Chepstow Race 5

Braceys Maiden Hurdle (Gbb Race) (Div 1)

Stake: $15,627

COURAGEOUS STRIKE (9) made a creditable jumps debut last time finishing 3.5L second over 4000m at Ffos Las. Capable of going one better with experience onside. SMILE BACK (8) resumes following a two-month layoff. Recorded a jumpers flat win tackling 3400m at Carlisle. Claims on second hurdle start. ALMEIRINDA (6) is lightly raced. Last seen two years back and warrants serious consideration following wind surgery. WILD GOOSE (5) rates an each-way chance.

Distance: 3228m
Track: Good
Weather: OCAST
Surface: Turf
Class: HDLE MDN, C4

Rail Position: True

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Ballymena Boy (1) 2x4x0x
Trainer: Robert Llewellyn (Wroughton, Wiltshire)
Jockey: Liam Harrison
Weight: 71.5kg
Prize Money: $1,782
Win / Place: 0% / 33%

6 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: DIAMOND BOY (FR)

Dam: KELLS HALL (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Westerner

Rating

Stats

Career

3: 0-1-0

Distance

2: 0-1-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

1: 0-0-0

Season

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

3: 0-1-0

Turf

3: 0-1-0

Soft

2: 0-0-0

Heavy

1: 0-1-0

Anti-Clockwise

2: 0-0-0

Hurdle

1: 0-0-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 0-0-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3218m

Comments

Resuming after a break; having raced just once last campaign didn't finish the race at this track on February 9 over 3200m. When resuming last campaign finished fourth in a small field at Stratford-On-Avon on October 7 over 3300m, slow track; 19 len behind Gore Point with 71kg at $4. Confidence may have taken a hit.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
99th of 12	9/2/25	Chepstow	3218m	HDLE 4U	-	Liam Harrison	71kg	Soft	4:19.70	44.6 km/h	0.0L	-	$41	125	$15,378	-	1. Juby Ball 2. Ben Solo 3. Benignitas
125 Day Spell
4th of 5	7/10/24	Stratford Avon	3319m	HUNT FLAT 45	-	Liam Harrison	71kg	Soft	3:57.03	50.4 km/h	19.3L	-	$4.00	211	$13,970	$1,782	1. Gore Point 2. Top Tier Gossip 3. Bertie The Rebel
211 Day Spell
2nd of 7	10/3/24	Bangor-On-Dee P2p	3219m	P2P	-	M Dodd	75.5kg	Heavy	4:21.20	44.4 km/h	4.3L	-	$6.00	-	$0	-	1. Bear Market 2. Ballymena Boy 3. Fruit Fizz

Dessie Haze (2) 8x747
Trainer: P C Dando (Peterston-Super-Ely, S Glamorg)
Jockey: Conor Ring
Weight: 71.5kg
Prize Money: $1,725
Win / Place: 0% / 0%

7 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: BLACK SAM BELLAMY (IRE)

Dam: BELLA HAZE (GB)

Dam's Sire: Midnight Legend

Rating

Stats

Career

4: 0-0-0

Season

3: 0-0-0

1st Up

2: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

3rd Up

1: 0-0-0

Turf

4: 0-0-0

Good

2: 0-0-0

Soft

2: 0-0-0

Clockwise

2: 0-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

2: 0-0-0

Hurdle

3: 0-0-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 0-0-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3319m - 5138m

Comments

Last outing finished seventh of 9 starters at Ffos Las on April 16 over 4000m, slow track; 60 len behind Pyleigh Master with 70kg at $51. Race before finished fourth of 10 starters at Exeter on March 7 over 3300m, 14 len behind In Limbo carrying 72kg at $201. Big task ahead.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
7th of 9	16/4/25	Ffos Las	4023m	MHDLE 4U	-	Ellis Collier	70kg	Soft	5:05.40	47.4 km/h	60.8L	-	$51	40	$17,974	-	1. Pyleigh Master 2. Kap Boy 3. Scorpio Rising
40 Day Freshen-Up
4th of 10	7/3/25	Exeter	3319m	MHDLE HUNT 4	-	Ben Poste	72kg	Good	4:13.01	47.2 km/h	14.0L	-	$201	23	$13,970	$1,725	1. In Limbo 2. Zainy Champ 3. What U Wanna Do Is
7th of 7	12/2/25	Hereford	5138m	MHDLE 5U	-	Conor Ring	71.5kg	Good Soft	6:36.30	46.7 km/h	74.0L	-	$201	307	$15,631	-	1. Tommy The Tank 2. Wicked Thoughts 3. Dwight K Schrute
307 Day Spell
8th of 8	11/4/24	Taunton	3319m	MFLAT 46	-	Conor Ring	71.5kg	Soft	4:04.60	48.8 km/h	63.8L	-	$67	-	$9,977	-	1. Jena D'oudairies 2. French Ship 3. Chedington's Guest

