One of the betting races of the entire DragonBet Welsh Racing Festival takes place at 3.20pm at Chepstow on Saturday afternoon, as the 2025 Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle attracts a competitive field. A bumper line-up of 18 is set to go to the 2m 3f 100y start and our in-house GG tipster Steve Chambers picks out a double-figured selection for the win, and also picks out his 1-2-3 for the contest.
Favourites
A comfortable four-length winner of this race 12 months ago, Josh The Boss is looking to win back-to-back renewals of the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle for Nigel Twiston-Davies. The Naunton inmate scooted well clear of Doyen Quest in this race last season and he’s only 3lbs higher in the handicap for this year’s contest, so has to be respected. He showed very little following that success a year ago, but a return to Wales could see him bounce back to form and he certainly sets the standard.
A Chepstow maiden hurdle winner last season, French Ship continued his winning ways at Taunton on his last start back in January, and will now make his hotly-anticipated return to the track for Philip Hobbs & Johnson White. Still unexposed, he’s another prominent figure in the betting and is one that could be capable of more improvement.
Chepstow Preview: Races to watch and horses to look out for at DragonBet Welsh Racing Festival
The jumps season truly gets underway at Chepstow this weekend, with the three days of Dragon Bet’s Welsh Racing Festival heralded as a glorious return for so many racing fans’ favourite version of the sport. It promises to be a terrific festival of action, with Graded races joining big handicaps and intriguing novice contests for…
Wed 08 Oct 2025Fifth in the Grade 1 Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree’s Grand National meeting last spring, Royal Infantry will take to calmer waters here for Dan and Harry Skelton. Upped 2lbs to a mark of 136 following a runner-up finish at Perth, the upwardly mobile six-year-old is still potentially better than that mark and has to be one of the standout contenders from the front of the market.
Another former winner in the shape of Knappers Hill is looking to emulate Court Minstrel by regaining this title a couple of years after winning it first time around and the Paul Nicholls-trained raider returns after a 700-day layoff. Last seen landing the Grade 2 Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton, the Ditcheat inmate is sure to come on for the run and a spin over hurdles could be the catalyst for a return to the chasing sphere later in the season, so is best watched.
Outsiders
Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen team up with Rambo T, who is one from one at Chepstow and was a winner at Perth two outings ago in April. He failed to figure off his new mark of 137 on his last outing, and it’s off that figure he takes his chance again on Saturday, so could struggle again.
David Pipe won this race last time way back in 2009 with Mr Thriller, but the Pond House handler has a lively contender in the shape of Thanksforthehelp. The eight-year-old was a sparkling winner of a hugely competitive handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival back in April, but the handicapper has nailed him for that win and he’s a whopping 11lbs higher here, so has it all to do.
Whilst all eyes will be on the Skelton first string of Royal Infantry, the yard will saddle five runners in the race and the one that stands out is Joyeux Machin. Formerly a smart performer for Paul Nolan in Ireland, this eight-year-old has been knocking on the door in these sort of races since joining the Skelton yard and second placed finishes at Ascot and Uttoxeter has shown the fire still burns bright. Beaten a neck on his last start, he’s been given a 3lbs rise, but a mark of 138 still looks workable for a horse that has been a real model of consistency in recent times and at double-figured odds he has to be on the shortlist.
Fergal O’Brien’s Greyval had a recent spin on the flat at Newbury to warm up for this contest and the six-year-old mare had previously won two on the bounce over hurdles, so she has to be given respect, while the likes of the top-weighted Take No Chances and Jamie Snowden’s hat-trick-seeking Idy Wood adds more depth to what should be a sensational contest.
Verdict
Dan Skelton’s JOYEUX MACHIN has been in excellent form since switching to Britain from Paul Nolan’s yard and the eight-year-old can get his head in front with Liam Harrison in the plate. Stablemate Royal Infantry has some very smart form on his CV and he could well chase home his stablemate, while last year’s winner Josh The Boss is sure to run a big race and can collect third place.
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