April 18 / 13.52 Bangor-on-Dee

13.52

Good

Gieves & Hawkes Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 3m 0f 30y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
SKY
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Gieves & Hawkes Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.10
  • Place: £5.00

Form: 90F/77

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Poor five-race maiden over hurdles; has won a point but unconvincing claims on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

18:27 Worcester

Huckleberry Sting

11st 7lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

No win in five starts over hurdles but he made it 2-4 over fences when beating eight rivals at Market Rasen (3m, good) 11 days ago; has a penalty but that was a cosy success and he's open to more progress at staying trips; respected.

11/4

1st

8

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Huckleberry Sting

10st 7lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Ran out a 5l winner on his chase debut at Bangor in April (3m, good) and next time couldn't lay a glove on an all-the-way winner; another good run when 4l behind at Southwell having travelled best throughout; should run well.

11/4

3rd

6

9th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:30 Southwell

Huckleberry Sting

10st 13lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Low-mileage 7yo who tends to race too freely but displayed considerable improvement when upped to 3m and switched to fences at Bangor (good) in April, winning by 5l; beaten about 21l when second over C&D last month but gave the all-the-way winner far too much rope that day, and his margin of defeat was magnified by late jumping errors; remains of strong interest.

3/1

Form: 067322 BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner; brings momentum into chase debut after three consecutive placed efforts over hurdles, in this headgear combination in his final two races (2m3f/3m); clearly a contender if taking to fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Peckforton Hills

11st 7lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Bumper winner; brings momentum into chase debut after three consecutive placed efforts over hurdles, in this headgear combination in his final two races (2m3f/3m); clearly a contender if taking to fences.

8/1

2nd

6

24th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:30 Southwell

Peckforton Hills

11st 3lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Bumper winner; beaten 5l on handicap debut at Sedgefield (2m4f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) but more than double that margin when behind an easy winner at Doncaster (2m3f; tongue-tie added); lightly raced so retains potential and he's up in trip.

2/1

2nd

12

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

13:50 Doncaster

Peckforton Hills

10st 12lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Bumper winner who was well backed when third of five to well-treated winner on handicap debut at Sedgefield (2m4f, good to soft) recently; a tongue-tie is added to the cheekpieces adopted last time; open to further improvement and he's one to consider.

11/2

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 3UUF22

Last run: 5 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Jumping has been an issue but it's improved in his last two races when runner-up behind winners who were well backed and well handicapped; has course form; big shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Streamsforth Lad

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Gary Hanmer

Jumping has been an issue but it's improved in his last two races when runner-up behind winners who were well backed and well handicapped; has course form; big shout.

6/1

2nd

3

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

Streamsforth Lad

11st 11lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Gary Hanmer

He's fallen/unseated on three of his five starts over hurdles but was going well when exiting two out at Stratford (2m6f, soft) last month and ran well when runner-up to well-backed winner at Bangor (3m, good) a fortnight ago; major player granted a clear round.

7/2

2nd

4

31st Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Streamsforth Lad

11st 12lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Gary Hanmer

Maiden; three times third over hurdles; 0-4 over fences and yet to complete the course, yet he was bang in contention when falling two out at Stratford three weeks ago (2m6f, soft; has form on good); if avoiding the mistakes he should have a role to play.

7/2

Form: -44143

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Rules wins (including one chase) came on soft or heavy but it was good ground when close up behind Streamsforth Lad over C&D last month; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Subtle Fortune

11st 13lb

J: Mr Darren Andrews

T: Mel Rowley

Rules wins (including one chase) came on soft or heavy but it was good ground when close up behind Streamsforth Lad over C&D last month; good chance.

8/1

3rd

3

31st Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Subtle Fortune

11st 12lb

J: Mr Darren Andrews

T: Mel Rowley

Her hurdle win was on soft and the chase win at Hereford two runs back on heavy; had luck on her side that day and was then beaten 10l off this mark at Leicester (good to soft); however, at least she's a recent winner and did win a point on good ground.

8/1

4th

3

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

15:30 Leicester

Subtle Fortune

11st 8lb

J: Mr Darren Andrews

T: Mel Rowley

2m6f soft-ground mares' novice hurdle winner at Uttoxeter in December 2024; struggled in a couple of handicap hurdles back from almost a year out, but made a winning chase debut, ridden by Darren Andrews, when left clear at Hereford (3m1f, heavy) last month; may have been lucky but respected off 2lb higher.

