October 21 / 14.45 Cheltenham

14.45

Good To Firm

Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10406
  • 2m 3f 200y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
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Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.80
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 4-1 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shaped with promise on bumper debut a year ago and created pretty good impression when easily winner Uttoxeter maiden hurdle (2m4f, good to soft) on recent reappearance; tackles much stronger opposition here but still looks interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 2

15:33 Exeter

Mofasa

11st 1lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Pulled up on final start last season and the same story on both this term, tried in cheekpieces on latest; 13lb below his career-high mark and reverts to hurdling (from chasing) for the first time since April 2023.

20/1

20/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 311

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Placed in two Irish points in spring and 2-3 over hurdles since joining Ann Duffield, the latter win gained in Perth handicap (3m, soft) last month; faces tougher task here but can cope with the drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

14:42 Wetherby

The Wounded Knee

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Looked very promising in autumn 2022 but ran just three times last year and struggled; lots to prove on first start since last June.

25/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 218-51 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won soft-ground Naas bumper in February and was very respectable eighth in Champion Bumper here (heavy) the following month; rather workmanlike when short-odds winner of modest maiden hurdle this month (2m3f, soft) but can leave that bare form a long way behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

18

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Music Drive

12st 0lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: Kelly Morgan

He's made the frame at 33-1 in the last two runnings of the Cheltenham Festival hunter chase, finishing about 8l behind Barton Snow and Its On The Line last month when third; tackles a new track today and the drop back in trip isn't an obvious positive, but he could still be an each-way contender.

14/1

3rd

12

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Music Drive

12st 0lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: Kelly Morgan

2022 Champion Bumper eighth and twice placed over hurdles here when with Gordon Elliott; has done well for current team following a long absence, winning over C&D last May after his never-dangerous 13l fourth to Wonderwall in this 12 months ago; needs to get his skates on a bit earlier to improve on that placing and he was beaten by Linelee King in a recent point (after a long break); return of cheekpieces is no bad thing; seems fine on all ground.

16/1

1st

5

2nd May 2025

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 4

18:20 Cheltenham

Music Drive

11st 12lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Kelly Morgan

prominent, disputing second from 15th, led narrowly before 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well final 110yds

15/8

OUR TIP

Form: 4-1106

Last run: 75 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Ran well in the maiden hurdle on this card a year ago and was a dual hurdle winner in early part of this season (2m3f maiden/2m handicap); well beaten on last two hurdling starts but returned to form with good effort on the Flat last month; each-way claims at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

15th Oct 2024

Good

2m 6f 166y

16:50 Punchestown

Wild Shot

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: John C McConnell

Prolific Flat and dual hurdles winner at a fairly modest level; long losing run but twice placed in claiming hurdles including latest when 6l off Cozone at Clonmel (2m4f, good); rider's claim brings the pair closer but still needs to find more.

10/1

2nd

7

3rd Oct 2024

Yielding

2m 3f 206y

15:20 Clonmel

Wild Shot

10st 8lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: John C McConnell

Prolific Flat and dual hurdles winner; fair form under both codes this summer, placed in claimer over this trip at Bellewstown and not shamed in handicap company last time; well in at the weights, for what that's worth in a race of this nature, and good ground important.

3/1

6th

3

13th Sep 2024

Good

2m 6f 11y

16:35 Ballinrobe

Wild Shot

11st 9lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

midfield

10/1

Form: 58-133

Last run: 78 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Not one to rely upon heavily and has a point to prove after poor Flat run in August but won Listowel maiden hurdle (2m, soft) by 8l in June and has showed fairly useful hurdling form in defeat twice since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(8)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 40y

16:50 Listowel

Desert Friend

9st 4lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: P J F Murphy

Veteran has done a bit of everything and recorded his ninth win when easily scoring over 1m6f at Sligo last time (yielding to soft), benefitting from a truly-run race; up 8lb but in the mix.

9/2

1st

8

(12)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 190y

15:22 Sligo

Desert Friend

9st 8lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: P J F Murphy

Veteran has done a bit of everything and recorded his eighth win when scoring over 2m on AW in March; poor run at Bellewstown last time but that was only a day after being placed at Dundalk; goes well at Ballinrobe and this track isn't dissimilar.

10/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner in April and stayed on gamely for narrow win on hurdling debut against own sex at Bangor (2m3f, good) this month; can improve on that form in due course but others have more obvious claims here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:10 Perth

Apple Away

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Consistent sort who won this two years ago (soft); Panic Attack has better form and she's run just once this season, but that was a solid effort when third of five at Carlisle in November over an inadequate 2m4f (good to soft), and she can give a good account.

6/1

3rd

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

13:32 Carlisle

Apple Away

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Classy mare but very much a stayer having won last season's 3m4f Grand National Trial at Haydock (good to soft; kept on) in February, after which she disappointed in the Midlands National; does travel strongly so unwise to dismiss purely on the strength of today's trip, especially on a stiff track; returns with yard in form.

4/1

3rd

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

13:32 Carlisle

Apple Away

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Classy mare but very much a stayer having won last season's 3m4f Grand National Trial at Haydock (good to soft; kept on) in February, after which she disappointed in the Midlands National; does travel strongly so unwise to dismiss purely on the strength of today's trip, especially on a stiff track; returns with yard in form.

4/1

Form: 33-1

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in Listed bumper here (good) in January and made winning start to hurdling career in mares' maiden at Warwick (2m, good) a fortnight ago; should have a lot more to offer but needs to take a pretty big step forward to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

7th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Notnowlinda

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Yet to match peak form since returning from long absence in the autumn but her third in first-time cheekpieces at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in late March was a pretty good effort, and she'll be fine on the forecast good ground here.

