October 13 / 15.55 Ffos Las

15.55

Soft

DragonBet Proud Sponsor Of The Welsh Champion Hurdle (A Limited Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
SKY
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DragonBet Proud Sponsor Of The Welsh Champion Hurdle (A Limited Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 11215- CD

Last run: 184 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
3-5 as a novice hurdler last season, the latter win gained in Grade 2 Dovecote at Kempton (2m, soft) in February; not discredited in subsequent Aintree festival Grade 1 and could quite plausibly have improvement to come in handicaps this term; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 3

15:05 Uttoxeter

Lump Sum

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Smart hurdler who won Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) on last season's reappearance and was subsequently second in Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and William Hill Hurdle at Newbury; absent since below-par run in March but still commands respect on chasing debut.

13/8

1st

4

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 3

15:05 Uttoxeter

Lump Sum

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Smart hurdler who won Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) on last season's reappearance and was subsequently second in Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and William Hill Hurdle at Newbury; absent since below-par run in March but still commands respect on chasing debut.

13/8

4/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 2P123- D

Last run: 169 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Placed in both handicaps since comfortable novice win in February, more recently when creditable third of 20 in hot race at Sandown (2m, good) on final day of last season, having made most; probably still well handicapped after a 3lb rise and has plenty of scope for further progress; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Steel Ally

11st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Pulled up on two of his last three goes over hurdles but the transition to chasing has been smooth and he's 3-3; showed further improvement when easily beating two rivals (Mambonumberfive well held in third) in Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices' at Warwick (2m, heavy; handles good) last month; faces his sternest assignment and will need another personal best.

12/1

1st

1

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 1

13:50 Warwick

Steel Ally

11st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Very useful hurdler with 2-2 strike-rate over fences this season, the latter win gained by 9l in Grade 2 novice at Ascot (2m3f, soft) in December; should be fine back at 2m and ought to be a very tough nut to crack.

4/5

3

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Steel Ally

11st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

in touch with leaders

10/1

11/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: /911P- D

Last run: 225 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 6yo who won two handicaps for Kerry Lee last winter (1m7f/2m, good to soft); disappointed when among the market leaders for valuable race at Kelso in March and not seen again since but can pose a threat here if all is well; stable won this race last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

16th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

19:20 Uttoxeter

Black Hawk Eagle

11st 6lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Triple hurdle winner who made it fourth-time lucky over fences when beating two rivals at Chepstow (2m, soft) in March; fell at the 12th at Hereford (2m5f, good) last month but he's was still travelling well at the time and he should have more to offer as a chaser; respected.

5/2

4

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 3

18:00 Hereford

Black Hawk Eagle

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

3-13 over hurdles; only his fourth start as a chaser when too strong for two rivals over 2m at Chepstow a month ago (soft; 3lb lower); this quicker ground won't bother him at all and neither might the longer trip; good claims.

7/4

1st

1

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

16:30 Chepstow

Black Hawk Eagle

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Second of four on chase debut at Stratford (2m1f, good to firm) last July and returned to form when third of six at Kempton (2m2f, good) in October last time; won on heavy ground on the Flat in 2023 but best jumps form has come on good to soft or quicker; in with a chance if conditions suit.

9/2

14/1

Form: 31201-

Last run: 188 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Five-time hurdle winner who posted career-best performance when scoring in first-time cheekpieces at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) in April; the headgear might enable further progress this season but today's drop back in trip is not an obvious move.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Issam

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Tom Symonds

Seemed a non-stayer over 3m on penultimate start; readily justified favouritism at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) latest, taking chase record to 3-6 and overall strike-rate to 9-25; largely progressive and a useful 3lb is claimed with Callum Pritchard back on board; one to consider.

8/1

1st

3

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Kempton

Issam

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tom Symonds

Out of the money over 3m at Ascot last time, seeming a non-stayer; solid record otherwise since switched to fences, winning twice and posting two sound efforts; may have more to offer back down in trip; not ruled out.

9/2

6th

2

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

Issam

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tom Symonds

Overall strike-rate is 8-23; solid set of form figures (1213) since switch to fences, keeping on for creditable effort at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) most recently; should be thereabouts provided he stays this new trip.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 61315- D BF

Last run: 184 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Two wins last season, latterly when getting there in the nick of time in Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, soft) in March; subsequent 5lb rise ought to be manageable and further progress is not out of the question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:47 Perth

Go Dante

12st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Added to his excellent Sandown record when winning over 2m on soft in December; below par since, including a never-dangerous seventh when bidding for a third successive Imperial Cup back at Sandown, but this is the first time he's dropped to a Class 3 since winning at Cheltenham in December 2023; yard has won the last two runnings of this.

7/1

7th

4

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Go Dante

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

10yo who was well beaten at Windsor in January and pulled up at Newbury last month; however, he's had wind surgery since and there can be optimism he'll be a different proposition now back here, having won the last two runnings of this race (soft/good to soft) and also scored over C&D in December.

