October 31 / 15.15 Chepstow

15.15

Good To Soft

Join The Vickers Customer Racing Club Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6337.2
  • 2m 3f 98y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Join The Vickers Customer Racing Club Handicap Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 2133- BF

Last run: 227 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced since winning Irish point debut in 2020 but won Exeter maiden hurdle (2m5f, good to soft) by 8l in February and was placed in Grade 2 novice at Haydock (3m, good to soft) later that month; drops back in trip for today's chase/handicap debut; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

16:00 Chepstow

The King Of Ryhope

10st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

C&D winner at a different meeting last October on his reappearance and later ran well in a 3m Grade 2 at Ascot until a costly late mistake; disappointed the final time in a strong handicap at Aintree but went off favourite that day off a 1lb higher mark and evidently failed to give his running; remains an interesting handicapper.

4/1

8th

9

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

The King Of Ryhope

10st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced 3m point winner whose best hurdle run came over 3m, and he tackled that trip for the first time over fences in a Grade 2 novice at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in February, travelling well into contention but making a race-losing mistake at final fence (finished 3l fourth of five); there will be a slight doubt about him if he's back on soft/heavy but he's unexposed over staying trips and could be better than his current mark.

5/1

8th

9

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

The King Of Ryhope

10st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced 3m point winner whose best hurdle run came over 3m, and he tackled that trip for the first time over fences in a Grade 2 novice at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in February, travelling well into contention but making a race-losing mistake at final fence (finished 3l fourth of five); there will be a slight doubt about him if he's back on soft/heavy but he's unexposed over staying trips and could be better than his current mark.

5/1

12/1

  • Place: £4.20

Form: /2194- D

Last run: 227 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Came good over fences with clearcut success at Catterick (2m3f, soft) in February 2022 but reverted to hurdling last season and has been absent since a poor run in March; switches back to chasing with a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

15:40 Exeter

Can You Call

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Evan Williams

All wins have come on left-handed tracks, the latest comfortably at Cheltenham in December (2m4f, good to soft; 7lb lower); does have form going this way around and just appeared to have an off-day last time at Sandown; considered.

5/1

11

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 2

14:05 Fontwell

Can You Call

10st 9lb

T: Evan Williams

Just 1-12 over fences but was in good form last winter when last seen, finishing second on consecutive outings at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) and Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft), and Sean Bowen is a good booking here.

5/1

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 6942-2 D BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Failed to win last season but signed off with good effort in the spring and chased home a smart rival over C&D (soft) when back in action this month; on a good mark now and features prominently in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Nocte Volatus

10st 11lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Justified favouritism in the 2025 Stayers' Veterans' Chase Final at Sandown (good) most recently, taking record over 3m to 2-3; in top form aged 11 and still unexposed at this distance.

13/2

Form: 22235- D

Last run: 192 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
2-4 over fences in France in 2021; 0-8 over hurdles for current stable but ran some good races in defeat last season and makes his British chasing debut from a workable mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

14:35 Plumpton

Georges Saint

11st 11lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Mudlover who has won four times over fences and he's run creditably at Warwick (3m, good to soft) and over C&D (soft) in last two starts; finished behind Lumi Plugin last time but he should give it another good shot and any rain would be a bonus.

9/4

3rd

3

26th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

15:50 Plumpton

Georges Saint

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Mudlover who was out of sorts in just three runs last winter but ran well for a long way in a better race than this at Bangor (3m, soft) in April and kept on gamely when third at Warwick (3m, good to soft) last month; this more testing ground will suit better; solid claims.

2/1

Form: 23145- CD

Last run: 220 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Very useful in his prime; capitalised upon some significant help from the handicapper when winning gamely from the front over C&D (soft) in January but ended last season with two lesser efforts and younger rivals in this field have much more appealing profiles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Moonlighter

12st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Nothing like the force of old but is handicapped accordingly now; dropped another 2lb since last month's very respectable fourth at Ludlow and will be suited by the return to this C&D; can make a bold bid from the front.

9/2

1

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Moonlighter

12st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Nothing like the force of old but is handicapped accordingly now; dropped another 2lb since last month's very respectable fourth at Ludlow and will be suited by the return to this C&D; can make a bold bid from the front.

9/2

4th

5

21st Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 4

16:10 Ludlow

Moonlighter

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

11yo who was disappointing at Ayr (2m, soft) last month but posted two respectable performances previously when making the frame at Lingfield (2m4f, good to soft) and Chepstow (2m3f, heavy), and he's been given a chance by the handicapper; could have a part to play.

5/1

Form: 1415U- C

Last run: 212 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Quirky customer who twice came from the rear to win 2m7f hurdles last season; can probably cope with the drop back in trip for today's chasing debut but some of the others look less risky; cheekpieces removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

32

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Top Of The Bill

10st 5lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

One of several who are now in the veteran stage but also in the form of their lives; 7l winner at Haydock (extended 3m1f) in November and returned there with an excellent, rallying second in the Grand National Trial (extended 3m4f, again good to soft) in February; ridden last three starts by Toby McCain-Mitchell; back up 2lb and an interesting prospect for 4m2f but this is a much stronger race.

50/1

2nd

1

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Top Of The Bill

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

10yo who posted a career-best performance with comfortable win here (extended 3m1f, good to soft) in November, and he's also won on soft ground; not written off after just one below-par run but he was well held in the Tommy Whittle here in December and has to leave that effort miles behind.

25/1

1st

1

21st Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

15:40 Ffos Las

Top Of The Bill

12st 0lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Took very well to fences last season, winning three times over 3m (good to soft-soft), but returned with two disappointing runs in the autumn; needs to get back on track and will have something to prove if the ground stays good (unraced on anything quicker than good to soft).

