January 16 / 15.10 Chepstow

15.10

Good To Soft

Always Gamble Responsibly At Vickers.Bet “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 3f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Always Gamble Responsibly At Vickers.Bet “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 50

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off when 200-1 for hurdle debut here (2m) three weeks ago; probably one for further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:12 Ffos Las

Absolute Steel

11st 10lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Tom Lacey

midfield, dropped to rear after 2nd, reminders after 3rd, soon raced in last and detached, pulled up before 6th, never going well

10/1

4

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:12 Ffos Las

Absolute Steel

11st 10lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Tom Lacey

Caused a 200-1 surprise when landing a novice at Exeter (2m2f, heavy) in February but he stopped quickly and was pulled up at Bangor next time; still unexposed but has bit to prove again on this handicap debut and drying ground would be an unknown factor.

10/1

1

28th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 123y

Class 3

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Absolute Steel

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Tom Lacey

First two starts saw him beat a total of one rival; 200-1, therefore, for a novice hurdle at Exeter (2m2f, heavy) 17 days ago but he made most to win that eight-runner race, rallying to see off the 4-9 favourite; wandered at plenty of his hurdles that day and looks the type to improve but the penalty may be his undoing today.

100/30

Form: PP

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed no promise when pulled up on both hurdling starts in November; moves up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Ask Me Out

11st 4lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

held up in rear, outpaced and struggling 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th

66/1

Form: O-3

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner in 2022; swerved and ran out after second flight on rules debut that November but returned with a promising third over C&D (soft) three weeks ago, albeit well held in the end; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

17:05 Perth

Broughshane

11st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Left the O'Neills for £23,000 and made a winning start for this yard at Market Rasen in first-time blinkers (2m4f, good); didn't have a lot in hand but only raised 3lb.

7/2

5

19th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 3

14:05 Market Rasen

Broughshane

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Surged in the weights for wins at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) and Southwell (2m4f, good) last autumn; below par on his last two starts for the O'Neills but he's since joined a bang-in-form stable (for £23,000) and has to be of interest in first-time blinkers after a break.

11/2

5th

5

10th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

18:20 Hexham

Broughshane

11st 10lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Went up 19lb for wins at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) and Southwell (2m4f, good) last year; beaten at odds-on next time but subsequently fair third on chase debut; back over hurdles after pulling up last time; others look better handicapped.

7/1

Form: 0-75

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed nothing more than minor promise in two Warwick novice hurdles in November (2m3f/2m5f); needs last month's wind op to have made a big difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

17:05 Ffos Las

Grand Escaparde

10st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Always behind when switched to fences and fitted with cheekpieces for handicap debut at Exeter (2m1f, good) last month; not bred to benefit from today's hike up in trip and clearly needs to take a big step forward but he represents a respected stable and remains very unexposed.

14/1

3rd

10

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

17:05 Ffos Las

Grand Escaparde

10st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Always behind when switched to fences and fitted with cheekpieces for handicap debut at Exeter (2m1f, good) last month; not bred to benefit from today's hike up in trip and clearly needs to take a big step forward but he represents a respected stable and remains very unexposed.

14/1

9th

9

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 5

19:00 Exeter

Grand Escaparde

10st 13lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Hasn't shown much in a bumper and three hurdles at up to 2m5f; cheekpieces now added to tongue-tie for chase debut; in good hands and on a workable mark but need to see more from him.

12/1

Form: 0/2

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Absent for 947 days after good-ground Irish point win but made a very promising rules debut when second of five at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) last month, albeit unable to trouble very useful winner; that form already makes him a leading contender here and he could easily have a lot more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

House Of Stories

11st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Point/hurdle winner; pulled up on chasing debut in February but, with today's headgear combination fitted, fared much better on final two starts last season (3m1f/3m) and made the frame; may still have potential.

10/1

11

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

House Of Stories

11st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Point/hurdle winner; pulled up on chasing debut in February but, with today's headgear combination fitted, fared much better on final two starts last season (3m1f/3m) and made the frame; may still have potential.

10/1

4th

12

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

17:12 Ffos Las

House Of Stories

11st 1lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Rebecca Curtis

in touch with leaders, mistake 14th, left in second 3 out, outpaced from 2 out, stayed on run-in

11/2

Form: 6P9

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in an Irish point in October but struggled in a bumper and two novice hurdles (2m3f/2m) towards end of last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

28th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

21:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Johns Dream

10st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Sheila Lewis

Two modest runs since career-best second in Hereford handicap in March (3m1f, good to soft); cheekpieces now tried.

