October 24 / 16.30 Ludlow

16.30

Good To Soft

KLF Insurance Brokers Champion Stakes Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 7f 174y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
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KLF Insurance Brokers Champion Stakes Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 8U55-5

Last run: 165 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Related to some dour stayers (including Bretney for this yard), so whilst the signals were mixed last winter and spring as to whether 3m was required he can't be written off at this trip yet; yard back among winners this month after a typically quiet summer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

31st Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Pearl Island

11st 6lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Record of 1-14 for Henry Daly, the win coming in a 3m handicap chase at Uttoxeter in late 2024 (in first-time blinkers that were retained until now); has lost his way but still only a 7yo and he's on a fair mark for this yard debut; may prefer slower ground, however.

20/1

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:10 Ludlow

Pearl Island

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

6yo who won in first-time blinkers (retained since) at Uttoxeter (2m7f, soft) in December on second chase start; however, two lesser runs have followed and he has to raise his game if he's to return to winning ways.

10/1

6th

3

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

13:35 Southwell

Pearl Island

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

disputed lead, reminder after 12th, lost position before 14th, weakened after 4 out

11/2

Form: 537-32

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Didn't hit the line hard in his novice/maiden starts, but his Market Rasen handicap debut second (2m3f, good) was more promising on that score; up 3lb but among the likeliest, especially if jumping more tidily.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(6)

7th Mar 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Opera King

9st 7lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Scott Dixon

in touch with leaders, midfield after 6f

20/1

5th

3

(4)

21st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 5

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Opera King

9st 7lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Scott Dixon

Modest ability in bumpers and over hurdles; tailed off in two AW Flat starts over shorter than this since joining current stable; the longer trip may help but he probably isn't good enough.

100/1

12th

8

(1)

11th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

16:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Opera King

9st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Maiden in bumpers and over hurdles for previous yard; completely tailed off at Southwell (1m) on the switch to this sphere; opposed.

100/1

Form: 6P31-1

Last run: 168 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Value for further than the 2.5l margin at Stratford last time (2m6f, good) after losing momentum two out; previous win there came making all over almost 3m4f, and no trip appears too far when on song; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:13 Cartmel

R Bernard

10st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Won twice at Stratford (3m2f/2m6f) in spring 2024 and well handicapped on those efforts but lost his way afterwards and has been absent since well-held fourth at Stratford 13 months ago; had wind op last month.

10/1

4th

5

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

14:50 Stratford

R Bernard

11st 9lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Mel Rowley

Won this race a year ago (good to soft), his second start for Mel Rowley, and followed up off today's mark here (2m6f, good) in May; looked out of sorts in the winter when last seen but is still of some interest on return to this track.

3/1

5

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

14:50 Stratford

R Bernard

11st 9lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Mel Rowley

Won this race a year ago (good to soft), his second start for Mel Rowley, and followed up off today's mark here (2m6f, good) in May; looked out of sorts in the winter when last seen but is still of some interest on return to this track.

3/1

Form: 71792-

Last run: 345 days

W: 11st 5lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
4lb below his last winning mark, but unraced beyond 2m5f for five years and never over as far as today's trip; long absence is offputting, too, having never won after more than eight weeks out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

15:40 Stratford

GDay Aussie

12st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

Veteran who returned from a break with two good-ground wins (2m/2m3f) in June/July; gave another solid account when fourth at Bangor (2m3f, good) last month but he didn't fire at Plumpton last time and others are more persuasive.

14/1

6th

2

21st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

14:50 Plumpton

GDay Aussie

11st 12lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

Resurgent veteran who returned from a break with two good-ground wins in June/July (2m/2m3f); gave another good account when fourth at Bangor (2m3f, good) this month but may find younger rivals better handicapped here.

10/1

3

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:30 Bangor-on-Dee

GDay Aussie

11st 12lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Dave Roberts

Veteran who was well below par last time; solid record (112) otherwise this term includes a C&D win (good) in July; may rebound, albeit has more on his plate off current mark.

8/1

Form: 1717-4 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Dual stayers' hurdle winner last autumn (good to soft) and shaped well for a long way on last month's Fontwell return, subsiding only up the run-in; likely sharper for that, but won't want a dryout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

3rd Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:00 Southwell

Horizon DOr

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Brett Johnson

Ran big race in defeat for Adam West at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in the autumn but we haven't seen him since his disappointing chase debut in December; makes stable debut today; market may guide.

