April 22 / 15.42 Ffos Las

15.42

Soft

Dragonbet The Bookmaker Of Wales Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £8264.76
  • 3m 1f 60y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Dragonbet The Bookmaker Of Wales Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.60
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 6-11PP C

Last run: 59 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won on heavy ground at Newton Abbot (3m2f) and Wincanton (3m1f) in first two chase starts but he's been pulled up in last two runs, including a laboured effort in the Devon National; drops back in trip and grade but he has questions to answer and probably wouldn't want the ground to dry out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:00 Wincanton

Take Your Time

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Triple hurdle winner who is 3-9 over fences but he's been pulled up in last three runs and latest was over C&D (heavy) two weeks ago; that was after a lengthy absence but he's now an 11yo and he needs a big turnaround.

12/1

3

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

15:33 Wincanton

Take Your Time

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Record of 3-8 as a chaser but confined to just three races last season and wasn't anywhere near his best (including when pulled up behind Collectors Item); now an 11yo so perhaps asking a bit much for him to rediscover his peak form; has won on heavy.

5/1

2

21st Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

15:40 Ffos Las

Take Your Time

11st 5lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

3-7 over fences; ran well when third (albeit well held in the end) in valuable Haydock handicap (3m1f, soft) on seasonal debut in November but was pulled up when last in action and the forecast good ground may not be ideal for him here.

6/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: -63412 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Made it fourth-time lucky over fences with his easy win here (3m, heavy) last month and he was unlucky not to follow up at Chepstow, where he was hampered by a loose horse when in the lead at the last; up another 4lb but he's going the right way over fences and is respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

21st Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

15:40 Ffos Las

Rouge De LQuest

10st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Placed four consecutive times (2m7f-3m6f) after his C&D (heavy) win in first-time blinkers just under a year ago; still on a workable mark but was pulled up when tried in a visor last month and is untested on ground faster than good to soft.

9/2

6

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Rouge De LQuest

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Rebecca Curtis

Lightly raced 9yo who has been consistent in staying chases at up to 3m1f but stamina appeared stretched over 3m6f at Exeter (soft) last time; will need to see this out better and the change of headgear is a grey area.

15/2

6

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Rouge De LQuest

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Rebecca Curtis

Lightly raced 9yo who has been consistent in staying chases at up to 3m1f but stamina appeared stretched over 3m6f at Exeter (soft) last time; will need to see this out better and the change of headgear is a grey area.

15/2

8/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: P11-U4 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with two wins and was unlucky not to complete a hat-trick on his comeback at Plumpton (3m1f, soft), where he held clear lead before unseating rider at final fence; only 2lb higher here and he had a tough assignment behind a major improver at Wincanton last time; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 5

19:37 Chepstow

Windance

11st 12lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Martin Sweetland

Landed back-to-back Fontwell and Wincanton staying handicap chases three years ago (good to soft); blameless exit behind Stumps Or Slips latest (hampered) but capable of throwing in his own errors or jumping right; form of this year's completed efforts falls well short of the required.

33/1

9

7th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

17:10 Exeter

Windance

11st 12lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Martin Sweetland

Four wins under rules divided between hurdles and fences but at an ordinary level; 66-1 when tailed off behind Macklin here last month.

66/1

5th

11

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:13 Exeter

Windance

11st 12lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Martin Sweetland

Dual handicap winner in 2023 but last year's point/hunter chase form was uninspiring and he was a long way behind Crawter when reappearing in a Larkhill point this month.

50/1

14/1

Form: 6P22PU D

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Triple chase winner on soft ground; front-running second at Fontwell (3m2f) and Catterick (3m1f) in February but he's failed to complete in his other three starts this year; got hampered when unseating at Chepstow last time but he's not easy to predict and comes with risks attached; visor is removed and cheekpieces return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

17th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

14:20 Southwell

Dr Kananga

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Ben Clarke

Three chase wins, the latest at Sandown in February 2022 (3m, soft); creditable 14l third to a subsequent winner in a veterans' chase at Doncaster last time (3m, good); contender.

11/4

3rd

5

2nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

14:00 Doncaster

Dr Kananga

11st 4lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Ben Clarke

led, headed 13th, not fluent and dropped to last 5 out, rallied and went third after 3 out, soon no extra

8/1

10

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

Dr Kananga

10st 8lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Ben Clarke

Not the force of old and his losing spell goes back to February 2022; pulled up in this race last year but runner-up on next two starts (3m2f/3m1f) and his front-running sixth in the 3m4f London National at Sandown eight weeks ago wasn't a bad reappearance; stamina not proven.

9/1

Form: -22432 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Returned to form with a creditable second off this mark at Haydock (3m1f, soft) last month but that took his overall record to 1-29 and his sole win was in December 2020; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Warwick

Special Acceptance

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Billy Aprahamian

pressed leader, led before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on

5/4

1st

4

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Warwick

Special Acceptance

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Billy Aprahamian

pressed leader, led before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on

5/4

2nd

4

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

13:25 Huntingdon

Special Acceptance

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Has very modest 1-31 career strike-rate but was clear second to a big improver on last month's seasonal/stable at Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) and is also suited by this C&D; leading contender.

