December 27 / 13.40 Chepstow

13.40

Good To Soft

Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £29720
  • 2m 0f 11y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
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Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 13 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Peak RPR of 87 during consistent Flat career; made easy work of his first hurdling assignment at Navan last month and a week later held his own in a competitive Grade 3 at Fairyhouse (soft) where he stayed on to very good effect in the closing stages; that form received a huge boost when the winner followed up impressively at Leopardstown on Monday (Grade 2); Chepstow should suit him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(5)

3rd May 2026

Yielding

1m 4f 30y

15:43 Cork

Comfort Zone

9st 7lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Three-time hurdle winner went close in 2m4f Ascot Stakes last June; finished well when close third in 2m Naas handicap in October; this trip is on the short side.

12/1

14th

6

(6)

3rd Apr 2026

Soft

1m 2f 0y

16:17 Curragh

Comfort Zone

9st 8lb

J: Gary Halpin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Third runner for yard; three-time hurdle winner went close in 2m4f Ascot Stakes off 93 last June; stayed on for midfield finish in Irish Cesarewitch here in September; finished well when close third in 2m Naas handicap in October; this trip is on the short side.

11/1

4

(3)

12th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 7y

16:20 Naas

Comfort Zone

9st 4lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Last year's winner from 8lb lower went close in the Ascot Stakes off 93 in June (2m4f, good to firm); ran better than his finishing position suggested in the Petingo premier handicap when he was interfered with at the start; stayed on in the Irish Cesarewitch last time but was never near enough to challenge; can go well with a clear run.

18/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 32-311 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Placed in all three starts over hurdles in France and is 2-2 for this yard after breezing home at Hereford and digging deep at Aintree (both on good to soft; tongue tied latterly); probably has to find something on the form of that latest Listed success against her own sex but that's perfectly feasible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

28th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

11:40 Cheltenham

Dixon Cove

10st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

raced in second, made challenge home turn, ridden and every chance approaching last, kept on but outpaced run-in

7/2

2nd

10

27th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 1

13:40 Chepstow

Dixon Cove

10st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Placed in all three starts over hurdles in France and is 2-2 for this yard after breezing home at Hereford and digging deep at Aintree (both on good to soft; tongue tied latterly); probably has to find something on the form of that latest Listed success against her own sex but that's perfectly feasible.

7/1

1st

5

3rd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

12:55 Aintree

Dixon Cove

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Paul Nicholls

Placed in all three starts over hurdles in France (1m7f-2m1f, Auteuil; very soft/heavy), twice finishing ahead of Isaline De Chandou who has improved in the meantime; breezed home at long odds-on at Hereford (2m, good to soft) despite not jumping great and she clearly has an engine.

6/5

4/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 21 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Godolphin winner and pretty useful for 1m2f Flat win in these colours for Owen Burrows in September; did well to finish second after some novicey jumping in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham (behind Scriptwriter) before making the most of a softer opening at Leicester (good to soft), where again he wasn't foot perfect at his hurdles; the ability is there to go well should his jumping pass the test; his connections won this last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Perseus Way

10st 6lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Won a Hamilton handicap for Stuart Coltherd in September (1m5f, good to soft); subsequently changed yards and promising third over 2m here on stable debut after a break last week (good); should improve on that but yet to prove he is as effective at this trip.

8/1

3rd

7

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

18:45 Hexham

Perseus Way

10st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Won twice over hurdles in 2022-23; has changed stables three times since and perhaps best watched after a break on debut for latest new trainer, although is well handicapped now.

12/1

Form: 121 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Flat form is well down the pecking order and, although he's 2-3 over hurdles after wins at Cartmel (good) and Catterick (soft), those pieces of form leave him with plenty to find at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

9th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 4

14:15 Musselburgh

The Churchill Lad

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

sweating, took keen hold, led, headed but prominent before 5th, mistake and lost position 8th, rallying when mistake 4 out, weakened before 3 out

4/1

1

9th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 4

14:15 Musselburgh

The Churchill Lad

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Front-runner who won on chase debut at Hexham (1m7f, good) in October and has run well in second the next twice (2m/1m7f, good to soft/good); he's fine at this trip (and on a variety of ground) and was effective here over hurdles; can make another bold bid.

