May 16 / 15.50 Chepstow

15.50

Good To Soft

Happy Birthday Steve Wilkins Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3245.08
  • 0m 7f 16y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Happy Birthday Steve Wilkins Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 765-62 BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Better since upped to this trip, finishing behind Dodgy Bob on the AW before a Brighton near-miss a fortnight ago; lightly raced compared to the rest of these and open to a bit more improvement if first-time headgear helps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(1)

16th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

17:10 Chepstow

Romanovich

9st 5lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John O’Shea

Just did enough when getting off the mark in first-time cheekpieces here (7f, good to soft) penultimate; ran reasonably well (third) from this mark at Brighton (1m, firm) subsequently; interesting to see how he compares in the market to stablemate Letter of Law.

5/2

3rd

5

(4)

30th May 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

15:10 Brighton

Romanovich

9st 0lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John O’Shea

Beaten a neck when returned to turf here (7f, good to firm) on penultimate start and narrowly off the mark in first-time cheekpieces at Chepstow (7f, good to soft) a fortnight ago; has shaped as though this step back up in trip would suit and is considered off just 2lb higher.

11/4

1st

6

(2)

16th May 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 16y

Class 6

15:50 Chepstow

Romanovich

9st 3lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John O’Shea

Better since upped to this trip, finishing behind Dodgy Bob on the AW before a Brighton near-miss a fortnight ago; lightly raced compared to the rest of these and open to a bit more improvement if first-time headgear helps.

4/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1-0283

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Has lacked consistency of late, albeit that the cheekpieces have helped; does most racing now over 6f but is fine over this extra furlong and will rightly be popular.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(8)

23rd Sep 2023

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

17:50 Catterick

Bomb Squad

9st 9lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: John Mackie

pressed leader, switched to near side over 2f out, no extra final 110yds

3/1

1st

2

(6)

28th Aug 2023

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Bomb Squad

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Mackie

in touch with leaders, headway from 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, hung right but kept on final 110yds

9/2

5/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 5370-3 BF

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Went close first time out last season and made a fair comeback six weeks ago, albeit turned over as favourite (raced freely); 1lb lower today and capable at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(8)

15th Sep 2023

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

13:35 Chester

Lockdown Lass

9st 3lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Gary Hanmer

Has had her moments at the stalls and can pull hard but she's progressed nicely in recent times, including two soft-ground wins in July (one from stall 12 over C&D); goes on the shortlist.

3/1

2nd

7

(5)

1st Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 173y

Class 5

16:00 Carlisle

Lockdown Lass

9st 2lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Gary Hanmer

5yo mare who has form figures of 331132 on turf this season and she rallied when when finishing second at Haydock (7f) last time; all of those runs were on slow ground but she's effective on good to firm and this step back up in trip is no problem; respected.

11/4

2nd

9

(7)

12th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 5

17:50 Haydock

Lockdown Lass

8st 5lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Gary Hanmer

Won two in a row last month (7f/1m, soft) and solid third off this mark at Doncaster (1m, soft); has also won on good to soft; could do without the ground drying out but she can be bang there if conditions suit.

4/1

33/1

Form: 890/0-

Last run: 371 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Did her racing for John Spearing over a bit further once handicapping and hasn't been seen in a year following one poor run last season; best effort came on fast ground and she's entitled to need this run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(6)

19th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:40 Bath

Kinz

9st 5lb

J: Tom Queally

T: John Gallagher

Failed to build on her reappearance Chepstow fourth when beating only one at Leicester (1m) 20 days ago; hood is reached for with a bit to prove.

9/1

6th

7

(3)

29th Jun 2023

Good

1m 0f 53y

Class 5

19:15 Leicester

Kinz

8st 5lb

J: Mollie Phillips

T: John Gallagher

0-8 for previous stable; made a promising start for this one when only a length away at Chepstow (7f, good to soft) and returning to 1m can suit.

12/1

12/1

Form: 918605

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Has done his winning, and most racing, in sprints but is fine over this trip (has gone close over C&D before); made all for Olivia Tubb on Polytrack early in the year and offered some promise for her when back from a break last time (missed the kick) behind Romanovich.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(8)

15th Aug 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:45 Chelmsford (AW)

Moveonup

9st 6lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Gay Kelleway

C&D winner in January, but out of the frame in all ten starts since and failed to beat a rival back here three weeks ago; more needed in the returning visor.

14/1

10th

12

(9)

25th Jul 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:20 Chelmsford (AW)

Moveonup

9st 0lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Gay Kelleway

Excuses with one thing and another on turf lately and switches to cheekpieces for the first time in a good while, back at the scene of his win from the front early in the year; couldn't be ruled out.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 496932 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Veteran who's on the downgrade but handicapped accordingly; arguably an unlucky loser last time off 2lb lower and he is a course winner who's fine on any ground, so goes on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(10)

4th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

16:45 Brighton

Madrinho

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Tony Carroll

Getting long in the tooth now and hasn't won for a while but chased home Reel Power in C&D classified race in July and was close second to He's Our Star in that grade over 7f here last month; probably won't be far away.

