March 31 / 15.50 Bangor-on-Dee

15.50

Good

HRS Cladding Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 4f 72y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
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HRS Cladding Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: U69645

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Maiden chaser and with an overall strike-rate of 2-32; he hasn't got anything going over fences for current yard but he's dropped sharply in the weights and getting back on good ground can only help; would be interesting if the market offered encouragement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

29th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 4

16:25 Cartmel

Palamon

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Suddenly bounced back to form when heavily punted at Bangor (2m4f, good; tongue-tie refitted) in May, but recent efforts have been underwhelming and this drop back in trip may not be ideal; considered only if the subject of another big market move.

8/1

5th

2

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:02 Worcester

Palamon

11st 12lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Returned to form in a reapplied tongue-tie (retained since) and justified strong market support at Bangor (2m4f, good) in March; mixed form since, however, and only fifth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last month following a break and wind surgery; needs to raise his game and is unproven at the trip.

12/1

5th

1

26th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Uttoxeter

Palamon

12st 1lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Back today from a second wind operation and it took him a while to find his form after the first; only four ran when third in his latest race and he does look on a stiff mark, 10lb higher than for the easy Bangor win in March.

10/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: -05748 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Out of the handicap when a respectable fourth in a Class 2 at Musselburgh on his penultimate start (2m4f, good to soft) and has had wind surgery since finishing tailed off at Kelso; hard to dismiss.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 3

16:55 Cartmel

Bleu Denfer

11st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Has modest 2-31 strike-rate under rules but came second over 2m4f on two of his first three starts after a wind op in March, and looked stretched by 3m when below that form last month; versatile regarding ground and enters calculations.

14/1

4th

3

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:51 Perth

Bleu Denfer

11st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Has modest 2-30 strike-rate under rules but kept on well for second at Aintree (2m4f, good) in May and has now filled that position twice since his wind operation in March; could plausibly still have untapped potential over 3m; no surprise if he features.

5/1

4

19th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 3

15:55 Market Rasen

Bleu Denfer

11st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Has a modest strike rate of 2-30 but ran his best race over fences when beaten a neck at Aintree (2m4f, good) five weeks ago (with Genois pulled up); holds claims if able to build on that run off 1lb higher.

9/2

6/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 22-233

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Sole win under rules came in a handicap chase in 2023 (2m7f, soft); stays 3m6f but nearly won over this far at Carlisle on his reappearance and not disgraced since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

14th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Busty Boy

11st 10lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Daragh Bourke

Only 1-22 under rules and clearly hard to win with but he arrives in form having placed in a second successive Highland National here (3m6f, good) last month; just as effective over this shorter distance.

7/2

2nd

6

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Busty Boy

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Daragh Bourke

Only 1-21 overall and clearly hard to win with, but he was runner-up in this 12 months ago and returns in form having been running well from 2m4f to 3m; in the mix.

5/1

3rd

4

31st Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

15:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Busty Boy

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Daragh Bourke

Sole win under rules came in a handicap chase in 2023 (2m7f, soft); stays 3m6f but nearly won over this far at Carlisle on his reappearance and not disgraced since.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 13P2PP

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Ex-Dan Skelton; he has pulled up in his three of his last four races but did go close when he did get round at Uttoxeter in December (2m4f, heavy; effective on good); he's risky but also capable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

23rd Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:38 Worcester

Doyouknowwhatimean

10st 13lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Gary Hanmer

All four chase wins came around 2m when trained by Dan Skelton; ran well on yard debut in December but little to show for his eight subsequent runs; has dropped to a dangerous mark, however.

20/1

4th

1

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Worcester

Doyouknowwhatimean

12st 0lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Three places and 59l ahead of Betty's Tiara over C&D last week (good), though still well held himself and simply isn't coming very close at present to recording a first win beyond 2m1f; 5lb badly in compared to future mark.

16/1

Form: P4-345

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Potentially well handicapped but he's 0-7 over fences and has been well below his best the last twice, on good ground (tried a visor) and soft (no headgear); did win in a tongue-tie when trained in France and that aid belatedly returns; couldn't rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

31st Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

15:50 Bangor-on-Dee

The Good Doctor

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Potentially well handicapped but he's 0-7 over fences and has been well below his best the last twice, on good ground (tried a visor) and soft (no headgear); did win in a tongue-tie when trained in France and that aid belatedly returns; couldn't rule out.

8/1

5th

4

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:05 Warwick

The Good Doctor

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Made it 0-6 over fences when tailed off in first-time visor at Leicester in December; however, the headgear is left off today and he's on a competitive mark on his best chase form; won on testing ground in France; could be thereabouts if bouncing back to form.

