February 25 / 16.52 Chepstow

16.52

Good To Soft

Pertemps Healthcare Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elimination) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £2614.08
  • 2m 0f 11y
  • Class 5
  • 15 runners
SKY
View Course
Pertemps Healthcare Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elimination) (GBB Race)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£60,000 3yo from a good family; finished 10l ahead of Choccabloc when short-headed on good to soft at Wincanton (11-2) and the winner ran okay next time at Ascot; looks useful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Beat The Bat

11st 3lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Sometimes let down by his jumping and he was none too fluent at the final flight when beaten about 5l in the Coral Cup (2m5f); wasn't exactly strong through the line that day and others might see this out better at 3m.

10/1

5th

12

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Beat The Bat

11st 3lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Sometimes let down by his jumping and he was none too fluent at the final flight when beaten about 5l in the Coral Cup (2m5f); wasn't exactly strong through the line that day and others might see this out better at 3m.

10/1

4th

24

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Beat The Bat

10st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Has a largely solid record and ran well over 2m3f at Haydock on reappearance; back to 2m for both starts since and he ran as if in need of further, nevertheless finishing a good fifth of 17 in top handicap at Newbury (soft; has won on good) last time; could be a leading player if he can iron out the repeated sticky jumping he showed that day.

10/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 3

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal of the same stable's prolific mare Chocca Wocca; plenty to find with Beat The Bat on Wincanton form but he proved difficult to saddle in the preliminaries and could improve any amount for that experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:03 Wexford

Choccabloc

10st 13lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Andrew McNamara

128-rated hurdler for Nicky Henderson; remote second in 2m6f Fairyhouse novice his best run over fences for current yard, most recently pulled up after never travelling in 2m5f Fairyhouse handicap on Saturday; hard to fancy unless quicker ground brings serious improvement.

20/1

8

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 45y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Choccabloc

10st 13lb

J: Anna McGuinness

T: Andrew McNamara

Bumper winner and fair 128-rated hurdler for Nicky Henderson, stayed 2m5f; beaten 14l in second over C&D in January before being pulled up in a 3m event at Navan; suffered the same fate in a Limerick race won by Kings Hill; questions to answer.

16/1

3

12th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 185y

14:54 Limerick

Choccabloc

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Andrew McNamara

Bumper winner and fair 128-rated hurdler for Nicky Henderson, stayed 2m5f; ran well up to the point of his fall two out over C&D on his second Irish start; fair second at Fairyhouse before being pulled up in a 3m handicap at Navan; out of his depth in a 2m Grade event on latest.

10/1

7/2

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 2

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
80,000euros 3yo; got outpaced before staying on behind a Nicholls newcomer at Wetherby (soft) in a race dominated by the market principals; the third has since run well over hurdles; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

27th Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Kempton

Home Free

11st 4lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

3

27th Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Kempton

Home Free

11st 4lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

4th

2

23rd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

12:40 Haydock

Home Free

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, led after 4th, jumped right 5 out, not fluent and headed 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon lost third and weakened

9/4

Form: 28

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in an Irish point and also here in December (good to soft) before presumably struggling with the soft ground back at this venue two months ago; not ruled out should goodish ground be key to him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 12lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Rebecca Curtis

Not wholly straightforward, but appreciated the return to hurdling sufficiently to record a new personal best in victory at Uttoxeter latest (2m7f, good to soft); blinkers debuted there will need to work at least as well now returned to his previous highest mark; has won on good.

11/2

1st

8

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 8lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Rebecca Curtis

Completed a double over hurdles at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in November 2024 but he's been up and down since and was pulled up over fences at Chepstow (11-4 favourite) last month; new headgear is now tried and he comes with risks attached back in this sphere.

6/1

7

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Won over C&D (good) last season and has made the frame all three hurdling starts this term, the latest here (2m7f, good to soft) in December; seems versatile ground-wise and, from a workable mark, probably won't be far away.

6/1

Form: 3

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Never far away when beaten just over 5l at Hereford (soft) and the first two haven't disgraced that form; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Kruger Park

11st 2lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Good fourth over C&D (soft) in November and outstayed next-time-out winner Jalisco Star when scoring at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; still on workable mark after latest 2lb rise; likely contender again.

