November 08 / 15.50 Chepstow

15.50

Heavy

Comtech Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3406.24
  • 2m 3f 100y
  • Class 5
  • 17 runners
SKY
View Course
Comtech Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 6-9153

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Scrambled home in three-way photo-finish to score on handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in September and posted another good effort when keeping-on third at Hereford (2m5f, good) a fortnight ago; evidently in good heart, but needs to prove himself on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Fontwell

Wot You Wearing

10st 2lb

J: Miss Kayla Ruddy

T: Fergal O’Brien

He was looking when regressive even before pulling up in his first two runs for this yard but ran better at Taunton (2m3f, good; ridden by Kayla Ruddy), where he was no match for the front two but did come from well off the pace; possibilities; 1lb wrong.

5/1

3rd

8

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:10 Taunton

Wot You Wearing

10st 5lb

J: Miss Kayla Ruddy

T: Fergal O’Brien

Out of sorts at the end of last term for Robert Stephens and he's been pulled up in handicaps (around 3m2f) at Fontwell and Warwick for his current yard this year; it's easy to look elsewhere.

20/1

6

20th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:05 Warwick

Wot You Wearing

10st 5lb

J: Miss Kayla Ruddy

T: Fergal O’Brien

Three-time hurdle winner but the latest was back in November 2023 and it's been a long time since he posed a serious threat; pulled up when a 3-1 shot for last month's stable and seasonal debut at Fontwell.

12/1

20/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 00/58- D

Last run: 240 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Chase and dual hurdle winner when trained in France but has struggled to get competitive in Britain; absent since March; needs to turn a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

22nd Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

13:05 Uttoxeter

Portentoso

10st 6lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Chris Honour

Needs to bounce back from disappointing run 26 days ago but bumped into progressive rival when clear second of 17 on last month's seasonal debut at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy; well backed), and is a major player if judged on that performance.

7/1

0

12

26th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:45 Exeter

Portentoso

10st 6lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

0-10 in Britain and is more exposed than some of these rivals; however, showed positive signs at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy; clear second) on seasonal debut and holds a fighting chance if able to build on that effort.

9/2

2nd

15

8th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:50 Chepstow

Portentoso

10st 2lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Chris Honour

pressed leader, led 4th, increased tempo going easily before 3 out

20/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 50252- D

Last run: 221 days

W: 10st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Just 1-15 over hurdles and not one to rely upon but will be very well suited by today's ground and ran well when second at Stratford (2m6f, heavy) on latest outing in April; formerly with John Groucott; now owner-trained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

15

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:50 Chepstow

Richardson

10st 3lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Slow-ground specialist who won twice over 2m3f (once here) in February 2025; should be fine over this trip but is yet to strike form this season (three runs; bled last time) and there may not be enough rain for him today.

40/1

9

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Richardson

10st 12lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Slow-ground specialist who won this race in 2025 (soft ground) and followed up at Bangor (2m3f, heavy) 17 days later; returned from layoff with two lesser efforts this season but still considered; usually held up in rear.

7/1

5th

5

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:18 Uttoxeter

Richardson

10st 11lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Belinda Clarke

Veteran campaigner with a C&D win to his name; goes well on soft/heavy ground and won at Chepstow and Bangor this time last year; probably needed run when last of five at Leicester on reappearance; more solid than most.

11/2

10/1

  • Place: £4.80

Form: 0-400

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on both starts since quite encouraging hurdle debut at Warwick (2m, good to soft) in May but makes handicap debut from a lowly mark and remains open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

8th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:50 Chepstow

Jimmy Boum

10st 8lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Christian Williams

midfield

10/1

10th

13

13th Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

14:48 Chepstow

Jimmy Boum

10st 13lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Christian Williams

towards rear

66/1

11th

9

12th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:45 Southwell

Jimmy Boum

10st 12lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Finished down the field in his sole bumper and was well held again on his hurdling debut at Warwick (2m, good to soft) last month; has lots of stamina in his pedigree but he needs plenty of progress on this step up in trip; stablemate of Faded Fantasy.

25/1

Form: F0P7-P

Last run: 96 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Just 1-16 over hurdles when trained in Ireland and struggled when 66-1 for stable debut in August; swaps blinkers for refitted cheekpieces here; tongue-tie also refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

15th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

15:05 Fakenham

Journey West

10st 3lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Max Young

1-21 over hurdles, the win coming at Down Royal (2m5f, yielding to soft) in May 2022; hasn't shown enough in five starts for this yard to suggest he will be doubling his tally.

