October 30 / 15.15 Wexford

15.15

Heavy

M.W. Hickey Memorial Chase (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £13053.1
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • 4 runners
RTV
View Course
M.W. Hickey Memorial Chase (Listed Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Abandoned

Form: 2/12P- D BF

Last run: 344 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Smart novice hurdler having got to within 2l of Gerri Colombe on one occasion (2m7f); impressed on his chase debut before going close in a Grade 3 at Cork (2m4f, soft to heavy); simply never gave his running at Punchestown when last seen in November.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

3rd May 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

17:55 Uttoxeter

Idas Boy

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Richard Phillips

Fared respectably in the Galway Plate before leaving Noel Meade for 60,000gns last August; tailed off over hurdles on stable debut before pulling up when 100-1 for the Grand National; an 11yo now and has to concede plenty of weight all round.

25/1

1

3rd May 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

17:55 Uttoxeter

Idas Boy

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Richard Phillips

Fared respectably in the Galway Plate before leaving Noel Meade for 60,000gns last August; tailed off over hurdles on stable debut before pulling up when 100-1 for the Grand National; an 11yo now and has to concede plenty of weight all round.

25/1

21

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Idas Boy

10st 10lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard Phillips

40-1 winner at Kilbeggan (3m1f, good to yielding; the furthest he's been) last July and ran respectably in the Galway Plate (his only race with today's tongue-tie) before leaving Noel Meade for 60,000gns last August; probably in need of the race over hurdles on debut for new yard five weeks ago, but this 11yo needs a big career best.

100/1

Form: 0-1341 C

Last run: 59 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Peak RPR of 135 over hurdles; off the mark over fences on his third attempt when too good for Effernock Fizz, with whom he is weighted to confirm those placings (2m3f, yielding); hasn't looked a complete natural but there's time to put that right and he has won over 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

14:35 Uttoxeter

Joyeux Machin

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Appreciated eased in grade at Bangor (3m, good to soft) six weeks ago, winning readily by 10l; contests deeper race here but probably still on workable mark after 5lb rise, and quicker ground also suits.

9/2

1st

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Joyeux Machin

12st 2lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Exposed ex-Irish gelding who has yet to score for Dan Skelton (0-10); however, he has been contesting stronger races and was going nicely in clear lead when falling six out in major handicap chase at Doncaster (3m, soft; fine on good) in January; his subsequent Ascot run needs forgiving but that was a Class 1 race.

5/2

9th

6

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Joyeux Machin

10st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Record of 0-9 for current yard but he ran well over hurdles on this card last year; still going nicely in clear lead when falling six out in major handicap chase at Doncaster (3m, soft) most recently; shortlisted.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 5-12F2 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beat the decidedly smart Hercule Du Seuil at Ballinrobe in May and might well have done so again had he found his stride a little earlier when going down narrowly in a Grade 3 at Punchestown (2m2f, yielding to soft) 19 days ago; already looking a much better chaser than hurdler; bit to prove over quite this far but should stay; now tongue tied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 100y

18:37 Killarney

Senecia

11st 8lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Vincent Laurence Halley

Very smart chaser when at his best but he was well beaten in this 12 months ago and last season's placed efforts were remote ones behind class acts; current wellbeing is a bit of an issue.

12/1

5

1st Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

14:10 Leopardstown

Senecia

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Vincent Laurence Halley

Decent sort has two wins apiece over hurdles and fences, including a Grade 2 at Navan last season, his best performance; however, he is rated a long way below all of these rivals and is an unlikely winner.

66/1

Form: P22349 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
With Carl Millar unable to claim 7lb this time she's not weighted to reverse placings with Joyeux Machin on their Wexford form in early September; below par in a handicap hurdle at Ffos Las two weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

4th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:30 Wexford

Effernock Fizz

11st 0lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Cian Collins

Admirable mare will be having her 108th start under rules; 1-21 over fences but has run well at this venue on multiple occasions; lost form since shock win in a 2m listed handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in March 2024; hard to fancy on recent showings but can't fully dismiss.

10/1

6th

5

4th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:30 Wexford

Effernock Fizz

11st 0lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Cian Collins

Admirable mare will be having her 108th start under rules; 1-21 over fences but has run well at this venue on multiple occasions; lost form since shock win in a 2m listed handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in March 2024; hard to fancy on recent showings but can't fully dismiss.

10/1

5

15th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:55 Gowran Park

Effernock Fizz

10st 8lb

J: E Walsh

T: Cian Collins

Admirable front-runner but recent form far from encouraging, 3m beyond her last time; return to 2m to suit but hard to see her lasting it out.

25/1

Verdict

It’s difficult to know what to expect from Idas Boy on his return from an absence but his form is right up there. Perhaps the safer bet is SENECIA, who ran right up to his best in a Grade 3 only 19 days ago and he gives the impression that he’ll stay this longer trip. Joyeux Machin will need more than when beating Effernock Fizz last time but there’s room for improvement in his jumping.[Alistair Jones]