October 21 / 13.35 Cheltenham

13.35

Good To Firm

Showcasing Sustainability Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Series Qual’)

  • Prize money: £8386.84
  • 2m 0f 87y
  • Class 3
  • 16 runners
RTV
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Showcasing Sustainability Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Series Qual’)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

15/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 2-1111

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Has come a long way since tailed off at 100-1 behind Clay Rogers 13 months ago; has won six of his subsequent seven starts and, under positive tactics, it's been fairly straightforward for the most part; however, he's 9lb higher than at Fontwell and will do well to dominate this field, especially here; improvement has come on good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Soul Icon

10st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Keiran Burke

He's run pretty well in defeat at Kempton on his two starts this year (3m, good/good to soft); also ran okay when ninth in this last year (good to soft) but beaten nearly 20l and he's just 3lb lower this time around.

33/1

5th

3

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Soul Icon

11st 6lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Keiran Burke

His best form is over shorter, including last season's 2m Grade 2 victory here off the same mark as today; whether he wants 3m is questionable, for all that he was only 2l off The Doyen Chief here last month.

12/1

9th

9

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Soul Icon

11st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Keiran Burke

Won a good-quality, seven-runner handicap at Kempton (2m, good to soft) in December and is just 2lb higher here; ran well when second of three at Exeter (2m1f, good) last time and he stays this far; each-way possible.

25/1

16/1

  • Place: £5.00

Form: 3FF3/1 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Had been absent for 1013 days prior to winning under Theo Gillard at Perth a month ago (2m, good), for which he's been raised 5lb (was going away at the finish); there must be some doubts about him reproducing that form and this is a deeper race on a very different track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

15:15 Aintree

Nayati

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

C&D winner who is on a reduced mark and took a step back in the right direction when 9l fourth of 12 at Cartmel in August; fell at Kelso since; however, this 10yo takes on some unexposed types and his claims aren't compelling.

9/1

5th

2

9th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

15:15 Aintree

Nayati

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

C&D winner who is on a reduced mark and took a step back in the right direction when 9l fourth of 12 at Cartmel in August; fell at Kelso since; however, this 10yo takes on some unexposed types and his claims aren't compelling.

9/1

5

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

17:05 Kelso

Nayati

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Hasn't won since January 2023; now 16lb lower; finished in front of Ashington and Well Educated when fourth in first-time tongue-tie (retained) over 2m1f on soft at Cartmel last time but not sure to confirm the form on today's better ground.

6/1

Form: 52-424 D BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Stable has won two of the last three runnings but this 5yo is fairly exposed now and closely matched with Pisgah Pike on two recent encounters; has others to worry about and for one usually kept to good ground, any recent rain hasn't helped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

17:45 Market Rasen

Castel Gandolfo

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won small-field C&D event in June and was not beaten far in Summer Hurdle (a race he won in 2024) here in July; needs to up his game after two lesser efforts elsewhere but the return to this track is sure to suit.

33/1

1

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Worcester

Castel Gandolfo

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Had a win and two placings from three starts here (2m) in his younger days; won four-runner Market Rasen handicap (2m, good) off reduced mark in June and was not disgraced in competitive Summer Hurdle over that C&D in July; form took a dip at Cartmel last time, though, and he's untried at this trip.

10/1

1

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

16:30 Cartmel

Castel Gandolfo

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won four-runner Market Rasen handicap (2m, good) off reduced mark in June and was not disgraced in competitive Summer Hurdle over that C&D last month; ran quite well on only previous visit to Cartmel (in 2023); could have a say.

12/1

Form: 1/21-3 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Five-time hurdle winner who was absent for a year after winning a novice chase last September; second on the Flat on his return but was about 17l behind Soul Icon in a handicap hurdle at Fontwell and he's down only 3lb for this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(4)

11th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

15:50 Southwell (AW)

Swaffham Bulbeck

9st 3lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Stuart Edmunds

A pretty useful jumper, last successful in a 2m handicap hurdle here in September; rarely seen on the Flat in recent years but he has finished second in staying handicaps on AW on his last two runs in this sphere; should be involved.

11/4

8th

1

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

14:40 Taunton

Swaffham Bulbeck

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Stuart Edmunds

Outclassed in the Greatwood last time when pulled up at 100-1; usually consistent and went into that in form after competitive runs over 2m (good/heavy); however, he .does look on a tough mark and might be vulnerable.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 00P-48 C

Last run: 46 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
One of four wins as a juvenile included a Grade 2 here; found himself high in the weights afterwards and has struggled to make any great impression in his races under either code during the past year (in blinkers last twice); this looks a big ask under top weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Duffle Coat

10st 13lb

J: James Smith

T: Gordon Elliott

Sole win over fences came in 3m Mayo National in 2024 on good ground; good second in Galway Plate that summer but last year's form was poor; pulled up after never counting on return from long absence in Irish National; hard to be confident in although has ground to suit.

