December 27 / 15.25 Chepstow

15.25

Soft

Coral “Pipped-At-The Post” And Win Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 2m 0f 11y
  • Class 4
  • 16 runners
SKY
View Course
Coral “Pipped-At-The Post” And Win Handicap Chase

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 9518-1 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 5yo who beat four rivals fairly comfortably to make winning seasonal/chase debut at Leicester (2m, soft) this month; 7lb higher in a much stronger race here but the limit of his ability remains hard to gauge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

15:25 Chepstow

Davids Well

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Unexposed 5yo who beat four rivals fairly comfortably to make winning seasonal/chase debut at Leicester (2m, soft) this month; 7lb higher in a much stronger race here but the limit of his ability remains hard to gauge.

7/2

1st

12

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

15:25 Chepstow

Davids Well

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Unexposed 5yo who beat four rivals fairly comfortably to make winning seasonal/chase debut at Leicester (2m, soft) this month; 7lb higher in a much stronger race here but the limit of his ability remains hard to gauge.

7/2

1st

1

5th Dec 2024

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

14:25 Leicester

Davids Well

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

raced in second, led and going easily 3 out, cajoled along and went clear approaching last, pushed out final 110yds, comfortably

15/8

7/2

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 434-31 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Three-time chase winner; looked as good as ever when battling on well to fend off next-time-out winner in quite gruelling race at Haydock (2m, soft) last month; a 7lb rise might be enough to leave him vulnerable here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

14

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Runs off a mark 10lb lower than when fifth of 14 in this last year, beaten just over 13l; he's run a couple of reasonable races this season but hasn't shown enough to suggest he's the one to be on today.

33/1

3rd

5

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 9lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Led close home to win this race off 5lb higher a year ago (soft ground) and was seemingly perked up by cheekpieces when third on both outings last month; made up considerable ground from the rear at Sandown (1m7f, soft) on latter occasion and has strong claims here if the headgear continues to aid him.

15/8

3rd

9

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 3lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Acts on any ground; half-length second off 4lb higher in this contest 12 months ago; out of sorts this term until posting a resurgent effort, behind solid rivals, in first-time cheekpieces at Windsor most recently; enters calculations in the retained headgear.

11/2

9/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 122-25 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Below form after racing too freely at Exeter three weeks but made quite pleasing seasonal/chase debut when second at Newton Abbot (2m, heavy) in October and still has potential to build on that effort if/when he learns to settle better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Royal Jewel

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won over C&D (good to soft) in the autumn and he got back on the scoresheet at Taunton (2m7f, heavy) in February; ran another good race when third at Taunton (good) last month and he should be in the mix again on this drop back in trip.

9/1

3rd

1

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:40 Taunton

Royal Jewel

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Gained his second success of the season over C&D last month; up 3lb but he remains unexposed over this sort of trip and is not taken lightly.

3/1

1st

2

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:45 Taunton

Royal Jewel

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Returned from layoff with two good runs (one win) over 2m5f in the autumn and bounced back quickly from a lesser effort when third at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) just after Christmas; not yet proven over this far under rules but seems versatile ground-wise and can make his presence felt.

13/8

OUR TIP

Form: F1-643 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Returned from break with three respectable hurdle runs this autumn, most recently when well-held third in valuable race at Sandown (2m, heavy) three weeks ago, and reverts to chasing on same mark as for clearcut success in this race 12 months ago; might be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Zambezi Fix

12st 0lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Has been struggling for form since reappearing in October and offered little encouragement on April's return from just over two months off; has come a long way down in the weights and drops into a Class 5, but that's for good reason and he needs to turn things around.

12/1

6th

9

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:15 Chepstow

Zambezi Fix

10st 7lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Bernard Llewellyn

All three hurdle wins have come over C&D but he failed to beat a rival here in December and was tailed off again at Ffos Las in January; overall record is now 4-48 and others are preferred.

16/1

6th

4

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Ffos Las

Zambezi Fix

11st 11lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Veteran who is normally suited by Chepstow but failed to beat a rival back there last time; not particularly solid on his form this season.

20/1

Form: 1P-465 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:15 Wincanton

Royal Mer

12st 0lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Six chase wins, the latest here (1m7f, heavy) under Rian Corcoran 19 days ago; still on workable mark after recent 5lb rise and will be fine over today's longer trip but the faster ground is probably not in his favour.

9/2

1st

1

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

14:50 Wincanton

Royal Mer

12st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Five-time chase winner who relishes testing ground; runner-up in his first two starts this season including a close call at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft), but his form cooled at Hereford last time; needs to step up again after that but he remains well treated on his old form.

