October 18 / 14.00 Fakenham

14.00

Good

£130,000 Prize Money @ Fakenham 1st January Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4084.5
  • 2m 0f 3y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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£130,000 Prize Money @ Fakenham 1st January Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Very useful at his best on the Flat and he recorded his seventh win when scoring on stable debut at Yarmouth (1m6f, good to firm) last month; Harry Cobden is booked on his hurdling debut and he's an interesting recruit to this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Charging Thunder

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-4 in handicaps; however, he should be on a fair mark given the level of his Flat ability and he ran quite well in a valuable Newmarket handicap at the Guineas meeting; player.

9/4

7th

9

(8)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Charging Thunder

8st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Had underwhelming hurdle and AW campaigns before his second of five when returned to Flat turf at Beverley (2m) 18 days ago; this demands markedly better and his 2024 and 2025 turf records aren't that persuasive.

25/1

2nd

1

(3)

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 32y

Class 3

16:00 Beverley

Charging Thunder

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Second to Sax Appeal over C&D and successful over 1m6f at Wolverhampton (both off 2lb higher than today) last July; it's hard to be enthused by his more recent efforts, including well held at Newcastle on Good Friday, but this is a much less competitive scenario.

4/1

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 34/32/ BF

Last run: 686 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
RPR of 105 when placed in his last two hurdle runs towards the end of 2022; no win in 14 runs back on the Flat since but he's finished runner-up twice this year including a close call at Newmarket (1m2f, good) on his penultimate run; still has potential as a hurdler and he's not ruled out back in this sphere; hood reapplied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(2)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 197y

Class 6

16:50 Doncaster

Piecederesistance

9st 12lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Martin Keighley

His last win was in July 2022 but he returned to the Flat for new yard with a front-running third at Pontefract (1m2f, good; tongue-tie added) two weeks ago; that was an encouraging effort after a break and he has possibilities if he can build on that.

7/2

3rd

4

(4)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:33 Pontefract

Piecederesistance

9st 4lb

J: Sam James

T: Martin Keighley

Won in France in 2020 and scored over C&D in 2022 but has developed a rocky profile and was in poor form when last seen over hurdles in the autumn; has joined Martin Keighley (same owners) but watching brief advised on this comeback in a tongue-tie.

33/1

6

15th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:20 Wetherby

Piecederesistance

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Dropped out of contention rather tamely at Uttoxeter (2m) last week and is now 0-11 over hurdles; has quite a bit to prove on this first venture beyond about 2m1f.

16/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 6-2 BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to stable's top-class hurdler The New One and useful hurdler/chaser The Newest One; raced too freely on bumper debut at Newbury in January but he settled better when a front-running second of three at Newton Abbot (2m1f, soft) on his return last month; was only beaten 1l in that race and he needs a close look on this switch to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

18th Feb 2026

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

The Expensive One

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Won at Stratford (2m2f, good) on handicap debut; pulled up at Cheltenham (2m4f) later in October after a mistake three out caused the saddle to slip and jockey to lose irons; he disputed the lead at the time of that mishap (albeit after earlier jumping issues as well) but did not run so well there in November (2m, soft); absent 96 days since but needs a second look.

5/1

18

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

13:15 Cheltenham

The Expensive One

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Unexposed 5yo who is a half-brother to stable's top-class hurdler The New One; made all to beat six rivals on recent handicap debut at Stratford (2m2f, good); hiked up in grade here but still has potential.

12/1

7

15th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Worcester

The Expensive One

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Half-brother to stable's top-class hurdler The New One; awarded small-field Newton Abbot bumper a year ago and ran well for a long way when third on subsequent hurdling debut at Fakenham (2m, good); can feature here if ready to roll after 11-month break.

3/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Regressive 14-race maiden on the Flat and he's struggled in five runs at up to 1m this year; has lots to prove now switched to hurdling and not sure he'll have the stamina for this game; new combination of headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

13:42 Cartmel

Malinheadsearovers

10st 10lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tom Gretton

Disappointing Flat maiden who was well beaten when 66-1 for last month's handicap hurdle debut at Market Rasen (2m, good), where he raced too freely and jumped left throughout; blinkers added here; too risky.

40/1

8th

5

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Malinheadsearovers

11st 1lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tom Gretton

17-race maiden who became disappointing on the Flat and hasn't exactly hit the ground running over hurdles, going down by between 17l and 24l in his qualifying races; clearly entitled to do better now handicapping but he's unconvincing.

