October 17 / 17.15 Wincanton

17.15

Good

Fitzdares.com Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 3m 1f 30y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
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Fitzdares.com Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.10

Form: -58P72

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Sole win in 25 runs was a 2m5f handicap chase in April 2023; went agonisingly close to doubling his tally at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft) last time but no guarantees that he'll be as good again and he has stamina to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

School For Scandal

10st 9lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Joe Tickle

Two more chase wins in 2025, the latest at Windsor (3m, good to soft; suited by good) in November; often battled with unsuitable ground over the winter but 4lb lower than at Windsor so has a weights chance.

10/1

3rd

7

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

17:20 Taunton

School For Scandal

10st 8lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

Has five wins over fences including one over C&D; below form on his last two starts but may show improvement on this better ground.

12/1

5

16th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

16:15 Plumpton

School For Scandal

10st 10lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

2lb below his Windsor success in November but he's not matched that level since, latest when well held at Taunton (2m7f, heavy) last month; needs the return to better ground to spark a revival.

25/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 000987 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Won four times over fences (3m-3m2f, good/good to soft) but has been out of form for a while; blinkers would appear a cry for help but he has dropped to a dangerous mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

17:00 Stratford

Jony Max

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

On the downgrade now and returned from a break with 37l defeat behind My Girl Katie at Newton Abbot last month; might well have needed that outing and has conditions to suit here but others appeal more all the same; wears blinkers and cheekpieces simultaneously for the first time.

11/2

2

4th Jul 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:53 Newton Abbot

Jony Max

11st 13lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Christian Williams

Five-time chase winner (once over C&D); returned to form with a string of good efforts in the autumn but absent since pulled up in Fakenham marathon just before Christmas and entitled to benefit from this outing.

7/1

5

22nd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 5f 24y

Class 4

14:13 Fakenham

Jony Max

11st 0lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Christian Williams

Close second in C&D (good) Norfolk National in early part of last season and was a 3m course winner (good to soft) last November; needed considerable help from the handicapper before last month's Warwick success (3m1f, good) but has been placed twice since and the return to this track is an obvious plus; cheekpieces removed after one use; big player.

5/2

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 3P17-3

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
2m4f hurdle winner off 6lb lower; made chase debut 11 days ago on the back of wind surgery and stayed on well for 2l third at Uttoxeter (3m, good); should be in the thick of it off an untouched mark; seems suited by good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:20 Stratford

Ballynaheer

11st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Dennis

Landed his fourth win over fences, at Market Rasen (3m, good) last month but below his best at Fontwell since; is the type to bounce back and he should get the trip (has won over 3m2f).

5/1

5th

1

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:45 Fontwell

Ballynaheer

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: David Dennis

Progressive 7yo who has form figures of 1221141 over fences since September; only two completed when he scored at Market Rasen (3m, good) 19 days ago but he still looks on a workable mark and his first chase win was over C&D; strongly respected.

7/2

1st

3

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:23 Market Rasen

Ballynaheer

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: David Dennis

In excellent form on good ground in the autumn, winning three times over fences (3m1f-3m2f); well behind Dangerous Touch when reappearing in four-runner race at Huntingdon last month but might have needed that outing and his usual cheekpieces are refitted here.

3/1

Form: 46-335 BF

Last run: 114 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Modest maiden over hurdles and will need to jump better than last time (in June, third chase start) if he's to win this; however, his close third at Newton Abbot the run before was as well as he's run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

14:20 Wincanton

Robinsville

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

in touch with leaders

13/2

8

18th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:35 Taunton

Robinsville

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

0-5 over fences and 0-16 overall but may have benefited from latest wind op when keeping on well for third behind Safe Destination over C&D (good to soft) last month; 2lb out of the weights today but still considered.

11/2

3rd

10

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Robinsville

10st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

in touch with leaders

14/1

12/1

Form: 625-38 C

Last run: 46 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Multiple hurdle/chase winner; inconsistent but beaten under 5l into third at Newton Abbot in August and didn't jump well enough to stand a chance last time; if on a good day, this veteran may figure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Dindin

10st 13lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

midfield

20/1

9th

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Dindin

10st 13lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

High-mileage veteran who looked out of sorts on his final two appearances in 2024; too well handicapped to rule out but younger rivals appeal more; blinkers refitted.