7/2

3rd

1

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Royal Mer

11st 13lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Five-time chase winner who relishes testing ground; runner-up on both starts this term and looks sure to go close.

13/8

Form: 111141 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:20 Wincanton

Beat Box

12st 6lb

J: Mr Martin McIntyre

T: Anthony Ward-Thomas

Useful handicapper for Dan Skelton but looks regressive judged on his recent pointing exploits.

12/1

4th

4

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:34 Ffos Las

Beat Box

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

midfield, headway on outer before 4 out, weakened before 2 out

7/2

4th

4

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:34 Ffos Las

Beat Box

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

midfield, headway on outer before 4 out, weakened before 2 out

7/2

Form: 02-413 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Newton Abbot

Western General

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Back to form after a second wind op, posting career-best RPRs when scoring at Chepstow in February and when runner-up at Hereford the following month (both at 2m); has his best form over shorter but shapes as though this trip should suit and he commands respect on that recent form.

2/1

2nd

1

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 3

14:52 Hereford

Western General

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Last year's winner on good ground; bounced back to form after wind surgery to beat four rivals at Chepstow (2m, soft) two weeks ago, making virtually all; back up 5lb but has leading claims again.

6/4

1st

4

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Western General

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Made excellent progress over fences last season, winning three times (1m7f-2m, good-heavy), but ended that campaign with a poor run and has not been at his best this term (three starts); needs last month's wind op to have made a difference.

2/1

Form: 5311-3 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Came good over fences with two convincing wins (2m/2m1f, heavy) towards end of last season and returned from break with pretty good third at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) in October; drops back in trip here; may still have a bigger performance in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:50 Uttoxeter

Doyouknowwhatimean

11st 8lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

Won four times for the Skeltons but, following a good second on his stable debut here (2m4f, heavy) in December, he has been pulled up on three of his last four starts; hard to fancy.

20/1

2

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Doyouknowwhatimean

11st 11lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

Ex-Dan Skelton; went close on yard debut in December (2m4f, heavy) but then twice pulled up and was beaten 14l here 18 days ago (good); wouldn't be the percentage call.

11/2

4th

2

31st Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

15:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Doyouknowwhatimean

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

Ex-Dan Skelton; he has pulled up in his three of his last four races but did go close when he did get round at Uttoxeter in December (2m4f, heavy; effective on good); he's risky but also capable.

25/1

Form: 1P43-5 CD BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

13:37 Southwell

Mr Grey Sky

11st 10lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Three wins from ten runs over fences, the latest at Leicester (2m, heavy) last February; may have needed the run after 312-day break when well beaten last time; a possible.

10/1

7th

6

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

15:45 Haydock

Mr Grey Sky

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

12yo who is racing for the first time since last February; however, he won at Leicester (2m, heavy) back then and he won after some time off in November 2023 (2m, good to soft); 2-2 here (bumpers in 2018); not discounted.

9/1

1st

2

25th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

15:45 Leicester

Mr Grey Sky

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Jumped poorly and was well beaten on seasonal debut in November but got back on track with front-running third at Exeter (2m1f, soft) last month and remains well handicapped on older form.

5/2

Form: 40-541 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Horse

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 2PP/73 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

23rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

14:40 Hereford

Golden Whisky

11st 11lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Evan Williams

Useful in his prime but has not been firing on all cylinders since returning from long layoff in the autumn (four runs); continues to slide down the weights but it's probably wise to wait for some encouraging signals from the betting.

9/1

5th

3

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 4

15:08 Exeter

Golden Whisky

11st 9lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Evan Williams

Has dropped a long way in the weights and hasn't been running too badly following an absence without suggesting he's a winner waiting to happen.

10/1

5th

3

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 4

15:08 Exeter

Golden Whisky

11st 9lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Evan Williams

Has dropped a long way in the weights and hasn't been running too badly following an absence without suggesting he's a winner waiting to happen.

10/1

Form: 55-211 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

15:37 Exeter

Ostrava Du Berlais

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Made encouraging seasonal debut over 2m4f in November but has been well beaten over that trip three times since; she's suited by good ground and can outclass this field if back on song but is unraced beyond about 2m5f and arrives with a fair bit to prove.

13/2

5th

2

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 166y

Class 5

16:15 Plumpton

Ostrava Du Berlais

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Dual chase winner in December 2024 and fairly consistent since, but she has struggled back up in class on last two starts, albeit they were some tough assignments; should appreciate this ease in class and she's capable of making her presence felt.

