October 22 / 14.05 Cheltenham

14.05

Good To Firm

888Sport Is Made To Play Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £31218
  • 3m 1f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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888Sport Is Made To Play Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 13P-53

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Hurdling over 2m4f wouldn't have seen him in the best light at Worcester last month and he ran okay; dual chase winner over slightly shorter distances early last season and the latest was off 5lb higher, albeit in a far weaker contest; perhaps placed at best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:30 Warwick

Lord Accord

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival a fortnight ago when back from a break; this 11yo is back in much calmer waters today and he's a player if rediscovering the good front-running form he was showing on good/good to soft ground in the autumn when these blinkers first went on.

15/2

24

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Lord Accord

10st 10lb

J: Mr N McParlan

T: Neil Mulholland

Course winner who scored in first-time blinkers (retained since) at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) in October before 11l second at Ascot (3m5f, good); this 11yo returns from a break today and may find this too competitive.

50/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: /4227-

Last run: 203 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Not always the most fluent of jumpers but his seconds here on New Year's Day (3m2f, soft) and at Musselburgh in February (3m7f, good) bring him into the equation; was perhaps a bit too wet behind the ears for the Scottish Grand National last time (remote seventh); had a wind operation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

16th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

The Wolf

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

No longer the force of old and not always a fluent jumper but won two chases in November (2m7f/2m6f) and was runner-up in three small-field races towards end of last season; suited by good ground and will probably give another good account.

11/4

4th

3

16th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

The Wolf

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

No longer the force of old and not always a fluent jumper but won two chases in November (2m7f/2m6f) and was runner-up in three small-field races towards end of last season; suited by good ground and will probably give another good account.

11/4

2nd

2

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 3

18:08 Huntingdon

The Wolf

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Olly Murphy

Veteran who has been running well, finishing second to an improver at Kempton (3m, good) before another sound effort at Stratford; solid claims.

7/4

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 25P11- C

Last run: 192 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won a 4m hunter chase here in April 2021 and it was nearly over that trip in which he repelled The Wolf at Musselburgh in February; put his assured stamina to good use when beating one well handicapped back here over 3m2f in April and a 5lb rise for that is by no means the end of the world; hard to knock.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Captain Cattistock

11st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Not seen since pulled up on consecutive outings in the autumn and probably doesn't have much margin for error off current mark but won the last two editions of this race (both times on good ground) and will presumably be primed for a big run.

12/1

4

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Captain Cattistock

11st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Not seen since pulled up on consecutive outings in the autumn and probably doesn't have much margin for error off current mark but won the last two editions of this race (both times on good ground) and will presumably be primed for a big run.

12/1

6

19th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:20 Cheltenham

Captain Cattistock

11st 9lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won 3m2f handicap at Cheltenham (good) in April for the second year in a row, on both occasions following big runs over 3m7f at Musselburgh; used to be fine in the mud as well; needs to bounce back from a poor show in the valuable 3m Kerry National at Listowel two months ago.

14/1

Form: -82513

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Only 1-12 over hurdles; not the biggest for chasing but she jumped well when winning a mares' novice at Listowel before finishing third at Tipperary (again 2m4f; probably ran every bit as well); this is a bold piece of placing for one so inexperienced but her best run over hurdles was at 3m, so that heightens interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 100y

19:25 Kilbeggan

Motown Maggie

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield, reminders and dropped to rear after 4th, detached when pulled up after 5 out

20/1

14

2nd Aug 2024

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Motown Maggie

10st 13lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

towards rear, brought down 5 out

16/1

7th

3

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

15:07 Perth

Motown Maggie

12st 0lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

held up in rear, niggled along briefly after 10th, pushed along after 11th, struggling 4 out

5/1

Form: 27220-

Last run: 219 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
After finishing runner-up in back-to-back staying handicaps at Catterick he finished tailed off here in the Kim Muir in March, his third forgettable effort at Cheltenham; having the cheekpieces back on may help but others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Almazhar Garde

12st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Not the force of old and has failed to complete in his last two starts but this is a drop back in grade and he went close at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November; looks interesting on that form and he made all when winning this race last year.

9/1

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Almazhar Garde

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Charlie Longsdon

Not the force of old and his second at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November came in a two-horse race; followed that with a poor run in a veterans' chase at Doncaster; others appeal more.

20/1

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Almazhar Garde

11st 12lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Won three times last year (3m/2m7f, good to soft/good) and finished close up on final two outings in the autumn; in the mix if returning from a break in similarly good form.

6/1

Form: 2-1831 D

Last run: 85 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Consistent in the main and winning for a fifth time over fences when fairly dominant at Bangor (3m, good) in July; 5lb rise elevates him to a career-high mark and that spells danger against some rivals who look well handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:23 Worcester

Nevilles Cross

11st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Bangor chase winner a year ago but it's been all downhill since; tailed off at Ffos Las last month, after a short break; hopes pinned on reverting to hurdles (for first time since April 2021) and fitting of a visor.

