April 15 / 16.52 Chepstow

16.52

Soft

DragonBet Good Luck In The National Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4330.42
  • 2m 0f 11y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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DragonBet Good Luck In The National Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2111 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Made debut last November and, after winning two juvenile hurdles in the winter (2m, good/soft), he completed the hat-trick in a 4yo handicap at Sandown (2m, heavy) last month; the clear runner-up has franked that form and he's a strong contender now 5lb higher against older horses.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

20th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Spirit DAunou

10st 5lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

took keen hold, disputed lead at fast pace, chased clear leader before 6th

10/1

10

20th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Spirit DAunou

10st 5lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

took keen hold, disputed lead at fast pace, chased clear leader before 6th

10/1

5th

15

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Spirit DAunou

10st 3lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

6yo who is well treated on last season's best form; he showed some spark at Newbury in December but hasn't been at the top of his game this term and was soundly beaten last time; others make greater appeal.

66/1

9/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: -11454 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Last year's wins came on good ground and that surface may suit best; however, he was a fair fourth of eight at Newbury (2m, soft) three weeks ago when back from a break and could improve for that run; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

31st Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 3

17:25 Plumpton

Mothill

11st 11lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Neil Mulholland

Has won three of his last four hurdles, latterly edging home in the new cheekpieces at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) after Joe Anderson had lost his whip (still a fine ride; always ideally positioned up with the pace); mark continues to rise (up another 5lb) but he's not easily knocked.

4/1

1st

13

17th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 58y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Mothill

10st 5lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Neil Mulholland

Wins in 2023 came in Class 4 events at Uttoxeter and Sedgefield (both 2m4f, good to soft) and the rise in class seemed to find him out when he was only eighth in the Lanzarote at Kempton last time; needs first-time cheekpieces to spark a career-best effort.

16/1

8th

17

13th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton

Mothill

10st 9lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Neil Mulholland

Solid record in Class 4 this term, winning at Sedgefield (2m4f, good to soft) most recently; 5lb claimer Joe Anderson (won on him last June) returns, in bid to offset 5lb rise; 4-12 over hurdles; upped sharply in grade but arrives in top form; shortlisted.

16/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 518312 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Improved to win in first-time hood (retained since) at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in February and second of four to progressive Paul Nicholls winner at Ludlow (2m, soft) since; this in-form 5yo could be in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

18th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 3

16:00 Perth

Berties Wish

11st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

led, headed and fell last

4/1

1st

4

(6)

12th May 2023

Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:15 Ripon

Berties Wish

9st 8lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Jennie Candlish

pushed along briefly to lead soon after start, headed but raced in second after 1f, pushed along and led again 3f out, ridden and drifted right 2f out, keeping on against far rail 1f out, ridden out final 110yds

4/1

10

29th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:05 Sandown

Berties Wish

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Jennie Candlish

Free-goer who is 2-7 over hurdles, the latter win gained in first-time hood on handicap debut at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in February; both subsequent runs (one on soft ground) were perfectly respectable but it seems that others in this line-up have more potential.

33/1

Form: 70-P11 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won Wetherby maiden hurdle (2m, soft) in January on second run for yard and followed up in four-runner handicap at Market Rasen (2m2f, soft); tougher race today but this lightly raced 8yo could continue to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

6th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

16:25 Warwick

Fiston De Becon

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Dual hurdle winner who made it 2-5 over fences when completing a double at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last month; that was a three-runner race but he forged clear to beat a well-backed rival from the Nicholls yard and is open to more progress; big player.

11/8

1st

1

6th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

16:25 Warwick

Fiston De Becon

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Dual hurdle winner who made it 2-5 over fences when completing a double at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last month; that was a three-runner race but he forged clear to beat a well-backed rival from the Nicholls yard and is open to more progress; big player.

11/8

1st

3

14th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

13:47 Hereford

Fiston De Becon

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Justified favouritism in four-runner field at Southwell (2m, soft; off 4lb lower) last month, opening his chase account at the fourth attempt; may build on that win and warrants respect.

6/4

Form: -21135 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won twice last October (2m, good to soft) and could improve for last month's run at Ffos Las, which was his first since November; he's not ruled out but the forecast soft ground may not be ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

16th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

19:45 Ffos Las

Good Impression

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Six hurdle wins (one over C&D) in his time and he might have just needed last month's run after his winter break; has a workable mark and is one to consider.

10/1

8

16th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

19:45 Ffos Las

Good Impression

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Bernard Llewellyn

held up in rear, overjumped and fell 1st

10/1

6th

9

21st Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:15 Ffos Las

Good Impression

10st 3lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Bernard Llewellyn

held up in rear

13/2

Form: -9945P D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles and fences for Henry de Bromhead but tailed off/pulled up on his four starts for this yard and has plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

12th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:52 Ffos Las

Tiger Voice

10st 9lb

J: Jordan Williams

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Formerly a useful hurdler/chaser in Ireland but has plummeted down the weights and been very disappointing for new stable this year; sports refitted tongue-tie and cheekpieces today; needs to stop the rot.

