January 05 / 12.45 Chepstow

12.45

Soft

Dunraven Windows / EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 0f 11y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Dunraven Windows / EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sleet

Form: -22131 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Can front-run; won at Uttoxeter (2m, good) in October and Hereford (2m, good to soft; at 2-9) in November, with a good third at Stratford in between; giving at least 10lb all round today smacks of a much stiffer task but he still has a place chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

15:00 Newbury

Nowmelad

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Henry Oliver

Just the one blip in five runs since joining Henry Oliver and ran his usual honest race when going down narrowly at Hereford in January (2m, soft; effective on drier); the winner of that race has failed to frank the form but this 7yo could still be in the thick of it here.

6/1

2nd

4

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 3

15:30 Hereford

Nowmelad

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Henry Oliver

Won twice for the Newland/Insole stable in the autumn of 2024; creditable efforts in three of his four runs for current yard including when a close second in Market Rasen handicap (2m2f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; up 3lb but he went down fighting last time and that was behind a major improver; respected.

9/4

33/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: 6-5

Last run: 234 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten just over 2l when sixth of 13 on debut but faded much more badly when going down by 30l in another Perth bumper last spring; has Flat sprint winners on the dam's side.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Magna Victor

10st 4lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Trained in Shropshire but has raced mainly in Scotland; followed two wins at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) over the winter with creditable third of 15 at Ayr (2m, soft) three weeks ago; more needed off unchanged mark.

25/1

3rd

5

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Ayr

Magna Victor

11st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Lightly raced 7yo who is 2-2 since sent into handicaps, both wins over 1m7f on good to soft ground at Musselburgh; an 8lb rise seems harsh enough for last time, for all that he won readily, and this a lot deeper; still respected with him on an upward curve.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 65

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Midfield in a bumper at Chepstow and maiden hurdle at Windsor, but beaten more than 30l in both and he'd surely have been well adrift of Boston Boy last time had that rival not crashed out; had his own swerve at the same flight, too.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

19

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

CEst Different

10st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

4-4 in handicaps (soft/good to soft) and strode clear for emphatic wins at Market Rasen and Newbury when stepped up to about 3m on his two runs this season; up another 10lb but he's been seeing out those races in grand style and, after just eight starts, still possesses serious potential.

7/1

1st

1

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

CEst Different

12st 1lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Strode clear for emphatic success in Pertemps qualifier at Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft) in sole start this term, taking record since handicapping to 3-3; another big hike in the weights reflects his progress, which may well continue; greatly respected back down in grade.

9/4

Form: 9

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
150-1 for maiden hurdle here (2m3f, good to soft) in November and was beaten 26l; down in trip but probably one for further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

16:10 Exeter

Following Chapter

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Record of 412 since handicapping, the win gained by 4l at Warwick (2m3f, good to soft); clear of the remainder at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) since; may show additional progress upped further in trip; remains of interest.

7/2

2nd

2

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:07 Ludlow

Following Chapter

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Alastair Ralph

Only his second run in a handicap when a 4l winner at Warwick (2m3f, good to soft) where he was backed into favouritism; still looked green in front that day and might well be up to defying the 8lb rise.

7/4

4

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:00 Ludlow

Following Chapter

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Beaten a long way in his first two races over hurdles and already looks one for handicaps.

50/1

Form: 4-

Last run: 274 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Backed for a bumper at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) on debut last April but soundly beaten in fourth of seven; left Mel Rowley for £8,000 in May and hooded for this return; bred to jump but probably best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

17:00 Hereford

Cornish Comedy

11st 4lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Made a promising start over fences when runner-up here (2m5f, good to soft) in December but he flopped when favourite at Warwick (2m4f) later that month; still has low mileage but he's been up and down so far and needs to bounce back at this new trip.

4/1

2nd

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:50 Taunton

Cornish Comedy

11st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

mounted in chute, didn't always jump with fluency, led, headed 3 out, soon lost ground quickly, mistake 2 out, just held second

14/1

8th

3

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:25 Taunton

Cornish Comedy

11st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Both starts over 2m on heavy ground, finishing fourth in Uttoxeter bumper (for Mel Rowley) then sixth in Chepstow novice hurdle; needs major improvement on bare figures.

50/1

25/1

Form: 2-00

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in a bumper at Warwick in October 2023 but he wasn't seen again until two remote finishes in 2m maiden hurdles (25-1 and 40-1) this winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

16:58 Cartmel

Out Out

11st 3lb

J: Mr Evan Lonergan

T: Neil King

Didn't last long with the Skeltons, though he was second in a bumper and in a handicap hurdle; last seen winning a match between the flags in May 2025; needs checking in the betting on first run for Neil King.

