September 13 / 17.05 Chester

17.05

Good

John Smith’s Jump Jockeys Challenge Handicap (Professional Jump Jockeys) (GBBPlus Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £11338.8
  • 1m 4f 63y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
John Smith’s Jump Jockeys Challenge Handicap (Professional Jump Jockeys) (GBBPlus Race) (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 444510

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Bought for 20,000gns out of the O'Meara yard for which he won three times, the latest over 1m2f at Ripon in June; well held at York since then; unraced over this far which is a worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

13:51 Market Rasen

Westernesse

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Bought for 20,000gns out of the O'Meara yard for which he won three times at up to 1m2f; made a quiet stable debut at Chester but was no doubt bought with hurdling in mind.

9/1

1

(9)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Westernesse

11st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Bought for 20,000gns out of the O'Meara yard for which he won three times, the latest over 1m2f at Ripon in June; well held at York since then; unraced over this far which is a worry.

10/1

Form: 242617 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won by a head at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) but only seventh under a penalty when upped to a Class 4 at Southwell; all four wins on the AW and 0-20 on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(5)

13th Oct 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 4

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Percy Jones

8st 13lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

Largely consistent 7yo who has gained all four wins at this track (1m4f-2m); placed twice off this mark at Bath last month (1m6f/1m5f) and commands respect on return to this happy hunting ground.

5/1

3rd

1

(10)

29th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 11y

Class 5

14:32 Bath

Percy Jones

10st 2lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Mark Loughnane

On a losing run but he arrives in good form, in the frame for the fourth start running when third of 12 in in 1m6f handicap here 16 days ago; ought to be in the shake-up.

9/1

Form: 3-3616 CD

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won over 1m4f here in June (soft) and got upset in the preliminaries before finishing tailed off on his return visit; was running well when falling back over hurdles; entitled to be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(4)

12th May 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

17:15 Lingfield (AW)

Polling Day

10st 0lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Looked rusty after seven months off when last of seven in 1m4f Wolverhampton handicap last month; this course winner can build on that now.

10/1

7th

6

(1)

4th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Polling Day

9st 0lb

J: David Probert

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Soft-ground win last summer came off a 4lb lower mark and he's entitled to need this at his age back from seven months off; trainer also saddles Bulldog Spirit.

25/1

3

(8)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Polling Day

11st 7lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Won over 1m4f here in June (soft) and got upset in the preliminaries before finishing tailed off on his return visit; was running well when falling back over hurdles; entitled to be involved.

25/1

Form: 4/1615 D BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Two 1m4f wins in five runs for this yard and got competitive a good way out when below par last time, having previously run well in a competitive handicap hurdle; this ground could be borderline (enjoys good or quicker) but worth considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(3)

27th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:22 Epsom

Nibras Gold

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Front-runner who won when back on the Flat at Chester (1m4f, good) in July, then finished second of five at Brighton (1m4f, good to firm) before getting back on the scoresheet at Chester (1m4f, soft); Chester brings out the best in him but no surprise to see a bold bid on his first visit here.

9/2

1st

7

(3)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:42 Chester

Nibras Gold

11st 1lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Dual-purpose 8yo; runner-up in a division of this last year (on good to soft) under Jonathan Burke and a C&D winner in July (good; 1lb lower); readily outpointed when second at Brighton last month but remains in good form.

3/1

2nd

1

(6)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 4

16:25 Brighton

Nibras Gold

10st 1lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: James Owen

Versatile 8yo who ran well in two chases this spring and returned to the Flat with game win from the front at Chester (1m4f, good) last month; nudged up only 1lb for that and can make another bold bid here.

9/2

Form: 511342 D

Last run: 2 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Mixes the Flat with hurdling and won under both codes this year; continued his good run of form when runner-up in a similar race to this at Epsom on Thursday (soft); respected if turned out again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

18th Oct 2026

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 3

16:20 Sedgefield

Saligo Bay

10st 11lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Very productive in 2025 but has gone the opposite way this year; pulled up in last two outings and, although 1lb below last winning mark, he is best watched unless the market suggests a revival is likely.

20/1

8

26th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

17:30 Market Rasen

Saligo Bay

10st 10lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Last year's winner (from 14lb lower); went clear from the last to score at Haydock (2m Class 3, good to soft; from a similar mark) last December; more miss than hit (0-5) since, though, weakening quickly (pulled up) in the Cartmel Cup latest; risky proposition currently.