40/1

13th

1

16th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:40 Taunton

Tiger Voice

12st 0lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Formerly a useful hurdler/chaser in Ireland but plummeted down the weights and was very disappointing for new stable in first half of this year; needs to have been revitalised by six-month break.

16/1

5th

3

22nd May 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:50 Ffos Las

Tiger Voice

11st 5lb

J: Robert Williams

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Formerly useful for Henry de Bromhead in Ireland but in poor form over fences/hurdles for new stable this year; needs to stop the rot.

25/1

Form: 1284/8 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won three times in France in 2020 (hurdles/fences) and may have needed last month's stable debut when back from a very long absence; his yard is in good form and he's one to watch in the betting, but he was tailed off at 66-1 last time and needs to prove how much ability he retains.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

16:00 Hexham

Houston Bere

11st 7lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Alex Hales

Won three times in France in 2020 (hurdles/fences), but after a massive absence he's struggled in both runs (2m1f/2m) for new yard this spring; tongue-tie now goes on and he has a lot to prove at this new trip.

25/1

7th

5

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

16:52 Chepstow

Houston Bere

11st 9lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

Won three times in France in 2020 (hurdles/fences) and may have needed last month's stable debut when back from a very long absence; his yard is in good form and he's one to watch in the betting, but he was tailed off at 66-1 last time and needs to prove how much ability he retains.

33/1

8th

8

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

14:50 Newcastle

Houston Bere

11st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Alex Hales

in rear on inner

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 110-64 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Below par on both runs this season but the first was his chase debut and perhaps good to soft going wasn't ideal last time; now just 1lb higher than when completing a soft-ground double early last year and not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

13:37 Southwell

Mr Grey Sky

11st 10lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Three wins from ten runs over fences, the latest at Leicester (2m, heavy) last February; may have needed the run after 312-day break when well beaten last time; a possible.

10/1

7th

6

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

15:45 Haydock

Mr Grey Sky

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

12yo who is racing for the first time since last February; however, he won at Leicester (2m, heavy) back then and he won after some time off in November 2023 (2m, good to soft); 2-2 here (bumpers in 2018); not discounted.

9/1

1st

2

25th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

15:45 Leicester

Mr Grey Sky

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Jumped poorly and was well beaten on seasonal debut in November but got back on track with front-running third at Exeter (2m1f, soft) last month and remains well handicapped on older form.

5/2

Form: 9122P4 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Progressive earlier in the season, with two wins, and was runner-up twice in a row here in February (2m3f/2m); however, she's failed to shine the last twice and needs to get back to her best.
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

Form: /551-3 D

Last run: 223 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Last year's wins (one over hurdles and two on the Flat) came on good ground but he's been effective on soft in the past; merely mid-division on the Flat at Doncaster a fortnight ago when back from some time off but it was the same story in that race last year prior to winning over hurdles next time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Cogital

11st 1lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Not the easiest to predict and well held on both starts on the AW since finishing a good second over hurdles at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in March, ridden by Harry Atkins who can claim his 5lb allowance here; will not mind any rain and not out of this if in the mood, with one of his two hurdling wins coming over C&D.

7/1

5th

2

(12)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

17:17 Southwell (AW)

Cogital

11st 2lb

J: Miss Jessica Llewellyn

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Hard to predict and was out the back at Wolverhampton (1m4f) three weeks ago but he finished runner-up over hurdles at Chepstow (2m) last month and his last Flat win was off this mark (1m6f, good) last summer; comes with risks attached but he's not ruled out back up in trip; change of headgear.

20/1

9th

1

(5)

10th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Cogital

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Won a weak four-runner handicap at Ffos Las (1m6f, good) under David Probert in July but mostly poor form under both codes since; appeared to take a step back in the right direction when second over hurdles last time and Probert is back in the saddle for the first time since that win.

16/1

Non-runners

No No Tonic, Cogital

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.30
Straight Forecast £5.13
Tricast £11.88
Trifecta £14.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Spirit D'Aunou

Telegraph:

Bertie's Wish

The Times:

Mothill

The Guardian:

Fiston De Becon

WEST COUNTRY:

Mr Grey Sky

RP Ratings:

Spirit D'Aunou

TOPSPEED:

Spirit D'Aunou

POSTDATA:

Spirit D'Aunou

Daily Mail:

Spirit D'Aunou

D Express:

Spirit D'Aunou

Daily Mirror:

Spirit D'Aunou

The Star:

Spirit D'Aunou

Daily Record:

Spirit D'Aunou

The Sun:

Bertie's Wish