15/2

2nd

4

(7)

10th Aug 2023

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

16:30 Brighton

Madrinho

9st 8lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Tony Carroll

took keen hold, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and went second final 110yds, kept on well towards finish

7/1

2nd

3

(7)

11th Jul 2023

Good

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

19:30 Brighton

Madrinho

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Tony Carroll

Veteran who is having his 100th career start; hasn't been great of late but he went down narrowly on his latest visit here in May, albeit over 7f; hasn't raced over quite this far for a long time.

10/1

Form: -01961 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Two wins at big prices round Wolverhampton this year, both under aggressive rides, latterly off a 4lb lower mark; fine on this sort of ground and has run well here a few times without winning, so is one to consider back from seven weeks off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(4)

15th Sep 2023

Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Dodgy Bob

9st 11lb

J: Mr Jack Nicholls

T: Michael Mullineaux

Isn't the easiest to predict but has won three times in 2023, including latterly in a tight finish to a Class 6 amateur jockeys' handicap at Thirsk (6f, good; 25-1); is yet to prove stamina reserves beyond 7f, and faces a tough task from 10lb out of the handicap.

20/1

1st

11

(7)

1st Sep 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

13:50 Thirsk

Dodgy Bob

9st 11lb

J: Miss Katie Garton

T: Michael Mullineaux

Two-time 7f Wolverhampton winner who found his good run of form coming to an abrupt halt when last of 12 over that C&D 18 days ago; he needs to bounce back.

25/1

11th

3

(7)

14th Aug 2023

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dodgy Bob

9st 9lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Michael Mullineaux

Veteran who won a classified event over C&D in March but he has a mixed record since and was last of 12 back at this track ten days ago; others are more solid.

16/1

20/1

Form: 268-77 D

Last run: 92 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Boasts a very poor strike-rate and his yard has been quiet of late; has gone well fresh, which is a bonus back from three months off, but others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

(13)

11th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:10 Thirsk

Red Bravo

9st 6lb

J: Adam Tracey

T: Adrian Wintle

Looks on the downgrade and dropping to 6f didn't help at Ffos Las 11 days ago; others safer.

25/1

5th

12

(3)

31st Jul 2023

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:02 Ffos Las

Red Bravo

9st 0lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Adrian Wintle

Poor strike-rate of 2-51 and recent efforts are not overly encouraging, last time finishing behind Diamondsinthesand.

20/1

7th

6

(7)

20th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 16y

Class 6

16:05 Chepstow

Red Bravo

9st 1lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Adrian Wintle

One of three runners for this stable; hinted at a return to form in C&D classified event last time, finishing fifth to Fact Or Fable; poor strike-rate and long losing spell are the negatives.

16/1

9th
10 (4)
Nemorum

16/1

Form: 48777-

Last run: 203 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Best effort came first time out last year but he's a regressive maiden who's yet to achieve anything significant on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

14

(4)

14th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Nemorum

8st 12lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: T J Kent

0-18 and basically slow; outpaced from 2f out over 1m2f at Nottingham latest, which doesn't augur well for this drop back in trip.

66/1

8th

12

(3)

15th Aug 2023

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

14:30 Nottingham

Nemorum

10st 9lb

J: Mr Lewis Kent

T: T J Kent

A regressive maiden who's yet to achieve anything significant on turf.

40/1

9th

10

(4)

16th May 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 16y

Class 6

15:50 Chepstow

Nemorum

9st 0lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: T J Kent

Best effort came first time out last year but he's a regressive maiden who's yet to achieve anything significant on turf.

16/1

10th
9 (9)
Epeius

25/1

Form: 6534-0

Last run: 123 days

W: 9st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
His wins have come over 6f, mainly on Tapeta, and he rarely goes this far now; can go well fresh but he's getting on and been on the downgrade for a while.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(5)

16th Sep 2023

Good

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

16:35 Bath

Epeius

9st 3lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Veteran who has shown only occasional glimpses of retaining ability this year; others look safer.

16/1

5th

4

(7)

31st Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 6

16:00 Bath

Epeius

9st 9lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Shaped better when having a troubled run at Chepstow last week but he has something to find on these terms and was never in contention in a similar C&D race in July.

33/1

8th

13

(13)

24th Aug 2023

Good

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

13:40 Chepstow

Epeius

9st 0lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Joe Tickle

Over three years since the last of his six wins and he has to bounce back from a low-key run at Bath on Saturday; others look much safer.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.40
Straight Forecast £21.94
Tricast £35.76
Trifecta £47.60

Selections

The Times:

Lockdown Lass

SPOTLIGHT:

Romanovich

Daily Mail:

Bomb Squad

RP RATINGS:

Madrinho

The Guardian:

Moveonup

Daily Mirror:

Dodgy Bob

WEST COUNTRY:

Romanovich

Telegraph:

Romanovich

The Sun:

Lockdown Lass

The Star:

Lockdown Lass

Daily Record:

Lockdown Lass

D Express:

Bomb Squad

POSTDATA:

Madrinho