October 30 / 14.47 Stratford

14.47

Good To Soft

Happy Birthday Samantha Borland Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7208.56
  • 2m 3f 98y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
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Happy Birthday Samantha Borland Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.10

Form: /2388- BF

Last run: 209 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Just 1-8 over hurdles but ran well in some hot handicaps last season, most notably when close second in the Greatwood at Cheltenham (2m, good); hood goes on for today's chasing debut; interesting prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Be Aware

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Smart form but has won only twice (runner-up seven times); rallied when beaten 1l by No Questions Asked in Grade 2 novice at Windsor (2m, soft; handles good) in January; raced freely and faded in Grand Annual Handicap at Cheltenham last time; the hood is back on today, a tongue-strap is fitted and he may well bounce back to form; if so, he has each-way possibilities.

10/1

12th

4

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Be Aware

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Improved form when winning on chase debut at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft) in October and strong performances when runner-up in Graded races on his three starts since, including over C&D (soft); this lightly raced 7yo is in top hands and has the potential to be better than this mark now back in a handicap; the hood is left off today, but he ran well without it in December.

5/1

2nd

2

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 37y

Class 1

13:50 Windsor

Be Aware

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won on chase debut at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft) in October and runner-up in hot races on next two starts, namely the Grade 2 Arkle Trial at Cheltenham (2m, soft) and the Grade 1 Henry VIII at Sandown (1m7f, good to soft); this will take less winning than last time; leading claims.

11/10

Form: 24134- D

Last run: 188 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Battled on well to win four-runner chase off today's mark at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) in March and will be fine over this shorter trip, but unraced since April and some of the others here appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

Cerendipity

11st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Well treated on his best form, now 9lb lower than when winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) in March 2025, but he has been struggling, including with his jumping; cheekpieces off, tongue-strap on.

12/1

9th

4

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Cerendipity

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Has lacked fluency at times this season; otherwise an interesting type as he's on a very handy mark and this looks the time to catch him (gained last two wins in spring months).

9/1

5th

12

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Cerendipity

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Yet to score this term but he arrives in decent nick, scuppered by a bad error when sixth over C&D last month; possibilities off a 2lb lower mark.

20/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: /6616- D

Last run: 194 days

W: 10st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Returned to form with small-field win at Exeter (2m3f, good) in March, his third run after a long absence; only 1lb higher here but he wasn't at his best in veterans' series final at Haydock in April and may not be one to rely upon heavily nowadays.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

17

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

The Widdow Maker

10st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Joe Tizzard

Won in a small field at Exeter (2m3f, good) last March before 17l sixth in this race (good); he's run well in defeat on both starts this season but needs something extra if he's to come out on top today.

14/1

3rd

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

The Widdow Maker

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Returned to form with small-field win at Exeter (2m3f, good) in March, his third run after a long absence; only 1lb higher here but he wasn't at his best in veterans' series final at Haydock in April and may not be one to rely upon heavily nowadays.

10/1

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

The Widdow Maker

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Returned to form with small-field win at Exeter (2m3f, good) in March, his third run after a long absence; only 1lb higher here but he wasn't at his best in veterans' series final at Haydock in April and may not be one to rely upon heavily nowadays.

10/1

Form: 1113P- D

Last run: 208 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Did very well for Deborah Cole last season, winning three 2m4f chases from six starts; ran as though something was amiss on latest outing in April, though, and will need to be back in prime form to have a chance off current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

4th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:30 Uttoxeter

Immortal Fame

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Deborah Cole

2m4f winner here over hurdles and fences with a little give underfoot, and possible excuses on both starts since his most recent success elsewhere (holding ground, pace battle); remains above any winning mark.

7/1

4th

2

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Immortal Fame

11st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Deborah Cole

Five-time hurdle winner who has raced exclusively over fences since joining Deborah Cole in the middle of 2024, scoring a further four times, including over 2m4f here last season; off the mark for the current campaign when shading a close finish at Market Rasen (3m, soft) in February but pulled up when favourite at Hereford since and now back over timber.

9/1

1

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:10 Hereford

Immortal Fame

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Deborah Cole

Three wins last term; got off the mark for the season when winning by a head at Market Rasen last time (3m, soft; first two clear); up 3lb; chance.

