April 10 / 14.35 Chepstow

14.35

Good To Soft

Don Long “Hello Gorgeous” Memorial Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6337.2
  • 2m 7f 131y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Don Long “Hello Gorgeous” Memorial Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 44UP32 C

Last run: 66 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won two 2m3f chases (one here) towards end of last season and kept on for second over that trip here (good to soft; no match for winner) in February but stamina is a possible issue today, and this is stronger than the races he usually contests.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Worcester

Ballinsker

11st 12lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Jumped well out in front when prevailing narrowly over fences at Ffos Las (2m3f; good to soft) in April but ran a modest race there in May; dual hurdle winner who stays this far but he's become hard to predict.

14/1

5th

3

30th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

15:00 Ffos Las

Ballinsker

11st 11lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Returned to form when jumping well out in front and holding on by a length over C&D last month; beat one chasing a hat-trick so it's solid form; just 3lb higher.

7/2

1st

4

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

14:42 Ffos Las

Ballinsker

11st 8lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Now 9b lower than for his Chepstow win (2m7f, good to soft) last April but he's been pulled up here (2m5f) and at Plumpton (3m1f) in last two runs; cheekpieces return on this drop back in grade but he needs a major revival back in trip; stablemate of Lelant.

16/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 313-3P

Last run: 86 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Displays a somewhat ungainly head carriage but battled well to win at Newbury (2m6f, soft) last season and ran just as well when third at Haydock (3m4f, soft) in November; didn't fire in valuable Warwick marathon in January but has possibilities here if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

26th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:00 Sandown

Nestor Park

12st 0lb

J: Lt Billy Aprahamian

T: Ben Pauling

Usually gives his running but has a poor strike-rate over fences (1-18) and he dropped away to be beaten some 31l last time at Warwick when the subject of strong market support in first-time blinkers; one of the highest rated in here but others appeal more.

4/1

5th

16

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Warwick

Nestor Park

10st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Often runs well in defeat but he's now 1-17 over fences, having performed below his best the last twice; connections turn to blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) for some assistance; others are safer.

20/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 1P3-3P C

Last run: 86 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced for his age and belied 66-1 odds when keeping-on third over C&D (good to soft) on seasonal/stable debut in December; now 6lb below that mark and his subsequent defeat in a heavy-ground marathon should not be viewed too harshly; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

14:35 Chepstow

Grand Mogul

11st 0lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Gail Haywood

Lightly raced for his age and belied 66-1 odds when keeping-on third over C&D (good to soft) on seasonal/stable debut in December; now 6lb below that mark and his subsequent defeat in a heavy-ground marathon should not be viewed too harshly; not ruled out.

16/1

12

14th Jan 2023

Heavy

3m 5f 54y

Class 1

15:00 Warwick

Grand Mogul

10st 5lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Gail Haywood

Unraced beyond 3m; acts on soft but turned over at 2-11 on sole run on heavy; won off this mark on chase debut in May 2021 but disappointing last February/March in his only two subsequent runs for Nicky Henderson; sold for £11,000 last May and his third at Chepstow six weeks ago was a big step back in the right direction; needs to build on that.

20/1

3rd

12

3rd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

13:37 Chepstow

Grand Mogul

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Gail Haywood

in rear, pecked on landing and lost ground 2nd

100/1

Form: -4P05P D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Smart in his prime but has become disappointing this season; will find this much easier than Cheltenham Festival handicap hurdle he contested last month but he was never competitive there and now switches back to chasing with some questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

20th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

19:05 Uttoxeter

Sporting John

11st 13lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

in touch with leaders, headway after 8th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out

12/1

8th

4

1st May 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:40 Kempton

Sporting John

11st 9lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Grade 1 novices' chase winner in his prime; no trip/ground issues, but 21lb descent since pulling up in the Rowland Meyrick says plenty about a pretty poor 2022-23 season, including dropped to Class 3 latest.

14/1

4th

2

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

14:35 Chepstow

Sporting John

11st 10lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Smart in his prime but has become disappointing this season; will find this much easier than Cheltenham Festival handicap hurdle he contested last month but he was never competitive there and now switches back to chasing with some questions to answer.

12/1

Form: 4-1234 CD BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Proved he retains a significant chunk of ability when dominating Warwick veterans' chase from the front in November and coming second in final of that series at Sandown (also 3m, soft) in January but ought to have been suited by the heavy ground when below form last month, and drying conditions are not ideal for him here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

11th Feb 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 2

16:35 Exeter

Ramses De Teillee

11st 1lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Well handicapped on some of last season's form and was a very creditable fourth in Veterans' Final at Warwick (3m, soft) on last month's reappearance; will cope if the ground becomes very testing here; big player.