20/1

9th

11

24th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 180y

16:23 Listowel

Duffle Coat

11st 0lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

1-17 over fences; out of form since second in last season's Galway Plate; failed to feature in this year's edition; trainer has stronger candidates.

33/1

Form: 165224 D

Last run: 4 days

W: 10st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
11yo who has won three small-field handicaps this year at minor tracks; however, was left behind by the principals at Plumpton this week and he's opposable so soon after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

16th Jun 2023

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

19:20 Fontwell

Glimpse Of Gold

11st 9lb

J: Dylan Kitts

T: Sarah Humphrey

Hat-trick last spring but not in that level of form so far this year; well held at Fakenham latest and due to go down 4lb in future; often front-runs but Pak Army a rival for that role.

20/1

4th

4

4th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

17:00 Fakenham

Glimpse Of Gold

11st 0lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Sarah Humphrey

A win in this race last season was the middle leg of a hat-trick and he's fully 14lb lower than when last successful; however, this 12yo has struggled to get competitive this year and a major turnaround is needed.

12/1

Form: 241222 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Won over 6f as a 2yo but developing into a very capable hurdler and has progressed well this summer, just missing out off a career-high mark at Tipperary recently; in deeper this time but she's considered; good ground seems ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

1m 7f 205y

14:35 Thurles

Tullypole Annie

11st 7lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

Useful hurdler for Peter Flood last season, highlight being Leopardstown novice handicap win off 114; pulled up in big handicaps on final two starts and two underwhelming chase efforts this term; blinkers now fitted for hurdles return.

12/1

6th

9

16th Nov 2023

Soft

1m 7f 131y

12:55 Punchestown

Tullypole Annie

11st 5lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

in touch with leaders, lost position and towards rear 4th, keeping on when hampered by faller 2 out

9/2

9th

11

7th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 0f 110y

13:55 Fairyhouse

Tullypole Annie

11st 5lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

Useful hurdler for Peter Flood last season, the highlight provided by 33-1 Leopardstown novice handicap win; pulled-up in big handicaps on final two starts last term; change of stable.

16/1

Form: 373221

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Quite decent on the Flat with form at up to 1m4f and he ran out a convincing winner of a Downpatrick novice two weeks ago to get off the mark over hurdles at the eighth attempt; wouldn't appreciate softening ground now tackling his first handicap but respected otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

15

(17)

1st Sep 2024

Good

1m 4f 110y

17:30 Tipperary

No Trouble

8st 13lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: John C McConnell

midfield

18/1

12th

1

(3)

15th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:40 Dundalk (AW)

No Trouble

10st 0lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: John C McConnell

in touch with leaders

12/1

13

4th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 160y

13:50 Galway

No Trouble

11st 3lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Winning hurdler but seen mostly on the Flat in recent times and the AW has always been more his scene; asked a stiff question on this belated return to jumps action.

33/1

Form: 517-13 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Bumper/Flat winner and a fifth success over hurdles when winning easily off 6lb lower at Plumpton in May; has remained in good heart but his current mark looks challenging (behind Glimpse Of Gold back at Plumpton last time).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

1st Sep 2023

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

15:38 Fontwell

Thibault

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: Adam West

set steady pace, increased tempo after 3 out, ridden when faced challenge after 2 out, kept on well final 110yds

5/1

5th

3

10th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 6f 44y

Class 6

20:23 Salisbury

Thibault

10st 2lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Adam West

Versatile ground-wise; multiple wins for yard include a 2m handicap on the Flat at Chepstow in April 2022 but his latest win was over hurdles that May and he hasn't shone so far this year; others more obvious.

12/1

Form: -13412 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Up and down this year but no knocking his last two runs and he was third in two handicaps here a couple of seasons ago, including the Fred Winter at the Festival; could have a say; stable also runs Castel Gandolfo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 3

14:05 Market Rasen

Elham Valley

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Back in good form this spring (placed three times) and didn't run badly when fifth on latest outing three weeks ago, but there are still more obvious options than this high-mileage 7yo.

16/1

5th

2

30th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:45 Uttoxeter

Elham Valley

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Won four times over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien, the latest a selling handicap off 1lb lower; solid efforts in three Southwell handicaps (2m-2m4f) for this yard and unlikely to be far away.

7/1

2nd

1

4th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:20 Southwell

Elham Valley

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

in touch with leaders

9/2

Form: 1P126- C

Last run: 196 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Most of his best form is on good to soft or slower so rain is welcome; beat all bar a well-handicapped Irish raider in the Imperial Cup before getting outpaced around Aintree at the National meeting; prefers these stiffer tracks (has won here) and he's a player off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

15th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

19:30 Aintree

Lively Citizen

11st 12lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: D J Jeffreys

Long in the tooth and no longer the force of old but bounced back from two poor chase runs with respectable effort over hurdles at Haydock (1m7f, good) last month and is now 5lb lower than when going close in this race a year ago; could have a say.