3/1

Form: 423554 BF

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
This is a workable mark on the best of his hurdle form (maiden) and, although disappointing on his chase debut, he did go off favourite; respected in the new cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Sandscape

11st 9lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Henry Daly

This is a workable mark on the best of his hurdle form (maiden) and, although disappointing on his chase debut, he did go off favourite; respected in the new cheekpieces.

8/1

4th

3

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:17 Ludlow

Sandscape

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

0-10 over hurdles, having ended 2025 with 38l defeat at Uttoxeter; makes chasing debut from a workable mark but has more to prove than some of these; visor (worn for last two races) is removed.

8/1

14/1

Form: 7069-8

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Jumped moderately when beaten 25l on chase debut two runs back and again well held over hurdles here when tried in a hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

12th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:00 Stratford

Rockvale

10st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Sam Allwood

Made the frame for the second time over fences when fourth of eight finishers at Bangor (3m, good) last month in first-time tongue-tie (retained); holds place claims.

8/1

4th

9

26th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

18:33 Bangor-on-Dee

Rockvale

10st 5lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Sam Allwood

Placed for first time under rules when clear second to a next-time-out winner at Uttoxeter (2m5f, good) last month but was pulled up (bled from the nose) on latest outing; back up in trip with tongue-tie added here; not an easy one to predict.

8/1

8

11th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:08 Worcester

Rockvale

10st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Sam Allwood

0-10 under all codes but was clear second to a next-time-out winner over fences at Uttoxeter (2m5f, good) last month and has each-way claims at least off same mark here; placed in Irish points on soft ground.

5/1

Form: -50666

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden who showed a bit more last time when beaten 8l in a 2m6f handicap hurdle at Stratford; that was his first run in cheekpieces as well; chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Harksman

10st 6lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Eight-race maiden who showed a bit more last time when beaten 8l in a 2m6f handicap hurdle at Stratford; that was his first run in cheekpieces as well; chase debut.

14/1

6th

7

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

15:57 Stratford

Harksman

10st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

No impact in any of his seven races, the last two of which were handicaps at Kempton (3m, good; hooded) and Hereford (3m2f, soft); hooded on penultimate start and now tries cheekpieces; fair bit to prove even though the move back down in trip may help.

14/1

Form: -72333

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
21 defeats under rules include 13 over fences but he's been running well, latterly finishing third on yard debut at Hereford (2m5f, good); stays this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

18:30 Huntingdon

Kapamazov

11st 6lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Tony Carroll

Well beaten after racing too freely over 3m at Bangor last month and now 0-14 over fences but ran quite well when third on stable debut at Hereford (2m5f, good) in March and is suited by this track; sports refitted cheekpieces and has slipped to a good mark; dangerous to ignore.

6/1

8th

9

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Kapamazov

11st 1lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Tony Carroll

21 defeats under rules include 13 over fences but he's been running well, latterly finishing third on yard debut at Hereford (2m5f, good); stays this far.

8/1

3rd

5

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:00 Hereford

Kapamazov

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Tony Carroll

20 defeats under rules include 12 over fences; has placed form that entitles him to consideration and a change of stables may perk him up; trip/ground should be fine.

9/2

Form: P-U853

Last run: 31 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Has become bitterly disappointing but handicapped accordingly and his third at Hereford was better (3m1f, good); cheekpieces are back on but they'd done little for him previously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:52 Worcester

Atlanta Brave

11st 5lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Struggles for consistency and has gone backwards since finishing third at Hereford in March (3m1f, good); first-time blinkers did nothing for him last time and they're retained.

10/1

5th

9

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:20 Worcester

Atlanta Brave

11st 5lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Kerry Lee

Hasn't won for three years and struggles for consistency; made an encouraging return when third at Hereford (3m1f, good) in March but couldn't back it up when well beaten at Bangor in refitted cheekpieces last time; blinkers now replace them but others appeal more.

66/1

9th

2

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Atlanta Brave

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Has become bitterly disappointing but handicapped accordingly and his third at Hereford was better (3m1f, good); cheekpieces are back on but they'd done little for him previously.

10/1

Form: 76463F BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced hurdler; ran well in his first chase and was doing likewise when falling at Sedgefield, though wouldn't have won; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

16th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Siege Of Acres

11st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Early switch to chasing hasn't gone entirely to plan; looking a bit more realistic now, but needs to tease out his resources longer.

