May 19 / 14.05 Stratford

14.05

Good

William Hill Epic Value Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £3775.91
  • 2m 0f 213y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
William Hill Epic Value Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 2/63P- C

Last run: 145 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Kept on for close third on chase debut at Hereford (2m, good) in November, after a break, but looked badly out of sorts (albeit on soft ground) the following month and now returns from another break with a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

1

22nd Aug 2024

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:25 Newton Abbot

Dusky Days

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Won over fences in May but pulled up the last twice with and without cheekpieces; 0-9 as a hurdler and others appeal more.

25/1

3

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

14:30 Stratford

Dusky Days

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

towards rear, headway after 13th

13/2

1

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

15:15 Stratford

Dusky Days

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

prominent, lost position before 8th, soon weakened, pulled up after 2 out

7/2

9/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 22/3P-

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in three chases for Mick Channon in 2022 and, following a long absence, made pleasing stable debut when third at Taunton (2m, soft) last month; contender if judged on that evidence but dropped out of contention very tamely at Warwick a fortnight later.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Lingfield

Barest Of Margins

11st 6lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Sheena West

Still seeking first win (0-11; form figures over fences 2F223P2); run down late at Stratford (2m1f, good) in May; capable from this mark, but is returning from a six-month absence.

4/1

4

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Lingfield

Barest Of Margins

11st 6lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Sheena West

Still seeking first win (0-11; form figures over fences 2F223P2); run down late at Stratford (2m1f, good) in May; capable from this mark, but is returning from a six-month absence.

4/1

2nd

3

19th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

14:05 Stratford

Barest Of Margins

11st 11lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Sheena West

led, pressed leader when headed after 3rd, led narrowly after 2 out, kept on run-in, headed towards finish

9/2

6/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 5/725-

Last run: 195 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner; not bred for fences but was very respectable fifth on chasing debut at Plumpton (2m3f, good to soft) in November; ought to be better suited by today's faster ground and confirmed his wellbeing with a good AW run last month; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

14:45 Plumpton

Theonlywayiswessex

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

The form of his C&D second (good) in November worked out well and he won in fine style over C&D (good to soft) last time from Bentley's Return; 10lb higher but could take that in his stride, given his dominance.

2/1

7th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

14:45 Plumpton

Theonlywayiswessex

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

The form of his C&D second (good) in November worked out well and he won in fine style over C&D (good to soft) last time from Bentley's Return; 10lb higher but could take that in his stride, given his dominance.

2/1

Form: 23F05- D

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won twice over hurdles at Taunton in April 2023 and looked back in good nick when fifth of 16 there (2m, good) last month; on workable mark for today's chasing debut and a player if he jumps soundly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

9th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:25 Taunton

Phoenix Risen

12st 0lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Won this two years ago and produced another solid run here when just behind Dirty Den a month ago (good); Chad Bament rides again with his 7lb claim and every chance of being involved; races prominently.

3/1

6th

1

9th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:25 Taunton

Phoenix Risen

12st 0lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Won this two years ago and produced another solid run here when just behind Dirty Den a month ago (good); Chad Bament rides again with his 7lb claim and every chance of being involved; races prominently.

3/1

3rd

4

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

15:10 Taunton

Phoenix Risen

11st 4lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

led narrowly or disputed lead, headed 5th, led narrowly or disputed lead 3 out, pressed leaders when headed 2 out, bumped after last, kept on

7/1

Form: P/06-6

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Went close over C&D (good) just under a year ago but soundly beaten on all four subsequent appearances; 6lb wrong today; younger rivals are much more appealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

7th Sep 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

17:20 Stratford

Invincible Wish

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

midfield, lost position 11th, no impression from 4 out

12/1

8th

10

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Worcester

Invincible Wish

10st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Has taken time to come to hand since returning from a long absence this year but built on some better recent efforts with a hard-fought win (first over obstacles) at Stratford (2m3f, good) last month; leading player back up 3lb.

