2

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Sole success came in a 2m4f novice hurdle (good) in 2019, when with Jeremy Scott; produced his best effort for some time when second here (3m, soft) last month, that coming after almost 13 months off; up 4lb but few miles on the clock for his age and may still have a race in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

22nd Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

13:05 Ffos Las

Hey Bud

11st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Ella Pickard

in touch with leaders

12/1

5th

10

9th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 4

15:45 Ludlow

Hey Bud

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Ella Pickard

Ran big race in defeat on stable debut at Ffos Las (3m, soft) just under a year ago but didn't fire on other two starts last season, the latter over hurdles in April; needs 197-day break to have done him good.

20/1

7th

4

26th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:35 Perth

Hey Bud

11st 6lb

J: Mr Callum Pritchard

T: Ella Pickard

First run for this trainer (his fourth) when second in a 3m handicap chase on soft ground at Ffos Las in November, but was tailed off the next time when heavy ground wasn't necessarily to blame; others look more solid on this return to hurdling.

5/1

Form: 42-136 C

Last run: 156 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner this year, including here (3m4f, good to soft) in May; well below that level when last seen in July; returns from a break 1lb lower and needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

5th Feb 2023

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

14:03 Hereford

Motown Lake

11st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Dual chase winner last year, latterly at Ffos Las (3m4f, good to soft) in May; not yet fully exposed but ran poorly on latest outing in July and has fitness to prove here.

10/1

Form: P6354- C

Last run: 308 days

W: 10st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
4-20 over fences, one of those wins coming here (3m, good to soft) in May 2021; below that level in his final five starts last season; returns from a 10 month break on a handy mark; record when fresh is patchy and his better form has all been on slower ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

20th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

13:50 Exeter

Tudors Treasure

10st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Robert Stephens

Three-time course winner who was runner-up at Chepstow in February but he struggled otherwise last season (including here) and this 12yo is 6lb out of the handicap today.

33/1

8

21st Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:10 Worcester

Tudors Treasure

10st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Robert Stephens

Last won in May 2021; good second at Chepstow in February but efforts either side of that are less encouraging; recent rain a likely help but others look more likely.

20/1

Betting Forcast

25/1 Talktomenow, 10/1 Guillemot, 12/1 Galop Du Bosc, 14/1 To Be Sure, 4/1 Bring The Action, 11/4 Manintheshadows, 16/1 Reign Suepreme, 7/1 Jean Genie, 33/1 Souriyan, 9/2 Hey Bud, 12/1 Motown Lake, 14/1 Tudors Treasure

Non-runners

Reign Suepreme

Verdict

There was encouragement in the performance of Bring The Action last time and he looks a big player again. However, MANINTHESHADOWS could be better treated and is selected in the hope that, confidence restored over hurdles, his jumping holds up back in this sphere. Jean Genie and Hey Bud are others who can be competitive.[Jonathan Doidge]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Manintheshadows

RP Ratings:

Bring The Action

POSTDATA:

Jean Genie

TOPSPEED:

Bring The Action

Telegraph:

Bring The Action

The Guardian:

Bring The Action

Daily Mail:

Bring The Action

The Sun:

Bring The Action

WEST COUNTRY:

Manintheshadows

The Times:

Manintheshadows

D Express:

Manintheshadows

Daily Mirror:

Manintheshadows

The Star:

Manintheshadows

Daily Record:

Manintheshadows