5/1

1

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Kruger Park

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Took a hiding at the weights for Newbury win (2m4f, heavy) last March; he's run to a similar level in defeat twice since but was pulled up at Fontwell in February and 3m2f may be further than he wants to go.

12/1

20/1

Form: 7

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nicely bred and only 8-1 at Doncaster (good to soft) and yet never really emerged from mid-division; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:20 Wincanton

Muskoka

11st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Runner-up behind Broomfields Cave over C&D in December but his form has slumped in two subsequent runs (2m7f/3m5f); overall record is now 1-18 and he has something to prove again.

6/1

5

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:48 Warwick

Muskoka

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Record is only 1-17, the success over 3m1f, but he is largely consistent having made the frame in most starts; chance of doubling his tally partly depends on whether the new trip sparks a new level of form.

8/1

4th

2

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

14:05 Newbury

Muskoka

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Just one win from his 16 starts but he's consistent and has been runner-up in this visor on his last two outings (3m, good/good to soft); there's every chance he'll be bang there.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 232

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
A little below his best at Ludlow in November but produced useful RPRs of 110 on either side of that at Worcester and Southwell (good for both); unlikely to be far away if running to that level but looks vulnerable to something with a bit more zip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Cawthorne Banker

10st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won twice in the space of three starts last year but has soon returned to the doldrums; can't be supported with any confidence.

25/1

4

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:33 Market Rasen

Cawthorne Banker

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Needed considerable help from the handicapper before winning twice last year and has looked badly out of sorts on both appearances this year; usual cheekpieces (left off last time) are refitted; can't be supported with any confidence.

10/1

10th

6

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Wetherby

Cawthorne Banker

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Disappointing on last two starts but he won twice in the second half of last year (2m, good to soft/good) and the fact his stable is enjoying a very productive month suggests he is well worth a second look.

13/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
60,000euros 3yo; fourth foal; brother to French 2m1f hurdle winner Law Of Attraction; dam placed French 11.5f and 1m7f Flat/2m1f hurdle, half-sister to useful 9.5f-1m7f Flat/smart 2m-2m4f hurdle winner Sentry Duty; one to note in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

13:23 Bangor-on-Dee

Le Bon Vivant

11st 7lb

J: Fergus Gregory

T: Olly Murphy

Beaten about 38l when midfield on last month's bumper debut at Chepstow (good to soft); in good hands and ought to be capable of better at some stage but is not the obvious answer here.

33/1

8th

9

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:52 Chepstow

Le Bon Vivant

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

60,000euros 3yo; fourth foal; brother to French 2m1f hurdle winner Law Of Attraction; dam placed French 11.5f and 1m7f Flat/2m1f hurdle, half-sister to useful 9.5f-1m7f Flat/smart 2m-2m4f hurdle winner Sentry Duty; one to note in the betting.

12/1

100/1

Form: 5

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Probably unwise to read too much into his remote finish on heavy ground at Exeter when sent off at single-figure odds; could show more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

15th Jan 2024

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

15:37 Hereford

Starvidov

10st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Lightly raced; only 11-2 for his second run in a handicap at Exeter (2m2f, soft) but was beaten 22l in the end; stamina to prove over this far and he's 5lb out of the weights.

20/1

5th

14

13th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Starvidov

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Tongue tied on last two starts and cheekpieces were fitted for handicap debut on latest (possibly stretched by 2m4f, on soft) but he still has not made a significant impact; 3lb out of the handicap.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£60,000 purchase not long after finishing second in a 3m point in Ireland (yielding to soft) and the winner there seemed to run below expectations when fourth in a Hexham bumper on his rules debut; tongue-tie added; needs respecting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

20th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

18:05 Uttoxeter

Old Beginnings

11st 3lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent, briefly went second 6th, soon ridden, weakened 7th, pulled up before 3 out

7/1

10th

11

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:52 Chepstow

Old Beginnings

11st 7lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

£60,000 purchase not long after finishing second in a 3m point in Ireland (yielding to soft) and the winner there seemed to run below expectations when fourth in a Hexham bumper on his rules debut; tongue-tie added; needs respecting.