Harksman (3) 67x
Trainer: M Keighley (Condicote, Gloucs)
Jockey: James Best
Weight: 71.5kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 0% / 0%

5 yo Brown Gelding

Sire: TELESCOPE (IRE)

Dam: OVERTHROW (GB)

Dam's Sire: Overbury

Rating

Stats

Career

2: 0-0-0

Distance

2: 0-0-0

Season

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

1: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Turf

2: 0-0-0

Good

1: 0-0-0

Soft

1: 0-0-0

Clockwise

2: 0-0-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 0-0-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3218m - 3266m

Comments

Resuming. Finished off last preparation 7 of 8 runners at Kempton Park February 7 over 3200m, slow track; 35 len behind Frontier Prince carrying 73kg at $67. First ever race start 6 of 11 runners at Hereford December 11 over 3250m, 14 len behind Doctor On Call carrying 71kg at $81. Others make more appeal.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
7th of 8	7/2/25	Kempton Park	3218m	HUNT FLAT MD	-	James Best	73kg	Soft	4:18.39	44.8 km/h	35.5L	-	$67	58	$9,977	-	1. Frontier Prince 2. Kadastral 3. Etna Bianco
58 Day Freshen-Up
6th of 11	11/12/24	Hereford	3266m	WFA HUNT FLA	-	James Best	71kg	Good Soft	3:54.68	50.1 km/h	14.8L	-	$81	-	$9,130	-	1. Doctor On Call 2. Just Golden 3. Misteroddsocks

House Of Habsburg (4) 3x09
Trainer: Christian Williams (Ogmore-By-Sea, Glamorgan)
Jockey: Jack Tudor
Weight: 71.5kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 0% / 33%

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: ORDER OF ST GEORGE (IRE)

Dam: SWINCOMBE FLAME (GB)

Dam's Sire: Exit To Nowhere

Rating

Stats

Career

3: 0-0-1

Distance

1: 0-0-0

Season

2: 0-0-0

1st Up

2: 0-0-1

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Turf

3: 0-0-1

Good

1: 0-0-0

Heavy

2: 0-0-1

Anti-Clockwise

1: 0-0-0

Hurdle

1: 0-0-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

0: 0-0-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3218m - 4828m

Comments

Third-up today. First-up didn't finish the race at Ballindenisk P2p on January 11 over 4800m. Second run from a spell finished ninth of 11 starters at Warwick on March 9 over 3200m, 15 len behind Sage Green carrying 72kg at $29. Not likely to threaten without a big turnaround in form.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
9th of 11	9/3/25	Warwick Uk	3218m	WFA HDLE 4U	-	David Noonan	72kg	Good	3:59.30	48.4 km/h	15.3L	-	$29	57	$14,212	-	1. Sage Green 2. Hms President 3. Dunskay
57 Day Freshen-Up
99th of 8	11/1/25	Ballindenisk P2p	4828m	P2P MDN G 5	-	A Harney	60kg	Heavy		-	99.0L	-	$1.00	328	$0	-	1. Loaded And Locked 2. Mymilkman 3. Cause For Comment
328 Day Spell
3rd of 5	18/2/24	Nenagh P2p	4828m	P2P MDN 4	-	S Staples	60kg	Heavy		-	9.5L	-	$1.00f	-	$0	-	1. Big Cadillac 2. King Of Thieves 3. House Of Habsburg

Wild Goose (5) 2x35
Trainer: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls (Cheltenham, Gloucs)
Jockey: C Gethings
Weight: 71.5kg
Prize Money: $3,310
Win / Place: 0% / 66%

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: YEATS (IRE)

Dam: POPPY COME RUNNING (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Definite Article

Rating

Stats

Career

3: 0-1-1

Distance

2: 0-1-0

Season

2: 0-0-1

1st Up

2: 0-1-1

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Turf

2: 0-0-1

Good

2: 0-0-1

Synthetic

1: 0-1-0

Clockwise

1: 0-0-1

Anti-Clockwise

2: 0-1-0

Hurdle

1: 0-0-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

0: 0-0-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3173m - 3218m

Comments

Third-up today. First-up finished third of 8 runners at Huntingdon on March 12 over 3170m, 3.5 len behind Driftwood Bounty carrying 72kg at $9. Second run from a spell ran last in a small field at Plumpton on April 6 over 3200m, 57 len behind Public Enemy with 71.5kg at $2.50. Top chance if at his best.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
5th of 5	6/4/25	Plumpton	3195m	MHDLE 4U	-	Tom Bellamy	71.5kg	Good	3:49.27	50.2 km/h	57.0L	-	$2.50f	25	$16,236	-	1. Public Enemy 2. God Of Fire 3. Bohemian Breeze
3rd of 8	12/3/25	Huntingdon	3173m	WFA HUNT FLA	-	Tom Bellamy	72kg	Good	3:50.81	49.5 km/h	3.3L	-	$9.00	93	$8,118	$1,019	1. Driftwood Bounty 2. Naval Tribute 3. Wild Goose
93 Day Spell
2nd of 7	9/12/24	Lingfield	3218m	WFA HUNT FLA	-	Jonathan Burke	71kg	NS	3:32.00	54.6 km/h	7.5L	-	$9.50	-	$9,130	$2,291	1. Foxlight 2. Wild Goose 3. American Empire