11/2

Form: 8561P- D

Last run: 206 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Two chase wins last season, latterly when rallying tenaciously to prevail by a head at Newbury (2m6f, soft) in March; absent since a duff effort in April, though, and probably doesn't have much margin for error off current mark; swaps blinkers for refitted cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:40 Hereford

Foxboro

11st 9lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Four-time chase winner for Robert Walford (2m4f-3m6f, good-soft) but out of form for new stable this season (three runs); very well handicapped now but needs to be perked up by a change of headgear here.

20/1

11

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

Foxboro

10st 8lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

20l win off 4lb higher for Robert Walford at Exeter (3m6f, soft; below form on heavy) in December 2023; not nearly so good since, last twice for new yard.

25/1

11

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

Foxboro

10st 8lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

20l win off 4lb higher for Robert Walford at Exeter (3m6f, soft; below form on heavy) in December 2023; not nearly so good since, last twice for new yard.

25/1

Form: 5/163- D

Last run: 263 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Beat only two rivals when winning on chase/handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m6f, good) last November and her next two runs were somewhat underwhelming but she's returns on a workable mark and may still have potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:52 Southwell

Eureka Creek

11st 5lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Sarah Humphrey

Won a mares' novice hurdle and a mares' novice handicap chase for Emma Lavelle back in 2022; creditable third in a mares' handicap hurdle on stable debut in October (2m3f, good) but well beaten over fences last time.

20/1

2

18th Nov 2025

Good

2m 6f 10y

Class 4

14:45 Lingfield

Eureka Creek

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

Ex-Emma Lavelle; doesn't have the best of win records; creditable run when third in a Bangor mares' handicap hurdle on reappearance (2m3f, good; stable debut); each-way chance on this return to chasing.

15/2

3rd

7

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Eureka Creek

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

Useful chaser for Emma Lavelle; didn't fire on either outing last autumn, latterly when back over hurdles, and makes stable debut after 338-day absence but has slipped to a dangerous mark and the booking of Sean Bowen catches the eye.

16/1

Form: 11P2F- CD

Last run: 186 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Made bright start to chasing career last autumn, winning on good ground over C&D and at Doncaster (2m3f); off since falling here in April but should be okay on today's ground and could still have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:15 Chepstow

Nothin To Ask

11st 6lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

disputed lead, prominent before 2nd, weakened on turn after 13th, soon pulled up

5/1

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:15 Chepstow

Nothin To Ask

11st 6lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

disputed lead, prominent before 2nd, weakened on turn after 13th, soon pulled up

5/1

2nd

1

14th Dec 2024

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

13:22 Newcastle

Nothin To Ask

11st 10lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

raced in third, slightly hampered but left in second 8th, went clear with winner 12th, not fluent 5 out, no chance with winner when jumped slightly left 2 out, awkward jump last, kept on

11/4

Form: 71P6-2 D

Last run: 178 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Looked in excellent nick when eased-down hurdle winner off 2lb lower in February but this very inconsistent 8yo was pulled up in both previous chases (both in autumn 2021) and is a hard one to predict on his first start for six months.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:23 Uttoxeter

Ballybegg

11st 11lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Dual C&D winner; went close off today's mark at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March but this regressive 10yo was soundly beaten over fences when last in action and would appeal much more on slower ground.

25/1

3

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

20:18 Stratford

Ballybegg

12st 1lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Inconsistent 10yo who was well beaten when back over fences in May (2m6f), then unsuited by the drop back to 2m on his most recent start at Newton Abbot last month when a well-held third of six; on a good mark if the mood takes him now back up to a more suitable test.

10/1

3rd

3

13th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

19:55 Newton Abbot

Ballybegg

11st 6lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Went close over hurdles at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March but this inconsistent and steadily regressive 10yo was well beaten when back over fences last month (2m6f); drops back to about 2m for first time since hurdle debut in 2020; has done all his winning on ground slower than good.

10/1

Form: 1/32-

Last run: 308 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in both Irish points in 2021 and, having won a bumper, was placed on both hurdling starts towards end of last year; lost out only by a nose in 15-runner maiden here (2m3f, good to soft; front pair well clear) on latter occasion and needs to be taken very seriously on this handicap/chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

29th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 2

14:00 Uttoxeter

Hymac

10st 5lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

3m4f winner in April 2024 and, after a break, he followed up in a novice hurdle; continued to run well afterwards in staying chases, latterly behind Manothepeople at Cheltenham; this mark isn't beyond him; respected.

7/1

2nd

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Hymac

10st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Kept on gamely to win the 3m4f chase on this card a year ago (good ground) and has performed well on all four outings this season, most recently when third to Moroder in last month's Grimthorpe at Doncaster (3m2f, good; first-time cheekpieces); likely contender.

11/4

2nd

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Hymac

10st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Kept on gamely to win the 3m4f chase on this card a year ago (good ground) and has performed well on all four outings this season, most recently when third to Moroder in last month's Grimthorpe at Doncaster (3m2f, good; first-time cheekpieces); likely contender.

11/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £79.50
Straight Forecast £64.16
Tricast £294.87
Trifecta £413.10

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Hymac

SPOTLIGHT:

Nocte Volatus

D Express:

The King Of Ryhope

The Times:

Nothin To Ask

TOPSPEED:

Foxboro

POSTDATA:

Moonlighter

Telegraph:

Hymac

The Guardian:

Hymac

Daily Mail:

Hymac

Daily Mirror:

Hymac

RP RATINGS:

Nocte Volatus

The Sun:

Nocte Volatus

The Star:

Nocte Volatus

Daily Record:

Nocte Volatus