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Runtech Ltd Handicap Stakes (Div I)

15:30 Chepstow Mon 31 Aug 2026 7f16y Class 6 Good to Soft 11 runners

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Mr Fox’s call

Escape Magic silks

Escape Magic

SPECULATIVE Advised 7/4 Est. 35%

🥈 2ND

Mr Fox says

Escape Magic (SR:66, 7/4) is the clear class-leader in this field by a meaningful margin — 5 SR points clear of Ajrad and 13+ points above the rest. The recent form string 60-113 shows two consecutive wins, representing a sharp upswing in form that justifies Owen Burrows' 18% trainer strike rate and the booking of Rossa Ryan (16%, 1,469 career runners), a significantly stronger jockey than any rival here. Course:W1P1 confirms Chepstow suitability, DistFit:+ proves ability at 7f, and a MarkMv:+1 means the handicapper has barely reacted to those wins. The main caveat is GoingFit:? — no going data available — and the 7/4 price leaves limited value if conditions don't suit. Each-way alternative: Ajrad. Main danger: Ajrad — Ajrad (SR:61, 5/2) is a course specialist with Course:W2P5 at Chepstow, has steamed in 37% in the market — the strongest move of any runner — and is running off a mark 8lb lower than his last win (MarkMv:-8), giving connections a genuine handicap advantage that could offset the GoingFit:- concern.

Verify· #15242

Full result

Winner: Prince Ali (GB) at SP 10/1. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.

  1. 1 Prince Ali silks Prince Ali Fox #3 Thomas Faulkner · Zoe Lewis(7) 10/1
  2. 2 Escape Magic silks Escape Magic Fox #1 Owen Burrows · Rossa Ryan 2/1
  3. 3 Blue Point Express silks Blue Point Express Adrian Wintle · Finley Marsh 12/1
  4. 4 Ajrad silks Ajrad Fox #2 Rod Millman · Lewis Edmunds 11/4
  5. 5 Margorie silks Margorie Eve Johnson Houghton · Callum Hutchinson 15/2
  6. 6 Nammos silks Nammos John & Rhys Flint · Mason Paetel(3) 7/1
  7. 7 Ashford Hill silks Ashford Hill Dominic Ffrench Davis · Isobelle Chalmers(7) 11/1
  8. 8 Pacific Prince silks Pacific Prince James Bennett · Laura Coughlan(3) 80/1
  9. 9 Snow Day silks Snow Day Tony Carroll · Myla Coppins(5) 50/1
  10. 10 Aplaceinthesun silks Aplaceinthesun Ollie Sangster · Libby Swallow(7) 18/1
  11. 11 Fullstop silks Fullstop Grace Harris · Ashley Lewis(3) 20/1

Top 4 — how each finished

  1. 1 Escape Magic silks Escape Magic 7/4 🥈 2ND
  2. 2 Ajrad silks Ajrad 5/2 🏁 4TH
  3. 3 Prince Ali silks Prince Ali 9/1 SP 10/1 🏆 WON