October 07 / 14.10 Chepstow

14.10

Good

Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £28475
  • 2m 3f 100y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £3.40

Form: P-1112 D BF

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won his first three starts for this yard (two handicaps) but he came up just shy off his new mark in the latest at Worcester (2m4f, good) and that defeat hints at definite limitations in Grade 2 company; cheekpieces are a first this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

17:35 Perth

Accidental Rebel

11st 5lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Leonard Kerr

towards rear

50/1

7th

2

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 4

16:15 Perth

Accidental Rebel

11st 7lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Leonard Kerr

in touch with leaders

50/1

12th

3

30th Jun 2024

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:00 Cartmel

Accidental Rebel

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Leonard Kerr

Four hurdles wins on good in 2022 for Fergal O'Brien; back for new yard in April after 418 days off and latest start was a step back in the right direction; unraced beyond 2m5f but 7lb below his last winning mark.

25/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 1434-1

Last run: 158 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who appeared to show the benefit of wind surgery when getting off the mark over hurdles with the minimum of fuss at Kempton (2m5f, good), albeit at odds-on in a weak race; interesting that his trainer is willing to scupper a potentially good mark by taking on higher-rated opposition here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Outlaw Peter

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Multiple winner who reacted well to the new cheekpieces when a clearcut winner of the Middle Distance Veterans' Final over C&D only 11 days ago; historically well treated despite the 6lb rise but there's a suspicion that younger limbs this time may have his measure.

11/2

1st

6

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Outlaw Peter

11st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Sent off favourite at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) four weeks ago and returned to form with 1l second to Genois, finishing clear of the remainder; wears first-time cheekpieces and he's on the shortlist.

9/1

2nd

5

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

15:40 Exeter

Outlaw Peter

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Won notable handicaps off higher marks around this time of year two years ago but lightly raced in the meantime and has yet to offer much this season; needs a revival.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 912111 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Very useful chaser who reverted back to hurdling this summer and has made hay in racking up four wins, the latest a valuable 2m4f handicap at Worcester (good) by clear daylight; had a lot more racing than today's rivals but his form claims are clear to see.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

13th Jul 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:42 Newton Abbot

Presentandcounting

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Good-ground specialist with nine chase wins to his name, latest off 2lb higher in July last year; solid front-running third at Bangor (2m4f, good) 17 days ago after a break and he holds leading claims.

4/1

3rd

2

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

17:58 Bangor-on-Dee

Presentandcounting

11st 11lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Good-ground specialist with nine chase wins on his CV; long in the tooth now but returned from break with two respectable runs this spring and has edged his way back down to a good mark; no surprise if he makes a bold bid from the front.

100/30

Form: 16/11 D

Last run: 128 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Had more than a year off after two bumper runs and he won easily at Warwick (2m3f) and Newton Abbot (2m5f; again good) during the summer; this is a big rise in class but it was an eyecatching RPR of 135 that he posted last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

13th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

14:50 Ayr

Quid Pro Quo

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

raced in second, mistake 4 out, not fluent and lost position 3 out

12/1

6th

2

13th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

14:50 Ayr

Quid Pro Quo

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

raced in second, mistake 4 out, not fluent and lost position 3 out, no impression after 2 out

12/1

11th

1

16th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

17:03 Wetherby

Quid Pro Quo

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Bumper/hurdle/chase winner at up to 2m6f for Dan Skelton; placed on first four starts over fences last season, but absent for over a year and changed yards since finishing a well-beaten fifth of six at Warwick in October (2m4f, good); probably best watched back over hurdles after a year off.

14/1

Form: 611- D

Last run: 193 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Got his act together earlier this year to win minor events at about 2m5f at Southwell (good to soft) and Ludlow (good), though he didn't win either with a great deal to spare and this looks a tough ask.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:55 Warwick

Hector Javilex

11st 8lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Made a good start to handicap career when winning at Cheltenham (3m, soft) in January 2023 but rather patchy since, including when finishing a well-beaten fourth of five on chase debut at Newbury in December; probably best watched on his reappearance over a trip short of his best.

7/1

6th

7

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Hector Javilex

11st 0lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

12/1

6th

7

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Hector Javilex

11st 0lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

12/1

Form: 61-111 D

Last run: 108 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Has gone 4-4 since fitted with cheekpieces, making light work of her penalties; this level is a different kettle of fish altogether and Harry Skelton prefers the yard's other one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

14:30 Stratford

Gentle Connections

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear, struggling before 4 out, no telling impression

5/2

2nd

3

8th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 5

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Gentle Connections

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear

8/1

4th

4

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:55 Warwick

Gentle Connections

11st 2lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, briefly led 7th, lost third 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out

6/1

Form: 26511- D

Last run: 199 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
It took a while but he finally got off the mark when favourite for a maiden at Fontwell in March and then followed up in a 2m2f handicap at Exeter, coming clear on the run-in; earning an RPR of 135 that day entitles him to a tilt at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

22nd Feb 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Deeper Blue

10st 10lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: David Pipe

towards rear, not fluent 4th

20/1

7

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:50 Ayr

Deeper Blue

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Runner-up in three of his five chases and latest Newbury conqueror (2m7f, good to soft) was well handicapped on a going day; there was near enough 10l back to Abuffalosoldier who had been 2-2 at that track; it's probably strong form for the grade and this 8yo is just 3lb higher now tried in cheekpieces.

6/1

7

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:50 Ayr

Deeper Blue

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Runner-up in three of his five chases and latest Newbury conqueror (2m7f, good to soft) was well handicapped on a going day; there was near enough 10l back to Abuffalosoldier who had been 2-2 at that track; it's probably strong form for the grade and this 8yo is just 3lb higher now tried in cheekpieces.

6/1

Form: 2331- C

Last run: 201 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Beaten in two Grade 2s (2m5f/3m) before duly justifying long odds-on favouritism in a 2m7f maiden here on good to soft; should be in for a good season, but this trip might be short of his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

6th Oct 2024

Good

3m 2f 39y

Class 4

15:15 Kelso

Scipion

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

in rear

10/1

4th

5

26th Aug 2024

Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

16:40 Cartmel

Scipion

10st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Useful hurdler/chaser when with Tom Lacey but had very disappointing five-race spell with Stuart Coltherd last season and was tailed off behind Tommie Beau over hurdles here on stable debut in May; can cope with slow ground but needs combination of wind surgery and refitted tongue-tie to make a big difference.

12/1

11th

10

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

14:55 Cartmel

Scipion

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

led early, headed but prominent before 2nd

16/1

Non-runners

Deeper Blue, Scipion, Legionar

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £39.80
Straight Forecast £60.57
Tricast £134.03
Trifecta £137.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Presentandcounting

The Times:

Quid Pro Quo

TOPSPEED:

Deeper Blue

Daily Mail:

Deeper Blue

The Sun:

Deeper Blue

Telegraph:

Quid Pro Quo

Daily Mirror:

Quid Pro Quo

Daily Record:

Quid Pro Quo

RP Ratings:

Presentandcounting

POSTDATA:

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The Guardian:

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Daily Express:

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The Star:

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