12/1

5th

7

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

17:35 Haydock

Lively Citizen

11st 6lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: D J Jeffreys

Very capable over fences but pulled up in that discipline on his last two starts following a break of 217 days; he did go close over hurdles at Aintree three runs ago so there's a big effort in him if he can get his act together.

25/1

Form: 6-UF17 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Irish challenger who has won under both codes this summer on his favoured good ground and has continued to run fairly well; Daniel King gets a tune out of him and he'd be dangerous to discount should conditions remain favourable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

14

(10)

8th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:45 Dundalk (AW)

Wojood

8st 12lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

C&D winner but the losing run is mounting up and no signs of a revival at this venue of late; plenty to prove.

33/1

Form: /P-012 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Has won five on the Flat and this summer a handicap hurdle at Downpatrick; possibly found himself in front too soon in an eventful big-field handicap at Punchestown ten days ago and was collared late on; seems to go on most ground; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

4th Jul 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

17:40 Tipperary

One Cool Poet

11st 12lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Liz Doyle

midfield, lost position when short of room after 1st, pushed along and towards rear when bit short of room and slipped up after 3 out

20/1

9th

5

31st May 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

18:50 Tramore

One Cool Poet

11st 12lb

J: Tom Harney

T: Liz Doyle

Was a one-time very useful Flat type but only 1-19 hurdling; only narrowly went down at Punchestown last October on final start for Matthew Smith and veteran now starts for new yard; wants better ground.

20/1

2nd

2

10th Oct 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 140y

14:25 Punchestown

One Cool Poet

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Matthew J Smith

Was a one-time smart Flat type but has won only once over hurdles; was 2nd in this race last year off 3lb higher but has to rebound after some lesser runs.

18/1

Form: 2-7163 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner who has been good and bad since returning to hurdling for his last three appearances; showed his better side last time at Market Rasen but he's likely to need improvement on that and rain wouldn't help him; unraced here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

28th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

16:35 Market Rasen

Pisgah Pike

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Resumed winning ways in 2m Worcester handicap hurdle last month; up 5lb now but he still can't be ruled out.

7/1

1st

1

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:10 Worcester

Pisgah Pike

12st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Close up at Newton Abbot on return from a long absence and didn't run at all badly in a Class 2 at Market Rasen; at this easier level he makes more appeal.

8/1

8th

5

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

14:40 Market Rasen

Pisgah Pike

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Has not seen a lot of racing since winning this two years ago off 4lb higher and he returned from an absence to be close up at Newton Abbot; could go well.

12/1

Form: 42306- D

Last run: 205 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Quite smart on the Flat in Germany only two years ago; has come up short in a few handicaps since winning two novice events but there has been some promise along the way and he's never been lower in the weights; goes on all ground and wouldn't be at all dismissive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 50y

12:50 Navan

Calico

11st 12lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; has been chasing lately; trainer appears to have stronger candidates.

12/1

15th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 50y

12:50 Navan

Calico

11st 12lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; has been chasing lately; trainer appears to have stronger candidates.

12/1

6th

1

1st Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

14:40 Down Royal

Calico

12st 0lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; out of her depth in a Grade 2 chase at Punchestown festival; had a run over hurdles before 12l second to The Banger Doyle on handicap debut at Cork.

7/2

Form: /3211-

Last run: 415 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Makes handicap debut after quite an absence and they were weak 2m4f events that he won at Uttoxeter last year; the cheekpieces worn for those wins are absent; would need to see some confidence behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

2nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

17:20 Ascot

Clay Rogers

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

prominent, lost ground but in touch with leaders after 4th

10/1

6th

6

4th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Clay Rogers

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Returned from a long absence to belatedly land a hat-trick on handicap debut at Southwell (2m4f, good) in January; 6lb higher in a better race here but every chance he has more to offer; showed promise on soft in Ireland.

7/1

1st

4

29th Jan 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:10 Southwell

Clay Rogers

11st 12lb

J: Fergus Gregory

T: Olly Murphy

Makes handicap debut after quite an absence and they were weak 2m4f events that he won at Uttoxeter when last seen in 2021; the cheekpieces worn for those wins are absent; would need to see some confidence behind him, especially with the yard also running Clonakilty.

13/2

Non-runners

Clay Rogers

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £35.60
Straight Forecast £24.79
Tricast £335.19
Trifecta £567.60

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Soul Icon

The Sun:

Tullypole Annie

POSTDATA:

Elham Valley

SPOTLIGHT:

Calico

TOPSPEED:

Lively Citizen

Telegraph:

Clay Rogers

LAMBOURN:

Pisgah Pike

D Express:

No Trouble

The Times:

Nayati

The Guardian:

Soul Icon

The Star:

Soul Icon

Daily Record:

Tullypole Annie

Daily Mirror:

Elham Valley

RP Ratings:

Calico

Daily Mail:

Lively Citizen