February 25 / 13.57 Chepstow

13.57

Good To Soft

Pertemps Network Emea Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier For The Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final)

  • Prize money: £5914.72
  • 2m 0f 11y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Pertemps Network Emea Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier For The Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.90
  • Place: £3.30

Form: F-3742 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Kept on for very respectable second at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) last month and is 1lb lower here but hasn't really been firing on all cylinders this season and today's ground is likely to be quicker than ideal for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Zambezi Fix

12st 0lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Has been struggling for form since reappearing in October and offered little encouragement on April's return from just over two months off; has come a long way down in the weights and drops into a Class 5, but that's for good reason and he needs to turn things around.

12/1

6th

9

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:15 Chepstow

Zambezi Fix

10st 7lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Bernard Llewellyn

All three hurdle wins have come over C&D but he failed to beat a rival here in December and was tailed off again at Ffos Las in January; overall record is now 4-48 and others are preferred.

16/1

6th

4

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Ffos Las

Zambezi Fix

11st 11lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Veteran who is normally suited by Chepstow but failed to beat a rival back there last time; not particularly solid on his form this season.

20/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 341912 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Took form to new level when making all for wide-margin win at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) on Boxing Day and ran another big race when second of 15 here (2m3f, good to soft) three weeks ago; must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

26th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

14:20 Taunton

No No Tonic

11st 13lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Mark Gillard

prominent

14/1

5th

7

9th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:40 Kempton

No No Tonic

11st 5lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Veteran who has done her winning at Wincanton; form dipped there on Boxing Day, following two placed efforts; first run at Kempton and isn't the percentage call.

14/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: P8-4P4 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Put a poor run behind her when very respectable fourth at Fontwell (2m1f, good) this month but is back up in grade today and is yet to progress from last season's novice win; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Petticoat Lucy

11st 8lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Launched chasing career with two convincing wins last year (2m5f/2m3f); not much has gone to plan since but she may not have handled the heavy ground on last month's seasonal debut and may yet bounce back; new trip.

16/1

6

22nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Petticoat Lucy

11st 8lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Launched chasing career with two convincing wins last year (2m5f/2m3f); not much has gone to plan since but she may not have handled the heavy ground on last month's seasonal debut and may yet bounce back; new trip.

16/1

6

19th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 4f 205y

Class 4

14:20 Stratford

Petticoat Lucy

11st 4lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Absent since suffering early mishap at Cheltenham last December but won readily at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) when fresh a year ago and is only 1lb higher today; must be considered.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: /124-5 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 7yo who created good impression when winning on hurdling debut in 2021; raced too freely and was disappointing favourite on last month's belated seasonal reappearance but is entitled to have benefited from that outing and probably still has potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:47 Perth

Go Dante

12st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Added to his excellent Sandown record when winning over 2m on soft in December; below par since, including a never-dangerous seventh when bidding for a third successive Imperial Cup back at Sandown, but this is the first time he's dropped to a Class 3 since winning at Cheltenham in December 2023; yard has won the last two runnings of this.

7/1

7th

4

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Go Dante

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

10yo who was well beaten at Windsor in January and pulled up at Newbury last month; however, he's had wind surgery since and there can be optimism he'll be a different proposition now back here, having won the last two runnings of this race (soft/good to soft) and also scored over C&D in December.

12/1

2

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

Go Dante

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Beaten twice off lower marks in this race (third in 2024, seventh in 2025) and seems unlikely to make it third time lucky; unbeaten at Sandown and likely to be more persuasive back there next month for a crack at an Imperial Cup hat-trick.

33/1

Form: F955/1 D

Last run: 90 days

W: 11st 13lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Front-running veteran who returned from long absence with win at Leicester (1m7f, good to soft; first run since rejoining Richard Phillips) in November; can probably cope with today's 4lb higher mark but is not one to rely upon heavily.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

15th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Ffos Las

Totterdown

12st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

13yo who bounced back with a front-running win at Huntingdon (2m, soft) in March; back up 5lb in the weights but he forged clear from an odds-on rival last time and remains very well treated on his old form; could make another bold bid.

