May 28 / 16.18 Newton Abbot

16.18

Good

Chris Wills Memorial Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 5f 122y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Chris Wills Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 13332-

Last run: 261 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
In this month last year he completed a good-ground hat-trick in winning at Hereford (2m3f) when 6lb lower; coped okay with the soft when second to course specialist Investment Manager here in September; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

26th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

16:12 Uttoxeter

Paddy De Pole

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Hasn't had all that much racing for an 8yo and he's a four-time winner over hurdles; not far off his best when runner-up in a small field over 2m4f at Worcester and he needs further than that ideally; player.

7/1

2nd

4

17th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Worcester

Paddy De Pole

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

4-14 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Sedgefield (3m2f, good) in September; absent since a lesser effort over 2m7f in October, though, and might not be ideally suited by this drop back in trip.

6/1

4th

5

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Paddy De Pole

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

3-14 over hurdles, having battled well to beat two next-time-out winners at Sedgefield (3m3f, good) last month; effectively 7lb higher here if Freddie Keighley's reduced claim is considered; still enters calculations.

7/1

Form: PP257- CD

Last run: 204 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Chasing when last seen, going close here before two lesser runs; potentially well handicapped on this return to hurdling; peak form is on good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

18:36 Stratford

Bagheera Ginge

11st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Front-runner who is 2-3 since fitted with a visor this season, with both wins gained over 2m6f here (good to firm); may not have things all his own way today and this drop back in trip is probably not ideal but further progress is not out of the question.

5/1

1st

1

29th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:10 Stratford

Bagheera Ginge

12st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Front-runner who returned from seven-month break with 7l win in first-time visor over C&D (good to firm) last month; only 3lb higher than for that success but he failed to repeat the form when a remote fifth at Worcester (2m7f, good); that was another blip in his patchy profile and he needs to bounce back again.

6/1

Form: 1224-9

Last run: 18 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Maiden winner who has been beaten about 18l (2m4f) and 11l (3m) in his two handicaps but both were competitive Class 2 races; respected at this easier level with cheekpieces now turned to; has form on good and soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Escapologist

10st 10lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Nick Scholfield

2m7f winner at Market Rasen in March for previous yard and not disgraced at Plumpton on stable debut last time; had wind surgery since and now goes in tongue-tie, with cheekpieces reapplied; interesting, with a bigger effort plausible.

8/1

3rd

2

26th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

19:39 Plumpton

Escapologist

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nick Scholfield

Dual hurdle winner for James Owen, most recently at Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft) in March; backed that up with a solid effort next time but was beaten 22l when favourite back there 18 days ago, which leaves him with a bit to prove; makes stable debut with the booking of Sean Bowen catching the eye.

9/2

6th

7

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Escapologist

11st 9lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

C&D scorer in March (good to soft) on his first realistic staying assignment, and 3lb badly in when not quite up to defying a penalty next time; of renewed interest after a break, and a winner on good also.

6/1

Form: 5634-1 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Only two finished when edging home at Warwick (3m1f, good) but he's well handicapped on old form and the forecast rain will if anything aid his prospects.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

23rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

20:20 Newton Abbot

Striking A Pose

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Made all to exploit much-reduced mark over C&D in April and is only 3lb higher today but he's unreliable nowadays and was last of five at Plumpton (3m1f, good) on latest outing four weeks ago.

8/1

5th

5

26th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

19:39 Plumpton

Striking A Pose

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Recorded his sixth hurdle win when making all off a reduced mark at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in April, and his follow-up bid off this mark was respectable back there 20 days ago; capable off this mark but not without risk.

9/2

4th

1

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:20 Newton Abbot

Striking A Pose

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Recorded his sixth hurdle win when making all off a reduced mark over C&D (good; 4-1) three weeks ago; back up 4lb but remains well treated on old form and is versatile ground-wise; key player.

5/2

Form: /P52-6

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
His third run after wind surgery and second for this yard when beaten a head at Exeter (2m5f); stayed on well for an 8l sixth at Worcester (2m4f; again on good; handles softer) last time; considered on this return to further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:10 Exeter

Teorie

12st 0lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Two-time winner over hurdles on good to soft, at around 2m (acts on a sound surface); stays 2m5f; some way below his best since last spring; well treated on form of almost a year ago if bouncing back but has that to prove.

10/1

6th

7

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:50 Chepstow

Teorie

11st 9lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

Out of form on slow ground during the winter but his recent fifth at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) was a step back in the right direction, and he might be seen to better effect if the ground is genuinely good here.

20/1

5th

7

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

13:37 Wincanton

Teorie

11st 5lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Well below best on soft/heavy ground in recent months and not yet proven beyond about 2m5f but now very well handicapped on last spring's good-ground form, and the drying conditions here offer renewed hope.

14/1

Form: /112-1 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
One Flat win and three hurdle victories, doing it comfortably in the end over C&D three weeks ago (good); might well cope with the 6lb rise and any rain shouldn't hurt her chances.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

31st Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:45 Cartmel

Al Sayah

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Neil Mulholland

Well held when fourth over C&D on latest hurdling start but previously caught the eye when finishing strongly for close third in competitive race at Haydock (3m, good; first-time visor) and has since won on the Flat; raced mainly on good ground but was once placed on heavy on the Flat; shortlisted.

4/1

1st

1

(5)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 208y

Class 5

15:27 Nottingham

Al Sayah

9st 9lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Neil Mulholland

Three wins over hurdles since last seen on the Flat, going almost two stone up the weights; withdrawn on account of unsuitable (good to firm) ground last summer, which would be a concern, but she's much better treated on the Flat now.

2/1

4th

2

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Al Sayah

11st 10lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Neil Mulholland

5-14 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Taunton (3m, good; wore cheekpieces) last month; posted another career-best performance when finishing well from the rear for close third in valuable Haydock handicap (3m, good; first-time visor) 16 days ago and commands respect here.

5/1

Form: 6U36F-

Last run: 259 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
No wins in 13; has each-way claims on his best form and has undergone wind surgery since last seen; could have a part to play if resuming in good order; 1lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

20:27 Newton Abbot

Borderline

10st 6lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

0-11 over hurdles but returned from layoff/wind surgery with promising third of seven here (2m5f, good) last month and could have untapped potential over this longer trip; one to consider.

10/1

7

28th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:18 Newton Abbot

Borderline

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

No wins in 13; has each-way claims on his best form and has undergone wind surgery since last seen; could have a part to play if resuming in good order; 1lb out of the weights.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.10
Straight Forecast £14.86
Trifecta £83.70

Selections

Telegraph:

Al Sayah

SPOTLIGHT:

Striking A Pose

RP RATINGS:

Paddy De Pole

The Times:

Teorie

TOPSPEED:

Borderline

The Guardian:

Teorie

The Sun:

Al Sayah

The Star:

Al Sayah

Daily Record:

Al Sayah

WEST COUNTRY:

Paddy De Pole

D Express:

Paddy De Pole

POSTDATA:

Striking A Pose

Daily Mail:

Striking A Pose

Daily Mirror:

Striking A Pose