August 18 / 15.57 Stratford

15.57

Good To Firm

Brian And Sheila Vaughan Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 2m 3f 98y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
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Brian And Sheila Vaughan Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: 97-421 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Not really firing on all cylinders over hurdles this spring but reverted to fences with a hard-fought success here (2m1f, good; front pair clear) last month and has obvious claims if in similar form again today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Kempton

Arclight

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Has a record of 4-8 over fences and ran well on most recent attempt in this sphere (poor effort over hurdles since); on a career-high mark but she's the only course winner in this field and 2-3 at Kempton to boot.

7/2

2nd

3

15th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Worcester

Arclight

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Reverted to fences with a hard-fought success at Stratford (2m1f, good) and perhaps found good to firm too lively when tailed off back there 28 days ago; can be hard to predict but she's capable of a big run.

6/1

1

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:57 Stratford

Arclight

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Not really firing on all cylinders over hurdles this spring but reverted to fences with a hard-fought success here (2m1f, good; front pair clear) last month and has obvious claims if in similar form again today.

11/4

OUR TIP

Form: 3-7426 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
On a losing run but went close at Market Rasen (2m5f) in June and was not beaten far in valuable Summer Plate over that C&D (again on good) last month; will be fine on this left-handed track; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Vintage Fizz

10st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Ran quite well to be fourth in this last year when 7lb higher; however, he hasn't won since 2023 and the questions are mounting up.

12/1

7th

7

15th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Worcester

Vintage Fizz

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Went close at Market Rasen (2m5f) in June but behind Courtland back there next time and has since disappointed at Stratford; losing run is mounting up.

10/1

2

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:57 Stratford

Vintage Fizz

11st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

On a losing run but went close at Market Rasen (2m5f) in June and was not beaten far in valuable Summer Plate over that C&D (again on good) last month; will be fine on this left-handed track; no surprise if he features.

11/2

Form: 33-1F0

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in valuable handicap hurdle last month but in good form over fences beforehand, most notably when winning by 4l at favourite track Huntingdon (2m, good) in May; also effective on left-handed courses, and may yet have a bigger performance in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:55 Huntingdon

No Risk With Lou

12st 1lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Three-time C&D winner, including this race last year (good ground); probably won't be favoured by any rain but didn't run badly in Class 2 event at Worcester (2m4f, good to soft) in September on latest outing and is sure to be suited by the return to this track; high on the list.

4/1

Form: 2321-3 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Came good over fences with easy win in three-runner contest at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in April and stuck to his task pretty well when third of six at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in June; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

15:05 Fontwell

Jaramillo

12st 1lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Won a three-runner contest at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in April but beaten 61l when sixth of seven at Stratford (2m3f, good to firm) five weeks ago; still 6lb higher than his last win and needs to return to form.

8/1

4

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:57 Stratford

Jaramillo

11st 3lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

Came good over fences with easy win in three-runner contest at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in April and stuck to his task pretty well when third of six at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in June; a possible.

5/1

2

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:05 Uttoxeter

Jaramillo

11st 1lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

The outsider of three when off the mark over fences at Newton Abbot in April (2m5f, good) and comfortably beat a course specialist; 7lb rise fair given the authority with which he won.

7/2

Form: 24-P33 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Very useful chaser in his prime but this season's hurdling form has been underwhelming, and he'll need to race with a lot more zest on this return to fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 3

15:40 Plumpton

War Lord

11st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Very useful chaser in his prime but last month's hurdling win at Fontwell (2m5f, good) came off a hugely reduced handicap mark and it's not easy to predict whether his revival will gather momentum.

4/1

1st

2

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

17:20 Fontwell

War Lord

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has been through a quiet spell but he ran respectably when fourth at Worcester (2m4f, good; tongue-tie refitted) last time; likely to need more.

13/2

6

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Worcester

War Lord

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Very useful chaser in his prime but this year's efforts, in three hurdles and a chase, make him tough to recommend.

14/1

Form: 66-541 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Five-time hurdle winner who got his act together over fences last month, making virtually all in five-runner race at Uttoxeter (2m, good); not one to rely upon heavily but is only 2lb higher here and will be fine over the longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 3

18:50 Stratford

In The Air

11st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Won five over hurdles for previous yards and three over fences last term for current trainer; may have needed the run when seventh of eight finishers at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last month after six-month layoff but probably needs to come down the weights.

6/1

7th

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:15 Chepstow

In The Air

11st 10lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alastair Ralph

Five-time hurdle winner who did well over fences in the second half of last year, with three wins and two seconds; returns after six months off but he's only 2lb higher than for his last success and he has won when fresh in the past; needs close look back over hurdles.

8/1

6

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

14:10 Chepstow

In The Air

10st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Record of 2-8 over fences, with both wins gained this summer in small-field handicaps on good ground; put in his place by an improver in a novice last time; dangerous if allowed to dominate (front runs).

7/4

Form: 224-25

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Quirky customer who often harms his chance by racing far too freely; returned from break with two pretty good efforts at Newton Abbot (2m, good to soft/good) this season and has become well handicapped but always comes with an extra element of risk.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Magistrato

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Deborah Cole

Ended last year in excellent form over fences, with latest fourth coming behind the seriously progressive Thistle Ask; whereas he's 5-18 in that discipline and only 1-13 over hurdles, he's probably a better horse now than when last seen in this discipline; 5lb lower than his chase mark; front runs.

20/1

5

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 85y

Class 1

14:55 Wetherby

Magistrato

10st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Deborah Cole

Front-runner who can be tough to reel in on his day and has left his rivals trailing in completing a hat-trick in small fields at about 2m4f (latest in a match); has gone up a collective 20lb but he loves this good ground and looks sure to make a bold bid.

7/2

4th

5

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 85y

Class 1

14:55 Wetherby

Magistrato

10st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Deborah Cole

Front-runner who can be tough to reel in on his day and has left his rivals trailing in completing a hat-trick in small fields at about 2m4f (latest in a match); has gone up a collective 20lb but he loves this good ground and looks sure to make a bold bid.

7/2

Selections

The Times:

Arclight

RP RATINGS:

Vintage Fizz

LAMBOURN:

Jaramillo

SPOTLIGHT:

No Risk With Lou

TOPSPEED:

Vintage Fizz

POSTDATA:

Vintage Fizz

The Sun:

Vintage Fizz

Telegraph:

Arclight

The Guardian:

Arclight

Daily Mail:

Arclight

D Express:

Arclight

Daily Mirror:

Arclight

Daily Record:

Arclight

The Star:

Jaramillo