20:18 Stratford

Tuesday 1 July 2025

All18:1818:4819:1819:4820:1820:48

Farmers Farewell Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 20:18 | Winning time: 4m 47.6s

Magic Seven¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 112

6/1

Scored over hurdles at Exeter in November and shaped well when second of 4 in handicap chase at Huntingdon (16.5f, good to firm) on chase debut in May. Failed to build on that next time, but he's probably worth chance in view of his Huntingdon effort.

Form: 306-324

Kaproyale^t⁹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Mr James King⁽³⁾| T: M Comley| OR: 111| C

14/1

Gained third hunter chase success when scoring at this course last May and, after 7 months off, shaped better than result on stable debut at Sedgefield on Boxing Day. Again wasn't disgraced following another break returned to hurdles back here in March, but he looks vulnerable all the same.

Form: 215/164-

Ballybegg^b¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 111

11/2

Rather in-and-out subsequent to breakthrough success in this sphere at Ludlow in January 2024, going close back there in March but has unsurprisingly failed to build on that on his next 3 starts. Opposable.

Form: 7326-53

Imac Wood^t²¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 111| D

14/1

Resumed winning ways at Uttoxeter last summer, but little impact in 3 subsequent starts and while his strike rate in this sphere (6-15) is healthy, he's probably worth taking on back from a 7-month absence.

Form: 66136P-

Theonlywayiswessex²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 110| C

7/4

Versatile performer who resumed winning ways in good style at Plumpton in December. Bad mistake early on proved costly at the same course next time, but his jumping was on point when runner-up at Warwick (2½m, good) last month and he's a strong candidate.

Form: 43217-2

Midnight Jewel^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 107| D

9/2

Notched fourth success over fences at Fontwell in September and, following a string of low-key displays, he bounced back with cheekpieces refitted when going down narrowly back at Fontwell (19.5f, good) 3 weeks ago. Reproduction of that effort will give him a serious chance.

Form: 4877-52

Man Of The Sea^t,p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 103| BF| C

11/2

Successful 5 times over hurdles and notched twelfth win on the Flat at Bath in April. Placed on 3 of his 4 starts back hurdling since and, handed a fair mark for this chase debut, he could have a part to play here if his jumping passes the test.

Form: 122-432

Non-Runners

Wee Willie Nail¹⁴

Weight: 10-3| Age: 7

T: R C Harper J: Luke Scott

Forecasts

Theonlywayiswessex (7/4), Midnight Jewel (9/2), Man Of The Sea (11/2), Ballybegg (11/2), Magic Seven (6/1), Imac Wood (14/1), Kaproyale (14/1), Wee Willie Nail (100/1)

THEONLYWAYISWESSEX arguably made his move too soon back from a four-month break at Warwick where he was overhauled by the eventual winner in the closing stages, the pair pulling well clear of the rest. Alan King's charge is taken to gain compensation here, with Midnight Jewel and chase debutant Man of The Sea feared most in that order of preference.