October 24 / 14.25 Cheltenham

14.25

Good

Foundation Developments Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Qual)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 0f 87y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
ITV
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Foundation Developments Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Qual)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly sunny

Form: -891P6 D

Last run: 69 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Probably posted career-best performance when bagging good prize at Cartmel (2m1f, good to soft; refitted cheekpieces) in June but did not fire on latest outing and looks vulnerable under top weight here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

20th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

17:08 Killarney

Fiveonefive

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Cian Collins

Won a valuable handicap hurdle at Galway last time (2m1f, good to yielding), under a good ride by today's jockey; that was a sixth hurdles win but none of those has ever come off a mark this high; not a surefire candidate to follow up.

9/2

1st

7

1st Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 175y

14:37 Galway

Fiveonefive

11st 5lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Cian Collins

Four of his five wins came in Britain, with three at Cartmel; posted a solid run at Ballinrobe last time and should run well again off 1lb higher.

12/1

3rd

2

21st Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 89y

18:39 Ballinrobe

Fiveonefive

12st 0lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Cian Collins

Has recorded three of his five hurdle starts at Cartmel; below his best there last time; overall Irish form is unconvincing.

10/1

Form: P906-5 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Ran well before fading into sixth behind King William Rufus on New course here (2m1f, good) in April and this month's fifth in Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow (2m, good) wasn't a bad effort but he'll need to see this race out more strongly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

23rd Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:38 Worcester

Norman Fletcher

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Ran okay in the new visor last time at Cartmel but ran better the time before in a Class 4 at Newton Abbot and he's now back in that grade; Sam Twiston-Davies takes over from a claimer.

9/1

5th

7

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:10 Cartmel

Norman Fletcher

11st 2lb

J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Appreciated drop to 0-110 grade when second under Amber Jackson-Fennell at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good; wore cheekpieces) last month but is not as good as he was and needs change of headgear to give him a boost here.

10/1

2nd

1

23rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

17:35 Newton Abbot

Norman Fletcher

12st 1lb

J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Useful in his prime but was largely disappointing last season, and suffered 46l defeat at Warwick (2m5f, good) on latest outing five weeks ago; drops in grade again and may benefit from the drop back in trip but needs to turn a corner.

8/1

Form: 16601- C

Last run: 191 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Two wins last season, the latter when holding on gamely in 16-runner handicap on New course here (2m1f, good) in April; needs another career-best performance today but still enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

King William Rufus

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Two wins last season, the latter when holding on gamely in 16-runner handicap on New course here (2m1f, good) in April; needs another career-best performance today but still enters calculations.

5/1

1st

8

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

17:00 Cheltenham

King William Rufus

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Chris Gordon

Ascot winner in December off 7lb lower (1m7f, good to soft); this represents a welcome drop in grade after contesting two high-profile handicaps and he's not out of it.

8/1

Form: 5-4426 D BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Scores good marks for his consistency for Fergal O'Brien since last autumn but is yet to win for this stable and appears to have very little margin for error off current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

24th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 2

15:28 Uttoxeter

Liverpool Knight

10st 13lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Plenty of good runs to his name since his last win in September 2023 and he raced freely after a break when behind Miss Maverick and Sir Galahad here 22 days ago; better can be expected this time.

20/1

6th

7

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

15:50 Uttoxeter

Liverpool Knight

11st 6lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has made the frame several times since his last win in September 2023; returns from a winter break on a career-low mark and not out of this if he is ready to roll.

4/1

6

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

Liverpool Knight

10st 12lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Scores good marks for his consistency for Fergal O'Brien since last autumn but is yet to win for this stable and appears to have very little margin for error off current mark.

12/1

Form: 0-3411 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Back in good form since returning from a break in June and bids to complete a hat-trick after wins at Sligo (2m2f, good) and Galway (2m, yielding); produced good late surge to lead close home under Eoin Staples on latter occasion but this race looks stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

17:20 Sligo

Torquay Road

11st 4lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Cian Collins

Three-time hurdles winner, including on both Sligo visits; has been chasing and went close at Tramore on his penultimate start; strong contender here on the form that brought handicap wins over C&D and at Galway in the first half of last season; rider's 7lb claim an asset.