12/1

2

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

Go Dante

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Beaten twice off lower marks in this race (third in 2024, seventh in 2025) and seems unlikely to make it third time lucky; unbeaten at Sandown and likely to be more persuasive back there next month for a crack at an Imperial Cup hat-trick.

33/1

Form: 11336- D

Last run: 176 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Useful novice chaser last season; ended that campaign with disappointing handicap run at Ayr in April but reverts to hurdling on a lower mark and has a big role to play if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

12:45 Haydock

Pembroke

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced wide, prominent, mistake 3rd, not fluent and lost position 5th, dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch

14/1

8th

1

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

12:45 Haydock

Pembroke

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced wide, prominent, mistake 3rd, not fluent and lost position 5th, dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch

14/1

6th

1

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Pembroke

12st 0lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Well handicapped on last season's best novice chase form and he reappeared with a fair sixth in the Welsh Champion Hurdle; however, he was well beaten at Carlisle only a fortnight ago and needs to bounce back.

9/1

Form: 7F313- D

Last run: 218 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Won stylishly at Huntingdon for Ben Pauling in March and was placed behind Go Dante in Imperial Cup at Sandown (also 2m, soft) a few days later; he's of significant interest on this stable/seasonal debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Jipcot

10st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Well beaten in the Plate last month but Cheltenham may not be his track; comfortably made all in small field at Leicester (2m6f, good to soft) in January and led into the straight at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in February, only to weaken; also effective on soft; could be involved.

9/1

13th

16

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Jipcot

10st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Four hurdle wins; made just a so-so stab at chasing in late 2023 but he was footsure when making all at Leicester (about 2m6f, good to soft) in January and perhaps the 3m trip counted against him when trying to justify an 8lb rise at Ascot since; should have more to come over fences at some stage but this looks a tough call; yard also runs Peaky Boy.

14/1

Form: 8-3610 D

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Looked in very good nick when readily landing a good prize at Cartmel (2m1f, good) this summer, his second win in that race, but he's now 5lb higher than when third in this contest a year ago and some of today's rivals have more potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 100y

17:35 Ballinrobe

Fiveonefive

11st 7lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Cian Collins

Gained a fifth win over hurdles at Cartmel last June but has lost his way since; heavy defeats the last twice at Naas and Aintree; is at least back down to last winning mark, but needs a revival.

22/1

20th

15

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Fiveonefive

11st 4lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Collins

Irish challenger who has done his winning at about 2m, mostly at Cartmel where he remains unbeaten; far from consistent and can be opposed in this highly competitive scenario back up in distance.

66/1

Form: 1PPF1- C

Last run: 190 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
In good form when last seen in April, drawing 14l clear to win five-runner chase at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy), but reverts to hurdling in a competitive race and the drop back in trip is probably not in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 41y

Class 3

16:08 Windsor

Carbon King

11st 7lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Last campaign was very hit and miss but included two wins over about 2m4f on heavy going and he seems to be working his way back to form this season; not proven beyond 2m5f but he's too well handicapped to be ignored.

20/1

10

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 41y

Class 3

16:08 Windsor

Carbon King

11st 7lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Last campaign was very hit and miss but included two wins over about 2m4f on heavy going and he seems to be working his way back to form this season; not proven beyond 2m5f but he's too well handicapped to be ignored.

20/1

Form: 2/531- D

Last run: 229 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Easily won three-runner handicap chase for Richard Bandey at Leicester (2m, heavy) in February; only 1lb higher for today's stable debut but has considerably more on his plate this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

16:40 Hereford

Wewillgowithplanb

11st 9lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Not firing on all cylinders this season but significant positives can be drawn from his recent third at Wincanton (1m7f, heavy), where he made good headway to challenge in the home straight; remains on a good mark; interesting.

11/2

3rd

5

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

14:50 Wincanton

Wewillgowithplanb

11st 9lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Effective at 2m on heavy ground but his last win was two years ago; well handicapped on old form but he's been well held in his last three runs and needs to get back on track.

16/1

5th

3

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Wewillgowithplanb

11st 8lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Both chase wins came when trained by Richard Bandey; tailed off over hurdles here (2m3f, soft) last month and back over fences at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft) 17 days ago; down to a career-low mark but has it all to prove.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.90
Straight Forecast £5.72
Tricast £36.01
Trifecta £49.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Steel Ally

RP RATINGS:

Lump Sum

Daily Mirror:

Go Dante

WEST COUNTRY:

Jipcot

The Times:

Issam

TOPSPEED:

Steel Ally

POSTDATA:

Steel Ally

D Express:

Steel Ally

The Sun:

Steel Ally

Telegraph:

Lump Sum

Daily Record:

Lump Sum

The Star:

Go Dante