April 19 / 17.00 Cheltenham

17.00

Good To Soft

Cheltenham Pony Racing Authority Graduates Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys’ & Amateur Riders’)

  • Prize money: £8142.69
  • 2m 0f 179y
  • Class 3
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
Cheltenham Pony Racing Authority Graduates Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys’ & Amateur Riders’)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 12-273 D BF

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Returned to something approaching his best when a close third at Newbury (2m, good) in a race he won the previous season; this is his first visit here but he's reliable and highly likely to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

17th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

Black Poppy

11st 7lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Kerry Lee

Landed the Swinton at Haydock in 2023 and ran creditably in major summer handicap at Market Rasen (2m, good) four months ago; useful but remains on career-high mark and several of these rivals look better treated.

25/1

12th

6

17th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

Black Poppy

11st 7lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Kerry Lee

Landed the Swinton at Haydock in 2023 and ran creditably in major summer handicap at Market Rasen (2m, good) four months ago; useful but remains on career-high mark and several of these rivals look better treated.

25/1

5th

2

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

14:40 Market Rasen

Black Poppy

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Kerry Lee

Last year's Swinton winner (off 6lb lower) who bumped into a well-treated rival when second of 18 at Cheltenham next time, before finishing fourth to Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle; last season ended prematurely but there's a big run in him if back to best after a break.

7/1

14/1

  • Place: £6.00

Form: 5FP541

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the 22nd attempt when well backed at Hereford last month (2m3f, good to soft); only 4lb higher, with Harry Atkins again on board, but this is more demanding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Samtara

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Marshall

T: Ms Claire Hart

1-31 and not always a strong finisher under rules previously, but really dug in to wrest the prize back at Mollington latest (2m4f, good to firm); plenty to find on peak ratings but confidence restored at least.

33/1

5

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Samtara

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Marshall

T: Ms Claire Hart

1-31 and not always a strong finisher under rules previously, but really dug in to wrest the prize back at Mollington latest (2m4f, good to firm); plenty to find on peak ratings but confidence restored at least.

33/1

8th

7

30th May 2024

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Warwick

Samtara

11st 4lb

J: Mr Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Not the best of strike-rates but sound run when second over fences at Huntingdon last time (2m7f, good); well handicapped at present; a possible back hurdling.

10/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 033421 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Three wins at about 1m for Ed Dunlop; took nine goes to shed his maiden status as a hurdler but he jumped better when delivered late to take a maiden at Naas (2m, yielding to soft); won't mind this drying ground; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

6th Sep 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

16:35 Kilbeggan

By Your Side

11st 8lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Gordon Elliott

Placed more often than winning over hurdles; did record his fourth win on the Flat at Tramore last month before finishing close up in a charity race at the Curragh on Sunday; pace will be on here which will help him being delivered late and certainly respected.

8/1

3rd

1

31st Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:45 Curragh

By Your Side

12st 6lb

J: P J Smullen

T: Gordon Elliott

Asserted well to win at Tramore; Pat Smullen's son takes the ride; big chance.

100/30

1st

5

(4)

17th Aug 2024

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

19:00 Tramore

By Your Side

9st 7lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual Purpose; 3-8 on the Flat; ran a solid race over this trip at Chester in May 2023; hurdling since that run until return to this sphere in the Cork Derby and he wasn't disgraced on ground plenty quick for him; this race is easier, a bit of cut in the ground will suit and he's been dropped 5lb; a big run could be on the cards.

9/1

Form: 6-0780 CD

Last run: 72 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Has won handicaps here and was second in last year's Imperial Cup; out of sorts of late but it wouldn't be a complete surprise to see him run well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

15th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

19:30 Aintree

Lively Citizen

11st 12lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: D J Jeffreys

Long in the tooth and no longer the force of old but bounced back from two poor chase runs with respectable effort over hurdles at Haydock (1m7f, good) last month and is now 5lb lower than when going close in this race a year ago; could have a say.