20/1

6th

6

14th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

16:20 Fontwell

Journey West

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Max Young

Sole win from 20 starts came in first-time blinkers at Downpatrick (2m5f, yielding to soft) in May 2022; hasn't shown enough in his four starts for new yard to make much appeal.

66/1

Form: P3P9-5 C

Last run: 191 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Placed on consecutive starts last autumn (2m4f/3m) and is well handicapped on those efforts but was out of form when last seen in the spring and needs to have been refreshed by 191-day break; versatile regarding ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

12th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

15:15 Plumpton

Beaufort West

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

always behind, pulled up before 10th

25/1

8

12th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

15:15 Plumpton

Beaufort West

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

always behind, pulled up before 10th

25/1

8th

10

14th Apr 2024

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

16:25 Plumpton

Beaufort West

10st 9lb

J: Thomasina Eyston

T: Andy Irvine

in touch with leaders

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: PP444/ CD

Last run: 595 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Useful novice in 2020-21 (C&D winner on soft ground); became disappointing the following season and has been absent for 595 days but returns on a tempting mark and is worth considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

13

24th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Champagne Rhythm

11st 1lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Soundly beaten over C&D in November after a long absence and also disappointed in a chase a fortnight later; needs to stage a revival but very well handicapped on old form (includes a soft-ground C&D win) and might be perked up by first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

Form: 98-24

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Outran 100-1 odds when second in Newton Abbot novice (2m5f, heavy) in September and backed up that performance with very respectable fourth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) last month; probably needs to improve again on today's handicap hurdle debut, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:47 Fontwell

Chankaya

12st 0lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

A soft-ground hurdle winner off this mark at Taunton last February for previous stable but well held on all starts this season for current connections, latest when pulled up back at Taunton last month; sliding down the weights but doesn't look like capitalising on that anytime soon.

16/1

3

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:05 Taunton

Chankaya

11st 11lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

always behind, pulled up before 2 out

14/1

3

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:05 Taunton

Chankaya

11st 11lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

always behind, pulled up before 2 out

14/1

Form: /68P4-

Last run: 229 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Unexposed after only five hurdle starts but was beaten about 27l when fourth of seven in Hereford handicap (2m3f, good to soft) in March and needs to have made some progress during subsequent layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 136y

Class 5

14:50 Chepstow

Night Jet

10st 11lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Won chase debut in February 2025 and back to form with blinkers enlisted when second on last two outings, but all three of those runs were over 2m and there is plenty to prove judged on his attempts at 2m4f/3m; cheekpieces return and their previous usage includes that one win.

9/1

2nd

5

6th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

16:30 Leicester

Night Jet

10st 12lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Took a step forward in a change of headgear when second of eight in handicap over C&D 22 day ago, hindered by a blunder two out; this C&D winner is a likely player if blinkers have the same effect a second time.

9/2

2nd

8

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:15 Leicester

Night Jet

10st 12lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Opened his account when winning on chase debut over C&D (soft) last February but he's not come close to that form in four subsequent runs; overall record is now 1-21 and he needs new headgear to give him a boost.

7/1

33/1

Form: PP3-P9

Last run: 78 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Stayed on for modest third at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in March but soundly beaten on both starts this season (chase/hurdle) and now 0-15 under rules; 4lb wrong today; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

30th Nov 2023

Good

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

14:35 Taunton

Foillmore

10st 2lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

0-16 under rules and 0-20 overall; struggled from early stage on chasing debut in May and well beaten on both subsequent hurdling starts; 1lb wrong here; difficult to enthuse over.

20/1

10th

16

8th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:50 Chepstow

Foillmore

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jimmy Frost

towards rear, outpaced and struggling before 3 out

33/1

9th

15

22nd Aug 2023

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Foillmore

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jimmy Frost

prominent

66/1

Form: /7542-

Last run: 283 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Placed in big field at Hereford (2m3f, soft) on handicap debut in January and lost out only by a short head at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) the following month; major player if fully tuned up after 283-day absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

16:15 Fontwell

Leading Swoop

11st 10lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Course regular who kept on well to win by over 5l over C&D (good) in March and won't mind if the ground is much slower today; absent since well-held third behind Ballintara at Plumpton in April, though, and needs to be in peak form to overcome current mark; cheekpieces replace blinkers.