20/1

7

5th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 5

15:10 Wincanton

Dindin

11st 4lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: David Pipe

On a losing run and in difficulties in three of his last four starts, including behind School For Scandal over C&D in October and at Fakenham 16 days ago; has been wearing headgear but just a tongue-tie today; work cut out.

16/1

Form: 1222-7

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
3m2f winner over hurdles; finished a 5l second on chase debut at Worcester last September (2m7f, good; first time cheekpieces) and could strip fitter after August's reappearance back over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

13

20th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

12:50 Ffos Las

Saxon Queen

10st 5lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Good second on chasing debut at Worcester (2m7f, good; first-time cheekpieces) in September 2023 but has not fired on her three hurdle/chase starts this year; needs today's headgear switch to give her a boost.

20/1

9th

13

20th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

12:50 Ffos Las

Saxon Queen

10st 5lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Good second on chasing debut at Worcester (2m7f, good; first-time cheekpieces) in September 2023 but has not fired on her three hurdle/chase starts this year; needs today's headgear switch to give her a boost.

20/1

6th

9

5th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

16:10 Warwick

Saxon Queen

10st 6lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Strong stayer having won over 3m2f as a hurdler; two quiet runs after nearly a year out, the latest her chase debut when she didn't jump that well and was well behind Jony Max.

20/1

Form: /61P-P D

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won by 8l on chase debut at Hereford (3m1f, good) last October but very flat the last twice on either side of a long break; has never been the easiest to predict.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

7th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:15 Huntingdon

Braganza Bay

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Dual C&D winner; not at best since returning from one-year absence in November and was particularly disappointing when pulled up over fences last month; needs a revival but is back hurdling on a tempting mark.

9/2

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:30 Hereford

Braganza Bay

11st 11lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Has won two of five handicaps here, hurdles and fences (C&D; good), but he hasn't yet found his form since back from an absence and now tackles fences for the first time since pulling up twice at the end of 2024; below latest winning mark but questions remain.

7/2

4th

2

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

13:42 Hereford

Braganza Bay

11st 13lb

J: Elliott England

T: Henry Daly

Hard to predict but goes well here and he was far from disgraced when 8l fourth of seven over C&D in December; below his last winning mark; more appealing than most.

3/1

Form: 76-322 BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Point winner who has started well over fences and the horse who beat him at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) nine days ago was a chase/handicap debutant; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Getupearly

10st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer; 18 defeats under rules equally divided between hurdles and fences; however, accepted the new cheekpieces when runner-up at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) last time and that run offers hope.

4/1

5th

4

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Getupearly

10st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer; 18 defeats under rules equally divided between hurdles and fences; however, accepted the new cheekpieces when runner-up at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) last time and that run offers hope.

4/1

2nd

5

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

18:38 Huntingdon

Getupearly

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer who is 0-17 under rules and 0-8 as a chaser; he does have placed form in this discipline but his last three efforts have been well below his best, the latest after wind surgery; bit risky with cheekpieces turned to.

2/1

Form: P-P552 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Three-time chase winner who returned to form from out of the blue with a second at Market Rasen (3m, good); softer ground would temper enthusiasm but fair chance otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

17th Oct 2024

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

17:15 Wincanton

Toad Of Toad Hall

10st 11lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Alexandra Dunn

Three-time chase winner who returned to form from out of the blue with a second at Market Rasen (3m, good); softer ground would temper enthusiasm but fair chance otherwise.

13/2

2nd

9

28th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:05 Market Rasen

Toad Of Toad Hall

10st 8lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Alexandra Dunn

Scored twice over fences last season but he's yet to hit top form this time around, beating only one at Fontwell (3m2f) in June; others appeal more.

9/1

5th

5

12th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

16:13 Fontwell

Toad Of Toad Hall

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Alexandra Dunn

prominent, lost position before 3 out, weakened 2 out

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.10
Straight Forecast £30.96
Tricast £114.62
Trifecta £205.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Getupearly

The Times:

Ballynaheer

The Guardian:

School For Scandal

POSTDATA:

Toad Of Toad Hall

Daily Mail:

Ballynaheer

D Express:

Ballynaheer

The Sun:

Ballynaheer

RP RATINGS:

Getupearly

WEST COUNTRY:

Getupearly

Telegraph:

Getupearly

Daily Mirror:

Getupearly

Daily Record:

Getupearly

The Star:

School For Scandal