6/4

3rd

3

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:35 Uttoxeter

Notnowlinda

11st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

In good form in spring of 2024; returned from long absence with two low-key runs in November but, after another break, she ran well to a point when fifth of 13 at Haydock (2m3f, good to soft) three weeks ago; continues to drop down the weights and she's not ruled out with cheekpieces added.

5/1

Form: -25F12

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Formerly very useful on the Flat; took six attempts to win over hurdles but did so in a Listed race at this summer's Galway Festival (2m, good); not discredited when clear second on latest start and can go well again here if stamina holds out over the new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

11th Jun 2024

Good

2m 2f 91y

16:45 Sligo

Flaming Moon

11st 0lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Peter John Flood

Flat/hurdle winner but hard to trust after pulling up in his last two points.

25/1

6th

2

28th Aug 2023

Good

2m 1f 165y

17:25 Downpatrick

Flaming Moon

12st 1lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Decent on the Flat at up to 1m and won a Listed novice hurdle at Galway last year; starts off in handicap chases from a mark 6lb lower than his hurdles rating although the bare form of his two spins over fences earlier this month would suggest the handicapper could have been kinder.

11/2

Form: 133565

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won low-grade Wexford handicap (2m1f, yielding) in May and belied 100-1 odds when close fifth in Galway Listed race won by Flaming Moon in July but she looks exposed after 11 hurdling starts and her form is below the required standard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

15th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 180y

17:35 Tramore

Must Be Dreaming

11st 2lb

J: J J Slevin

T: G Ahern

Sole chase win came at this track in September off 93 (2m, good); recent chase runs do not provide huge encouragement and both her wins have come at shorter than this; in saying that, the handicapper is giving her a chance.

11/1

6th

8

23rd Jul 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:38 Wexford

Must Be Dreaming

11st 4lb

J: J J Slevin

T: G Ahern

Hurdles winner at this track in 2022 and also won a 2m Tramore handicap chase last season (good) off 3lb higher; beaten 21l here earlier this month in a race won by Crowsatedappletart (2m3f, good); needs to bounce back to form but handicapper giving her a chance.

18/1

17

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 110y

17:00 Wexford

Must Be Dreaming

11st 6lb

J: John Shinnick

T: G Ahern

First reserve; hurdles winner here and also won 2m Tramore handicap chase last season (good) off 93; no more than okay form of late but declining mark so could be of interest soon.

Form: 945-10 D

Last run: 97 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Showed some useful form in defeat last season and came good over hurdles in Class 3 handicap at Warwick (2m3f, good) in May; below form on latest hurdling start but recent Flat run was okay; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

28th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

16:35 Market Rasen

Saint Riquier

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

A fairly useful 2m3f hurdles winner in May, 2022, who has been in excellent form since returning on the Flat this summer, bagging a third win at Chelmsford (1m6f) nine days ago; he's not taken lightly back in this sphere.

5/1

1st

3

(2)

19th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Saint Riquier

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Has returned from nearly two years off in terrific form on the Flat, winning a slowly run race at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) and coming right away at Leicester (1m2f, good to soft) ten days later; good second at Brighton (1m4f) on Tuesday; well handicapped under a penalty if he can keep up the good work after just a two-day break.

7/4

2nd

1

(2)

17th Sep 2024

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

15:50 Brighton

Saint Riquier

10st 4lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Ian Williams

Mostly hurdling since trained in Britain but he's returned from nearly two years off in terrific form on the Flat, winning on AW (1m4f) on second run back and coming right away at Leicester (1m2f, good to soft) last week; a big rise looms so his claims are very obvious with no penalty.

4/7

Form: 6-4211

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won Ballinrobe maiden (2m1f, good) last month, her third hurdling start, and displayed improvement to follow up under another very positive ride in Gowran Listed race (2m, yielding) three weeks later; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 90y

15:00 Sligo

She Is Electric

11st 8lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Norman Lee

Two-time winner over hurdles, including at Listed level, back in 2022; hasn't shown anything in three starts since return from a mammoth layoff; passed over.

28/1

7

9th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 35y

17:08 Roscommon

She Is Electric

10st 9lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Norman Lee

Two-time winner over timber, including at Listed level, back in 2022; hasn't shown enough in two starts since return from mammoth layoff; others appeal more.

33/1

Form: 3

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Joined Christian Williams after winning 15-runner Irish point by 8l on debut in May but managed only third of five in Fontwell novice hurdle (2m3f, good) on recent rules debut and has a lot to find here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Lord Snootie

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Christian Williams

Returned to form with two placed runs towards end of last season (2m7f/3m, good), and wasn't beaten far when eighth, behind Al Sayah, at Haydock (3m, good) this month; Sean Bowen rides here; can make presence felt.

11/1

8th

10

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Lord Snootie

10st 6lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Christian Williams

Inconsistent and only 1-18 under rules; placed twice from four starts over C&D, including when third to Serious Chat on latest start, but there appear to be more potent options among his rivals.

12/1

3rd

10

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Lord Snootie

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Only 1-17 but has flashes of smart form in good handicaps and easily his best run for ages when a rallying second at Bangor last month (2m7f, good; effective on softer); weighted to win races and seriously considered.

6/1

Non-runners

She Is Electric, Lord Snootie

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £67.80
Straight Forecast £67.10
Trifecta £247.90

Selections

RP Ratings:

She Is Electric

The Times:

Mofasa

D Express:

Music Drive

POSTDATA:

Flaming Moon

SPOTLIGHT:

Saint Riquier

The Guardian:

Mofasa

The Star:

Mofasa

TOPSPEED:

She Is Electric

Daily Mail:

She Is Electric

Daily Mirror:

She Is Electric

Daily Record:

She Is Electric

The Sun:

Music Drive

Telegraph:

Flaming Moon