October 25 / 16.40 Cheltenham

16.40

Good To Soft

Oddschecker Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £9530.5
  • 2m 0f 87y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Oddschecker Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly sunny

Form: 1 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Created good impression when drawing clear to beat two next-time-out winners very comfortably at Worcester (good) in August; penalised in a stronger race here but it's very hard to gauge the limit of his ability.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

16th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

17:50 Uttoxeter

Chicker

11st 3lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Fairly useful form when winning his first two bumpers but well held in Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last two runs; has since had a wind op and remains with potential now going hurdling.

5/1

11th

3

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

Chicker

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Successful in his first two races (on good ground) but has come unstuck in a higher grade since, well beaten behind Bass Hunter at the Cheltenham Festival last month; difficult to recommend.

33/1

18th

5

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

17:20 Cheltenham

Chicker

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

His wins at Worcester and here came on good ground, so perhaps the soft surface found him out when only sixth in a Listed race back here in November; however, on all his form, this looks three bridges too far.

66/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3-

Last run: 339 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal from a useful hurdler; shaped well when third of seven at Ffos Las (soft) last November but not seen since and needs to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

16th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

20:30 Uttoxeter

Collanisi

11st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Third in a Ffos Las bumper on debut in November 2024 (2m, soft); not progressed as a hurdler, but quite interesting on his handicap debut.

11/2

4th

3

27th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:20 Wetherby

Collanisi

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Regressive RPRs since debut promise (bumper); modest fifth to stablemate at Southwell (2m) most recently; turnaround is more likely to occur in handicaps shortly.

20/1

Form: 35-

Last run: 196 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two Irish points towards end of last season and launched rules career with two promising bumper runs for Anthony Charlton in the spring, latterly when fifth in always-competitive race at Ayr (good to soft) on Scottish National day; ought to make his presence felt on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

4th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:20 Newton Abbot

Crossgales King

11st 10lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Syd Hosie

Off the mark at the sixth attempt over hurdles when justifying favouritism in a Wincanton handicap (3m1f, good to soft) last month; up 5lb but he stayed on strongly for that comfortable win and is open to more progress at this new trip; key player.

5/2

1st

2

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

13:37 Wincanton

Crossgales King

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Syd Hosie

0-5 over hurdles but was nudged up only 2lb for his clear second to a progressive rival over C&D (heavy) last month and will be fine on today's faster ground; must be considered.

7/2

2nd

3

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

16:35 Wincanton

Crossgales King

11st 12lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Kingston Hill gelding who is progressing with experience in this sphere, posting a good fourth of seven to Call Me Legend on his handicap debut at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) last month; enjoys a 4lb weights pull here so is one to consider.

8/1

Form: 5-

Last run: 203 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in an Irish point in January and made a quite encouraging rules debut when fifth of 11 in run-of-the-mill Newcastle bumper (good) in April; faces a tough assignment here, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

31st Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Escortkheops

12st 0lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Laura Horsfall

Entitled to win his maiden at Plumpton last time (2m4f, good to soft) and unlikely that represented significant improvement, if any; however, has shown he can be competitive off this mark so has to be on the radar.

7/2

1st

1

16th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 4

14:15 Plumpton

Escortkheops

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Laura Horsfall

Shaped promisingly when ridden with more restraint and finishing runner-up back at a similar trip at Southwell last month; more exposed than most but sets the standard with a mark of 110 and a leading contender with no ground concerns.

6/4

2nd

6

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:55 Southwell

Escortkheops

11st 6lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Laura Horsfall

Ran himself into the ground over 2m at Huntingdon (soft) a fortnight ago but previously finished a solid third of 14 in Catterick handicap (about 2m3f, good) in December; that better form gives him claims.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
115,000gns yearling; fifth foal; half-brother to two Flat winners (one fairly useful); dam fairly useful Flat stayer, half-sister to 1m4f Group 3 winner Hawaafez; rare bumper runner for respected Flat stable; booking of Sean Bowen catches the eye.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Antarctic Legend

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Charlie Fellowes

115,000gns yearling; fifth foal; half-brother to two Flat winners (one fairly useful); dam fairly useful Flat stayer, half-sister to 1m4f Group 3 winner Hawaafez; rare bumper runner for respected Flat stable; booking of Sean Bowen catches the eye.

13/2

Form: 32

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed on both starts, more recently when neck second at Downpatrick (yielding) last month; respected Irish stable has excellent strike-rate in British bumpers (29%); one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

30th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 100y

14:41 Listowel

Bells Grove

11st 12lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Edward Buckley

Placed in all three 2025 bumper runs for John McConnell; could only manage eighth at Kilbeggan on stable debut; needs to return to his best now, making his hurdles bow.

14/1

8th

1

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 110y

19:59 Kilbeggan

Bells Grove

12st 0lb

J: Mr Finn Buckley

T: Edward Buckley

Placed on all three starts in bumpers, on latest in October when third at Cheltenham on final start for John McConnell; market can reveal expectations on first run for new yard with 0-9 record in bumpers.