Almeirinda (6) 0x42x
Trainer: Venetia Williams (Kings Caple, H'fords)
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Weight: 68.5kg
Prize Money: $15,085
Win / Place: 0% / 33%

6 yo Bay Mare

Sire: MASKED MARVEL (GB)

Dam: ALTITUDE OCEANE (FR)

Dam's Sire: Urban Ocean

Rating

Stats

Career

3: 0-1-0

1st Up

2: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

Turf

3: 0-1-0

Good

1: 0-0-0

Soft

2: 0-1-0

Firm

1: 0-0-0

Clockwise

1: 0-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

2: 0-1-0

Hurdle

2: 0-1-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

0: 0-0-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Gear Changes

[Tongue Strap]

Comments

Returns from the paddock today. Finished off last preparation 2 of 7 runners at Lyon-Parilly June 6 2023 over 3800m, slow track; 8 len behind King Of Saintly with 65kg. Previously first up; 4 of 9 starters at Vichy May 5 2023 over 3500m, slow track; 9 len behind Donwave with 65kg. Leading contender.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 7	6/6/23	Lyon Parilly	3800m	HDLE CL3 CF	-	Benjamin Gelhay	65kg	Soft	4:41.24	48.6 km/h	8.0L	-	$1.00	32	$45,155	$10,837	1. King Of Saintly 2. Almeirinda 3. Jetta Des Obeaux
32 Day Freshen-Up
4th of 9	5/5/23	Vichy	3500m	HDLE CL3 CF	-	Benjamin Gelhay	65kg	Soft	4:22.60	48.0 km/h	9.5L	-	$1.00	243	$44,715	$4,248	1. Donwave 2. Lovely Risk 3. The Good Doctor
243 Day Spell
11th of 11	4/9/22	Divonne	2400m	3	7	Emilien Puillet-Roda	59.5kg	Good Soft	2:38.10	54.6 km/h	14.0L	-	$1.00	-	$13,585	-	1. La Sauzee 2. Sounaina 3. Fete Joyeuse

Chanelle Noir (7) 64
Trainer: Ben Clarke (Mosterton, Dorset)
Jockey: Rex Dingle
Weight: 68.5kg
Prize Money: $2,036
Win / Place: 0% / 0%

5 yo Bay Mare

Sire: SHOLOKHOV (IRE)

Dam: SHAZZAMATAZ (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Presenting

Rating

Stats

Career

2: 0-0-0

Season

2: 0-0-0

1st Up

1: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Turf

2: 0-0-0

Good

2: 0-0-0

Clockwise

2: 0-0-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

0: 0-0-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3156m - 3520m

Gear Changes

[Tongue Strap]

Comments

Had two starts to date. At debut, finished sixth of 10 starters at Ascot on February 15 over 3150m, 17 len behind Jackie Hobbs carrying 71kg at $21. Second-up finished fourth of 7 runners at Musselburgh on March 21 over 3500m, 9 len behind Chanonry Point with 71kg at $6. Can win without surprising.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 7	21/3/25	Musselburgh	3520m	HUNT FLAT M	-	Brian Hughes	71kg	Good Soft	4:15.20	49.7 km/h	9.3L	-	$6.00	34	$17,776	$2,036	1. Chanonry Point 2. Centurion's Sister 3. Perfectot
34 Day Freshen-Up
6th of 10	15/2/25	Ascot Uk	3156m	WFA HUNT FLA	-	Chloe Emsley	71kg	Good	3:43.05	50.9 km/h	17.0L	-	$21	-	$33,484	-	1. Jackie Hobbs 2. Just A Heartbeat 3. Belle Le Grand

Smile Back (8) 1x185x
Trainer: R T Phillips (Adlestrop, Gloucs)
Jockey: Finn Lambert (a1.5)
Weight: 68.5kg
Prize Money: $4,420
Win / Place: 50% / 50%

Unbeaten 1st Up

5 yo Bay Mare

Sire: WORKFORCE (GB)