14/1

11

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:00 Chepstow

Old Beginnings

11st 2lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fifth foal; half-brother to 2m hurdle winner Minnie Escape; dam 2m-2m4f hurdle winner, from family of Irish National winner Ebony Jane; hooded for debut and amateur rider was 0-10 under rules before today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

1st Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Gypsy Hill

11st 2lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

No worthwhile form in two bumpers and a maiden hurdle, trying different headgear on each occasion; now tries another combination.

100/1

0

16

21st Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:25 Exeter

Gypsy Hill

10st 11lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Victor Dartnall

Showed nothing in two Chepstow bumpers, in a hood and then cheekpieces; had wind surgery and now tries more new headgear.

50/1

10th

4

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

17:25 Chepstow

Gypsy Hill

11st 0lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Wore a hood and was always towards rear when 33-1 for debut here (good to soft) last month; tried in cheekpieces today.

25/1

Form: 8

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
150-1 for her debut here and was in rear throughout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

21st Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

17:00 Exeter

Sweet Saffron

11st 4lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Sue Gardner

Tailed off in two bumpers and hasn't raised her game over hurdles.

50/1

11

8th Apr 2023

Heavy

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

16:00 Newton Abbot

Sweet Saffron

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sue Gardner

in rear

100/1

7th

6

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

14:00 Fontwell

Sweet Saffron

10st 12lb

J: James Best

T: Sue Gardner

took keen hold, towards rear, headway after 3rd

40/1

Form: 8

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled hard and finished tailed off on good ground at Exeter 13 days ago when an 80-1 chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:52 Chepstow

Cosmore

11st 0lb

J: Mr Frederick Procter

T: Harriet Brown

Pulled hard and finished tailed off on good ground at Exeter 13 days ago when an 80-1 chance.

100/1

8th

7

12th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

17:00 Exeter

Cosmore

11st 0lb

J: Mr Frederick Procter

T: Harriet Brown

pulled hard, held up in rear, headway on outer 6f out

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sixth foal; brother to two maidens; dam 2m4f-2m6f hurdle winner, half-sister to 2m4f-3m hurdle/chase winner Rebel Swing; stable 0-8 in bumpers recent seasons; can only be watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

14th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Hay Up Harry

11st 1lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Sophie Leech

Well beaten when finishing last in two bumpers last season; makes no appeal on today's hurdling debut.

100/1

9th

3

16th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

17:00 Huntingdon

Hay Up Harry

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Sophie Leech

Went off a big price when finishing last on good to soft at Chepstow; no appeal.

66/1

14th

5

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:52 Chepstow

Hay Up Harry

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Sophie Leech

Sixth foal; brother to two maidens; dam 2m4f-2m6f hurdle winner, half-sister to 2m4f-3m hurdle/chase winner Rebel Swing; stable 0-8 in bumpers recent seasons; can only be watched.

66/1

Form: 3

Last run: 102 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

30th Nov 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Haafbourd

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

midfield, not fluent 5th, not fluent 6th

33/1

6th

4

7th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

12:45 Warwick

Haafbourd

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

towards rear

250/1

7th

6

14th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Haafbourd

11st 1lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

Not beaten far when third of five in Fakenham bumper in November but struggled on his first two hurdling attempts.

100/1

Non-runners

Haafbourd

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.60
Straight Forecast £17.02
Trifecta £82.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Beat The Bat

The Times:

Home Free

TOPSPEED:

Cawthorne Banker

LAMBOURN:

Choccabloc

D Express:

Home Free

The Sun:

Home Free

Daily Record:

Home Free

RP Ratings:

Beat The Bat

WEST COUNTRY:

Beat The Bat

Telegraph:

Beat The Bat

The Guardian:

Beat The Bat

Daily Mail:

Beat The Bat

Daily Mirror:

Beat The Bat

The Star:

Beat The Bat

POSTDATA:

Cawthorne Banker