12/1

5th

7

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

17:35 Haydock

Lively Citizen

11st 6lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: D J Jeffreys

Very capable over fences but pulled up in that discipline on his last two starts following a break of 217 days; he did go close over hurdles at Aintree three runs ago so there's a big effort in him if he can get his act together.

25/1

Form: 6P-557 D

Last run: 65 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won three Flat handicaps on the bounce last summer; not in the same form back over hurdles this season and looks up against it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

15th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:20 Wetherby

Red Force One

11st 11lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Philip Kirby

Well-beaten when back over hurdles last month but stayed on well from poor position to go close under Natasha Cookson at Kelso (2m5f, good) ten days ago and looks well worth a crack at 3m.

7/2

10

16th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

14:10 Uttoxeter

Red Force One

11st 1lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Won small-field Flat marathon off much reduced mark last month but has not run over hurdles since summer 2023 and his current ability in this sphere is hard to gauge; best suited by good or faster ground.

25/1

Form: 43-80P D

Last run: 43 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Placed in Grade 1s when trained in France; it's been a quiet start for this yard and all his form is on soft or heavy ground, so he has questions to answer on a few counts this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

13

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Martator

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Ascot specialist who was second there in November off today's mark and he was in contention when unseating five out at Sandown in January; however, good runs were scarce in 2025 and he's been soundly beaten on all four visits here; tenth in this last year; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

50/1

3

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Martator

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Has lacked consistency since completing a five-timer in 2024; best effort this term when second at Ascot on penultimate start; on last winning mark, so holds a fighting chance provided he's in top form.

12/1

Form: 0-U421 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Well on top in a military riders' race at Sandown (2m, soft) last month; only 4lb higher and should be in the thick of it, for all that she seems to be suited by those softer conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

7th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Newton Abbot

Mayhem Mya

10st 3lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

1-10 over fences; gave very good account of herself when keeping on for never-dangerous fourth in Grade 2 mares' chase at Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, good to soft) in March but she was put up 7lb for that run and may not be ideally suited by the forecast faster ground here.

12/1

5

7th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Newton Abbot

Mayhem Mya

10st 3lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

1-10 over fences; gave very good account of herself when keeping on for never-dangerous fourth in Grade 2 mares' chase at Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, good to soft) in March but she was put up 7lb for that run and may not be ideally suited by the forecast faster ground here.

12/1

4th

7

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Mayhem Mya

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

held up in rear

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2P-456 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
A case can be made on plenty of his form, but he didn't impress with his finishing effort in handicap chases at Ascot or Ludlow before finishing well held on the AW and again back over hurdles a month ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

16th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 103y

Class 3

19:35 Aintree

Gumball

11st 6lb

J: Miss Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Wasn't in the best of form in second half of last season; on a fair mark now, but others stronger.

9/1

8th

2

19th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

17:00 Cheltenham

Gumball

11st 13lb

J: Miss Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

A case can be made on plenty of his form, but he didn't impress with his finishing effort in handicap chases at Ascot or Ludlow before finishing well held on the AW and again back over hurdles a month ago.

25/1

6th

1

13th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:15 Stratford

Gumball

12st 2lb

J: Miss Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

A case can be made on plenty of his form, but he didn't impress with his finishing effort in handicap chases at Ascot or Ludlow before finishing well held on the AW; reservations.

5/1

20/1

Form: -25463 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Usually runs well at Wetherby and that was again the case 19 days ago on his return from 76 days off; beaten 12l though and he remains below his best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:38 Huntingdon

Fransham

11st 6lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Pam Sly

towards rear

33/1

6

23rd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:38 Huntingdon

Fransham

11st 6lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Pam Sly

towards rear

33/1

7th

2

15th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

15:05 Market Rasen

Fransham

11st 12lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Pam Sly

didn't always jump with fluency, midfield, dropped to rear after 4th, no impression after 3 out

16/1

Form: 2111 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Got away with his double penalty in a weakish novice at Kelso (2m, soft) 25 days ago; this mark should be okay on his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:47 Southwell

Ballygeary

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Beaten 6l in his penultimate race but following run was a reminder of his inconsistency; others safer.