4/1

2nd

2

8th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

14:45 Hexham

The Churchill Lad

11st 13lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Winning hurdler who has taken well to fences, beating Caithness by a head over C&D on debut last month before fair second off this 4lb higher mark at Carlisle (2m, good to soft); should go well again.

11/4

Form: 1 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Progressed well in his Flat maidens for Joseph O'Brien, winning at Down Royal (1m2f, yielding) in June; joined these connections for 170,000gns and made a pleasing start to hurdling with a fairly comfortable success at Wetherby (heavy); no surprise should he hold his own at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(18)

29th Jun 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:10 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Army

8st 11lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Alan King

Flat form took off again last winter with the switch to AW, winning three in a row before his creditable third at Newcastle on finals day, all over 2m; ran respectably on turf in April on latest outing; each-way claims.

11/1

19

(7)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

19:15 Ascot

Spartan Army

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Reserve; won three in a row over 2m on AW early this year; has run well in defeat the last twice, most recently travelling well when finishing fifth back on turf at Newbury (2m, good to soft); he may benefit from this drop back in distance and could give a good account.

25/1

5th

5

(5)

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:45 Newbury

Spartan Army

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

disputed lead early, headed and prominent after 1f

5/1

Form: 21 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten in a four-runner race at Newton Abbot first time out but he then made all at Kempton (good to soft), looking quite professional; hurled into a much stronger contest this time but he should give his running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Jupiter Allen

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Chester Williams

Won twice as a novice last season and ended up in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham (tailed off after racing freely); this campaign is going well and he should stay okay as he wasn't stopping when runner-up over Exeter's super-stiff 3m6f in December (soft); the race he won at Wincanton last time (3m1f, heavy; cheekpieces returned) rather fell apart but he did hack up and the 6lb rise could been a whole lot worse; it's a nagging concern that all five wins have been on right-handed tracks but there's lots to like otherwise about this 7yo.

9/1

1st

4

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

15:33 Wincanton

Jupiter Allen

11st 0lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Chester Williams

Dual chase winner who goes well in the mud and he could have done with slower ground when a 6l third over C&D on Boxing Day (good to soft); entitled to step up on that effort here and enters the reckoning.

5/2

11th

18

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Jupiter Allen

10st 7lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Scored at Exeter (3m, good to soft) in October on second attempt over fences and brushed two lesser efforts aside with a game, front-running win in first-time cheekpieces at Taunton (2m7f, soft) five weeks ago; up 4lb but stays 3m well and could have more to offer.

50/1

Form: 114 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Inferior to a few of these on the Flat; won his first two hurdles (including a Listed race at Wetherby on good to soft) but his limitations were seemingly exposed when only fourth at Cheltenham in the race won by Scriptwriter; appeared to have no excuses under a positive ride.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

6th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

17:05 Uttoxeter

Medyaf

10st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Juvenile hurdler who scored twice in October; limitations exposed since and hopes rest on the new trip and headgear perking him up.

20/1

9

21st Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:15 Ayr

Medyaf

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders

12/1

7th

1

27th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 1

13:40 Chepstow

Medyaf

11st 5lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

Inferior to a few of these on the Flat; won his first two hurdles (including a Listed race at Wetherby on good to soft) but his limitations were seemingly exposed when only fourth at Cheltenham in the race won by Scriptwriter; appeared to have no excuses under a positive ride.

