June 16 / 17.00 Salisbury

17.00

Good To Firm

H S Lester Memorial Challenge Cup Handicap (No Race Won Since 2023 Flat Turf Season)

  • Prize money: £4579.74
  • 1m 1f 201y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
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H S Lester Memorial Challenge Cup Handicap (No Race Won Since 2023 Flat Turf Season)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 45-222 D BF

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won over today's trip on Polytrack in the autumn and returned from break with three creditable seconds on turf this spring, the latest at Newbury on Thursday; versatile regarding ground; probably in the mix again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(3)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 4

15:50 Goodwood

Expert Witness

9st 13lb

J: David Probert

T: Patrick Chamings

Encouraging start for new stable culminated in Windsor success in April; has failed to back up that form in two starts since, last of three runners latest; rebound required.

9/1

4

(1)

22nd Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 3

15:10 Pontefract

Expert Witness

9st 2lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Patrick Chamings

Low-key effort at Windsor four weeks ago but she'd begun her life with this yard with three good efforts, notably a 1m2f Windsor success on fast turf; considered.

11/2

5th

10

(11)

26th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Windsor

Expert Witness

9st 2lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Patrick Chamings

Has shown steadily progressive form (421) this term for new yard, gaining a narrow win over C&D (good to firm) most recently; however, she's been campaigned largely in lower grades and now goes into deeper waters; got upset in stalls and was withdrawn at Newbury ten days ago.

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 90396- D

Last run: 251 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent for Stuart Williams last year and was sold out of that stable for 42,000gns in the autumn (gelded soon afterwards); has fitness to prove after 251-day absence and would appeal more on an AW surface but the handicapper has given him a good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:43 Hereford

God Of Fire

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Four-time Flat winner and quite useful, so his second in a modest maiden hurdle at Plumpton was rather underwhelming (2m, good); could build on that but needs to.

7/2

4th

2

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:43 Hereford

God Of Fire

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Four-time Flat winner and quite useful, so his second in a modest maiden hurdle at Plumpton was rather underwhelming (2m, good); could build on that but needs to.

7/2

2nd

2

6th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

15:20 Plumpton

God Of Fire

11st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, left in second before 2 out

6/4

9/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 920-52 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Won twice over this trip last year (AW/good to firm) and built upon low-key seasonal reappearance when second at Lingfield (11.6f, good) last month; still on a workable mark and can cope if the ground softens; enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

21st Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

14:15 Exeter

Chips And Rice

11st 12lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Robert Stephens

Capable Flat performer who ran okay in maiden hurdles during the summer before losing her way; had wind surgery but others look safer.

8/1

3

6th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

18:55 Stratford

Chips And Rice

11st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Robert Stephens

Fair Flat racer who made the frame in two of her first four hurdling starts for new stable this year, more notably when third over C&D (good to firm) in July; below form last time, though, and has a point to prove on this handicap hurdle debut.

20/1

4

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Worcester

Chips And Rice

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Robert Stephens

Fair Flat racer who has made the frame on two of her three hurdling starts for new stable this year, more notably when third at Stratford (2m, good to firm) in early July; well beaten when back on the Flat last time but still enters calculations here.

10/1

Form: 726-33 BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 4yo who has finished third in both handicaps this year, latterly at Brighton (1m2f, good to firm; also suited by soft) a fortnight ago; this race is more competitive but he might still have a bigger run in him; sports first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(8)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

20:15 Dundalk (AW)

On The Cards

9st 12lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: John C McConnell

0-13 and triple-figure odds for his last six runs (two of those in handicaps at this track); hard to fancy.

25/1

11th

14

(8)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

19:00 Dundalk (AW)

On The Cards

9st 3lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: John C McConnell

Minor promise in Britain in 2023/2024; poor form in Ireland, at this venue and over hurdles; hooded for the first time.

33/1

10th

12

(3)

13th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:00 Dundalk (AW)

On The Cards

8st 10lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: John C McConnell

Minor promise on the Flat in Britain in 2023/2024; poor form shown in Ireland both here and over hurdles and returns from a 243-day absence now.

50/1

8/1

Form: 257-55 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Dual 1m4f course winner who is also suited by today's shorter trip; began this season with two respectable fifths at Windsor (11.4f) and is sure to be suited by the forecast rain; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(7)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

17:03 Doncaster

Croeso Cymraeg

9st 13lb

J: Archie Young

T: James Evans

Veteran who was successful in this race last year but was in slightly better form at the time (completed an October double); that said, wasn't entirely disgraced when in the frame on latest start.

10/1

4th

1

(10)

9th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 37y

Class 5

16:12 Bath

Croeso Cymraeg

9st 12lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: James Evans

Veteran who has lost his way since winning over this far at Lingfield in June (good to soft) but he is dropping back from Class 4 level.

20/1

4

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 4

17:25 Sandown

Croeso Cymraeg

9st 13lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: James Evans

Veteran who showed a fire still burned when winning a six-runner handicap at Lingfield (1m2f, good to soft) in June; third to Beach Point over C&D next time but his form has dipped on his last two starts; rain will help but vulnerable to less-exposed sorts.