20/1

6th

7

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:20 Wetherby

Ballygeary

10st 3lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Has inconsistent form for current stable but ran encouragingly last time (2m5f) while shaping as if this return to further is worth exploring; well treated on historical data, which includes wins off higher marks in 2023 and 2024.

12/1

3rd

6

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 181y

Class 4

16:20 Doncaster

Ballygeary

11st 5lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Ex-Donald McCain; creditable third on stable debut in July (2m4f, good) but hasn't been in top form since.

33/1

Form: 1F-658 D BF

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Has won six of his 11 starts in France, four hurdles and two chases; may want further than this and softer ground, but one RPR (chasing) catches the eye with a view to this sort of mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

19th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

17:00 Cheltenham

Boston Emery

11st 2lb

J: Miss Roisin Leech

T: Sophie Leech

Has won six of his 11 starts in France, four hurdles and two chases; may want further than this and softer ground, but one RPR (chasing) catches the eye with a view to this sort of mark.

25/1

Form: 4419 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Useful dual Flat winner; improved to win a decent Leopardstown maiden hurdle (good to yielding) and would have found the ground too testing at Naas last time; interesting Irish challenger, making handicap hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

9th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

15:00 Killarney

Walhaan

10st 0lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ciaran Murphy

Seven-time Flat winner won a Leopardstown maiden hurdle in March 2023 (2m, good to yielding) but generally moderate form over hurdles since then; the same can be said of his recent outing on the level at Leopardstown last month.

18/1

Form: 134120 D

Last run: 180 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Third in this two years ago off a higher mark when in much better form than he is now; well beaten over hurdles here in October and, after a break, finished last on the AW two weeks ago; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 3

14:05 Market Rasen

Elham Valley

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Back in good form this spring (placed three times) and didn't run badly when fifth on latest outing three weeks ago, but there are still more obvious options than this high-mileage 7yo.

16/1

5th

2

30th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:45 Uttoxeter

Elham Valley

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Won four times over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien, the latest a selling handicap off 1lb lower; solid efforts in three Southwell handicaps (2m-2m4f) for this yard and unlikely to be far away.

7/1

2nd

1

4th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:20 Southwell

Elham Valley

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

in touch with leaders

9/2

Form: 352B32 D

Last run: 80 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Maintained his solid season when third behind the massive improver Iroko at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) in January and finished runner-up at Sedgefield (2m1f, good to soft) not long after; needs to pick up where he left off after an 80-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:50 Cartmel

Ashington

11st 3lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Mark Walford

Won this race on good ground under Becky Smith a year ago and defends his crown from a good mark but recent Flat/hurdling form has been underwhelming and conditions are not in his favour today.

33/1

9th

10

(9)

5th Jul 2025

Soft

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

19:42 Carlisle

Ashington

10st 0lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Mark Walford

Better known as a jumper and yet recent efforts in that scene haven't been great, and he was only midfield over C&D last month.

20/1

7th

5

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:57 Uttoxeter

Ashington

11st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Stuck on a losing run and finished last in two hurdle races before finishing only sixth off his low Flat mark 13 days ago; others much preferred.

25/1

Non-runners

Ashington

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £85.60
Straight Forecast £90.44
Tricast £361.26
Trifecta £584.70

Selections

RP Ratings:

By Your Side

Telegraph:

Ballygeary

TOPSPEED:

Ashington

Daily Mail:

Black Poppy

WEST COUNTRY:

Samtara

SPOTLIGHT:

Walhaan

The Sun:

Fransham

POSTDATA:

Gumball

D Express:

Ballygeary

The Star:

Ballygeary

The Times:

By Your Side

Daily Mirror:

By Your Side

Daily Record:

By Your Side

The Guardian:

Ashington