13/8

7th

9

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 90y

19:40 Kilbeggan

Torquay Road

11st 5lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Cian Collins

Three-time hurdle winner who has fared well in three starts over fences, beaten a neck by Kilbrin Rocco at Tramore 26 days ago; step up in trip and ground should suit.

11/2

2nd

2

19th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 110y

17:00 Tramore

Torquay Road

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Cian Collins

Three-time hurdles winner; sound effort on chase debut in a beginners' at Downpatrick (20.5f, gd-yld) when a 5l third but tailed off on softer ground at Fairyhouse (2m) on latest in January; soft ground a concern on handicap chase bow.

13/2

Form: 21316- D

Last run: 244 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Quite progressive in handicaps last season, winning twice at Huntingdon (2m/2m4f); absent since a lesser effort at Kempton in February but is only a 5yo and has plenty of scope for further improvement this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

15

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Gold For Alec

10st 2lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Tom Symonds

A marked step up in trip saw him emerge from the wilderness to win five-runner handicap at Hereford (extended 3m1f, good) last month and he did it comfortably, but he's 10lb higher today (4lb out of the handicap) against far more daunting opposition.

12/1

1st

5

16th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:30 Hereford

Gold For Alec

11st 3lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Both wins were at Huntingdon in winter 2024-25; ran well at Cheltenham (2m) in October but has had a bleak time of it since until something of an upturn at Chepstow (extended 2m3f) two weeks ago; needs to build on that and there was some encouragement last time for stepping up in trip.

3/1

3rd

10

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Gold For Alec

11st 5lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Ran well in defeat on his reappearance but nowhere near as effective in his last four races; the cheekpieces tried last time are removed.

25/1

Form: 114- D

Last run: 315 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
2-2 in novice hurdles last autumn; only fourth on handicap hurdle debut at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) in December and moves up in grade here but posted some commendable performances on the Flat this year, perhaps most notably when placed in Northumberland Plate; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

10

(10)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 137y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Charging Thunder

8st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: James Owen

Below form on the Flat this year, for instance 11th to Believitanducan in the Northumberland Vase last month; not proven beyond 2m in this sphere but he switched back to hurdles for a 2m6f win at Stratford 12 days ago, which might give some renewed hope.

18/1

1st

3

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

15:23 Stratford

Charging Thunder

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Not at best on the Flat this year (albeit still capable of useful form) and managed only fourth of six when warm favourite for latest hurdle race, at Worcester (2m, good) in May; that said, he's a stout stayer on the Flat and could have untapped potential over this new trip over jumps.

9/4

11th

1

(12)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Charging Thunder

9st 12lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Not in peak form (hurdles or Flat) from last August onwards but it's not forgotten that he was third in the Plate itself last year off 3lb higher.

22/1

Form: 171-63 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Landed valuable series final for mares at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in March but was just a respectable third of five at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) last month and needs subsequent wind surgery to help her kick on again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

Leloopa

10st 9lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Landed valuable series final for mares at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in March but was just a respectable third of five at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) last month and needs subsequent wind surgery to help her kick on again.

14/1

4

9th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

15:58 Newton Abbot

Leloopa

11st 3lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Went up 10lb for winning by 8l at Kelso in March and finished well beaten next time at Uttoxeter; could be on a harsh mark now and would prefer drier ground.

13/2

1

27th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:37 Uttoxeter

Leloopa

12st 0lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Took form to whole new level when winning valuable series final by 8l at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in March and is now 3-6 over hurdles; returns from 127-day break on 10lb higher mark but good ground also suits; shortlisted.

11/2

Form: 213- BF

Last run: 186 days

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Very unexposed 4yo who won Wincanton maiden (1m7f, good; first-time hood) comfortably in March on British debut; managed only third when odds-on to follow up at Chepstow in April and needs to learn to settle better but moves into handicaps with significant potential and Freddie Keighley looks very good value for his 8lb claim against other conditionals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

Zaochen Enki

10st 8lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Very unexposed 4yo who won Wincanton maiden (1m7f, good; first-time hood) comfortably in March on British debut; managed only third when odds-on to follow up at Chepstow in April and needs to learn to settle better but moves into handicaps with significant potential and Freddie Keighley looks very good value for his 8lb claim against other conditionals.

