May 11 / 16.55 Chester

16.55

Good To Soft

Halliwell Jones Handicap

  • Prize money: £12740
  • 1m 4f 63y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Halliwell Jones Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 135-

Last run: 204 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
1m2f on final start last term saw a backward step, but he is stoutly bred and stamina was surely not the problem; unexposed after three starts and needs a check on handicap debut for yard which won this in 2018 and 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

14th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

13:58 Perth

Struth

11st 5lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Useful on the Flat in his prime but has yet to better fair form over hurdles, weakening into a well-held fifth on 2m2f Kelso handicap debut in this sphere 24 days ago; might have needed that after a break but he's still hard to make a good case for.

20/1

5th

3

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Struth

11st 8lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Showed only minor promise in three novice/maiden hurdles (1m7f-2m) last September-November but was useful on the Flat in his prime and may yet transfer more of that ability to this code; wears first-time tongue-tie for handicap hurdle debut; market may guide.

11/2

10th

5

24th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Struth

11st 0lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Very useful on the Flat in his prime but has not been firing on all cylinders this year and made a low-key stable/hurdle debut when well-held fourth over C&D (good) 16 days ago; needs to take a big step forward today.

10/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 73-124

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Improved again when second of eight at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) after three months off, racing freely and making the running; unable to cope with some promising rivals at Newmarket 17 days later, which wasn't his best form but 1m4f now looks worth a go; same yard as Struth.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Demilion

11st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Alexandra Dunn

Some useful Flat form in 2023 and his hurdle mark continues to fall, but tailed off/pulled up the last twice and needs to turn things around.

20/1

9

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Demilion

11st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Alexandra Dunn

Some useful Flat form in 2023 and his hurdle mark continues to fall, but tailed off/pulled up the last twice and needs to turn things around.

20/1

5

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Demilion

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Alexandra Dunn

Not beaten far when fifth from off the pace over C&D two runs back and it was over 2m when never counting at Chepstow; this race looks more suitable.

33/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 11-421

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
2-2 in nurseries last autumn (7f/1m, heavy), close second at Redcar (1m2f, soft) last month and clearcut winner at Beverley (1m2f, good to soft) two weeks ago; raised another 11lb but travelled much the best last time; dam was 1m4f winner and it's easy to envisage this filly following suit, despite racing a bit freely last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(12)

3rd Nov 2023

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

14:00 Newmarket

Cantora

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: George Boughey

Dual heavy-ground winner last autumn who progressed again this spring over 1m2f and also ran well on her sole attempt at 1m4f; absent four months before her respectable fourth of seven at Chester seven weeks ago, a run she may have needed and it's possible she can resume her improvement.

10/1

Form: 664-41 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Both runs this term were on soft at Doncaster; favourite latest when getting up late on in seven-runner race at 1m4f; up 6lb but shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 16y

Class 5

14:18 Chepstow

Nobody Told Me

10st 6lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Thomas Faulkner

Stayed on for very respectable fourth at Hereford (2m3f, good) this month, his second run in a visor, but is yet to be placed after 11 hurdling starts and needs to find something extra today.

13/2

4th

8

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

15:25 Hereford

Nobody Told Me

10st 6lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Thomas Faulkner

Respectable fifth in similar races at Taunton and Chepstow last month but has yet to place over hurdles after ten attempts.

12/1

5th

11

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:48 Chepstow

Nobody Told Me

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Thomas Faulkner

Didn't run badly when fifth on heavy ground at Taunton (2m3f) last week but he's 0-9 over hurdles now and needs to be perked up by a change of headgear today.

20/1

9/1

Form: 632

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Has run in three 1m2f novice events, on AW first two occasions; better form when second of six at Redcar (soft) on latest and, despite pedigree, he shapes as if this longer trip will suit on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

14th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 3

16:18 Perth

Double Oban

12st 0lb

J: Tom Hutsby

T: Olly Murphy

5-11 over hurdles but the bulk of those wins have come on soft or heavy ground; sits 4lb higher than when winning at Leicester (2m, soft; 9-4, four runners) over Christmas; one of three declared runners for Olly Murphy.

10/1

5th

3

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

16:13 Chepstow

Double Oban

11st 6lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Progressive 6yo who kept on stoutly to beat three rivals at Leicester (1m7f, soft) in December and is now 5-10 over hurdles; contests this much deeper race from a 6lb higher mark but still considered.

