February 09 / 16.30 Chepstow

16.30

Soft

Join Fitzdares At www.fitzdares.com Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 7f 131y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Join Fitzdares At www.fitzdares.com Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £35.50
  • Place: £6.80

Form: -1FP0P D

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Sole hurdles win (16 races) was in 2021 but five wins since from 17 starts over fences, including three over 3m-3m2f last spring; thrown in on that form but there's been no sign of it in his three attempts since five-month break and this is his first hurdle race for over two years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

16:17 Newton Abbot

Lightonthewing

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

Has more wins over fences, most recently at Exeter (3m, good to soft) last month under Ciaran O'Shea; failed to fire 20 days later but he's effective in this sphere as shown when a close second at Chepstow in February; yet to win from a mark this high but should be firmly in the mix.

9/2

5th

6

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 136y

Class 4

15:50 Chepstow

Lightonthewing

10st 10lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

Often front-runner; ridden by Ciaran O'Shea on last four starts; 7-22 in chases (one of his hurdles wins was this track) and those wins include his last two completed starts in this sphere, the latest at Exeter (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; this trip is unknown territory but he ran well over an extended 3m4f at Stratford in 2024; has to be in serious calculations.

9/2

1st

3

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:43 Exeter

Lightonthewing

11st 1lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

Back to form to win a Wincanton chase (3m1f, soft) in December and nearly went in again back over hurdles at Chepstow in a race he won the previous year; nothing wrong with this mark and stable goes well.

3/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 35-4P6

Last run: 91 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Point winner who's not finished less than 11l adrift in his seven races under rules; tried chasing on last two outings, with blinkers on latest (they're now removed); bits of form give him a squeak off a falling mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 136y

Class 4

15:50 Chepstow

River Voyage

11st 4lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Rebecca Curtis

Ended last season with two wins over hurdles and he outstayed his rivals to snatch another at Ffos Las (3m, heavy; under Toby McCain-Mitchell) five weeks ago in his fifth handicap chase; back up 3lb but, unraced beyond 3m, looks a strong candidate for long-distance races and therefore may be able to raise his game further.

3/1

1st

1

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

13:52 Ffos Las

River Voyage

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Rebecca Curtis

Two wins and a second to show from three runs over hurdles during the past 12 months but hasn't looked a natural back over fences this season, jumping poorly last time (3m, good to soft); potentially well treated in this discipline but reservations at the minute.

7/1

1st

2

28th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:10 Ffos Las

River Voyage

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Rebecca Curtis

Winning Irish pointer in 2022; missed 2023 and he wasn't in much form between February and May last year, nor when switched to fences in the autumn, but he put up a fighting display when runner-up to a well-treated one at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) recently; back up 3lb but good claims.

6/4

OUR TIP

2/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 14-533 CD BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Two wins last spring, latter over C&D; consistent sort who was third under Cameron Johnstone-Baker last two starts; player in this weak race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

20th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:05 Warwick

Pipers Cross

11st 9lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

Three-time winner, the latest at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) last May, and she hasn't been running badly this season (good to soft/soft); edging back down the weights and might not be far away.

5/1

4th

5

26th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:20 Plumpton

Pipers Cross

11st 2lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

Has won on soft but best form on good to soft or quicker; yard continues in fine form but Either Or had her measure at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) last month and she has no strong turnaround claims.

13/2

3rd

2

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:50 Southwell

Pipers Cross

11st 13lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

towards rear, headway before 3rd

7/1

Form: 5-3536

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won at Plumpton (3m1f, soft) last January and March and edging back down the weights; did not run so well on latest outing and blinkers (mixed results in 2023) now return; exposed 12yo but considered in this weak race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

18:27 Worcester

Im A Starman

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mark Rimell

Admirable veteran who nearly recorded his ninth hurdle win when a close second here (2m7f, good) in May; 0-8 over fences but he's 12lb lower back in this sphere and he does have some placed form in chase handicaps; dangerous with blinkers reapplied.

13/2

2nd

4

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Im A Starman

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mark Rimell

Grand veteran with eight wins over hurdles, including two over C&D last summer; down to his last winning mark and should be sharper for his fifth at Hereford last month following a five-month layoff, but you have to think that one of his younger rivals should have his measure.

