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
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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

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

2nd

3

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 3

16:55 Cartmel

King Roly

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Back in prime form when keeping on strongly for clearcut success in first-time blinkers at Worcester (2m7f, good) 12 days ago, and now 4-11 over fences; on the downside, he's never run here before and will have something to prove if the ground is slower than good to soft.

5/1

1st

4

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:02 Worcester

King Roly

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Back to form with 9l second to well-handicapped winner at Market Rasen (extended 2m5f, good) in June and it was the competitive Summer Plate there in which he was soundly beaten last time (hampered four out and wasn't disgraced); could be in the mix back down in grade, provided the step back up in trip isn't an issue; wears first-time blinkers.

5/1

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

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