Dam: LADY LEILA (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Taipan

Rating

Stats

Career

4: 2-0-0

Season

2: 0-0-0

1st Up

2: 2-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

3rd Up

1: 0-0-0

Turf

4: 2-0-0

Good

3: 1-0-0

Soft

1: 1-0-0

Clockwise

3: 1-0-0

Hurdle

1: 0-0-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

3: 1-0-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3332m - 4123m

Comments

Resuming after two months. Finished off last preparation 5 of 15 runners at Huntingdon February 20 over 4100m, 17 len behind Dramatic Encore carrying 71kg at $8. Previous preparation first-up won by 3.5 len Carlisle December 15 over 3400m slow track defeating Gintime carrying 69.5kg at $13. Looks a key chance here.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
5th of 15	20/2/25	Huntingdon	4123m	MHDLE HUNT M	-	Finn Lambert	71kg	Good Soft	5:30.30	44.9 km/h	17.3L	-	$8.00	34	$14,971	-	1. Dramatic Encore 2. Sea Presenting 3. Betty's Tiara
34 Day Freshen-Up
8th of 10	17/1/25	Market Rasen	3332m	LR OPEN M 46	-	Finn Lambert	71.5kg	Good Soft	4:05.20	48.9 km/h	21.3L	-	$9.50	33	$71,038	-	1. Kingston Queen 2. Charisma Cat 3. Dream Shadow
33 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 10	15/12/24	Carlisle	3419m	HUNT FLAT M	-	Finn Lambert	69.5kg	Soft	4:23.84	46.7 km/h	3.3L	-	$13	211	$7,986	$4,420	1. Smile Back 2. Gintime 3. Crying Lightning
211 Day Spell
1st of 11	18/5/24	Taylorstown P2p	4828m	P2P MDN M 4	-	N McParlan	60kg	Good		-	8.0L	-	$1.00	-	$0	-	1. Smile Back 2. Stylia 3. Bobbigrey

Courageous Strike (9) x0x31692x2
Trainer: P F Nicholls (Ditcheat, Somerset)
Jockey: H Cobden
Weight: 68kg
Prize Money: $89,817
Win / Place: 12% / 43%

4 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: NATIONAL DEFENSE (GB)

Dam: MADEMOISELLE MARIE (FR)

Dam's Sire: Evasive

100

Rating

Stats

Career

16: 2-4-1

Season

1: 0-1-0

1st Up

4: 0-2-1

2nd Up

2: 1-0-0

3rd Up

2: 0-0-0

4th Up

2: 0-0-0

Turf

12: 1-3-1

Good

9: 1-3-1

Soft

3: 0-0-0

Synthetic

4: 1-1-0

Clockwise

8: 1-2-1

Anti-Clockwise

8: 1-2-0

Hurdle

1: 0-1-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

0: 0-0-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

4023m

Comments

Second-up today. Fresh up after eight months finished second of 8 starters at Ffos Las on April 6 over 4000m, 3.5 len behind Newton Tornado with 68kg at $11. Previously second-up won by 0.5 len Curragh on June 28 over 2400m defeating Valleyoftheeagles with 58.5kg at $29. That run came after a switch to the P F Nicholls yard.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 8	6/4/25	Ffos Las	4023m	MHDLE 4U	-	Freddie Gingell	68kg	Good Soft	4:57.82	48.6 km/h	3.3L	-	$11	232	$15,378	$3,922	1. Newton Tornado 2. Courageous Strike 3. Followcato
232 Day Spell
2nd of 5	17/8/24	Curragh	2816m	G3 OPEN 3U	4	R P Whelan	56.5kg	Good	2:56.50	57.4 km/h	20.0L	-	$81	19	$103,807	$21,208	1. Grosvenor Square 2. Courageous Strike 3. A Piece Of Heaven
9th of 13	29/7/24	Galway	2514m	HCP 3	11	Robert Whearty	57.5kg	Y	2:48.54	53.7 km/h	5.5L	-	$15	9	$37,202	-	1. Kentucky Gal 2. Highland Bling 3. Himalayan Heights
6th of 10	20/7/24	Curragh	2011m	HCP 3	8	David Egan	60kg	Good	2:10.27	55.6 km/h	6.3L	-	$9.00	22	$38,159	$406	1. Puturhandstogether 2. Siege Of Troy 3. Lord Church
1st of 18	28/6/24	Curragh	2414m	APP HCP 3U	18	James J G Ryan	58.5kg	Good	2:32.47	57.0 km/h	0.5L	-	$29	12	$57,233	$35,923	1. Courageous Strike 2. Valleyoftheeagles 3. Master Dunraven
3rd of 8	16/6/24	Gowran Park	1911m	APP HCP 3	8	P A Harnett	61.5kg	Good	2:01.36	56.7 km/h	1.5L	-	$17	79	$24,805	$2,375	1. Tachos 2. Puturhandstogether 3. Courageous Strike
79 Day Spell

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