12/1

5th

4

16th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:30 Hereford

Im A Starman

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Mark Rimell

Registered a four-timer last April-June (3m1f/2m7f, good/good to soft); very in and out since and he's now a 13yo but he finished on the heels of the principals off today's mark at Warwick in November when last seen; more to prove after the break.

4/1

Form: 471U-P

Last run: 279 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Made breakthrough over hurdles for Victor Dartnall with game win at Fontwell (2m6f, soft) last January on handicap debut; unseated early on chase debut and ran poorly when upped to 3m1f in May when last seen, but he could still have more to offer for new yard; one to check for market support.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

24th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:10 Worcester

Pride Of Paris

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Expensive to follow during four-race spell for Harry Derham this year and safely held here (2m7f, good; bled from the nose) on last month's stable debut; had wind op soon after that latest run and now drops back in trip; too risky.

14/1

1

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:33 Worcester

Pride Of Paris

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Beaten favourite on all four starts for Harry Derham this year, if only just at Uttoxeter last month (3m, good; first cheekpieces); respected on this stable debut, though bled from the nose when last seen.

5/1

2

25th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

14:23 Fontwell

Pride Of Paris

11st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Safely held when favourite for first two stable starts but battled on well for close second in first-time cheekpieces at Uttoxeter (3m, good; several fences omitted) this month and remains lightly raced over fences; high on the list.

6/4

Form: 259299

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Twice second off higher marks over 3m2f last May but soundly beaten on all four starts for Anthony Charlton this autumn/winter, two of them over fences; tried various headgear last six outings but it's removed today on debut for new stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:33 Fontwell

Thirtyfour Thirty

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Joe Tickle

Kept on for respectable third at Worcester (2m7f, good; no threat to easy winner) 12 days ago and will be suited by today's longer trip but often looks unenthusiastic, and it's hard to predict the extent to which he'll warm to the task today; cheekpieces refitted.

6/1

2

25th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:33 Fontwell

Thirtyfour Thirty

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Joe Tickle

Kept on for respectable third at Worcester (2m7f, good; no threat to easy winner) 12 days ago and will be suited by today's longer trip but often looks unenthusiastic, and it's hard to predict the extent to which he'll warm to the task today; cheekpieces refitted.

6/1

3rd

8

13th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Thirtyfour Thirty

11st 2lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

This time last year he posted back-to-back seconds over 3m2f on good ground at Fontwell and Warwick; well handicapped on that form but he hasn't been running well of late.

12/1

16/1

Form: 586

Last run: 81 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Has run in one point and three 2m4f hurdles races; first whiff of ability last time and the market can guide on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

18th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:45 Huntingdon

Livys Lad

11st 7lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Lightly raced 6yo; made winning seasonal/stable/chase debut at Southwell in November (2m, soft) and reportedly made a noise when third to Flash In The Park off this 5lb higher mark there the following month; could be given another chance.

6/4

7th

12

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:30 Chepstow

Livys Lad

10st 11lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Has run in one point and three 2m4f hurdles races; first whiff of ability last time and the market can guide on this handicap debut.

16/1

7th

12

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:30 Chepstow

Livys Lad

10st 11lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Has run in one point and three 2m4f hurdles races; first whiff of ability last time and the market can guide on this handicap debut.

16/1

Form: -95037

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Won a point but 0-10 under rules; handicap performances have been unconvincing but penultimate start (remote third over an extended 2m5f) suggested that this sort of trip may be worth this fourth attempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

Chauffeur Driven

11st 5lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Pulled up on chase debut latest; has placed form over hurdles but his best runs have come with give underfoot.

10/1

7th

3

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

Chauffeur Driven

11st 5lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Pulled up on chase debut latest; has placed form over hurdles but his best runs have come with give underfoot.

10/1

8

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:30 Ffos Las

Chauffeur Driven

11st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

0-12 over hurdles; ran well when second in first-time visor at Exeter (2m5f, heavy) two starts ago but is far too inconsistent to rely upon heavily, and drying ground may not be ideal for him on this chasing debut.

