Stratford Avon Race 1 - Racingtv.com/Freetrial 'Chasing Excellence' Beginners' Chase (Gbb Race)
Another disappointing turnout for a beginners chase. EMID'IO PEPE (2) represented team Skelton for the first time when taking fourth beaten 2.25L attempting a 4000m G3 handicap hurdle at Aintree in April. Winner of three races over jumps while previously trained in France. Still only a 5-year-old and brings plenty of potential on this chase debut. ACT OF AUTHORITY (1) is a much more experienced rival. Not tasted victory for two years though holds plenty of solid form in valuable handicaps. Ninth behind the main selection in the aforementioned race last time. Wind surgery since and should give a bold sight.
Jockey: S Bowen
Weight: 72kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming today after seven months. Finished off last campaign 9 of 22 starters at Aintree April 10 over 4000m, 9 len behind Wellington Arch carrying 72kg at $26. Previously first up; 4 of 11 starters at Newbury November 6 2025 over 4860m, 9 len behind Haiti Couleurs with 71kg at $8.50. Among the chances fresh.
Last Starts 212 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/22 | 10/04/2026 | 28 | HDLE HCP 4U | $136,120.00 | Aintree | 4023m | Good Soft | Lewis Saunders | 72kg | 4:51.68 | - | 0 |
| 9.3L | $26.00 |
| 5/24 | 13/03/2026 | 27 | HDLE HCP 4U | $136,120.00 | Cheltenham | 4123m | Soft | Lewis Saunders | 72.5kg | 5:08.84 | - | 0 |
| 3.8L | $15.00 |
| 8/15 | 14/02/2026 | 44 | HDLE HCP 4U | $96,250.00 | Ascot Uk | 3922m | Good Soft | Lewis Saunders | 71kg | 4:38.29 | 10-11-8 | 0 |
| 24.0L | $10.00 |
| 4/12 | 01/01/2026 | 26 | HDLE HCP 4U | $181,490.00 | Windsor | 4023m | Good | T Mccain Mitchell | 71kg | 4:45.22 | 7-8-4 | 0 |
| 5.5L | $12.00 |
| 3/9 | 06/12/2025 | 30 | HDLE HCP 4U | $54,450.00 | Aintree | 4023m | Soft | Lewis Saunders | 71kg | 5:08.23 | 6-5-3 | 0 |
| 9.0L | $5.50 |
| 4/11 | 06/11/2025 | 215 | HCP HDLE 4U | $45,270.00 | Newbury | 4880m | Good Soft | Lewis Saunders | 71kg | 6:26.40 | 7-5-4 | 0 |
| 9.3L | $8.50 |
| 7/17 | 05/04/2025 | 22 | HCP HDLE 4U | $150,880.00 | Aintree | 4928m | Good | Lewis Saunders | 72kg | 6:10.05 | 12-10-7 | 0 |
| 8.5L | $5.00 |
| 2/24 | 14/03/2025 | 34 | HCP HDLE 4U | $136,120.00 | Cheltenham | 4123m | Good Soft | Lewis Saunders | 70.5kg | 4:59.42 | 16-11-2 | 0 |
| 4.3L | $29.00 |
| 3/6 | 08/02/2025 | 44 | HCP HDLE 4U | $54,450.00 | Warwick Uk | 4224m | Soft | Lewis Saunders | 71kg | 5:13.28 | 5-4-3 | 0 |
| 1.8L | $3.00 |
| 4/9 | 26/12/2024 | 40 | HCP HDLE 4U | $73,800.00 | Aintree | 4023m | Soft | Sean Bowen | 75.5kg | 5:13.95 | 7-3-4 | 0 |
| 5.8L | $3.50 |
| 1/4 | 16/11/2024 | 6 | HCP HDLE 3U | $17,590.00 | Wetherby | 3922m | Good | Lewis Saunders | 71.5kg | 4:59.60 | 4-2-1 | 0 |
| 1.3L | $1.44 |
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Weight: 72kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming from a lengthy break. Having raced just once last campaign finished fourth of 22 runners at Aintree on April 10 over 4000m, 2.25 len behind Wellington Arch with 71.5kg at $10. When resuming last campaign finished fifth in a small field at Toulouse on September 24 2025 over 2400m, 12 len behind Mr Hollywood carrying 56kg at $15. Expected to play a major role.
Last Starts 212 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/22 | 10/04/2026 | 115 | HDLE HCP 4U | $136,120.00 | Aintree | 4023m | Good Soft | Harry Skelton | 71.5kg | 4:51.68 | - | 0 |
| 2.3L | $10.00 |
| 1/14 | 16/12/2025 | 16 | HCP HDLE CF 4 | $147,160.00 | Pau | 3500m | Soft | Bertrand Lestrade | 70kg | 4:11.20 | 6-7-1 | 0 |
| 0.2L | $7.90 |
| 5/15 | 30/11/2025 | 36 | HCP CL4 H 3U | $30,570.00 | Toulouse | 3000m | SH | Fabrice Veron | 60kg | 3:25.80 | 10-3-5 | 9 |
| 9.5L | $34.00 |
| 9/10 | 25/10/2025 | 31 | CL1 3U | $61,590.00 | Bordeaux Le Bouscat | 2400m | Heavy | Antoine Werle | 58kg | 2:50.28 | 4-9-9 | 7 |
| 21.9L | $41.00 |
| 5/6 | 24/09/2025 | 116 | CL2 4U | $35,890.00 | Toulouse | 2400m | Good Soft | Antoine Werle | 56kg | 2:31.80 | 6-5-5 | 4 |
| 12.0L | $15.00 |
| 7/10 | 31/05/2025 | 46 | G3 HDLE CHF 4 | $239,787.00 | Auteuil | 4100m | Soft | Gwen Richard | 64.5kg | 4:46.36 | 9-6-7 | 0 |
| 17.0L | $10.00 |
| 4/16 | 15/04/2025 | 50 | LR HCP HDLE CF 4 | $189,980.00 | Auteuil | 3600m | SH | Bertrand Lestrade | 71kg | 4:20.96 | 9-5-4 | 0 |
| 1.7L | $3.70 |
| 2/14 | 24/02/2025 | 65 | HCP HDLE CF 4 | $158,600.00 | Auteuil | 3600m | Heavy | Bertrand Lestrade | 69kg | 4:30.17 | 3-2-2 | 0 |
| 2.5L | $5.00 |
| 1/8 | 21/12/2024 | 69 | HDLE CL1 CG 3 | $72,820.00 | Pau | 3500m | Heavy | Bertrand Lestrade | 67kg | 4:30.10 | 8-5-1 | 0 |
| 4.5L | $2.70 |
| 1/11 | 13/10/2024 | 25 | HDLE CL2 CF 3 | $48,470.00 | Bordeaux Le Bouscat | 3700m | Soft | Bertrand Lestrade | 67kg | 4:20.26 | 9-1-1 | 0 |
| 1.5L | $8.50 |
| 1/7 | 18/09/2024 | 107 | MDN CF 3 | $27,690.00 | Toulouse | 3000m | Good | Antoine Werle | 56kg | 3:22.50 | 5-5-1 | 2 |
| 2.5L | $13.00 |