25/1

4

29th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:53 Cartmel

Saligo Bay

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won five times over hurdles (once over C&D) and three times on the Flat last year; quite versatile regarding ground but has been safely held on both starts this summer (hurdle/Flat) and current mark probably demands a personal-best.

20/1

Form: -13424 D

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Below best at York in June and since left David O'Meara for 20,000gns; an assured stayer who is capable off this mark and could have a part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(3)

17th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 4

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Heathen

9st 10lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Jennie Candlish

Of his five AW wins, two have come at this track, one over today's distance; respectable third at Chester (2m, good) on his reappearance in May but needs to be at the top of his game here as he is 5lb above his last winning mark.

6/1

Form: 0/44/0 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Following a long absence this 9yo wasn't the force of old over hurdles earlier this year and was tailed off back on the Flat three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Ayr

Cormier

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Brian Ellison

Has six wins on the Flat but his last of four successes over hurdles came four years ago; continues to drop in the weights without looking likely to take advantage.

7/1

6th

7

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

15:20 Newcastle

Cormier

11st 7lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

Remains capable at the age of 10 (won on the Flat in October) but it's been hard work back over hurdles, albeit in a pair of Class 2 handicaps; looks vulnerable.

14/1

4

(8)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:32 Nottingham

Cormier

9st 10lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Useful dual-purpose performer in his youth; had a long spell on the sidelines prior to his return in February and he's struggled on the Flat and over hurdles this year; down in the weights and he was prominent in the betting last time so he can't be dismissed.

6/1

Form: 911314 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Three thirds from five races at Chester, including a division of this 12 months ago; has won three of his last five starts and capable of a bold show off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(7)

21st Sep 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

16:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Green Team

10st 2lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Nick Littmoden

Landed his third win at this track (1m4f) in May; takes a significant drop in trip after beating only one home at Windsor (11.5f, good to firm) last month; may be best to wait until he steps back up in distance.

10/1

7th

3

(6)

3rd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

18:00 Windsor

Green Team

10st 13lb

J: Miss Grace Littmoden

T: Nick Littmoden

Third start for new yard when winning at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) under Grace Littmoden in May; 4lb rise fair enough and the return to turf shouldn't be a problem back from a short break; shortlisted.

7/2

Form: 611214 BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Has won over hurdles and now in a good run of form on the Flat, following an easy win at Ripon with a rallying fourth over Haydock's extended 1m3f (good); just 1lb higher here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

29th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:15 Sedgefield

Spartan Times

12st 0lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Overcame a slipping saddle to score on handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good; 18-1, from 5lb lower) in May; kept busy on the Flat at Chester lately, producing creditable efforts (fourth and runner-up); still low mileage as a hurdler, with the potential to rate higher.

11/4

2nd

2

(9)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 6f 87y

Class 5

17:25 Chester

Spartan Times

9st 13lb

J: William Pyle

T: Jennie Candlish

A four-time Flat scorer at around 1m2f in 2025; also successful over hurdles at Uttoxeter in May and back in good form in this sphere, when fourth of 11 over 1m4f here a week ago; very much one to consider.

15/2

4th

10

(9)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:42 Chester

Spartan Times

10st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Won over hurdles in May; runner-up over C&D in June but only sixth behind Nibras Gold the following month; could still go well, having finished second in a division of this last year.

8/1

Form: 81-314

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced; it was a Class 6 handicap she won at Ffos Las (1m1f, good) and then only fourth in a Class 4 at Southwell; still one to consider, having won a 1m3f handicap with give underfoot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(2)

5th Oct 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Cotswold Cottage

9st 5lb

J: William Cox

T: Faye Bramley

A dual scorer (at up to 1m2f) in 2025 for her current yard; shaped as if in need of the run after 11 months off when seventh of ten in 1m Kempton handicap in August; can take a step forward.

20/1

7th

10

(7)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Cotswold Cottage

9st 3lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Faye Bramley

Three-time winner on turf (1m1f-11.5f), including when making all at Haydock (good to soft) last September; drops back in trip on her first start since and she may well need the outing.

7/1

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Nibras Gold

RP RATINGS:

Spartan Times

The Guardian:

Heathen

The Star:

Polling Day

SPOTLIGHT:

Green Team

POSTDATA:

Saligo Bay

The Times:

Cormier

Daily Mail:

Spartan Times

The Sun:

Heathen

Telegraph:

Nibras Gold

D Express:

Nibras Gold

Daily Mirror:

Nibras Gold

Daily Record:

Nibras Gold