May 02 / 20.05 Cheltenham

20.05

Good

Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Open Hunters’ Chase

  • Prize money: £2823.15
  • 2m 4f 127y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Open Hunters’ Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hunter Chase

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: /12P1- CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 12st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won this race 12 months ago (soft) and, after a below-par reappearance run, returned to form with a narrow success at Newbury (good to soft) six weeks ago; may not be ideally suited by the faster ground here but still features prominently in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

30th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 205y

Class 4

20:10 Stratford

Rebel Dawn Rising

12st 9lb

J: Mr Dale Peters

T: David Kemp

As good as ever when winning the same Cheltenham contest (over essentially today's trip) for the second straight year four weeks ago; now 7lb higher than for last season's 1l defeat in this race, but without the effects of a slog on soft ground to have to shrug off.

11/8

1st

1

30th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 205y

Class 4

20:10 Stratford

Rebel Dawn Rising

12st 9lb

J: Mr Dale Peters

T: David Kemp

As good as ever when winning the same Cheltenham contest (over essentially today's trip) for the second straight year four weeks ago; now 7lb higher than for last season's 1l defeat in this race, but without the effects of a slog on soft ground to have to shrug off.

11/8

1st

4

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Rebel Dawn Rising

12st 4lb

J: Mr Dale Peters

T: David Kemp

prominent, led before 2 out, faced challenge approaching last, kept on well final 110yds

6/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: /2569- D

Last run: 76 days

W: 12st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Useful handicapper with 4-9 strike-rate over fences; needs to prove he's fully effective on a left-handed track but ran better than finishing position (ninth) suggests in valuable race at Ascot (3m, soft) in February and will be suited by the forecast good ground on hunter chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Highstakesplayer

12st 4lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Tom Lacey

held up in rear, midfield 4th, prominent 8th, pressed winner approaching last, kept on

4/1

2nd

2

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Highstakesplayer

12st 4lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Tom Lacey

held up in rear, midfield 4th, prominent 8th, pressed winner approaching last, kept on

4/1

7

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Highstakesplayer

10st 8lb

J: David Bass

T: Tom Lacey

Record of 4-8 over fences; admittedly 0-3 this term and failed to show his form the last twice; good second over C&D on seasonal debut and has place possibilities on that effort.

10/1

8/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 18/52-

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Useful handicap chaser in his prime and won easily on hunter chase debut last spring; may have a preference for right-handed tracks but he returned from ten-month layoff with a fairly good second of five behind Take All at Ludlow (2m4f, good) last month and has a fighting chance here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:48 Newton Abbot

Cap Du Mathan

12st 4lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Former useful handicapper and won a soft-ground 2m hunter chase early last year; back from an absence with a second at Ludlow and nothing wrong with his third in a deeper race than this at Cheltenham (2m4f); good chance.

13/8

2

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:48 Newton Abbot

Cap Du Mathan

12st 4lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Former useful handicapper and won a soft-ground 2m hunter chase early last year; back from an absence with a second at Ludlow and nothing wrong with his third in a deeper race than this at Cheltenham (2m4f); good chance.

13/8

3rd

5

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Cap Du Mathan

12st 1lb

J: Miss Natalie Parker

T: Paul Nicholls

took keen hold, midfield, in touch with leaders 7th, went third approaching last, not pace to challenge

8/1

Form: 825F1- D

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Took a notable scalp in an open in February and was still going okay when falling three out at the Festival here (3m2f, good to soft) in March; too good for Cap Du Mathan at Ludlow (2m4f, good) since; leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

20

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Take All

12st 0lb

J: Mr Samuel Scott

T: Myles Osborne

Good efforts in defeat behind Java Point (3m, good to soft) and Unexposed Party (2m6f, good to soft) this year and ran well for a long way before fading at last month's Cheltenham Festival (3m2f); could have an each-way shout at big odds now back down in trip; reapplied cheekpieces replace hood.

40/1

8th

19

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Take All

12st 0lb

J: Mr Samuel Scott

T: Myles Osborne

125-1 for this last year but was still travelling within himself when falling three out; returns on the back of a positive performance at Haydock when just ahead of Shearer; hood returns; he's no forlorn hope by any means.

50/1

2nd

4

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 54y

Class 3

16:30 Haydock

Take All

12st 1lb

J: Mr Samuel Scott

T: Myles Osborne

Ran well when fifth in this race a year ago (good to soft) and has some notable form since, including fourth of 16 in amateur riders' handicap at Cheltenham (3m1f, heavy) in November and third in recent Ludlow hunter chase (3m, good to soft); can make his presence felt.

7/1

Form: U7132- D

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Six-time chase winner who ran a big race when second over the big Aintree fences last month (2m5f, good to soft); rarely runs on ground quicker than good to soft but has a major role to play if handling the conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:57 Ludlow

Jet Plane

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Still in front when falling on his return to hunter chasing in January but ran miserably at Leicester next time where soft ground was no excuse; had been in good form in handicaps before those setbacks and would take some beating if back on song.

6/4

3rd

2

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

16:50 Leicester

Jet Plane

12st 4lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Good form in handicaps this winter includes a Leicester success; still in front when falling at Warwick returned to hunter chasing last time; retains all of his ability and is top on the figures in this field.

1/2

2

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Warwick

Jet Plane

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Commendable second in last season's Aintree Foxhunters' (2m5f, good to soft) and as good as ever in recent 2m4f handicaps; stays 3m well and won't be fazed if the ground turns soft (unraced on heavy); ought to be hard to beat on return to hunter chasing.