8/1

1

15th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Ffos Las

Totterdown

12st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

13yo who bounced back with a front-running win at Huntingdon (2m, soft) in March; back up 5lb in the weights but he forged clear from an odds-on rival last time and remains very well treated on his old form; could make another bold bid.

8/1

1st

1

17th Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:52 Huntingdon

Totterdown

12st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

Veteran; fair fourth at Sandown in November (2m, soft) but rather disappointing since (hung and jumped right-handed before being pulled up at Chepstow last time); return to this right-handed track should suit; a bit to prove.

16/1

Form: 7-108P

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won two good-ground novice hurdles last spring (both 2m5f) but soundly beaten in all three subsequent handicaps (albeit twice on soft ground); drying conditions will aid his cause here, but he still has a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

15:32 Bangor-on-Dee

Gris Majeur

11st 6lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Got off the mark over fences at Ludlow (2m4f, good to firm) last October and has been placed on all five starts since; drops back in trip which may not be in his favour.

7/2

3rd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Gris Majeur

11st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Triple hurdle winner who made the breakthrough over fences in a Ludlow handicap (2m4f, good to firm) in October; that was a four-runner race but he's been placed in four runs since including when runner-up at Chepstow (2m7f) 11 days ago; should go well again and all of his wins have been on good/good to firm.

9/2

2nd

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Gris Majeur

11st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Triple hurdle winner who made the breakthrough over fences in a Ludlow handicap (2m4f, good to firm) in October; that was a four-runner race but he's been placed in three runs since including over 3m at Taunton; should go well again and it would be a positive if the ground dries out.

5/1

Form: -68371 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Initially disappointing for new stable this season but rewarded strong market support when cruising clear to win easily by 13l at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) last month; 10lb higher in a higher-grade race today but still can't be opposed with any confidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

6th Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

17:45 Hexham

Cousu Main

11st 6lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Susan Corbett

Has run well in both starts since joining this stable, the first of them when second to Fenna's Loss over C&D in June; possibly needs a shade more for another win but likelier than some to give it a good shot.

9/1

4th

2

22nd Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

14:05 Market Rasen

Cousu Main

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Susan Corbett

Signed off for Neil Mulholland with some below-par efforts in the spring but gave good account when clear second to Fenna's Lass on stable debut at Hexham (2m4f, good) four weeks ago; still unexposed over this sort of trip; a possible if in similar form again here.

9/1

2nd

3

25th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

15:20 Hexham

Cousu Main

11st 10lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Susan Corbett

travelled strongly, prominent, going easily when went second after 3 out, ridden when challenging approaching last, kept on

10/1

Form: 616-01 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Reportedly suited by drop back from 2m4f when making virtually all to cause 40-1 surprise at Taunton (2m, good) this month, his fifth win over hurdles; subsequent 3lb rise is not excessive but it's hard to tell whether he'll be in the right mood again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

13:57 Chepstow

River Bray

11st 9lb

J: Miss Heidi Stevens

T: Victor Dartnall

prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off

12/1

1st

2

7th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:30 Taunton

River Bray

11st 13lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Won a six-runner handicap at Wincanton (2m4f, good) last March and is now 2lb lower; however, he was down the field on his final run last season (2m5f, good) and tailed off on his reappearance at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) in December; this 10yo needs to get back on track.

33/1

Form: 224/49 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Ran well when fourth at Taunton (2m3f, soft) last month, his second start after a long absence, but never really got involved on his latest outing and needs a boost from the first-time cheekpieces here (usually hooded).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th May 2023

Soft

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

14:05 Newton Abbot

The Pinkn

12st 0lb

J: Daniel Sansom

T: Seamus Mullins

Has struggled to find his best since returning from nearly two years away but last month's fourth at Wincanton, when not quite seeing out 2m5f+, was a definite step in the right direction; could well be involved.

