March 19 / 16.25 Chepstow

16.25

Soft

Cazoo Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £3696.7
  • 2m 3f 98y
  • Class 5
  • 15 runners
SKY
View Course
Cazoo Handicap Chase

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.80
  • Place: £2.50

Form: P60-6P D

Last run: 73 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Interesting on the pick of last winter's form for John Spearing, including a hurdle win at Warwick off 3lb higher; has run well here in the past; not at his best in two chase runs this season but his new yard are quick to change his headgear and drop him in trip; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

11th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:45 Exeter

Shutthegate

10st 12lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: Henry Oliver

took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 6th

5/2

1st

14

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:25 Chepstow

Shutthegate

10st 4lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: Henry Oliver

Interesting on the pick of last winter's form for John Spearing, including a hurdle win at Warwick off 3lb higher; has run well here in the past; not at his best in two chase runs this season but his new yard are quick to change his headgear and drop him in trip; not discounted.

12/1

10

5th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

15:30 Ffos Las

Shutthegate

10st 2lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: John Spearing

Returned from a summer break last season with a comfortable 2m3f win on heavy over hurdles; ended that campaign out of form, however, and did not revive when making chase debut on this season's reappearance; 8lb out of the handicap, with stamina also to be proved.

25/1

10/1

  • Place: £5.00

Form: 753

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Ability in Irish points; beaten between 18l and 22l in three hurdle starts this winter; likely improver now pitched straight into a handicap chase; yard also responsible for Bells Of Stamford.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 110y

Class 5

15:20 Lingfield

Kap Chidley

11st 10lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

Versatile regarding the ground; not yet off the mark but he's been on the premises in handicap chases at 3m and 2m4f since last October, when running well on return from a break; place chance.

9/1

8th

3

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 110y

Class 5

15:20 Lingfield

Kap Chidley

11st 10lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

Versatile regarding the ground; not yet off the mark but he's been on the premises in handicap chases at 3m and 2m4f since last October, when running well on return from a break; place chance.

9/1

5th

2

4th May 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:18 Uttoxeter

Kap Chidley

11st 13lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

0-7 over fences but ran quite well when third at Ffos Las (2m3f, heavy) last month and is now 6lb lower than when second over C&D (good to soft) in October; must be considered.

11/2

8/1

  • Place: £5.50

Form: PP6613 C BF

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Made all to win a 2m handicap chase here in January (soft) off an 8lb lower mark; unable to lead and finished a remote third at Hereford eight days later; going back up in distance shouldn't be an issue but others are more appealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

6th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:42 Fontwell

Valirann Gold

10st 13lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Harriet Brown

Course winner; a lot of his form is over shorter but he proved his stamina for 3m when runner-up at Ffos Las two weeks ago (good); unlikely to be far away off the same mark.

5/1

2nd

10

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:42 Ffos Las

Valirann Gold

10st 5lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Harriet Brown

Produced a remarkable late surge to snatch what had looked an unlikely victory at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft; blinkers removed) last month but this inconsistent 9yo tends to race lazily nowadays and got going too late when back at Fontwell a fortnight ago; other are much less risky.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2-2558

Last run: 46 days

W: 12st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
He hasn't progressed in handicap hurdles this season but he drops in class for his chase debut and neither trip nor ground are an issue; better could be on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 4

15:55 Haydock

Bonza Boy

11st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jeremy Scott

Added to his strong chase record at Exeter with a win over the extended 2m1f there (good to soft) in January; just as good when runner-up over 2m4f on heavy at Wincanton since; bold show likely off the same mark.

9/2

Form: 0-7655 C

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won a soft-ground handicap hurdle here 13 months ago off a 4lb higher mark; hasn't found his best form this season though and now tried his hand over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 5y

Class 5

14:50 Bangor-on-Dee

After The Fox

10st 8lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Below best over hurdles this season and has made inauspicious start to chasing career this spring; seems versatile regarding ground but is yet to convince stamina-wise over 3m; not the percentage call.

10/1

4

8th Apr 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

14:15 Newton Abbot

After The Fox

10st 11lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Both hurdle wins gained on soft; not at his best this season and finished some way behind Kap Chidley when both made their chasing debuts at Chepstow last month; work to do, therefore.

7/1

5th

10

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:25 Chepstow

After The Fox

11st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Won a soft-ground handicap hurdle here 13 months ago off a 4lb higher mark; hasn't found his best form this season though and now tried his hand over fences.