7/1

10th

12

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:58 Ayr

Out Out

10st 2lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Good-ground bumper runner-up who ran his best race yet over hurdles when clear second at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) last month on his second handicap start, and that form has received a firm boost from the winner; stamina to prove today but he's a major player if seeing it out.

3/1

10th

12

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:58 Ayr

Out Out

10st 2lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Good-ground bumper runner-up who ran his best race yet over hurdles when clear second at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) last month on his second handicap start, and that form has received a firm boost from the winner; stamina to prove today but he's a major player if seeing it out.

3/1

Form: F6

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Weakened in the closing stages over 2m at Hereford (fell at the last) and Southwell (beaten 18l) this winter; needs much better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

16:10 Exeter

On The Go

12st 3lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Charlie Longsdon

Steadily progressive and his last three appearances feature two wins at Hereford (2m5f, good/soft) by an aggregate of 22l; well treated under a penalty for the latest performance (future mark 4lb higher); respected.

5/2

1st

3

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

16:10 Hereford

On The Go

11st 11lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Charlie Longsdon

Got off the mark when scoring over C&D (good) in November off 10lb lower mark; never threatened when tenth of 14 finishers at Newbury (3m, good to soft) last month but may be worth another chance back here.

5/1

10th

16

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

On The Go

10st 9lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Charlie Longsdon

Moving in the right direction (form figures 4331, all off 10lb lower) in handicaps, drawing clear for 10l success at Hereford (2m5f) most recently; has to deal with new mark but may continue to show progress.

8/1

Form: 050P-3

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Gave a whiff of ability in bumpers for Gary Moore; pulled up, however, in a seller on hurdle debut last January and his 23l third of ten for new connections in a novice at Hereford (2m4f, good to soft) last month was modest form; may do better but hard to fancy just yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

6th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

17:48 Worcester

Head Over Hinds

10st 9lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Max Comley

Inconsistent maiden who suffered a heavy defeat at Hereford switched to fences most recently; chance depends on whether he improves for first-time hood.

12/1

5

6th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

17:48 Worcester

Head Over Hinds

10st 9lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Max Comley

Inconsistent maiden who suffered a heavy defeat at Hereford switched to fences most recently; chance depends on whether he improves for first-time hood.

12/1

2

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

15:10 Hereford

Head Over Hinds

11st 13lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

Has some ability but failed to make a serious impact in his three bumpers and four hurdle races, the latest his handicap debut at this track (2m4f, good) when tongue tied first time; needs better on this chase debut.

14/1

Form: 9

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dam fair 2m hurdle winner; 150-1, disputed the lead long way when about 16l ninth of 11 in bumper at Ludlow (good to soft) last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

16:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Pooleys Promise

10st 6lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Won a Fontwell handicap (3m, good) for Ryan Potter last May but she's been disappointing since including in two runs for new yard this spring; mark continues to fall but she was pulled up at Taunton last time and has a lot to prove; hood is added and tongue-tie is removed.

12/1

7

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

17:30 Taunton

Pooleys Promise

10st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

2lb lower than for Ffos Las win (3m, good) for Ryan Potter last May; soft ground might be blamed for two heavy defeats late last year and perhaps she needed the race when unable to justify market prominence on recent stable debut behind two of these over C&D last month; wore cheekpieces last time and also tongue tied today; interesting to see if her backers return.

5/1

Form: 2-2 BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in a bumper at Huntingdon (soft) in March showed plenty of ability, as did his staying-on second of six in novice hurdle at Leicester (1m7f, heavy; 4-5) one month ago; he'll hopefully have more confidence in his jumping this time and looks the standout candidate on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

3rd Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:45 Huntingdon

Carismatic Soldier

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

47,000euros 3yo; fourth foal; half-brother to bumper/hurdle winner Fiadh and a US hurdle winner; dam fair 2m hurdle winner; has pretty good standard to reach on debut but stable does very well in bumpers.

5/1

Non-runners

Boston Boy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.30
Straight Forecast £2.73
Trifecta £20.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Carismatic Soldier

TOPSPEED:

Nowmelad

RP RATINGS:

Carismatic Soldier

POSTDATA:

Carismatic Soldier

The Times:

Carismatic Soldier

Telegraph:

Carismatic Soldier

Daily Mirror:

Carismatic Soldier

The Star:

Carismatic Soldier

Daily Record:

Carismatic Soldier

D Express:

Nowmelad

The Sun:

Nowmelad