October 28 / 13.05 Leicester

13.05

Heavy

AJA Novice Flat Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap (For Riders With No More Than 3 Winners Before 1st April)

  • Prize money: £2980.2
  • 1m 3f 179y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
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AJA Novice Flat Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap (For Riders With No More Than 3 Winners Before 1st April)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 000011

Last run: 4 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Lost his first eight races but won his last two and it's still early days with this yard; did it readily at Nottingham (1m2f, soft) four days ago and returning to 1m4f won't harm; carries a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

7th Dec 2024

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 1

12:08 Sandown

Cresta Cat

11st 0lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Completed a middle-distance hat-trick on the Flat in October, reaching a fairly useful standard; form dipped last time and doesn't have a particularly easy task switched to this code.

14/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 657686 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Three wins earlier this season at similar trips (AW/good/soft) but down the field in three starts after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(6)

8th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Fiddlers Green

9st 3lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John O’Shea

May have done too much early and might have failed for stamina when sixth of eight at Chelmsford (13.3f. Polytrack) 13 days ago (Take The Boat second); better judged on his previous form around here including wins over 1m3f/1m4f; respected for stable that also runs Maywedance.

12/1

6th

1

(7)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 5f 66y

Class 6

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Fiddlers Green

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John O’Shea

All wins at 1m3f-1m4f; hasn't fully convinced with stamina in his 1m5f/1m6f attempts, including latest start; may again get outstayed.

8/1

5th

9

(1)

3rd Mar 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 4

17:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fiddlers Green

8st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John O’Shea

In good form at Kempton prior to a lesser effort there (1m3f) last month; needs to bounce back and well beaten in one go on Tapeta; others have less to prove.

12/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 0240-2

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Only 2-44 but was returning from a long absence when runner-up over 1m2f on heavy here 13 days ago; fair shout if holding his form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(5)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 197y

Class 5

14:00 Doncaster

Red Derek

8st 9lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Lisa Williamson

Veteran who has won only twice in 56 career starts and this season's fourths were remote; 2lb out of the weights.

14/1

4th

13

(11)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:05 Haydock

Red Derek

8st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Lisa Williamson

10yo who's 2-55, with last win in 2022; well handicapped on some 1m6f form last term and probably needed recent run, but whether he can be competitive at this trip nowadays remains to be seen.

25/1

4th

4

(3)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Nottingham

Red Derek

8st 7lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Lisa Williamson

Only 2-54 and a long time has passed since that second success; well handicapped on some form over 1m6f last season but he was up and down last year and he doesn't have a great record when fresh; others preferred.

10/1

5/1

Form: 872423 CD BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Without a win since taking this race on heavy ground two years ago but he returns in a good run of form and looks solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

(3)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

13:20 Leicester

Fen Tiger

10st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Lander

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Won the penultimate renewal of this race in 2022 which was his last success; the closest he's come this year was at classified level but could still run well with the ground in his favour.

7/1

2nd

9

(3)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

13:20 Leicester

Fen Tiger

10st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Lander

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Won the penultimate renewal of this race in 2022 which was his last success; the closest he's come this year was at classified level but could still run well with the ground in his favour.

7/1

4

(16)

8th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 3f 99y

Class 6

15:02 Windsor

Fen Tiger

9st 5lb

J: Chloe Lyons

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Recorded best effort this term at classified level; on a near three-year losing spell; not a solid option but ground softer than good would be in his favour.

10/1

Form: /8-568

Last run: 123 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Hasn't offered much on the Flat or jumps since finishing second in a soft-ground handicap hurdle back in the spring; others safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

20th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 45y

Class 5

14:40 Uttoxeter

Foveros

12st 0lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: Henry Oliver

towards rear

16/1

6th

1

20th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 45y

Class 5

14:40 Uttoxeter

Foveros

12st 0lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: Henry Oliver

towards rear

16/1

5th

1

1st Dec 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 113y

Class 4

13:45 Leicester

Foveros

12st 0lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Henry Oliver

On a very long losing spell and is 0-11 (Flat/hurdles) for current stable; has a fighting chance on bits of 2024 form but is difficult to support with confidence.

20/1

Form: 23-218 D

Last run: 164 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Solid stable debut when second at Bath (11.5f, soft) in April; later won on soft ground at Chepstow (1m4f) and Newbury three days later perhaps came too soon; off since May but has the form to feature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(10)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:55 Chepstow

Cherryhawk

9st 10lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Nikki Evans

In good form this time last year when winning over C&D (soft) but her career has gone south since, including over hurdles this year; just 1lb higher than for the win but revival desperately needed.

33/1

10th

4

(10)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:55 Chepstow

Cherryhawk

9st 10lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Nikki Evans

In good form this time last year when winning over C&D (soft) but her career has gone south since, including over hurdles this year; just 1lb higher than for the win but revival desperately needed.

33/1

4th

5

2nd Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:15 Ludlow

Cherryhawk

10st 7lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Nikki Evans

Won on the Flat last spring but was badly out of form in that sphere in the autumn and struggled (albeit on heavy ground) on hurdling debut at Chepstow in January.