12/1

Form: P6P-28

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won once over hurdles and fences (3m2f) for Robert Walford; five starts for this yard, easily best of them when second at Exeter (near 2m6f, soft) on New Year's Day after 11 months off; that was followed by a heavy defeat over that same C&D 12 days later but this longer trip should help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

16:45 Exeter

William Philo

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Ben Lund

Made a bright start to last year with a good second over C&D on New Year's Day, but his form has taken a marked downturn since and recent efforts have been poor; new headgear needs to spark a revival.

50/1

10

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

14:50 Ffos Las

William Philo

10st 3lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Ben Lund

Won on soft ground at Fontwell in a hurdle race in 2021 and a 3m2f chase in 2023; however, there was an echo of that in only one (runner-up in January last year) of his eight starts for current yard.

25/1

8

7th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:20 Exeter

William Philo

10st 9lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Ben Lund

Belied triple-digit odds when second over hurdles here (2m5f, soft) on seasonal debut in January but two disappointing runs have followed and it's hard to know what to expect from him on this return to fences; refitted blinkers replace cheekpieces.

20/1

10/1

Form: 6P4359

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Sole win (17 races) was in a maiden in 2022; he continues down the weights and was third at Warwick (3m1f) in November, but took backward steps on both starts since; does not look the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Sporty Jim

11st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Maiden hurdle winner in 2022 for Olly Murphy; recently beaten in staying handicaps won by I'm A Starman (runs earlier) at Warwick and Worcester and ran respectably in the latter when ahead of Faded Fantasy; every chance.

4/1

3rd

11

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Sporty Jim

10st 5lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Still to add to April 2022's Perth maiden success for Olly Murphy (2m4f, good to soft), and this would be a bit better race than the Warwick 0-100 in which I'm A Starman beat him 31l last time.

20/1

4th

5

5th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:50 Warwick

Sporty Jim

11st 4lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Rediscovered some form and made the frame on consecutive appearances in the autumn (once over C&D) but began this year with two disappointing runs and has it all to prove again now.

16/1

Form: 255-66 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Out of form in his two races (fences and hurdles) in late 2023 and, after a year off, no sign of turning things around in his two starts this winter; cheekpieces (tried once two years ago) are given another go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 136y

Class 4

15:50 Chepstow

To Be Sure

10st 2lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Mrs C Williams

Generally in much better form last March-October than in his three starts this winter; no impact in his four races beyond 3m2f and the bottom line seems to be that he last won a race in April 2023.

20/1

3rd

4

9th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

16:15 Plumpton

To Be Sure

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Chance if bringing his 'A' game but he hasn't on last two outings when tailed off at Fakenham (3m5f) and Fontwell (3m2f; both on soft); risky.

25/1

10

12th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

13:32 Chepstow

To Be Sure

10st 4lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Evan Williams

Running well since the spring, most recently second of four at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) in first-time visor last month; will probably find others too strong in this deeper race, though; usual cheekpieces refitted.

10/1

Form: 444-P6

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 2lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
13yo with a 1-36 strike-rate under rules; no show ten days ago after a 267-day break but he stepped up dramatically on second run last winter and might have a place chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

14:20 Wincanton

Bellamys Grey

10st 2lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Carroll Gray

in rear, detached and niggled along from 3rd, slow jump and ridden 14th

50/1

15

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:30 Chepstow

Bellamys Grey

10st 2lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Carroll Gray

13yo with a 1-36 strike-rate under rules; no show ten days ago after a 267-day break but he stepped up dramatically on second run last winter and might have a place chance.

25/1

Non-runners

Gata Ban, Instant De Bonheur, Military Tycoon

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £167.80
Straight Forecast £149.23
Tricast £653.96
Trifecta £741.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Pipers Cross

Telegraph:

Pride Of Paris

D Express:

River Voyage

RP RATINGS:

Pipers Cross

POSTDATA:

Pipers Cross

The Times:

Pipers Cross

Daily Mirror:

Pipers Cross

The Sun:

Pipers Cross

The Star:

Pipers Cross

Daily Record:

Pipers Cross