50/1

Form: 52

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-4 on Flat for Sir Michael Stoute and inferior to some of these in that scene; settled better at Sandown (soft) and duly improved to finish second, yet the form is some way short of that achieved by some of his rivals; cheekpieces now reached for.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Havaila

10st 11lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

A rising force in the last 15 months and that's gained serious momentum in his last two starts, when winning easily by 7l at Newbury (extended 2m7f, good to soft) and 5l in the Sussex National at Plumpton (3m5f, good); strong-travelling sort who's now seeing out his races really well too; up another 10lb but could still have more in the locker.

9/2

1st

5

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Havaila

11st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won over C&D (good) last March and reappeared with creditable third of 16 at Windsor (3m4f, soft) in January; bounced back from lesser run with convincing win at Newbury (2m7f, good to soft) last month and this progressive 7yo may be able to take a 9lb rise in his stride.

9/2

1st

8

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Havaila

10st 11lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Fine return to action when close third over 3m4f at Windsor (soft; handles good) in January, but he was a bit disappointing over this C&D next time and needs to bounce back.

5/1

Form: 11 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won a 2yo maiden for Aidan O'Brien and was only 6l away in a Group 3 this April; 62,000gns purchase and so far so good over hurdles, pretty impressive in beating Perseus Way at Cheltenham (good) in a race the stable won 12 months earlier with its top juvenile Knight Salute; has strong form claims provided he goes on the ground (improvement has come on good; won on yielding); tongue-tie is a first.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(20)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Scriptwriter

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Milton Harris

Ex-Aidan O'Brien; has seen more action for current yard, mostly in a hurdles campaign but he's also made advances on the Flat; 10-1 for a five-runner Group 3 over C&D (good to soft, unraced on firmer than good) on latest start and he gave the odds-on favourite Hamish a scare, just in front of Tashkhan; up 3lb but he's a rising force.

12/1

2nd

3

(1)

15th Jul 2023

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:45 York

Scriptwriter

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Milton Harris

Useful turf form for Aidan O'Brien; better when winning a 1m4f AW handicap in late December, in the midst of a higher-profile hurdles campaign; held up from wide draw in handicap at Royal Ascot and never got into it, probably running creditably; others in this Group 3 field have better form but he's considered for second.

16/1

7th

5

(15)

20th Jun 2023

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Scriptwriter

9st 11lb

J: David Egan

T: Milton Harris

Promise at up to 1m2f during short Flat career for Aidan O'Brien; all but one of his runs for this yard have been over hurdles (won juvenile Grade 2), the exception a 1m4f AW win last December; this is tougher but he may have untapped potential at 1m6f; handles good/soft, unraced on good to firm.

25/1

Form: 463F11 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Took six goes to win in France, landing a claimer at Auteuil (very soft) in September; hit the ground running for this yard with a ready defeat of four rivals at Huntingdon (good), and the trainer clearly not fazed by promoting him to this level; earns respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Fils De Roi

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won hurdle races on very soft ground in France and a 3yo race on good at Huntingdon; ran moderately back from a break last time but did go close at Uttoxeter the time before (2m4f); could go well, though stamina for this far is unproven.

12/1

5

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Fils De Roi

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won hurdle races on very soft ground in France and a 3yo race on good at Huntingdon; ran moderately back from a break last time but did go close at Uttoxeter the time before (2m4f); could go well, though stamina for this far is unproven.

12/1

6th

1

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ffos Las

Fils De Roi

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

351 days off before two runs this autumn, on second occasion showing he stays 2m4f when runner-up at Uttoxeter; he'll need a bit extra to win this, though.

9/2

Non-runners

Scriptwriter

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.70
Straight Forecast £7.89
Tricast £19.62
Trifecta £26.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Comfort Zone

Telegraph:

Perseus Way

The Times:

Scriptwriter

WEST COUNTRY:

Dixon Cove

D Express:

Spartan Army

Daily Record:

Perseus Way

The Sun:

Scriptwriter

RP Ratings:

Comfort Zone

POSTDATA:

Comfort Zone

The Guardian:

Comfort Zone

Daily Mail:

Comfort Zone

Daily Mirror:

Comfort Zone

The Star:

Comfort Zone