May 22 / 14.05 Ffos Las

14.05

Good

Francky Du Berlais Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4700.09
  • 2m 3f 83y
  • Class 4
  • 3 runners
SKY
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Francky Du Berlais Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 3 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

Form: 1/112- BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
His bumper and two hurdle wins came on left-handed tracks and he hung that way at right-handed Ludlow (2m, good), where he faced no easy task under a double penalty despite going off odds-on; should make a better chaser, given a point background and his trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

16:53 Stratford

Bond Broker

11st 8lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Doesn't help himself by tending to race too freely but got off the mark over fences at fifth attempt, with front-running success at Ludlow (2m4f, good) last month; 5lb rise is offset by Jay Tidball's claim here, and this drop back in trip won't be a problem; respected.

5/2

1st

1

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

14:50 Ludlow

Bond Broker

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Bumper winner who picked up maiden and novice hurdles (about 2m1f; good to soft and good) last term; beaten a combined 62l despite finishing second in three of his four subsequent chases but still looks a work in progress and his latest effort offered hope he might be putting it together; weakened on his one try at this sort of trip under rules.

9/4

2nd

3

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:23 Newton Abbot

Bond Broker

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Winner of a point, a bumper and twice over hurdles; did far too much early when second of three on his chase debut at Ffos Las (2m3f, good) in May, but the form of that race has worked out well and this sharp 2m may prove ideal; has won after a much longer absence.

100/30

Form: 2151- D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won two minor hurdles on either side of his remote fifth in the Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow in October, last time making all at Taunton (2m3f, good to firm) after wind surgery; likely that he's held in some regard and brings plenty of potential to chasing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Worcester

Handlethekettle

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Didn't take to fences when tailed off on his penultimate run but he then made all for a 5l defeat of Ukantango over C&D to make it 3-5 over hurdles; a 5lb rise is fair enough with the promise of more to come.

5/2

6

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Worcester

Handlethekettle

10st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Low-mileage 6yo with 2-4 strike-rate in maiden/novice hurdles last season; tailed off in three-runner race when switched to fences for last month's handicap debut but now quickly reverts to hurdling; should still have potential.

4/1

2

22nd May 2025

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

14:05 Ffos Las

Handlethekettle

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Won two minor hurdles on either side of his remote fifth in the Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow in October, last time making all at Taunton (2m3f, good to firm) after wind surgery; likely that he's held in some regard and brings plenty of potential to chasing.

5/6

OUR TIP

Form: 14P82-

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Has won a bumper and a maiden hurdle; good second in a 2m4f Perth handicap last month when tried in a tongue-tie; receiving weight off his two rivals gives him a chance on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

13

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

14:45 Market Rasen

King Roly

10st 5lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Three wins at around 2m4f last season, all in small fields on good ground; after some blips he got himself back on track when second to a well-handicapped horse over C&D a month ago on first visit here; likely to run well with Shane Fenelon now taking off 5lb; one of three runners for a yard that's captured this eight times.

10/1

2nd

2

12th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 4

19:26 Market Rasen

King Roly

12st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Three wins at around 2m4f on good ground in the first half of last season; hasn't recaptured his form after a winter break, last time pulling up at Stratford after jumping right; this track should suit him better.

6/1

1

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

17:05 Stratford

King Roly

12st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Won three small-field chases in early part of last season (2m3f-2m4f, good) and ran better than eventual 18l defeat suggests at Perth (2m4f, good; hampered by final-fence faller) last month, after a layoff; will be fine over today's longer trip and goes on the shortlist.

4/1

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Handlethekettle

WEST COUNTRY:

Bond Broker

POSTDATA:

King Roly

The Times:

Handlethekettle

Telegraph:

Handlethekettle

Daily Mail:

Handlethekettle

D Express:

Handlethekettle

The Sun:

Handlethekettle

Daily Mirror:

King Roly

The Guardian:

Bond Broker

The Star:

Bond Broker

Daily Record:

Bond Broker