6/5

Form: P4328-

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Thorough stayer who ran well for a long way when eighth in last month's Aintree Foxhunters'; seems to be on the downgrade now, though, and would appeal much more on soft/heavy ground; sports first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

9th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 85y

Class 4

16:15 Taunton

Autonomous Cloud

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Won three times over fences for Fergal O'Brien; beaten favourite on his stable debut at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February but has now dropped to a career-low mark.

4/1

7th

8

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Autonomous Cloud

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Soundly beaten/pulled up towards end of last year on final two runs for Fergal O'Brien; however, perhaps a change of scenery and first run in a veterans' chase will prompt a revival from this 10yo, who is on a reduced mark; interesting on yard debut, all the more so if strong in the betting.

13/2

1st

3

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

20:40 Cartmel

Autonomous Cloud

12st 0lb

J: Mr Harry O’Dwyer

T: Fergal O’Brien

Thorough stayer; seemingly on the downgrade now but ran well for a long way when eighth in last month's Aintree Foxhunters' and probably found the good ground too lively when below that form at Cheltenham (2m4f; first-time cheekpieces) four weeks ago; can make his presence felt here.

3/1

Form: /3654- CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Teenager who is yet to add to his 2022 victory in this race; will be suited by the forecast good ground but this year's form is a long way below the standard required today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Solomon Grey

11st 12lb

J: Miss Ellie Holder

T: Miss V Collins

pressed leader, prominent from 2nd, lost position after 7th, outpaced from 3 out

40/1

7th

10

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Solomon Grey

11st 12lb

J: Miss Ellie Holder

T: Miss V Collins

pressed leader, prominent from 2nd, lost position after 7th, outpaced from 3 out

40/1

4th

5

13th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

16:28 Stratford

Solomon Grey

11st 10lb

J: Miss Ellie Holder

T: Miss V Collins

prominent, briefly led 5th, lost position 10th

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: P1230- D

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Struggled to get competitive in last month's Aintree Foxhunters' but was in good form over regulation fences beforehand, most notably when winning at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in February; will also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; each-way claims at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 219y

Class 4

18:39 Plumpton

Frere DArmes

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Has been well out of form since returning in September from a break and has offered little switched to hunter chases this year; now back in handicap company for his leading stable and down to a potentially workable mark, but recent efforts temper enthusiasm.

2/1

4th

1

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:50 Ludlow

Frere DArmes

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Odds-on third in this race last year before comfortably making all in Stratford hunter chase (2m1f, good) in May; hasn't got near the latter form in eight starts since September however and latest pulled up, despite attracting some support, was a third non completion in a row; others look safer.

7/2

1

13th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

15:25 Fakenham

Frere DArmes

12st 6lb

J: Mr Dominic Lewis

T: Dan Skelton

He was in better form when runner-up in this last year having won his previous race; very disappointing when pulled up back here just before Christmas and then unseated at Ludlow when 33-1; hard to trust right now.

11/2

Form: 80P40- D

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Close second in this race for Michael Scudamore in 2023 and was a fairly useful handicapper for Neil Mulholland afterwards but has not fired on either of two starts for new stable this year; others have less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

Fix At All

11st 12lb

J: Mr T Walsh

T: Callum Bickers-Price

Back to form with some respectable efforts this spring but his second at Kempton (2m4f, good) was in a match and he was well held when third here last time; record for current yard is now 0-7 and he looks vulnerable again back up in trip.

13/2

3rd

3

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:57 Ludlow

Fix At All

11st 12lb

J: Mr T Walsh

T: Callum Bickers-Price

Won this in 2023; somewhat resurgent at Catterick this month but in a weaker race than this and he was beaten fair and square in a match at Kempton last week.

7/1

2nd

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

17:15 Kempton

Fix At All

12st 2lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: Callum Bickers-Price

Unconvincing record for current yard; somewhat resurgent at Catterick last time but that effort is well short of his fairly useful best form.

13/2

Form: /P3/1-

Last run: 45 days

W: 12st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Comfortably won conditions point on stable debut in February and was predictably far too good for modest rival in two-runner hunter chase at Exeter (3m, good) in March; evidently in good nick but has considerably more on his plate here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:05 Newton Abbot

Knockmoylan

12st 2lb

J: Mr William Biddick

T: H Ryall

Point winner in February before outclassing his sole rival in a hunter chase at Exeter (3m, good); 50-1 and ran accordingly at Cheltenham's recent hunter chase meeting; at least he's in some sort of form and should make presence felt.

4/1

2

14th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:05 Newton Abbot

Knockmoylan

12st 2lb

J: Mr William Biddick

T: H Ryall

Point winner in February before outclassing his sole rival in a hunter chase at Exeter (3m, good); 50-1 and ran accordingly at Cheltenham's recent hunter chase meeting; at least he's in some sort of form and should make presence felt.

4/1

7

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Knockmoylan

12st 1lb

J: Mr William Biddick

T: H Ryall

held up in rear, midfield 12th, weakened after 2 out, soon pulled up

20/1

Non-runners

Uncle Frankel

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.80
Straight Forecast £17.72
Trifecta £277.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Jet Plane

The Times:

Rebel Dawn Rising

Telegraph:

Highstakesplayer

Daily Mirror:

Frere d'Armes

Daily Mail:

Autonomous Cloud

SPOTLIGHT:

Take All

The Star:

Knockmoylan

WEST COUNTRY:

Cap Du Mathan

D Express:

Highstakesplayer

TOPSPEED:

Jet Plane

POSTDATA:

Jet Plane

The Sun:

Jet Plane

The Guardian:

Rebel Dawn Rising

Daily Record:

Rebel Dawn Rising