33/1

Form: 05-685 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Regressive 6yo who has been safely held on both outings since returned to the Flat last month (1m2f/1m4f); probably won't be favoured by the forecast rain and needs today's change of headgear to perk him up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(2)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

18:12 Lingfield

Pride Of Nepal

9st 11lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Frequent slow starter who was the biggest price of his trainer's three runners when winning easily at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) last Saturday, without the usual tongue-tie/cheekpieces, as today; had looked on the downgrade on the AW but happier on turf; leading claims back up 6lb.

4/5

1st

13

(1)

23rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Windsor

Pride Of Nepal

9st 5lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Carroll

Five turf wins were all secured in a tongue-tie, with additional cheekpeices on last three occasions; has never won on AW and after latest campaign on that surface he now returns to grass with good handicapping case to be made; no headgear looks a negative, though.

12/1

6th

8

(3)

2nd Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Pride Of Nepal

10st 7lb

J: Miss Sarah Bowen

T: Tony Carroll

Eyecatching second at Lingfield (1m2f, Polytrack) on his penultimate run, but he's a frequent slow starter who was always in rear at Lingfield last Saturday; needs to bounce back again after that and he's now 0-18 on AW.

7/1

7th
8 (6)
Meleri

16/1

Form: 471-97 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten on both outings this year and her tendency to race too freely remains a worry but she's now only 1lb higher than when ending last season with a heavy-ground win (1m2f), and her appeal will increase if conditions become testing here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

14

(1)

24th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

18:10 Kempton (AW)

Meleri

9st 4lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Jim Boyle

Won on Polytrack at Lingfield (1m4f) in June; solid second back there earlier this month; slowly away when sixth over C&D last Thursday and threatened not to start at all a couple of times this year; risky.

25/1

6th

6

(10)

18th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

19:45 Kempton (AW)

Meleri

10st 0lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Jim Boyle

Returned to winning form when beating Solanna at Lingfield (1m4f, Polytrack) in June and ran a solid race when second of six back there ten days ago; shortlisted on those efforts, but twice proved reluctant to race during the summer so does come with risks attached.

6/1

2

(2)

8th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:22 Lingfield (AW)

Meleri

9st 10lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Jim Boyle

Won over C&D in June and was a respectable fourth at Kempton (1m4f, AW) on Friday but she's not easy to predict and looked reluctant to race on her penultimate run; comes with risks attached and others are more solid.

8/1

OUR TIP

10/1

Form: 0-9647

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Seemed to be working his way back into form when keeping-on fourth at Windsor (11.4f, good) in April, his third start for Rod Millman, but last month's run there was a backward step; others have more persuasive profiles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

14th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 44y

Class 3

14:40 Salisbury

Just An Hour

8st 11lb

J: George Wood

T: Rod Millman

Four-time winner who last scored over 1m2f at Windsor (good to firm) off just 1lb lower in July; runner-up over C&D in October, however, and confirmed this trip holds no fears when second again at Nottingham (also good) 18 days ago; player.

7/1

2nd

6

(2)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Nottingham

Just An Hour

8st 13lb

J: George Wood

T: Rod Millman

Had 1m2f wins last April (here), June and July; kept his form well, including when second in October on his only attempt at 1m6f; recent reappearance was another creditable show here and he has each-way claims.

4/1

4th

8

(4)

8th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 4

17:10 Nottingham

Just An Hour

9st 0lb

J: George Wood

T: Rod Millman

Generally consistent gelding who won three times last season including on his reappearance over C&D (good; 3-1) last April; still looks on a workable mark and it wouldn't be a surprise if he made a bold bid after 166 days off.

8/1

9th
4 (5)
Photon

9/2

Form: -26224

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Ten-race maiden; runner-up three times on AW in early part of this year (1m-9.4f) and also ran well when close fourth at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) last month; still unexposed over today's trip and should be okay back on turf; contender if first-time cheekpieces have any positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(5)

15th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

20:10 Kempton (AW)

Photon

10st 0lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Roger Teal

8lb lower than when twice runner-up on the Wolverhampton Tapeta (8.6f/9.5f) early last year, but is now 0-15 and has never tackled this far before; others preferred.

8/1

4th

2

(10)

20th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Photon

9st 13lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Roger Teal

14-race maiden; not beaten far at Lingfield (1m2f) this month, his second run after a layoff, and now 7lb lower than when going close over C&D in March 2024; not ruled out.

16/1

9

(2)

3rd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Lingfield (AW)

Photon

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Teal

13-race maiden; dropped right away at Newbury on last month's return from 340 days off; on a lowly mark if that has brought him on.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.90
Straight Forecast £10.72
Tricast £35.49
Trifecta £51.80

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Chips And Rice

The Times:

Expert Witness

SPOTLIGHT:

Croeso Cymraeg

Telegraph:

On The Cards

WEST COUNTRY:

Just An Hour

POSTDATA:

Pride Of Nepal

D Express:

Expert Witness

The Star:

Expert Witness

Daily Mirror:

Chips And Rice

The Sun:

Chips And Rice

Daily Record:

Chips And Rice

RP RATINGS:

Croeso Cymraeg