16/1

7th

8

12th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

17:13 Ludlow

Johns Dream

10st 9lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Beaten a neck by Fantomas when second of 16 on handicap debut at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft) in March; flopped when co-favourite off this 5lb higher mark at Stratford three weeks ago, when jockey reported that he hung right-handed, so reverting to this right-handed track may help.

8/1

Form: 4

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed ability in two Irish points last April and made a quite promising start to rules career when fourth of six at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) last month; has each-way claims at least, if able to build on that performance today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 136y

Class 5

14:50 Chepstow

Just In A Bit

11st 8lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Mel Rowley

Low-mileage maiden who's been second or third in handicaps on all three chase outings, absent 590 days after first of those; rallied strongly when third of seven at Leicester (2m7f, soft) one month ago, which suggests that this step back up in trip is very much in order; one to consider.

7/2

3rd

2

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

14:50 Leicester

Just In A Bit

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Low-mileage maiden who ran well on chase debut in June 2024 (penultimate start) and may be capable of progress with Hereford reappearance under his belt; one to consider.

3/1

Form: 5-P5

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in two 2m5f novice hurdles at Exeter towards end of last year (blinkers added last time); difficult to enthuse over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 3

15:53 Exeter

Mad Mike

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Displayed huge improvement to finish first in Chepstow maiden (2m3f, heavy) in January, only to be demoted to second for causing interference; gained compensation in match race here (2m5f, heavy) the following month and might have more to offer in handicaps this term.

10/1

1st

1

23rd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

14:03 Exeter

Mad Mike

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Left previous form behind when first past the post at 100-1 at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) last month, only to be demoted due to interference; needs to confirm that promise today, but leading claims if he can.

4/11

Form: 9-04

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made a reasonably encouraging hurdle debut when plugging on for never-dangerous fourth over C&D (soft) three weeks ago, but has about 4l to find with Broughshane and was almost certainly flattered by his proximity to Jonjo O'Neill's runner that day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:20 Fontwell

Maximum Effort

12st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Three runs at Chepstow look easily the best of his seven appearances over hurdles, the most recent when fifth of 17 in handicap (2m3f, good to soft; acts on heavy) in November; his dam had stamina but this 6yo was pulled up on both his attempts at this sort of trip, including latest outing.

7/1

7th

1

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:20 Fontwell

Maximum Effort

12st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Three runs at Chepstow look easily the best of his seven appearances over hurdles, the most recent when fifth of 17 in handicap (2m3f, good to soft; acts on heavy) in November; his dam had stamina but this 6yo was pulled up on both his attempts at this sort of trip, including latest outing.

7/1

6

20th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 45y

Class 5

14:40 Uttoxeter

Maximum Effort

11st 13lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

in touch with leaders

8/1

Abandoned

Form: 6

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has fairly good Flat pedigree and was only 4-1 for recent bumper debut at Exeter was but detached and struggling (albeit on heavy ground) from about halfway; can only be watched here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

6th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

14:15 Uttoxeter

Valfortore

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

didn't always jump with fluency, led, joined 5th, headed before 4 out, soon dropped to last, lost ground before 3 out, soon tailed off

50/1

3rd

3

6th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

14:15 Uttoxeter

Valfortore

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

didn't always jump with fluency, led, joined 5th, headed before 4 out, soon dropped to last, lost ground before 3 out, soon tailed off

50/1

8

19th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

14:30 Exeter

Valfortore

11st 7lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

prominent, weakened from 4 out

100/1

Non-runners

Jaunty Belle

Verdict

Broughshane was prominent for a long way before weakening into third over C&D three weeks ago and has plenty of scope to build on that performance but Irish point winner HOUSE OF STORIES gets the nod. Rebecca Curtis’ 8yo could not lay a glove on subsequent Challow Hurdle third The Jukebox Man when second on last month’s rules debut at Ffos Las but that was still a very pleasing performance and he did not have a hard race.[Chris Wilson]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

House Of Stories

WEST COUNTRY:

Broughshane

The Times:

Broughshane

Telegraph:

Broughshane

The Guardian:

Broughshane

D Express:

Broughshane

Daily Record:

Broughshane

RP RATINGS:

House Of Stories

POSTDATA:

House Of Stories

Daily Mail:

House Of Stories

Daily Mirror:

House Of Stories

The Sun:

House Of Stories

The Star:

House Of Stories