12/1

2nd

1

8th Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

13:50 Ffos Las

Nevilles Cross

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Twice defied higher marks early last season, both times over 3m on good ground; mostly out of sorts since last success but could well revive in this weak contest on return from a break; not at all dismissed.

5/2

7th

5

4th Mar 2023

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Nevilles Cross

10st 5lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tom Lacey

Won over 3m on good last May and July; out of form in his five starts this autumn/winter but last three were over 2m4f-2m5f and he was badly hampered early on when back on good ground last time, so excuses can be made; off 3lb lower than his last winning mark, he's not entirely dismissed.

20/1

Form: -413U1

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Has won two of his last four chases in Ireland but was weak in the market when last of the four finishers in a 2m4f handicap here yesterday; this trip might be a better fit but it's still a big ask after Friday's exertions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

25th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 136y

19:05 Ballinrobe

Tullybeg

11st 4lb

J: James Smith

T: Brian M McMahon

Won the big race on this card three years ago, but handicapper had him after that and well held in this last year; recent form in points/hunter chases doesn't look good enough, but has been dropped sharply in the ratings.

12/1

4th

12

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

19:37 Killarney

Tullybeg

11st 7lb

J: Mr E M Nugent

T: Brian M McMahon

Classy operator at his best for Gordon Elliott; good to see him win a recent point but that was hard work and others in here appeal more.

12/1

Form: 42285- D

Last run: 196 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Had no luck once returning to hurdling last season but his three runs over fences before then were encouraging, with a late fall depriving him of victory at Lingfield and then not far away in decent six-runner handicaps here and at Exeter; all that was in cheekpieces and blinkers are yet to have the same effect, but he could easily be in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th May 2024

Good

3m 3f 208y

Class 4

16:30 Ffos Las

Coeur Serein

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Ended last year in poor form and he struggled again on his return at Cheltenham (3m4f, good) last month; mark continues to fall but he's now 1-15 over fences and needs to get back on track.

20/1

7

15th May 2024

Good

3m 3f 208y

Class 4

16:30 Ffos Las

Coeur Serein

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Ended last year in poor form and he struggled again on his return at Cheltenham (3m4f, good) last month; mark continues to fall but he's now 1-15 over fences and needs to get back on track.

20/1

10th

1

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Coeur Serein

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Ended last year in poor form on soft/heavy ground but the drier conditions ought to suit him better here and he won't fail through lack of stamina; can be very dangerous off current mark if refreshed by 130-day break.

33/1

Form: 4-U631 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Enjoys good ground and she was a game winner over 3m1f at Warwick a month ago; the balance of her form suggests this 5lb higher mark is likely to expose some flaws in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Organdi

11st 9lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Richard Phillips

Three-time chase winner; fourth of 16 at Cheltenham (3m4f, good) before a bad blunder had her on the back foot at Fakenham in the Norfolk National won by Trincomalee; was only 8-1 for that and she could easily bounce back.

12/1

2

7th May 2024

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:20 Fakenham

Organdi

11st 11lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

towards rear, not fluent 15th, bad mistake 17th, soon dropped to last and struggling, pulled up before 4 out

7/1

2

7th May 2024

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:20 Fakenham

Organdi

11st 11lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

towards rear, not fluent 15th, bad mistake 17th, soon dropped to last and struggling, pulled up before 4 out

7/1

Form: 29P4P-

Last run: 196 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Lost his way last season but he kicked off that campaign with a near-miss in this race off a 10lb higher mark, so he's very dangerously handicapped; tends to show his best form in the autumn, with first-time-back form figures of 3121U2; makes plenty of appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

28th Dec 2022

Good

2m 4f 25y

Class 3

15:10 Leicester

The Hollow Ginge

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Very well handicapped on his best form but has pulled up in four of his last five appearances and the return of a visor (replacing cheekpieces) isn't necessarily a positive.

25/1

3

12th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

3m 2f 13y

Class 3

14:12 Uttoxeter

The Hollow Ginge

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

disputed lead, led from 2nd, not fluent 4th, clear after 6th, jumped right 8th, hung badly right before 9th, soon headed and pulled up

8/1

9

22nd Oct 2022

Good To Firm

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

The Hollow Ginge

10st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

didn't jump with fluency, disputed lead, in touch with leaders from 2nd, towards rear from 7th, in touch with leaders 13th, mistake 15th, soon in rear and pushed along, rallied and prominent before 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out

100/30

Non-runners

Tullybeg

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £87.60
Straight Forecast £81.32
Tricast £412.97
Trifecta £494.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Hollow Ginge

Daily Mail:

Captain Cattistock

POSTDATA:

Lord Accord

Telegraph:

Organdi

D Express:

Captain Cattistock

Daily Record:

Captain Cattistock

RP Ratings:

The Hollow Ginge

TOPSPEED:

The Hollow Ginge

WEST COUNTRY:

The Hollow Ginge

The Times:

The Hollow Ginge

The Guardian:

The Hollow Ginge

Daily Mirror:

The Hollow Ginge

The Sun:

The Hollow Ginge

The Star:

The Hollow Ginge