January 27 / 14.02 Chepstow

14.02

Soft

Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £5650.67
  • 2m 3f 100y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 4P5052 CD

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 0lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Long in the tooth now and not the force of old but was nudged up only 1lb for last month's clear second in refitted cheekpieces at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) and ought to be better suited by this slower ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

West To The Bridge

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Grand servant to the yard with 11 hurdles wins; did what he's been doing for years by bouncing back to exploit a falling mark on his favoured testing ground at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) in January; most tenacious and impossible to dismiss off 3lb higher.

10/1

1st

1

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

West To The Bridge

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Long in the tooth now and not the force of old but was nudged up only 1lb for last month's clear second in refitted cheekpieces at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) and ought to be better suited by this slower ground.

10/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 511-1F D BF

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Progressive 6yo who made it 3-3 in handicaps when keeping on strongly to lead close home on seasonal debut at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) in November; fell mid-race last month but remains very much of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:10 Kempton

Grenadier Jed

10st 6lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Upwardly mobile 6yo; won three handicaps in 2025 and posted another personal best when beaten a head at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) last month, pulling well clear of the third; strong candidate off just 2lb higher.

4/1

2nd

9

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

Grenadier Jed

11st 8lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Progressive 6yo who made it 3-3 in handicaps when keeping on strongly to lead close home on seasonal debut at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) in November; fell mid-race last month but remains very much of interest.

4/1

1st

4

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:25 Taunton

Grenadier Jed

11st 7lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Displayed big jolt of improvement on handicap debut 23 days ago, winning readily over C&D (soft); went up 8lb for that but could still have a lot more to offer; good chance.

7/4

5/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 37-117 BF

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won on handicap/seasonal debut at Worcester (2m, good) in October and followed up in big field at Cheltenham (2m, soft) in November; slightly disappointing when favourite at Cheltenham last month but could still have more improvement to come over today's longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

13:37 Bangor-on-Dee

French Emperor

11st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Nicky Martin

Came good when switched to handicaps in the autumn, winning over 2m at Worcester (good) and Cheltenham (soft), but is yet to make any further progress; flopped badly when warm favourite at Exeter (2m) a fortnight ago and has a point to prove on this first venture beyond about 2m4f under rules.

3/1

8th

4

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:10 Exeter

French Emperor

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Kicked off the season with handicap wins at Worcester (good) and Cheltenham (soft); has looked in the grip of the handicapper since but this is a drop in grade, so certainly not dismissed.

6/1

3rd

4

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

French Emperor

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Won on handicap/seasonal debut at Worcester (2m, good) in October and followed up in big field at Cheltenham (2m, soft) in November; slightly disappointing when favourite at Cheltenham last month but could still have more improvement to come over today's longer trip.

5/1

Form: 3P-575 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Didn't really take to chasing on first two starts this season but kept on for respectable fifth when back over hurdles at Newbury (2m4f, good) last month, and this dual course winner ought to be better suited by today's slower ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

16:30 Hereford

Castelfort

11st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Triple hurdle winner at 2m on testing ground but effective over this far; didn't take to chasing in the autumn (two attempts) but he's shown promise since returned to hurdling, including when third at Chepstow (2m, soft) last month; continues to edge down the weights and has possibilities back up in trip and down in grade.

11/4

3rd

6

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

16:13 Chepstow

Castelfort

11st 1lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jane Williams

Dual C&D winner in 2024 (soft/heavy); didn't take to chasing in the autumn (two attempts) and his two subsequent hurdle runs (2m4f/2m3f) were no better than respectable; back in trip today; needs to raise his game.

8/1

4th

6

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

Castelfort

11st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Didn't really take to chasing on first two starts this season but kept on for respectable fifth when back over hurdles at Newbury (2m4f, good) last month, and this dual course winner ought to be better suited by today's slower ground.

10/1

Form: 643F57 D

Last run: 84 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
1-21 over hurdles for Andrew Slattery in Ireland, signing off with 40l defeat on slow ground in November; makes stable debut from a workable mark, though, and with Sean Bowen booked; cheekpieces removed after one use.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

20:07 Chepstow

Slim Marvel

10st 12lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Rebecca Curtis

Just one win in 24, and Ffos Las near-miss on second outing for current handler likely owed something to the drop to 0-105 company (3m, heavy); limitations exposed again since and this is tougher still.

16/1

7th

5

31st Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Slim Marvel

11st 9lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Rebecca Curtis

Had plenty of racing in Ireland where she was effective on good ground; conditions were heavy when going close at Ffos Las a month ago (3m) and she travelled strongly deep into that race; possibilities off 4lb higher.

4/1

2nd

5

1st Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Slim Marvel

11st 10lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Rebecca Curtis

Had plenty of racing in Ireland, winning just the once; made a quiet start for this yard at Chepstow but in a Class 3 handicap over 2m3f and this is easier; should handle the ground and has form over this far.