11/2

4th

1

28th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 4

15:23 Newbury

The Good Doctor

12st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Two hurdle wins and better form when second over fences in December in 2m handicaps at Warwick and Newbury, both on good to soft; short-headed in the latter but flopped when favourite at Hereford (upped to 2m5f) six weeks ago, when having three runs in just over a month was blamed; stamina to prove beyond 2m2f, even if he's back to form; yard is going strongly.

15/8

Form: 02P267

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Three-time hurdle winner who is 0-4 over fences, with only effort of note in discipline when beaten in a match at Warwick in October (2m4f); does seem happier on good ground than soft, so last two efforts could be excused; cheekpieces return after going without them last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

18:30 Newton Abbot

Anyharminasking

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Three-time hurdle winner who made it 0-5 over fences with another disappointing show at Bangor in late March, despite returning to good ground; clearly needs to raise his game in the new blinkers (replacing cheekpieces).

7/1

6th

3

31st Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

15:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Anyharminasking

11st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Three-time hurdle winner who is 0-4 over fences, with only effort of note in discipline when beaten in a match at Warwick in October (2m4f); does seem happier on good ground than soft, so last two efforts could be excused; cheekpieces return after going without them last time.

8/1

7th

4

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:20 Stratford

Anyharminasking

11st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

3-20 hurdles, his latest win at Newcastle (2m1f Class 3; from 2lb higher) 11 months ago; a switch to fences hasn't suited (0-4, including being beaten in a match) but it's possible he'll strip fitter since his latest start; reverting to the smaller obstacles is helpful.

12/1

Form: 843544

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles but no closer than 25l in five runs over fences and he's hard to trust at the minute.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:12 Southwell

Rule Me In

10st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Won over hurdles on rules debut in February 2025, but disappointing since switched to chasing in the autumn (six attempts); he was beaten 40l+ over about 2m4f on both outings in March.

8/1

Form: 433807 D

Last run: 95 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won three small-field chases at up to 3m1f for Dan Skelton; bought for £10,000 in July and hasn't recaptured her best form for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

14:00 Huntingdon

Lady Jago

11st 10lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Three-time chase winner (2m4f-3m1f) on good ground for Dan Skelton in spring 2025; has since lost her way but the signs were more encouraging here last time (2m7f), for all that she was no match for the winner; might be the answer.

6/4

2nd

3

7th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

14:15 Huntingdon

Lady Jago

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Three-time chase winner (2m4f-3m1f) on good ground for Dan Skelton in spring 2025; generally very disappointing for current stable since the autumn, including when back on a sound surface for last two starts, but has become too well handicapped to rule out.

5/1

5th

8

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Lady Jago

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Won three small-field chases at up to 3m1f for Dan Skelton; bought for £10,000 in July and hasn't recaptured her best form for new yard.

12/1

Form: 21P- D

Last run: 382 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Fetched £260,000 after winning his Irish point but left Nicky Henderson for £45,000 last May after pulling up in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival; showed plenty of promise before then and he's still lightly raced; market could be informative ahead of this chase/handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

31st Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

15:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Nativehill

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Fetched £260,000 after winning his Irish point but left Nicky Henderson for £45,000 last May after pulling up in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival; showed plenty of promise before then and he's still lightly raced; market could be informative ahead of this chase/handicap debut.

7/1

14

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Nativehill

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Fetched £260,000 after winning his Irish point; returning from a long absence when promoted to second in a Newbury novice and, in a new tongue-tie (retained), he was left clear at the final flight to win a Huntingdon maiden (2m4f, good to soft) by daylight; already looks as though he needs this sort of trip but wouldn't be the obvious answer on what he's shown to date.

40/1

1st

5

2nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

14:15 Huntingdon

Nativehill

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

didn't always jump with fluency, pressed leader, pushed along 3 out, outpaced and 3 lengths down 2 out, rallied and challenging when left clear last

8/11

Non-runners

Kahavari

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.90
Straight Forecast £19.13
Tricast £64.22
Trifecta £84.00

Selections

The Times:

Kahavari

Telegraph:

Nativehill

RP RATINGS:

Busty Boy

SPOTLIGHT:

Palamon

POSTDATA:

Bleu d'Enfer

Daily Mail:

Anyharminasking

D Express:

Kahavari

The Sun:

Kahavari

Daily Record:

Kahavari

The Guardian:

Nativehill

Daily Mirror:

Nativehill

TOPSPEED:

Busty Boy

The Star:

Busty Boy