9/2

1st

11

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

13:30 Stratford

Invincible Wish

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

chased clear leader, in touch with leaders before 8th

20/1

Form: /P3PP-

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Sold out of Nicky Henderson's stable after disappointing start to chasing career last autumn and was pulled up over C&D (albeit on heavy ground) on stable debut in March; back on a sound surface with cheekpieces added today; others have much less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

18th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

15:55 Stratford

Boom Boom

10st 7lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Excelled himself when third of five from miles out of the weights over C&D (good to firm) last summer but struggled to get competitive at Warwick last month, after a break, and is now 0-9 over fences; too risky.

25/1

3rd

5

18th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

15:55 Stratford

Boom Boom

10st 7lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Excelled himself when third of five from miles out of the weights over C&D (good to firm) last summer but struggled to get competitive at Warwick last month, after a break, and is now 0-9 over fences; too risky.

25/1

4

14th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:40 Warwick

Boom Boom

10st 11lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Rob Summers

always behind, pulled up after 3 out

25/1

Form: 07PF2-

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Held every chance before last-fence fall on chasing debut at March (2m, good) and also ran well when second (albeit no match for easy winner) at Exeter (2m1f, good) last month; needs to prove he can handle a left-handed track but otherwise has pretty solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:45 Wincanton

Dunstall Rambler

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Tom George

towards rear, not fluent 1st

2/1

4th

3

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:45 Wincanton

Dunstall Rambler

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Tom George

towards rear, not fluent 1st

2/1

Form: /PP/6/

Last run: 730 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Struggled when 33-1 for chase/handicap debut two years ago and not seen since; effectively 3lb higher from 10lb out of the weights today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

19th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

14:05 Stratford

Theoule

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

always behind, weakened after 2 out

33/1

8th

10

19th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

14:05 Stratford

Theoule

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

always behind, weakened after 2 out

33/1

Form: /420-5

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Displayed significant promise in two slow-ground novice hurdles in the autumn but was safely held in both handicap hurdles this spring; in good hands and remains lightly raced but it's hard to know what to expect from her on this chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

26th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

12:35 Southwell

Smurfette

11st 9lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: T Ellis

Unraced beyond 2m6f but after winning over 2m4f at Warwick in September she didn't look short of stamina when upped to 2m6f at Stratford (good to soft) in October, finishing third to one who was retaining an unbeaten record; back up 1lb; solid form and can be closely involved.

4/1

1st

2

26th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

12:35 Southwell

Smurfette

11st 9lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: T Ellis

Unraced beyond 2m6f but after winning over 2m4f at Warwick in September she didn't look short of stamina when upped to 2m6f at Stratford (good to soft) in October, finishing third to one who was retaining an unbeaten record; back up 1lb; solid form and can be closely involved.

4/1

3rd

8

31st Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:35 Stratford

Smurfette

11st 4lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

in rear

11/2

Form: 4P/PP-

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on chasing debut for Phil Kirby in November and, following a break, also struggled when he reverted to hurdling for recent stable debut; has travelled from the Scottish Borders to run here and may appreciate the return to decent ground but considered only if lively in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

15th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

16:52 Hexham

Barley Breeze

10st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

held up in rear

28/1

6th

10

29th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

19:50 Cartmel

Barley Breeze

10st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

Pulled up on final two starts for Philip Kirby and also failed to complete both races for new stable this spring; 2lb out of the weights here and it takes a big leap of faith to support him.

25/1

8

19th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

14:05 Stratford

Barley Breeze

10st 3lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

midfield, hampered when unseated 2nd

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £40.50
Straight Forecast £32.91
Tricast £94.98
Trifecta £171.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dunstall Rambler

Telegraph:

Theonlywayiswessex

RP RATINGS:

Dusky Days

POSTDATA:

Barest Of Margins

The Times:

Dunstall Rambler

Daily Mirror:

Dunstall Rambler

The Star:

Dunstall Rambler

Daily Record:

Dunstall Rambler

D Express:

Dusky Days