25/1

11th

6

3rd Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:00 Southwell

Horizon DOr

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Brett Johnson

Ran big race in defeat for Adam West at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in the autumn but we haven't seen him since his disappointing chase debut in December; makes stable debut today; market may guide.

25/1

8th

10

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

13:45 Taunton

Horizon DOr

10st 11lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Adam West

Returned from layoff with two good hurdle runs this autumn (3m2f/3m) but was well beaten when last in action and others in this line-up look stronger; makes chasing debut today.

14/1

Form: 6-025U

Last run: 95 days

W: 11st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Mark has never been more accommodating in seven seasons with these connections, and although winless beyond 2m6f under rules does stay further; diminishing returns since May's Newton Abbot second, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Caspers Court

10st 10lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

Last win was off 18lb higher in March 2023; returns to a more suitable trip than the 3m last time but ran just the one race of any real note last year and he's an 11yo now.

16/1

5th

11

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Caspers Court

10st 10lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

led

16/1

6

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

16:30 Ludlow

Caspers Court

11st 1lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

Mark has never been more accommodating in seven seasons with these connections, and although winless beyond 2m6f under rules does stay further; diminishing returns since May's Newton Abbot second, however.

12/1

Form: 699-

Last run: 286 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Pulled up no trees in three qualifying runs at up to 2m5f last term (including the mares' novice on this card last year), but initial mark isn't majorly severe; upgrade not impossible; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

24th Jun 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:57 Newton Abbot

Ann DArabie

11st 6lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Low-mileage 6yo who has taken well to fences in recent months and kept on well to beat Eightytwo Team in small-field contest at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) last month; 3m2f on a left-handed track also suits; respected.

4/1

2nd

4

26th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:20 Huntingdon

Ann DArabie

11st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Low-mileage 6yo who has taken well to fences in recent months and kept on well to open account in small-field C&D (good) contest 18 days ago; nudged up only 2lb for that and probably still has more improvement to come.

10/11

2nd

4

26th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:20 Huntingdon

Ann DArabie

11st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Low-mileage 6yo who has taken well to fences in recent months and kept on well to open account in small-field C&D (good) contest 18 days ago; nudged up only 2lb for that and probably still has more improvement to come.

10/11

Form: 9-4369 C

Last run: 145 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Third over 2m5f in May (good) took his record here to 31823; no trip or ground issues and mark never lower, but poor the last twice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

16:30 Ludlow

Karakoram

10st 6lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Third over 2m5f in May (good) took his record here to 31823; no trip or ground issues and mark never lower, but poor the last twice.

20/1

Form: 8U-PP4

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
This month's Huntingdon fourth (2m4f, good) broke a sequence of non-completions; shaped there as if ready for this longer trip now, though that's not wholly backed up by the pedigree (two point winners aside).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

Pollyonesock

10st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Showed her first piece of worthwhile form for a while when fourth at Huntingdon (near 2m4f, good) last month, albeit beaten 20l; failed to build on that when soundly beaten behind Karakoram 19 days ago; 6lb out of the handicap and difficult to recommend.

33/1

9th

12

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

Pollyonesock

10st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Showed her first piece of worthwhile form for a while when fourth at Huntingdon (near 2m4f, good) last month, albeit beaten 20l; failed to build on that when soundly beaten behind Karakoram 19 days ago; 6lb out of the handicap and difficult to recommend.

33/1

10

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

16:30 Ludlow

Pollyonesock

10st 5lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

This month's Huntingdon fourth (2m4f, good) broke a sequence of non-completions; shaped there as if ready for this longer trip now, though that's not wholly backed up by the pedigree (two point winners aside).

20/1

Non-runners

Tis But A Scratch, Getaway Cory

Selections

POSTDATA:

Opera King

Telegraph:

R Bernard

SPOTLIGHT:

Pearl Island

RP RATINGS:

Karakoram

D Express:

Pearl Island

WEST COUNTRY:

Opera King

The Times:

Opera King

The Guardian:

Opera King

The Sun:

Opera King

The Star:

Opera King

Daily Mail:

R Bernard

Daily Mirror:

R Bernard

Daily Record:

R Bernard