15:17 Chepstow

Sunday 12 October 2025

All13:3214:0714:4215:1715:5216:2717:02

DragonBet 'Welsh Champion' Hurdle (Limited Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:17 | Winning time: 3m 59.6s

Celtic Dino¹⁹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Dylan Johnston⁽³⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 137| BF| D

6/4

Dual bumper winner who won his first 2 outings over hurdles and was far from disgraced in novice graded company subsequently. Finished last season on a high with a solid third in a competitive 17-runner handicap hurdle at Aintree. Up 5 lb for that but likely more to come from him.

Form: 1/11433-

Wilful¹⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 134| D

17/2

Suited by the emphasis on speed over a bare 2m when landing a first handicap success at Ayr in April and was well-positioned when runner-up in a steadily-run listed handicap hurdle at Punchestown (16.7f) later that month. Conditions will suit and he should go well, especially if they go steady.

Form: 184P12-

Tutti Quanti¹⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| D

11/4

Plenty of scope physically and had some strong form over hurdles last season, ran as well as could be expected when sixth in the Supreme and signed off with a very easy victory in a Ffos Las novice in April. Goes well fresh and strong chance he can make a winning handicap debut.

Form: 22/1261-

Alexei^t²⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 127| D

10/1

Fairly useful on Flat and impressive winner of back-to-back novices at Taunton last winter before disappointing on soft ground. Much better than the result when too keen on handicap debut at Newbury (18.8f) in March. Drop back to 2m should suit and may do better if settling on his return.

Form: 1148-

Listentoyourheart¹⁹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 126| D

8/1

Useful novice completed a hat-trick in mares' company last season. Shaped well off a break when fourth in a Grade 2 novice at Kelso in the spring but unable to build on that in a competitive 2½m Aintree handicap. Drops back to 2m and may well improve as a 6-y-o for a top yard.

Form: 111440-

Norman Fletcher¹⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: James Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 123| D

10/1

Enjoyed a productive start to last season but found life tougher in deeper handicaps, shaping as though he'd benefit from further than 2m. Back in calmer waters when a creditable sixth at Cheltenham in April and he has definite claims here with yard known for making a fast start to the season.

Form: 13P906-

Balhambar^t,p³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 122| C| D

18/1

Plenty of solid placed form in handicap hurdles last season and finished his campaign in good heart when runner-up behind an improved winner at Stratford in March. Had a pipe-opener on the Flat at Epsom last month and no surprise to see him go well with race-fitness on his side.

Form: 12/3202-

Tour Ovalie²⁰⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Isabel Williams| T: Evan Williams| OR: 119| D

40/1

Progressive mare early last season, winning 5 times from 6 starts prior to doing all she could when ninth in 23-runner Grade 2 Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Clearly wasn't herself when turned out quickly at Kelso 9 days later but will need to improve to make a winning reappearance.

Form: 119198-

Scintillante³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph| OR: 112| BF| D

50/1

In top form at Worcester this summer, beating a James Owen improver when successful at that course over 2m in July and pulling clear of the rest when second over the same C&D last month. In fine heart but has more on his plate from 5 lb out of the handicap in a much deeper contest.

Form: 142122

Non-Runners

No Ordinary Joe²¹²

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: Faye Bramley J: R P McLernon

Titan Discovery²⁶⁶

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: R L Llewellyn J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Celtic Dino (6/4), Tutti Quanti (11/4), Listentoyourheart (8/1), Wilful (17/2), Alexei (10/1), Norman Fletcher (10/1), Balhambar (18/1), No Ordinary Joe (25/1), Titan Discovery (25/1), Tour Ovalie (40/1), Scintillante (50/1)

Useful juvenile TUTTI QUANTI has plenty of scope for progression and is fancied to make a winning handicap debut on his return. Dan Skelton may unlock further improvement from talented mare Listentoyourheart, while Alexei looks interesting if he can settle back over 2m. Of the rest, Balhambar's form from last season looks solid and he should be spot on for this following a spin on the Flat, while it's still early days for Celtic Dino who ran well on handicap debut at Aintree in April.