9/2

4th

11

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Warwick

Ramses De Teillee

11st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Returning from a similar absence (and wind surgery) when dominant from the front over C&D (soft) 14 months ago when only 2lb lower, after which he finished second in the final of this race at Sandown; fortunes went into reverse soon after but he's back from further wind surgery and handicapped to run a blinder if again on good terms with himself.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 1U-3P6 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner during very promising novice chase campaign in 2020-21 and made pleasing seasonal debut in November; ran poorly when among market principals for Welsh National here in December and also disappointed over hurdles last month (bled from the nose), but may still have potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 2

15:00 Exeter

Ask Me Early

10st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

2-3 at Exeter and the return to this track offers a glimmer of hope; has the same mark as for his 9l win in this last year but he's failed to shine on either run this term and was pulled up last time; something to prove.

10/1

6

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 2

15:00 Exeter

Ask Me Early

10st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

2-3 at Exeter and the return to this track offers a glimmer of hope; has the same mark as for his 9l win in this last year but he's failed to shine on either run this term and was pulled up last time; something to prove.

10/1

4

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 3

15:45 Wincanton

Ask Me Early

11st 5lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

midfield, dropped to rear 9th, lost touch 17th

14/1

Form: 2-1PP3 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Began season with convincing win off today's mark at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) but looked badly out of sorts when pulled up on next two appearances; seemingly aided by first-time cheekpieces when third in military riders' race at Sandown (3m, good to soft) last month but was beaten over 30l there and it's hard to know what to expect from him in first-time blinkers here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

14:35 Chepstow

Tallow For Coal

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Jamie Snowden

Began season with convincing win off today's mark at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) but looked badly out of sorts when pulled up on next two appearances; seemingly aided by first-time cheekpieces when third in military riders' race at Sandown (3m, good to soft) last month but was beaten over 30l there and it's hard to know what to expect from him in first-time blinkers here.

10/1

3rd

7

7th Mar 2023

Good

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:00 Sandown

Tallow For Coal

12st 5lb

J: Maj Will Kellard

T: Jamie Snowden

midfield, in touch with leaders 3rd, pressed leader 3 out, soon ridden, lost second just before 2 out, weakened approaching last

3/1

3

2nd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

15:00 Wincanton

Tallow For Coal

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Didn't jump well when pulled up at Newbury on New Year's Eve and has to leave that performance well behind; however, he looked one to follow when winning at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) in November and is not written off.

10/1

Form: -1325P C

Last run: 131 days

W: 11st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Not seen since three below-par runs in the autumn but has often gone well when fresh before and is now back on same mark as when gaining clearcut win at Stratford (3m3f, good) at start of this season; will be suited by today's drying ground; worth a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

31st May 2023

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

14:30 Newton Abbot

Forgot To Ask

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Tom George

Recorded his fourth chase win when scoring off 5lb higher at Stratford (3m3f, good) last May but he's been generally disappointing since and was well-held sixth at Kempton on his recent return from a break; now goes back up in trip but has bit to prove and he needs to get back near best.

8/1

6th

5

1st May 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:40 Kempton

Forgot To Ask

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Tom George

Back to the mark of his near-3m4f Stratford handicap chase win of May 2022; below par last autumn (markedly so latest), but proven defier of absences of over 100 days and a sound surface would be appreciated.

16/1

6

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

14:35 Chepstow

Forgot To Ask

11st 1lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Tom George

Not seen since three below-par runs in the autumn but has often gone well when fresh before and is now back on same mark as when gaining clearcut win at Stratford (3m3f, good) at start of this season; will be suited by today's drying ground; worth a second look.

12/1

Form: 094212 D BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Came good over fences at fourth attempt, with very comfortable success at Taunton (2m7f, good) in February, and ran well in defeat at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last month; also suited by this C&D; probably in the mix again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

17:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Stormy Flight

11st 13lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

prominent, lost ground after 2nd, reminder after 7th, struggling from 4 out, pulled up after 3 out

4/1

3

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

17:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Stormy Flight

11st 13lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

prominent, lost ground after 2nd, reminder after 7th, struggling from 4 out

4/1

6th

1

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 4

16:02 Newbury

Stormy Flight

12st 2lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

His second to Lowry's Bar at Exeter in December (2m3f; stays 3m+) reads really well and it wasn't a bad effort last time at Taunton (2m7f); an 11yo now but goes on any ground and he can't be discounted.

8/1

Non-runners

Forgot To Ask

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £38.00
Straight Forecast £52.22
Tricast £658.01
Trifecta £431.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Stormy Flight

LAMBOURN:

Tallow For Coal

Daily Mail:

Ask Me Early

The Guardian:

Ballinsker

RP Ratings:

Stormy Flight

TOPSPEED:

Stormy Flight

POSTDATA:

Stormy Flight

WEST COUNTRY:

Stormy Flight

The Times:

Stormy Flight

Telegraph:

Stormy Flight

D Express:

Stormy Flight

Daily Mirror:

Stormy Flight

The Star:

Stormy Flight

Daily Record:

Stormy Flight