9/1

4th

8

16th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

14:25 Wincanton

The Pinkn

11st 9lb

J: Daniel Sansom

T: Seamus Mullins

Always towards rear when tried in cheekpieces two starts ago and was left behind when pace lifted in home straight here (2m4f; no headgear) last month; can't be supported with much confidence today but is now 12lb lower than when very respectable fourth at Taunton (2m3f, soft) in January.

14/1

Form: 111175 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Very useful on the Flat in his prime and won four in a row over hurdles last August-December (1m7f-2m3f, good-soft); could still be on a good mark but needs to up his game after two below-par runs last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

27th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

18:25 Stratford

Al Zaraqaan

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

5-9 over fences, the latest win gained in very strongly run race at Cartmel (2m1f, good) in May; well down the field in two competitive contests since but in calmer waters today and has a fighting chance if back on song.

5/1

13th

1

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

15:15 Market Rasen

Al Zaraqaan

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Flat background; made a successful return to fences (fifth win in this discipline) at Cartmel (2m1f, good) and didn't give himself a chance at Uttoxeter by racing too freely; wouldn't be a certain stayer over this far.

12/1

12th

2

30th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Al Zaraqaan

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Returned from break with two low-key Flat runs this year but came from behind to win Cartmel chase (2m1f, good) comfortably by 6l when back over jumps last month; was probably flattered by the way that very strongly run race panned out but is now 5-7 over fences (including a C&D win).

5/1

Form: -101PP

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Displayed good turn of foot to win a shade cosily at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in December and subsequent defeat in Lanzarote at Kempton can be overlooked (effectively lost all chance when badly hampered at second flight); has a point to prove after duff effort four weeks ago but will be dangerous here if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:52 Ludlow

Rathmacknee

11st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Danni O’Neill

Regressive 10yo who is better known as a chaser now and was just a modest third at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; reverts to hurdling on a tempting mark but others have more appealing profiles.

12/1

8

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Rathmacknee

11st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Danni O’Neill

Has some fairly useful form on his CV but has become disappointing; returned from a break with respectable fourth in modest Worcester handicap (2m, good) in June but his 2m4f run there in July was below that level.

16/1

8

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Rathmacknee

11st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Danni O’Neill

Has some fairly useful form on his CV but has become disappointing; returned from a break with respectable fourth in modest Worcester handicap (2m, good) in June but his 2m4f run there in July was below that level.

16/1

Form: 4113-6 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 5yo who won quite comfortably on stable/hurdle debut at Taunton (2m, good to soft) a year ago; behind No No Tonic when sixth of 15 here (2m3f, good to soft) on this month's belated seasonal/handicap debut but arguably shaped with more promise than the bare result suggests; with a top stable and remains unexposed; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

13th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

18:30 Newton Abbot

Inca De Lafayette

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Only his third run over fences when strolling home in a small field at Plumpton (2m4f, good); hit with a 7lb rise but his last win over hurdles was off only 3lb lower; good chance.

11/8

1st

1

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 4

16:40 Plumpton

Inca De Lafayette

11st 10lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Fine on all ground; well handicapped on his peak form over hurdles and has only raced twice as a chaser; no match for the winner at Exeter last time (2m1f) but that horse was favourite and unexposed; respected.

9/4

2nd

5

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 3

14:40 Exeter

Inca De Lafayette

10st 11lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Latest effort (chase debut) was better than his reappearance; may be about to reach boiling point and looks interesting in receipt of weight all round; gained last hurdles win off 3lb higher.

13/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £72.60
Straight Forecast £69.68
Tricast £581.36
Trifecta £695.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cousu Main

RP Ratings:

Zambezi Fix

Daily Mail:

Go Dante

TOPSPEED:

No No Tonic

POSTDATA:

Al Zaraqaan

The Times:

Rathmacknee

D Express:

Go Dante

The Guardian:

Cousu Main

The Star:

Cousu Main

Daily Record:

Cousu Main

Daily Mirror:

Zambezi Fix

The Sun:

Zambezi Fix

WEST COUNTRY:

No No Tonic

Telegraph:

Al Zaraqaan