7/1

Form: 4-641F CD BF

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Beat a dual subsequent winner when scoring by 4l over C&D (soft) on handicap debut in November and held every chance before penultimate-flight fall at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft; race in which West To The Bridge finished second) last month; now 13b above his winning mark but must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

High Tea

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Beat a dual subsequent winner when scoring by 4l over C&D (soft) on handicap debut in November and held every chance before penultimate-flight fall at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft; race in which West To The Bridge finished second) last month; now 13b above his winning mark but must be considered.

7/2

2

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

14:17 Stratford

High Tea

11st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Took five goes to win an Irish point; made an encouraging start over hurdles when fourth at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) in April but he failed to build on that when a remote sixth at Chepstow last month; others preferred.

16/1

2

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

14:17 Stratford

High Tea

11st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Took five goes to win an Irish point; made an encouraging start over hurdles when fourth at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) in April but he failed to build on that when a remote sixth at Chepstow last month; others preferred.

16/1

Form: /P-143

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Multiple point winner who scored at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) on rules return in October and was placed on both subsequent outings (2m5f/3m); this drop back in trip may not be ideal but he ought to go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 3

14:30 Newbury

El Capitaine

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Kayley Woollacott

Only 1-10 over hurdles, the win coming over 2m5f at Newton Abbot in October (good to soft; 7lb lower); two further good runs afterwards before finishing tailed off the last time; a record of 7-8 in points bodes well for this switch to fences.

7/2

7th

5

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

El Capitaine

11st 11lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Kayley Woollacott

Multiple point winner who scored at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) on rules return in October and was placed on both subsequent outings (2m5f/3m); this drop back in trip may not be ideal but he ought to go well again.

8/1

1st

6

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:15 Newton Abbot

El Capitaine

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Kayley Woollacott

Not seen under rules since pulled up in 3m Wexford handicap hurdle in May 2024 but won seven consecutive points from December to May and it will be interesting to see how he fares here.

6/1

Form: 08-605 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Nine hurdle wins (various ground), including valuable C&D race in 2023; safely held on both starts since rejoining Harriet Dicken, though, and has much more to prove than some of these; cheekpieces added to usual hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:17 Chepstow

Pyramid Place

11st 13lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

Nine-time hurdle winner who was useful in his prime and is versatile regarding ground; out of form since rejoining Harriet Dickin this season, though, and has left it late in the day to launch his chasing career; hood/cheekpieces removed; first-time blinkers tried.

33/1

8th

2

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

Pyramid Place

11st 12lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Harriet Dickin

Nine hurdle wins (various ground), including valuable C&D race in 2023; safely held on both starts since rejoining Harriet Dicken, though, and has much more to prove than some of these; cheekpieces added to usual hood.

33/1

1

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Pyramid Place

12st 0lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Harriet Dickin

Nine-time hurdle winner (including here for Harriet Dickin) who is below his last winning mark but struggled in the first half of this year for Olly Murphy; went through the sales ring for £13,500 in May and has plenty to prove, including stamina, on his first start since rejoining this trainer.

25/1

Form: 1-0957 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Three-time hurdle winner last season, most recently off mark 1lb lower than today's in this race (heavy); chasing has not gone to plan this term (three attempts) but he might fare better now back over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:22 Ffos Las

Boyles Hill

11st 4lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

C&D win in late 2024 (heavy) initiated a double; today's the first time since that he's returned below the mark of the second leg; have to hope confidence hasn't been sapped entirely by this term's heavy defeats.

25/1

9th

11

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

Boyles Hill

11st 0lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Three-time hurdle winner last season, most recently off mark 1lb lower than today's in this race (heavy); chasing has not gone to plan this term (three attempts) but he might fare better now back over hurdles.

20/1

Form: 4-2837

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Placed on two of his four starts this season, latterly when swapping cheekpieces for first-time visor at Sandown (2m, soft) in early December; safely held over 2m4f at Newbury last time, though, and the headgear is left off again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Torrent

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

Got off to a flyer when winning two of his first three starts over hurdles in 2024; has drawn a blank since but he's on a reduced mark and wasn't beaten far when fourth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) three weeks; has possibilities if he can build on that and he's in the mix.

13/2

4th

10

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

15:50 Uttoxeter

Torrent

11st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

Got off to a flyer when winning two of his first three starts over hurdles in 2024 but has been unable to get his head in front since; his mark continues to drop and cheekpieces are back on replacing a visor; best watched.

12/1

6th

8

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Torrent

11st 8lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

2-15 over hurdles; winless this campaign but it started quite well and the third at Sandown in December was in a first-time visor that now returns having been missing the last twice; on a fair mark if factoring in Murray Dodd's claim; could stage a revival.

20/1

Non-runners

Bingoo, Walkadina

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £53.70
Straight Forecast £54.15
Tricast £210.13
Trifecta £334.80

Selections

Daily Mail:

Grenadier Jed

The Times:

High Tea

TOPSPEED:

El Capitaine

SPOTLIGHT:

Castelfort

Telegraph:

Bingoo

The Guardian:

High Tea

The Sun:

High Tea

D Express:

Grenadier Jed

Daily Mirror:

Grenadier Jed

Daily Record:

Grenadier Jed

RP RATINGS:

Castelfort

POSTDATA:

El Capitaine

The Star:

El Capitaine