Chepstow
Saturday, April 26, 2025HurdleClass 42m
Verdict
Verdict
COURAGEOUS STRIKE stuck on pretty well considering how freely he raced on his recent Ffos Las hurdling debut and is a confident selection to make it second time lucky with improvement on the cards. Smile Back and Wild Goose can battle it out for minor honours.
Courageous Strike
Smile Back
Wild Goose
2m Mdn Hrd
2m Mdn Hrd
Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places
- 9. Courageous StrikeJ: Harry CobdenT: Paul NichollsF: 2
- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 10-10
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 19
VerdictFairly useful on the Flat for Adrian Murray (stays 1¾m) and showed plenty to work on sent hurdling after 8 months off when second in 8-runner maiden at Ffos Las (20f) 19 days ago, racing freely but sticking on well. Sure to improve and can go one better here. 
6. AlmeirindaJ: Charlie DeutschT: Venetia WilliamsF: 42-- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 10-11
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 689
VerdictWell held only outing on Flat in 2022 but showed fair form when in frame both starts over hurdles in 2023/24. Subsequent left Mathieu Pitart for €45,000 and has had a breathing operation ahead of UK/stable debut after 22 months off. Tongue strap retained. Market useful.- 5. Wild GooseJ: Ciaran GethingsT: Kim Bailey & Mat NichollsF: 235
- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 11-4
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 19
VerdictPromise when placed both starts in bumpers but looked a hard ride sent hurdling when finishing last of 5 on Plumpton hurdling debut, veering right and becoming unsteerable home turn. - 8. Smile BackJ: Finn LambertT: Richard PhillipsF: 185
- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 10-11
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 64
Verdict30,000 Irish point winner who produced an impressive display when taking Carlisle bumper in December, galloping strongly. Well held up in grade at Market Rasen next time and ran to only a modest level on Huntingdon hurdling debut. Drop in trip not sure to suit on that evidence. 
7. Chanelle NoirJ: Rex DingleT: Ben ClarkeF: 64- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 10-11
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 35
VerdictBred to stay well and has shaped in kind in a couple of bumpers.
1. Ballymena BoyJ: Liam HarrisonT: Robbie LlewellynF: 4F- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 11-4
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 75
VerdictShowed little when fourth in a 5-runner Stratford bumper on Rules debut in October and in process of faring no better when falling last on hurdles bow here (2m) in February.
4. House Of HabsburgJ: Jack TudorT: Christian WilliamsF: 9- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 11-4
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 47
Verdict£35,000 5-y-o, Order of St George gelding. Twice-raced in points (every chance when falling on latest) and shaped like a stayer when down the field on last month's 2m Warwick hurdle debut. Probably one for later on.
2. Dessie HazeJ: Conor RingT: Phillip DandoF: 8-747- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 11-4
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 9
VerdictFirst sign of ability when fourth of 10 over 17f at Exeter in March, but failed miserably to repeat that effort when down the field at Ffos Las last time.
3. HarksmanJ: James BestT: Martin KeighleyF: 67- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 11-4
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 77
VerdictWent backwards from debut when beating only one home in 8-runner bumper at Kempton (16f, soft) 77 days ago, pulling hard. Makes hurdle bow.- Unnamed Favourite
- Unnamed 2nd Favourite