16/1

Form: 8/321P BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Lightly-raced 7yo who made his breakthrough with a comfortable success at Hereford in January (2m5f, soft); lost his action and pulled up at Ffos Las two weeks ago (sent off favourite); return to slower ground should help and he still has time on his side.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:20 Wincanton

Kingcormac

11st 6lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

10yo who has won three of his last five starts and he hit a personal best when swooping late at Hereford (2m5f, good) two weeks ago; a 3lb rise for that success looks fair and he's strongly respected in his hat-trick bid.

11/4

1st

2

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:00 Hereford

Kingcormac

11st 6lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Up there with his best form when scoring for a third time over fences at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) where he was 6l to the good at the line; up 6lb, so on a career-high mark, but he's probably the safest option.

15/8

1st

8

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Kingcormac

10st 12lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Dual chase winner who remains on a fair mark and was let down by his jumping when beaten 12l at Hereford last time; each-way claims.

6/1

33/1

Form: 005-2U

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Finished second in a novice hurdle at Exeter on last month's stable debut but an RPR of just 69 confirms it was a very weak race; unseated rider at the first on return to fences ten days ago; easy enough to swerve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

17th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:25 Worcester

Tout Paris

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Ben Lund

0-12 under rules; 5l second in an Exeter novice (2m, good) in February; well below par on his last three starts; big improvement required.

66/1

11

9th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:45 Ffos Las

Tout Paris

10st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Lund

Not achieved much in handicaps over hurdles and fences as yet and this looks no easier from 9lb out of the weights.

50/1

7

8th Apr 2023

Heavy

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

16:00 Newton Abbot

Tout Paris

11st 6lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Ben Lund

in touch with leaders on outer, niggled along before 3rd, pushed along before 4th

20/1

Form: 7/2P-2 D

Last run: 108 days

W: 12st 1lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Stood little racing in the last three years but he showed a fire still burned when second of eight in a Leicester handicap hurdle in December (2m4f, good to soft); another 108 days on the sidelines since; let down by his jumping in three chase runs in 2020.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

2

10th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

12:20 Doncaster

Iron Horse

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Richard Phillips

13yo who has had 18 races, winning a handicap hurdle in 2019; tailed off when last seen in June/November and this is only his second venture beyond 2m5f; the switch back from chasing looks a positive.

25/1

Form: 5-5936

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Didn't shine in three runs for Gordon Elliott; not disgraced in two hurdle runs for current stable but he'll need improvement for the switch to fences if he is to defy this mark on his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

1st Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

13:10 Worcester

Blackwater

11st 6lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Ben Lund

Unexposed after after only six rules starts but struggled (albeit on soft ground) when a big-priced outsider for chase/handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f) in March 2023 and has not raced again since; tongue-tie added.

50/1

3

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:25 Chepstow

Blackwater

12st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Ben Lund

Didn't shine in three runs for Gordon Elliott; not disgraced in two hurdle runs for current stable but he'll need improvement for the switch to fences if he is to defy this mark on his handicap debut.

16/1

6th

3

26th Feb 2023

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

15:30 Fontwell

Blackwater

11st 7lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Ben Lund

Well beaten all three starts for Gordon Elliott; £11,000 sale before 15l third of five in maiden at Ffos Las (2m6f, good to soft) 17 days ago, which was his best form but much better is needed and this much shorter trip may be against him.

25/1

Form: 46P-74

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won his first two starts for this yard two seasons ago; struggled for a while now though and risky, for all he's tumbled back down the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:00 Newton Abbot

Est Illic

12st 0lb

J: Miss Jess Stewart

T: Ryan Bradford

Recent point winner but a modest performer under rules these days and his Ludlow third was remote.

40/1

3rd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

Est Illic

11st 12lb

J: Miss Jess Stewart

T: Ryan Bradford

Won a small-field point recently but this veteran is a modest performer under rules these days and was pulled up in two handicaps (including over C&D) in February; opposable back in this sphere.

14/1

8

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:17 Ludlow

Est Illic

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Veteran who has not shown a great deal (three runs) since returning in December from a long absence; cheekpieces the headgear of choice today; difficult to enthuse over.

25/1

Form: 326-FF D

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
In front and going well when falling three out at Uttoxter in November (2m4f, soft); again came to grief at Uttoxter seven weeks ago and although he's on a tempting mark, he'll need to cut out the mistakes today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:25 Chepstow

Discko Des Plages

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Richard Hobson

In front and going well when falling three out at Uttoxter in November (2m4f, soft); again came to grief at Uttoxter seven weeks ago and although he's on a tempting mark, he'll need to cut out the mistakes today.