6/4

Form: -21241 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 10yo who has been progressive over fences and he made it two wins from his last four starts when making all at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) two weeks ago; up 7lb but he had plenty in hand last time and another bold bid should be on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:00 Wincanton

Supervisor

11st 2lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Venetia Williams

12yo who has struggled at biggish prices in his two runs over 2m7f at Chepstow (tailed off/pulled up) this winter; dropped another 4lb but his last win was in April 2024 and he needs a major revival; stablemate of Camulus.

20/1

1

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:47 Chepstow

Supervisor

12st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Yet to add to his two soft-ground chase wins in early 2024 and is a 12yo now, but faced very tough task from out of the weights here on last month's seasonal debut and contests this easier race from a workable mark.

14/1

2nd

4

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:38 Ludlow

Supervisor

11st 4lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Clearly best efforts on soft going and, following two unseats, he was beaten 15l when fourth of five on good ground at Doncaster on latest outing; competitive on best form; stable also runs Fuji Flight.

12/1

Form: -21325 BF

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Thorough stayer who has been largely in good form this season, and his win at Sandown (3m, soft) in December has been very well advertised by the runner-up since; had an excuse when below par on his latest outing (bled) and he still looks on a workable mark; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 5f 24y

Class 5

13:50 Fakenham

Animal

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Suzy Smith

Tailed off two runs back but the season had started okay given the company he was in and it was a solid enough run to be beaten 6l last time at Fontwell (3m2f, soft); same career-low mark here and firmly in the reckoning.

5/2

17

24th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Cheltenham

Animal

10st 12lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Suzy Smith

Makes seasonal debut from a tempting mark and won't fail through lack of stamina but looked out of sorts on both outings at the start of this year and has done all his winning on soft ground; needs combination of wind surgery and first-time tongue-tie to prompt a revival.

33/1

Form: P-P346

Last run: 73 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Useful chaser at best but he's been inconsistent since his last win and was tailed off at Kempton (3m, soft) in his last run in February; mark is falling but he's in the veteran stage now and others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 3

15:42 Ffos Las

Emir Sacree

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful chaser at best but he's been inconsistent since his last win and was tailed off at Kempton (3m, soft) in his last run in February; mark is falling but he's in the veteran stage now and others are more convincing.

9/1

1

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 3

15:42 Ffos Las

Emir Sacree

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful chaser at best but he's been inconsistent since his last win and was tailed off at Kempton (3m, soft) in his last run in February; mark is falling but he's in the veteran stage now and others are more convincing.

9/1

6th

7

9th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:40 Kempton

Emir Sacree

11st 5lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Fairly useful but has shown inconsistent form since last win and sometimes jumps left, including when modest fourth at Ascot 11 weeks ago; opposed kept to right-handed course.

12/1

Form: 223159 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Got back on the scoresheet over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m, soft) in February but he's been disappointing in both subsequent runs; record of 3-6 over fences but his last chase run was in 2022 and he has something to prove back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

16:18 Ffos Las

Balkardy

10st 13lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Multiple winner but hasn't become easy to predict and followed two modest runs over hurdles with a pull-up on his return to fences at Ludlow; others safer.

20/1

3

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:22 Ffos Las

Balkardy

12st 0lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Found Class 2 race at Newton Abbot slightly too hot last time but is now only 2lb higher than when winning here (2m4f, good to soft) in June, and today's longer trip probably suits him better; one to consider.

11/2

9

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 2

16:30 Newton Abbot

Balkardy

10st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Kept on well to assert at Ffos Las (2m4f, good to soft) when back over hurdles in June, his fourth hurdling success, and does not look harshly treated by a 3lb rise for that but moves up from 0-115 company today and others in this line-up look stronger.

12/1

Form: 231U31

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
0-5 over hurdles but he's done well since switched to fences and made it 2-6 in this sphere when forging clear at Chepstow (3m6f, soft) last month; 10lb higher back in trip but his first chase win was at 3m and he's open to more progress; key player for in-form yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

6th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:20 Exeter

Leissieres Express

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Progressive over fences last season when winning here and over 3m6f elsewhere; the glaring concern is his laboured reappearance a month ago over 3m2f at Chepstow, where he has form.

10/1

1st

7

6th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:20 Exeter

Leissieres Express

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Progressive over fences last season when winning here and over 3m6f elsewhere; the glaring concern is his laboured reappearance a month ago over 3m2f at Chepstow, where he has form.

10/1

Non-runners

Mario De Pail

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.40
Straight Forecast £25.72
Tricast £89.76
Trifecta £165.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Rouge De L'Quest

WEST COUNTRY:

Leissieres Express

The Star:

Animal

TOPSPEED:

Mario De Pail

SPOTLIGHT:

Supervisor

LAMBOURN:

Emir Sacree

The Times:

Leissieres Express

Telegraph:

Leissieres Express

POSTDATA:

Rouge De L'Quest

The Guardian:

Rouge De L'Quest

Daily Mail:

Rouge De L'Quest

D Express:

Rouge De L'Quest

Daily Mirror:

Rouge De L'Quest

Daily Record:

Rouge De L'Quest