8/1

3rd

7

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

14:24 Chepstow

Zaochen Enki

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Runner-up on debut in France last summer and won very comfortably when reappearing for Paul Nicholls at Wincanton (1m7f, good; first-time hood) last month; could easily have a lot more to offer and makes obvious appeal.

6/5

3rd

7

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

14:24 Chepstow

Zaochen Enki

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Runner-up on debut in France last summer and won very comfortably when reappearing for Paul Nicholls at Wincanton (1m7f, good; first-time hood) last month; could easily have a lot more to offer and makes obvious appeal.

6/5

Form: 0-7133

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
0-6 in bumpers; won comfortably on hurdle debut at Downpatrick (2m2f, good) in July and has finished third in two small-field handicaps there since (2m6f/2m1f); needs improvement here but is not yet fully exposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

3rd Sep 2026

Good

2m 3f 0y

17:15 Kilbeggan

Diamond Tipp

11st 4lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Martin Hassett

Is best on good ground and shaped well at Cork on penultimate (2m2f, good) but didn't back it up over C&D on latest; needs to bounce back and the forecast rain is a worry.

16/1

7th

11

21st Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 200y

18:05 Kilbeggan

Diamond Tipp

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Martin Hassett

Won a Downpatrick maiden hurdle last year for John McConnell; no show in opening two starts for this yard, but her runner-up finish at Cork last time was much better (2m2f, good); Jack Kennedy remains aboard and cheekpieces go on; not ruled out.

12/1

2nd

9

3rd Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

17:00 Cork

Diamond Tipp

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Martin Hassett

Won a Downpatrick maiden hurdle last year for John McConnell; no show in first two starts for this yard and pulled up over 2m4f (good) here on latest; others more convincing.

18/1

Form: -33114 D BF

Last run: 62 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
4-21 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Market Rasen (2m, good) in July; behind Grey Skies when fourth at Cartmel in August and recent Flat form is uninspiring; may find this too competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:23 Newmarket (July)

Prince Quattro

10st 2lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Back to winning ways in 2m course handicap (good to firm) under Mason Paetel in June, with reopposing Dereham 5l back in third; good third of 12 in competitive Market Rasen handicap hurdle (extended 2m4f, good) since; likely to go well back on the Flat.

9/4

3rd

2

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

17:15 Market Rasen

Prince Quattro

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Four-time hurdle winner who was second in a Cheltenham handicap last October on final jumps run; 2lb lower now and he was a recent 2m winner at Newmarket; should go well.

11/2

1st

3

(3)

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Newmarket (July)

Prince Quattro

9st 7lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Four-time hurdles winner whose first Flat success came on Southwell AW (1m6f) in January; has kept his form pretty well, including over 2m, and is considered seriously in this small field despite having had just two races (2025) on Flat turf.

3/1

Form: -53113 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Perked up by blinkers this summer, winning twice, but faded into third after setting the pace in run-of-the-mill Worcester handicap (2m, good) last month and is patently not the force of old.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

15th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

19:30 Aintree

Grey Skies

11st 11lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Won twice in blinkers on good ground last summer (2m/2m1f) but was given a break after two disappointing runs in the autumn and made a low-key return without blinkers last month; has blinkers back on today but needs to get back in the groove.

20/1

7th

7

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

19:00 Hereford

Grey Skies

11st 3lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Two wins last summer (2m/2m1f, good), the latest off just a 1lb lower mark; form has dipped in his last two races, at Cheltenham and then Carlisle where he should have run better; absent since November.

12/1

15

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

Grey Skies

10st 4lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Perked up by blinkers this summer, winning twice, but faded into third after setting the pace in run-of-the-mill Worcester handicap (2m, good) last month and is patently not the force of old.

25/1

Non-runners

Rubber Ball, Cavern Club, Scintillante

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £390.50
Straight Forecast £260.14
Tricast £1473.72
Trifecta £2652.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Zaochen Enki

TOPSPEED:

Cavern Club

The Times:

Charging Thunder

RP RATINGS:

Liverpool Knight

D Express:

Leloopa

Daily Record:

Torquay Road

The Star:

Norman Fletcher

WEST COUNTRY:

Zaochen Enki

Daily Mirror:

Zaochen Enki

POSTDATA:

Cavern Club

The Sun:

Cavern Club

The Guardian:

Charging Thunder

Daily Mail:

Charging Thunder

Telegraph:

Liverpool Knight