8/1

11

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:07 Uttoxeter

Discko Des Plages

10st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Richard Hobson

Yet to add to his win at Catterick in 2020 but had just struck the front and was still travelling quite well before falling at third-last fence over C&D (soft) on seasonal debut in November; runs off same mark today; can't be ruled out.

7/1

Form: 31P366

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Strong at the finish when scoring over 3m at Ffos Las in October; lesser efforts have followed and he's now back to that last winning mark; dangerous with a revival but that can't be assured.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Faitque De LIsle

11st 10lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: James Evans

Regularly ridden by Lucy Turner, as when winning twice over 3m at Ludlow (good to soft/soft) last February and again at Uttoxeter (3m, good) in October; good runs have followed and another one is highly likely.

4/1

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Faitque De LIsle

11st 4lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: James Evans

Won twice over 3m at Ludlow in February and looked back in very good nick when scoring readily by 4l at Uttoxeter (3m, good) this month; recent 6lb rise does not look excessive; respected.

11/4

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Faitque De LIsle

11st 4lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: James Evans

Won twice over 3m at Ludlow in February and looked back in very good nick when scoring readily by 4l at Uttoxeter (3m, good) this month; recent 6lb rise does not look excessive; respected.

11/4

Form: -13341 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Wind surgery and the fitting of a tongue-tie sparked a revival from him at Warwick last month (2m4f, good), keeping on strongly; 7lb hike in the weights and slower ground could be enough to scupper the follow up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

26th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:53 Worcester

Bells Of Stamford

10st 13lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Not an easy one to predict but seemed to respond positively to first-time cheekpieces when rallying second at Warwick (3m, good) in May; still unexposed over staying trips; big player if headgear continues to aid.

9/2

2nd

11

30th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:40 Warwick

Bells Of Stamford

10st 5lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Tim Vaughan

2m4f winner (good) over both hurdles and fences; back on last winning mark but plenty to prove based on his last four starts.

20/1

8th

8

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

18:50 Stratford

Bells Of Stamford

11st 5lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Tim Vaughan

prominent, lost position but in touch with leaders after 5th, not fluent 3 out (usual 4 out), weakened home straight

12/1

Form: -4P5P4 C

Last run: 62 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Two wins over hurdles, one of them here and one on testing ground; hopelessly out of sorts in 2m chases this winter but he's dropped 19lb in the weights and the return to a more suitable trip, as well as the return of cheekpieces (worn for both wins) point to a better run being on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 12y

Class 5

16:25 Taunton

Treasure Dillon

11st 2lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Point/hurdles winner whose chase record is far from solid; below par back hurdling last week; however, along with stablemate Prime Pretender he's running in a first-time visor, which may help.

4/1

7th

10

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:45 Chepstow

Treasure Dillon

10st 12lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

in touch with leaders

14/1

12

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:25 Chepstow

Treasure Dillon

10st 12lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Two wins over hurdles, one of them here and one on testing ground; hopelessly out of sorts in 2m chases this winter but he's dropped 19lb in the weights and the return to a more suitable trip, as well as the return of cheekpieces (worn for both wins) point to a better run being on the cards.

8/1

Form: 8-033P D

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
On a losing run stretching back over two years; twice placed last month but never going well at Southwell 13 days ago and he's easy enough to swerve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

27th Jul 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:32 Worcester

Barnay

10st 3lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Out of form in chases in the spring and hasn't won for well over two years; lot to prove on return from a break.

100/1

13

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:25 Chepstow

Barnay

10st 10lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

On a losing run stretching back over two years; twice placed last month but never going well at Southwell 13 days ago and he's easy enough to swerve.

20/1

7

6th Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

13:50 Southwell

Barnay

11st 0lb

J: Fergus Gregory

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

0-7 over fences but is back in better form having finished third at Catterick (2m3f) and Leicester (2m4f) last month, both on good ground; each-way possibilities if he copes with this drop back in trip.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £92.30
Straight Forecast £92.82
Tricast £1527.43
Trifecta £1593.50

Selections

The Times:

Bells Of Stamford

RP Ratings:

Discko Des Plages

SPOTLIGHT:

Treasure Dillon

D Express:

Kap Chidley

WEST COUNTRY:

Iron Horse

Daily Mirror:

Bells Of Stamford

Daily Record:

Bells Of Stamford

Telegraph:

Discko Des Plages

The Star:

Discko Des Plages

POSTDATA:

Treasure Dillon