66/1

Form: 286449 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Unraced on heavy but fine on soft; ran moderately last time but has won after similar performances in the past; not handicapped out of it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(7)

28th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

13:05 Leicester

Sameem

10st 11lb

J: Miss Rebecca Burley

T: Tim Easterby

Unraced on heavy but fine on soft; ran moderately last time but has won after similar performances in the past; not handicapped out of it.

10/1

7th

6

(7)

28th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

13:05 Leicester

Sameem

10st 11lb

J: Miss Rebecca Burley

T: Tim Easterby

Unraced on heavy but fine on soft; ran moderately last time but has won after similar performances in the past; not handicapped out of it.

10/1

9th

3

(2)

18th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:20 Redcar

Sameem

10st 13lb

J: Miss Rebecca Burley

T: Tim Easterby

never better than midfield

7/1

Form: 5580-

Last run: 378 days

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Regressive during his light Flat career and has since finished tailed off in two maiden hurdles; too much to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

12:45 Uttoxeter

First Cut

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

towards rear, outpaced after 6th, lost touch 2 out

66/1

8th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

12:45 Uttoxeter

First Cut

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

towards rear, outpaced after 6th, lost touch 2 out, tailed off

66/1

8th

9

(4)

28th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

13:05 Leicester

First Cut

10st 6lb

J: Miss Ellie Holder

T: Stuart Edmunds

Regressive during his light Flat career and has since finished tailed off in two maiden hurdles; too much to prove.

25/1

Form: 641452 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Made all in 1m3f classified at Yarmouth in July (good) and back to form with a close second under Grace Littmoden on the AW a month ago; ground this testing is the main concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(2)

28th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

13:05 Leicester

Shield Of Honour

10st 5lb

J: Miss Grace Littmoden

T: Amy Murphy

Made all in 1m3f classified at Yarmouth in July (good) and back to form with a close second under Grace Littmoden on the AW a month ago; ground this testing is the main concern.

7/1

9th

11

(2)

28th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

13:05 Leicester

Shield Of Honour

10st 5lb

J: Miss Grace Littmoden

T: Amy Murphy

Made all in 1m3f classified at Yarmouth in July (good) and back to form with a close second under Grace Littmoden on the AW a month ago; ground this testing is the main concern.

7/1

2nd

6

(5)

28th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:10 Chelmsford (AW)

Shield Of Honour

10st 8lb

J: Miss Grace Littmoden

T: Amy Murphy

Dropped in class when making all in 1m3f classified at Yarmouth in July before a respectable fourth at Ripon under Grace Littmoden; lesser effort since and inconclusive AW form so far; shade to prove.

9/1

Form: 241151 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
One good run on soft ground earlier in career but mostly confined to drier surfaces or the AW; bang in form and probably still on a reasonable mark but conditions are offputting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(2)

10th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 179y

Class 5

15:30 Leicester

Liberated Lad

9st 11lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: B F Brookhouse

Versatile trip-wise, he ran well when third of 11 at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) in June but was a shade disappointing when fourth at Doncaster (14.5f, good) last month when longer trip was expected to suit; still not out of this if putting his best foot forward.

11/2

4th

1

(4)

10th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 6

13:30 Doncaster

Liberated Lad

11st 2lb

J: Mr Bradley Furniss

T: B F Brookhouse

Multiple winner and a versatile sort trip-wise; shaped as though coming to hand over 1m2f (under Bradley Furniss) at Newbury last time, a race that threw up several winners, and won't mind the step back up in distance; seems to handle most ground and is a player.

8/1

3rd

9

(10)

12th Jun 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:30 Newbury

Liberated Lad

10st 10lb

J: Mr Bradley Furniss

T: B F Brookhouse

Four wins last year (1m2f-1m6f, including on turf) and this versatile sort was back on the scoresheet at Newcastle (2m, AW) in January; fair efforts on last two starts (1m/1m6f) and he might not be far away.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 7234/

Last run: 1080 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler in early 2022 but lost his way later that year and absent since; lightly raced on the Flat but others look better equipped for this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(3)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:20 Bath

Mind Hunter

9st 10lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Modest form in two minor handicap hurdles this year; not easily recommended back on the Flat.

9/1

6th

12

5th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:48 Ffos Las

Mind Hunter

10st 2lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Hasn't won for ages but latest 9l defeat over C&D was after a lengthy break; each-way claims.

10/1

4th

9

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:12 Ffos Las

Mind Hunter

10st 3lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Bernard Llewellyn

It's now 12 starts since his last success (2022) and he came in a below-par fifth of seven in 2m4f handicap at Leicester in November; others are preferred.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.60
Straight Forecast £17.33
Tricast £54.28
Trifecta £72.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Cresta Cat

SPOTLIGHT:

Fen Tiger

NEWMARKET:

Liberated Lad

The Star:

Red Derek

POSTDATA:

Cresta Cat

The Times:

Cresta Cat

Telegraph:

Cresta Cat

The Guardian:

Cresta Cat

Daily Mail:

Cresta Cat

Daily Mirror:

Cresta Cat

The Sun:

Cresta Cat

D Express:

Fen Tiger

Daily Record:

Fen Tiger