11/4

Form: 3122P-

Last run: 229 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
In good form last winter, most notably when winning at Wetherby (3m, soft) in December; still quite lightly raced under rules but absent since a poor run in March and not sure to be suited by this drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

17:42 Ffos Las

Latenightrumble

11st 4lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

On a good mark now and was seemingly back in good form when close fourth of 11 at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) in February; tended to jump left and was below that level without cheekpieces at Carlisle (3m) last month but has possibilities if combination of drop back in trip, first-time blinkers and return to a left-handed track has desired effect.

10/1

4th

4

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:25 Carlisle

Latenightrumble

11st 6lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Got off the mark over fences at Wetherby (3m) in December 2024; little encouragement this term until fourth of 11 in 3m Chepstow handicap 23 days ago; this lightly raced 9yo is not out of this if able to build on that recent effort.

5/1

4th

4

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

Latenightrumble

11st 11lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Yet to strike form after three runs this season (cheekpieces added two starts ago); back on a good mark now and drops in grade today but still needs to up his game; suited by soft ground; unraced on heavy.

10/1

Form: 1520P- C

Last run: 209 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Not much went to plan on his final two starts last season but he enhanced his very good record when fresh with a good win at Chepstow (2m3f, good) last October and bettered that performance when very close second in valuable Cheltenham race (2m4f, soft) in January; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Grandeur DAme

10st 5lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Well treated on the pick of his Cheltenham form at about this trip, as when just touched off by Moon d'Orange last January, but he was pulled up last time out and these very competitive races tend to be beyond him.

40/1

6

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Warwick

Grandeur DAme

11st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Has rather mixed record over last couple of years but gave good account when keeping-on third in valuable Cheltenham handicap (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day and will be suited by the slower ground here.

9/2

1

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Grandeur DAme

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Not much went to plan on his final two starts last season but he enhanced his very good record when fresh with a good win at Chepstow (2m3f, good) last October and bettered that performance when very close second in valuable Cheltenham race (2m4f, soft) in January; major player.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 11P2F- D BF

Last run: 212 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won two three-runner chases at Plumpton (2m3f, good to soft/good) for Alan King last autumn but absent since falling heavily in April and current mark probably demands a career-best performance on this stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

14:30 Kelso

Menaggio

11st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Seemed to be travelling well before falling four out at Southwell (2m4f, good; first run after wind op) last month and remains well handicapped but has not been firing on all cylinders for new stable this season; swaps visor for first-time cheekpieces; others have more pressing claims.

10/1

2

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Menaggio

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Won a novice hurdle and two handicap chases for Alan King; no closer than 13l in five runs for this yard, the last two over hurdles; had a wind operation.

11/1

4th

2

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

15:00 Catterick

Menaggio

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Won two three-runner handicap chases at Plumpton (2m3f, good) for Alan King in 2024; mainly disappointing for present yard, including in today's headgear back over hurdles at Uttoxeter last time (2m4f, good to soft); first hurdle/chase run on slower than good to soft ground.

16/1

Form: 7F432- D

Last run: 215 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Did not make any significant further progress after making all for clearcut success at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last November but is still quite lightly raced over fences and makes his seasonal debut from a workable mark; can make a bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Range

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Sam Thomas

Acts on any ground; had very little to spare at Sandown (2m4f) most recently but the runner-up has franked the form since; still competitively treated back up 2lb, assuming he takes to first-time headgear.

8/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Range

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Did not make any significant further progress after making all for clearcut success at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last November but is still quite lightly raced over fences and makes his seasonal debut from a workable mark; can make a bold bid.

7/2

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Range

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Did not make any significant further progress after making all for clearcut success at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last November but is still quite lightly raced over fences and makes his seasonal debut from a workable mark; can make a bold bid.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.50
Straight Forecast £13.92
Tricast £217.89
Trifecta £162.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Range

POSTDATA:

Grandeur d'Ame

The Times:

Be Aware

D Express:

Menaggio

TOPSPEED:

Cerendipity

RP RATINGS:

Range

The Guardian:

Range

Daily Mail:

Range

Daily Mirror:

Range

The Sun:

Range

Daily Record:

Range

Telegraph:

Grandeur d'Ame

The Star:

Grandeur d'Ame