4/1

8th

8

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 42y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Ostrava Du Berlais

10st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Struggled in similar event at Cheltenham last time, ending a reasonably consistent spell of form; faces another difficult assignment and may need a return to calmer waters; gained her only wins in Class 4 and Class 5 in December 2024.

25/1

Form: 132-44 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

19:15 Hereford

Damarta

12st 0lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Began 2024 with quite stylish win for Olly Murphy at Southwell (2m, good to soft) but became rather disappointing during light campaign last season and was sold for 3,400gns in February; needs to have been revitalised by subsequent change of scenery.

12/1

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

19:15 Hereford

Damarta

12st 0lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Began 2024 with quite stylish win for Olly Murphy at Southwell (2m, good to soft) but became rather disappointing during light campaign last season and was sold for 3,400gns in February; needs to have been revitalised by subsequent change of scenery.

12/1

5th

4

10th Feb 2025

Good

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

15:00 Catterick

Damarta

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

towards rear throughout

8/1

Form: 105546 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Multiple hurdle/chase winner; lurks on a dangerous mark but has been out of form since returning from a break in October and would appeal more on good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:55 Newton Abbot

Feel The Pinch

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

No longer the force of old but returned from break with C&D (good) win off much reduced mark in June and subsequently ran well over fences here; still well handicapped over hurdles and seems versatile regarding ground; no surprise if he features.

6/1

2nd

4

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:43 Newton Abbot

Feel The Pinch

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Capitalised on a reduced mark over hurdles here (2m1f, good) ten days ago when back from a break; he wasn't running well over fences towards the end of last year but he's a three-time chase winner who is able to run off the same mark as for that recent hurdle win, so is entitled to respect.

9/4

1st

1

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:57 Newton Abbot

Feel The Pinch

12st 0lb

J: Mr James King

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Nine-time winner over jumps, including over C&D last July; out of form over hurdles and fences afterwards but the booking of James King catches the eye and, having dropped to a career-low mark, this 11yo could be a player back from a break.

10/1

Form: -24413 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

17:40 Cartmel

Jolyjump

11st 10lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: R Mike Smith

Winning hurdler/chaser for the Moores and still fairly treated on his runner-up efforts at Southwell (2m, good to soft) and Plumpton (2m1f, good) in the spring; picked up for £16,000 last month and shortlisted on stable debut, especially if market positive.

6/1

4th

7

13th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:30 Worcester

Jolyjump

10st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

1-7 over fences and not the easiest to predict; still ran well last time at Plumpton (2m1f, good; first-time cheekpieces) where his jumping got ragged late on; hard to rule out.

3/1

4th

7

13th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:30 Worcester

Jolyjump

10st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

1-7 over fences and not the easiest to predict; still ran well last time at Plumpton (2m1f, good; first-time cheekpieces) where his jumping got ragged late on; hard to rule out.

3/1

Form: 3P-223

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Slightly disappointing when well-held third at Warwick (2m, good to soft) a fortnight ago and career strike-rate now stands at 0-12 but he began his chasing career with two good seconds over C&D (good to soft) and won't be far away if in similar form today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

6th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

16:30 Leicester

Lucky Lugger

11st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

On a losing run but he fared better than of late when third of eight over C&D 22 days ago; he needs considering eased 2lb.

11/2

3rd

2

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:15 Leicester

Lucky Lugger

11st 12lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Matt Sheppard

Won at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) last February but he's been pulled up in three of his last six runs and was a well-held fourth of six at Ffos Las last time; now 7lb lower than for his last win but he needs a big turnaround.

12/1

4th

1

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Ffos Las

Lucky Lugger

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Matt Sheppard

Out of sorts since a couple of sound performances, including an account-opening win, last February; chance of revival depends on how well he responds to added cheekpieces.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.30
Straight Forecast £30.47
Tricast £197.22
Trifecta £164.50

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Dr T J Eckleburg

WEST COUNTRY:

King Of Tara

SPOTLIGHT:

Zambezi Fix

D Express:

David's Well

The Times:

Lucky Lugger

The Guardian:

Doyouknowwhatimean

The Star:

King Of Tara

Daily Record:

King Of Tara

Daily Mirror:

David's Well

POSTDATA:

Dr T J Eckleburg

Telegraph:

Dr T J Eckleburg

The Sun:

Dr T J Eckleburg

RP RATINGS:

Zambezi Fix

Daily Mail:

Zambezi Fix