20/1

10th

4

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Siege Of Acres

11st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Lightly raced hurdler; ran well in his first chase and was doing likewise when falling at Sedgefield, though wouldn't have won; others preferred.

10/1

4

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Siege Of Acres

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

4-1 for last month's chase and handicap debut at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft), beaten about 6l in third of six; this unexposed 5yo is open to improvement if finding greater fluency over his fences; chance.

11/4

Form: 111221

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Has more chasing experience than many of these and with a strike-rate of 4-15 things are going well; those wins have been from 2m to 2m4f so the are stamina questions to answer, for all that he has won a 3m point.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

El Rojo Grande

11st 9lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Katy Price

Has more chasing experience than many of these and with a strike-rate of 4-15 things are going well; those wins have been from 2m to 2m4f so the are stamina questions to answer, for all that he has won a 3m point.

6/1

1st

4

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:28 Warwick

El Rojo Grande

11st 5lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Katy Price

Kicked off 2026 with a hat-trick (2m1f/2m, soft/heavy) and he's gone close on his last two starts (2m/2m3f, heavy/soft); has shown promise on good ground in the past and he could be bang there once more.

4/1

2nd

4

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

El Rojo Grande

11st 6lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Katy Price

Began this year with three slow-ground wins (2m-2m1f, one here) and lost out only by a head when second here (2m, heavy; front pair well clear) on latest outing; continues to climb up the weights but should be fine over today's longer trip and can make his presence felt again.

2/1

Form: 5/PP32

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Placed effort over hurdles (3m1f) divides his two chase runs and was a 3l runner-up at Hereford last time (2m5f, good); more appealing than a good many.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

3rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:30 Newton Abbot

Black Occ

11st 1lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Maiden who has inconsistent chase form (P2P3) but looks one of the likelier players provided he backs up latest effort, namely creditable third at Warwick (3m); runs off the same mark.

11/4

3rd

4

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

Black Occ

11st 4lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Sheila Lewis

Pulled up in two of three chase starts, the latest at Bangor after some guessy jumps; had run well when runner-up at Hereford (2m5f, good) in March, however, and should do better at some stage; tongue tied this time.

10/1

8

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Black Occ

11st 4lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Sheila Lewis

Placed effort over hurdles (3m1f) divides his two chase runs and was a 3l runner-up at Hereford last time (2m5f, good); more appealing than a good many.

7/1

Form: 3P/95

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Only 1-8 in points; no worthwhile form under rules and now makes chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

12th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:00 Stratford

Shuile Warrior

10st 2lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Simon Edwards

Won a point last year and is still unexposed under rules but was pulled up at Bangor (3m, good) on handicap/chase debut in April; difficult to enthuse over.

20/1

10

26th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

18:33 Bangor-on-Dee

Shuile Warrior

10st 3lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Simon Edwards

Won a point last year and is still unexposed under rules but was pulled up over C&D on handicap/chase debut in April; difficult to enthuse over.

33/1

11

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Shuile Warrior

10st 9lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Simon Edwards

Only 1-8 in points; no worthwhile form under rules and now makes chase debut.

33/1

Form: 7-PP52

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
In new cheekpieces when second to a thriving rival at Carlisle (3m, good) and won't be far away if as good again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Tory Hill

10st 6lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

In new cheekpieces when second to a thriving rival at Carlisle (3m, good) and won't be far away if as good again.

10/1

2nd

9

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

15:27 Carlisle

Tory Hill

10st 2lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

Back from layoff with three disappointing runs this season and now 0-4 over fences; needs combination of drier ground and first-time cheekpieces to make a big difference.

20/1

5th

5

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 5

17:15 Wetherby

Tory Hill

10st 6lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

Lightly raced 8yo who finished runner-up in four points; however, pulled up over fences on last two starts and a major turnaround is necessary.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £185.60
Straight Forecast £104.51
Tricast £246.09
Trifecta £426.10

Selections

Telegraph:

El Rojo Grande

SPOTLIGHT:

Streamsforth Lad

RP RATINGS:

Kapamazov

The Times:

Siege Of Acres

Daily Mail:

Sandscape

D Express:

Rockvale

POSTDATA:

Streamsforth Lad

The Guardian:

Streamsforth Lad

Daily Mirror:

Kapamazov

The Sun:

El Rojo Grande

The Star:

El Rojo Grande

Daily Record:

El Rojo Grande