7/1

6

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Bells Grove

11st 1lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Placed on both starts, more recently when neck second at Downpatrick (yielding) last month; respected Irish stable has excellent strike-rate in British bumpers (29%); one to consider.

5/1

Form: 3-2

Last run: 165 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame on both outings in the spring but was no match for winner when second at Worcester (good) on latter occasion and his form isn't anything to get too excited about; needs a good step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

15:20 Market Rasen

Hans Lippershey

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Fair bumper performer who has matched that form in this sphere, still not foot perfect when a good second of five in 2m Fakenham novice last month; this return to further should suit so he's very much one to consider, especially if hurdling better.

20/1

2nd

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

13:35 Fakenham

Hans Lippershey

11st 6lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Ben Case

Has been let down by his jumping on his last two starts, latest on handicap debut when 13th of 15 at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last month; can do better once his jumping technique improves.

13/2

13th

10

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

15:20 Wincanton

Hans Lippershey

11st 9lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

He's not obviously well treated off his opening mark but this 5yo has been consistent across his six starts (all at 2m) and his pedigree provides optimism that he'll improve for the step up in trip; possible player.

20/1

Form: 2-

Last run: 187 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a French hurdle/chase winner; clear second to Willie Mullins-trained newcomer in quite valuable event at Plumpton (good) in April and a likely contender here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 2

13:30 Haydock

Le Beau Madrik

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Posted a very eyecatching RPR when making it 2-2 over hurdles at Newcastle in January (2m4f, soft; fine on good) and reportedly ran flat when only 7-2 for a Grade 2 at Kelso the following month; granted a break since then and he returns with his yard firing in winners left, right and centre.

100/30

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 1

14:15 Kelso

Le Beau Madrik

11st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Two-time bumper runner-up who won on hurdle debut at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) in November and followed up there (2m4f, soft) last month, readily beating solid yardsticks; leading claims despite 3lb penalty.

3/1

1st

3

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:20 Newcastle

Le Beau Madrik

11st 12lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Runner-up in two bumpers before getting off the mark on hurdles debut here in November (2m1f, good to soft; second has won since); this longer trip should suit (from a staying family) and he is respected.

6/5

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; dam once-raced sister to two French jumps winners (one useful); stable has modest strike-rate in bumpers (3-83 during last five seasons).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Le Fabuleux Bucks

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

Progressed in novice company over the winter and was good third at Lingfield (2m, heavy) on latest outing; Sean Bowen is booked for this handicap debut; contender if new trip-and-ground combination suits.

7/2

3rd

5

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Lingfield

Le Fabuleux Bucks

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Improvement with each start, again finishing fifth last time at Leicester (1m7f, heavy) but seeing it out better and beaten less far; more needed again but no forlorn place hope.

16/1

5th

6

20th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 113y

Class 4

14:32 Leicester

Le Fabuleux Bucks

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Bettered low-key bumper debut and shaped quite well when fifth over hurdles at Southwell (2m, good to soft) last month but was about 16l behind Sutherland there and is probably one for a bit further down the line.

16/1

Form: 2-

Last run: 191 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to useful hurdler Shear Rock; kept on well from off the pace for creditable second of ten at Ffos Las (good to soft) in April but almost certainly needs to build on that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

16:30 Newbury

Not Without Danger

11st 7lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Not beaten far by The Blue Room (since second to No Drama This End in a Grade 2 hurdle) on Ffos Las debut (good to soft) and subsequent absence suggests that all might not have been right with him when well beaten at Cheltenham (good); retains potential and a tongue-tie is added.

66/1

10

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Not Without Danger

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Half-brother to useful hurdler Shear Rock; kept on well from off the pace for creditable second of ten at Ffos Las (good to soft) in April but almost certainly needs to build on that performance.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth foal; half-brother to a French 1m2f Listed winner and another French Flat winner; dam unplaced at 1m4f in France, half-sister to two hurdle winners (one useful); has fairly good standard to reach on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

16:30 Newbury

Wonder Flying

11st 7lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Henrietta C Knight

Wouldn't be the obvious answer having finished behind A Likeable Rogue and No Walkover in his last two races; has to step up and by some margin.

100/1

11

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Wonder Flying

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Fourth foal; half-brother to a French 1m2f Listed winner and another French Flat winner; dam unplaced at 1m4f in France, half-sister to two hurdle winners (one useful); has fairly good standard to reach on debut.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.90
Straight Forecast £12.50
Trifecta £92.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Le Beau Madrik

POSTDATA:

Bells Grove

RP RATINGS:

Crossgales King

WEST COUNTRY:

Chicker

The Star:

Antarctic Legend

Telegraph:

Not Without Danger

The Times:

Chicker

The Guardian:

Le Beau Madrik

Daily Mirror:

Le Beau Madrik

The Sun:

Le Beau Madrik

Daily Mail:

Bells Grove

Daily Record:

Bells Grove

TOPSPEED:

Crossgales King

D Express:

Crossgales King