8/1

3rd

1

3rd Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 5

15:40 Plumpton

Leading Swoop

12st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

raced in second, niggled along briefly 12th, not fluent 14th

5/6

3rd

1

3rd Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 5

15:40 Plumpton

Leading Swoop

12st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

raced in second, niggled along briefly 12th, not fluent 14th, lost position 3 out, left in remote third 2 out, hung left approaching last, weakened run-in

5/6

Form: 56/P2/

Last run: 610 days

W: 11st 10lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner when trained by Tony Carroll and signed off for him with Flat win over marathon trip in April 2022; stable debut after 582-day absence and is getting very long in the tooth now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

7th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Be My Sea

10st 10lb

J: Kai Lenihan

T: Daniel Bourne

Returned from long absence with two low-key runs for new stable in the autumn but last month's Uttoxeter fifth (2m, heavy) in refitted cheekpieces was much more encouraging; twice a winner over 2m7f for previous trainer and has travelled from South Wales to tackle this marathon trip; interesting.

20/1

5th

10

27th Jan 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:48 Uttoxeter

Be My Sea

10st 9lb

J: Kai Lenihan

T: Daniel Bourne

prominent, weakened before 3 out

66/1

Form: 5U6-0

Last run: 181 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Raced too freely and finished well down the field when 50-1 for handicap debut at Huntingdon (3m1f, good) in May; drops back in trip with hood fitted here; others have much more obvious claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

15:15 Leicester

Nancy Till

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Max Young

Still a maiden and has the weakest form claims in this field; consequently easy to oppose.

33/1

9th

9

7th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Nancy Till

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Max Young

Modest at best and fell last time on second chase start, after a year off; hooded once (2023) and now tries cheekpieces; 3lb out of the handicap.

50/1

Form: 780-

Last run: 194 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Showed only tiny glimmers of promise in three maiden hurdles towards end of last season (1m7f-2m3f) but ought to be more competitive off her lowly opening mark on today's handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:05 Ludlow

Well Paid Soldier

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Neil Mulholland

Beaten 19l when third in a handicap hurdle at Bangor (2m7f, soft; second handicap, in new cheekpieces) but it's been all very lack-lustre since; it's hard to be confident about her chance on chase debut.

12/1

10

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

Well Paid Soldier

10st 2lb

J: Thomasina Eyston

T: Neil Mulholland

Beaten 19l when showing more at Bangor (2m7f, soft; second handicap in new cheekpieces) but it was all very lack-lustre at Leicester when behind Lady Balko.

20/1

Form: 695-7

Last run: 183 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Well beaten when 66-1 for handicap debut at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) six months ago and difficult to enthuse over here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

14

26th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:45 Exeter

Henzo Des Boullats

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Richenda Ford

Five-race maiden who holds weak form claims; has achieved little in two handicaps this season; others preferred.

33/1

0

14

8th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:50 Chepstow

Henzo Des Boullats

10st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Richenda Ford

midfield

50/1

7th

10

9th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ffos Las

Henzo Des Boullats

10st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Richenda Ford

Massive prices and beaten a long way in three qualifying runs over 1m7f-2m2f; up in trip for this handicap debut and a leap of faith is required to support him.

33/1

Form: 0032P-

Last run: 228 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in first two handicaps (2m/2m5f) but ran poorly in refitted cheekpieces (retained) on latest outing in March and is 5lb out of the weights here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

17th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

14:10 Southwell

Invincible De Mee

10st 5lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Tim Vaughan

Runner-up at Exeter (2m5f, good) last March on second handicap start but beaten 15l; pulled up on both runs since and others preferred.

33/1

Form: 3P468-

Last run: 214 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
0-15 under all codes; ran well for a long way at Exeter (2m5f, good) in March but two lesser efforts followed at the end of last season and he's 6lb out of the weights on this reappearance outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

18

8th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:50 Chepstow

Demothi

10st 2lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Jimmy Frost

raced wide, midfield, not fluent 5th, lost ground quickly before 3 out

25/1

8th

11

8th Apr 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:10 Newton Abbot

Demothi

10st 2lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Jimmy Frost

prominent on outer, in touch with leaders 3rd

20/1

6th

8

27th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 5

17:00 Wincanton

Demothi

10st 2lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Jimmy Frost

midfield, prominent 6th, pushed along and dropped to rear after 3 out, weakened 2 out

20/1

Non-runners

Pilgrims King

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £36.60
Straight Forecast £27.26
Tricast £209.96
Trifecta £262.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Leading Swoop

Daily Mail:

Wot You Wearing

SPOTLIGHT:

Champagne Rhythm

D Express:

Well Paid Soldier

The Star:

Invincible De Mee

POSTDATA:

Chankaya

Daily Record:

Richardson

Daily Mirror:

Beaufort West

The Sun:

Wot You Wearing

WEST COUNTRY:

Leading Swoop

The Times:

Leading Swoop

Telegraph:

Leading Swoop

The Guardian:

Champagne Rhythm