4/1

Form: 53534- BF

Last run: 143 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Stoutly bred on the dam's side but moving from 8.6f to 1m3f last time brought a disappointment at Kempton when only fourth of six at 2-5; acts on soft; makes seasonal/handicap debut and not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Worcester

Dragonball Prince

10st 10lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Fair on the Flat but has not shown much over hurdles; pulled up on last month's handicap debut at Southwell (2m, good to soft); moves up in trip and swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers.

20/1

11

4th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

16:50 Southwell

Dragonball Prince

10st 6lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Ordinary maiden on Flat for Hugo Palmer and tailed off in three hurdles on ground ranging from heavy to good to soft; in a respected yard but has it all to prove on handicap debut.

10/1

16/1

Form: 562-

Last run: 199 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Best form in his three starts last autumn came when second of seven in novice at Redcar (1m1f, heavy); gelded two days later; that best display suggested a strength in stamina, so he could deliver more improvement on this handicap/seasonal debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(1)

8th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:03 Newcastle (AW)

Burglars Dream

9st 5lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

in touch with leaders, outpaced but briefly went third 2f out, weakened gradually inside final furlong

14/1

7th

7

(1)

8th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:03 Newcastle (AW)

Burglars Dream

9st 5lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

in touch with leaders, outpaced but briefly went third 2f out, weakened gradually inside final furlong

14/1

9th

13

27th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:00 Wetherby

Burglars Dream

11st 0lb

T: Tim Easterby

midfield, hampered 5th, badly hampered 4 out

16/1

Form: 0-5311 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Appeared over 1m4f on AW on last three outings, clearcut winner of handicaps at Lingfield on last two occasions; up another 6lb (penalised) but on a roll and has to be taken seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

(3)

27th Sep 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 3

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Sovereign Spirit

9st 5lb

J: William Carver

T: Andrew Balding

Unsuited by soft ground last time out but a solid contender in 1m4f turf handicaps previously; higher in the weights than when winning his latest two AW races, over 1m4f at Lingfield, but the manner of the most recent win suggests the return to AW will be a good move; respected.

9/1

4th

6

(2)

27th Aug 2023

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Sovereign Spirit

8st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

raced in third and in touch with leaders, weakened and eased over 1f out

9/2

4th

8

(9)

12th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Sovereign Spirit

9st 5lb

J: Kazuo Yokoyama

T: Andrew Balding

Successful three times (on AW and good to firm) this season; ran well at Newbury (1m4f, good) three weeks ago despite finishing lame; drying ground would be in his favour, as he finished last on both his outings on softer than good; raised another 3lb though.

20/1

Form: 1215-5 BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Wins over 9.4f (AW) and 1m2f (Pontefract; good to soft) as 2yo suggest he will stay; fair fifth on both starts since and could have come on since reappearance; now hooded and tongue tied, both for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

14th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:35 Pontefract

Forceful Speed

9st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Raphael E Freire

Record of 5-11 on turf and his last success was at this track (1m4f, good to firm) last June; good second at Newcastle (1m2f) in final run for George Boughey but he returned for new yard with a tailed-off effort at Kempton (1m3f) last month; has bit to prove after that and he needs to bounce back near best; regular tongue-tie removed.

8/1

2nd

1

(1)

14th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:35 Pontefract

Forceful Speed

9st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Raphael E Freire

took keen hold, prominent, led narrowly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no chance with winner when no extra inside final 110yds

8/1

13th

9

(2)

29th Mar 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:40 Kempton (AW)

Forceful Speed

9st 6lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Raphael E Freire

Regular winner in three campaigns with George Boughey, for whom he ended last June with a win at Pontefract (1m4f) and good second on Newcastle Tapeta (1m2f); unraced on Polytrack; hood joins his now usual tongue-tie and he'll be competitive for new yard (same owners) if starting this term where he left off last season.

16/1

Non-runners

Forceful Speed

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £37.40
Straight Forecast £42.41
Tricast £118.23
Trifecta £158.80

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Cantora

Telegraph:

Sovereign Spirit

The Guardian:

Double Oban

SPOTLIGHT:

Burglar's Dream

The Times:

Dragonball Prince

POSTDATA:

Nobody Told Me

NEWMARKET:

Forceful Speed

The Star:

Sovereign Spirit

Daily Mail:

Cantora

D Express:

Cantora

Daily Mirror:

Cantora

The Sun:

Cantora

Daily Record:

Cantora