10/1

8th

5

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Malinheadsearovers

11st 1lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tom Gretton

17-race maiden who became disappointing on the Flat and hasn't exactly hit the ground running over hurdles, going down by between 17l and 24l in his qualifying races; clearly entitled to do better now handicapping but he's unconvincing.

10/1

16/1

Form: 5

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful four-time winner (1m-1m2f) on the Flat; well-held fifth when 80-1 on hurdling debut at Fontwell (2m1f, good to soft) two weeks ago but he would have finished closer if he didn't make a bad mistake at the last; that was an encouraging effort and he should benefit from the experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

26th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:10 Southwell

Tarbaan

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Amy Murphy

Four-time winner on the Flat who showed some promise when fifth of 11 on hurdles debut at Fontwell (2m2f, good to soft) last month, but has endured heavy defeats in both starts since; not out of the question he could bounce back on handicap debut, though.

16/1

12th

4

26th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:10 Southwell

Tarbaan

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Amy Murphy

Four-time winner on the Flat who showed some promise when fifth of 11 on hurdles debut at Fontwell (2m2f, good to soft) last month, but has endured heavy defeats in both starts since; not out of the question he could bounce back on handicap debut, though.

16/1

11th

13

8th Nov 2024

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

12:50 Fontwell

Tarbaan

11st 4lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Amy Murphy

Flat form has largely deteriorated in the last 12 months; shaped better than the bare result over C&D on hurdles debut but suffered a heavy defeat at Fakenham later in October.

33/1

Form: 06-

Last run: 191 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well held at big prices in two bumpers last season and is best watched now switched to hurdling after 191 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

8th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

14:45 Market Rasen

Lord Of The Glance

11st 4lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Improved for the switch to 2m good-ground handicaps, looking well placed to defy a 9lb hike for his earlier Stratford success when unseating at the last at Plumpton latest; up 1lb more but case is obvious.

2/1

7

19th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

16:37 Plumpton

Lord Of The Glance

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

On the up since sent into handicaps and he readily landed 11-runner event at Stratford (2m) 22 days ago, forging clear from final flight; hiked up 9lb but still merits serious consideration.

15/8

1st

10

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

15:17 Stratford

Lord Of The Glance

10st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Lightly raced 7yo who has advanced his form since sent handicapping, runner-up (over 2m) at Fakenham and Plumpton this year; can go well again nudged up 1lb.

9/4

Form: 111U D

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who was 3-3 in bumpers this summer, with all of those wins gained at Stratford (2m, good/good to firm); didn't get very far there (unseated at second) on recent hurdling debut but he was prominent in the market and he could be a big factor here if he can put in a clear round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Ronnies Rules

11st 9lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

Triple bumper winner last summer (good/good to firm); unseated rider in early stages of first two hurdle races but, following a break, made all to win by over 6l at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) last month; obvious contender under penalty here.

2/5

2nd

1

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Ronnies Rules

11st 9lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

Triple bumper winner last summer (good/good to firm); unseated rider in early stages of first two hurdle races but, following a break, made all to win by over 6l at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) last month; obvious contender under penalty here.

2/5

Form: 6

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair front-runner at around 1m4f on the Flat but he made a low-key start over hurdles when a fading sixth at Worcester (2m, good) last month; lost a shoe in that race but he was beaten 35l and needs to leave that form a long way behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Gordon Grey

9st 4lb

J: Neil Callan

T: George Baker

In the form of his life when winning four in a row for Ben Brookhouse last summer, namely a maiden hurdle followed by three Flat handicaps over 1m2f and 1m4f (twice) on good/good to firm; better effort in Bahrain for George Baker this year when third of seven over 1m2f (good to firm) five weeks ago; returns to Britain on a career-high mark and may prove vulnerable to less-exposed sorts.

20/1

2

(1)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:20 Epsom

Gordon Grey

11st 8lb

J: Mr Paul Hainey

T: B F Brookhouse

Won the 2024 Ladies' Derby at Epsom and repeated the trick when romping away with this year's edition (1m4f, good to firm) in June; completed a hat-trick (first leg was over hurdles) when defying penalty under Paul Hainey at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) last month and a 4lb rise for that success looks fair; usually sets the pace and he's a big player again in his bid to make it 3-4 over C&D; cheekpieces added.

5/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.80
Straight Forecast £10.71
Trifecta £33.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Charging Thunder

SPOTLIGHT:

The Expensive One

Daily Mirror:

Ronnies Rules

Daily Mail:

The Expensive One

Daily Record:

The Expensive One

NEWMARKET:

Charging Thunder

The Times:

Charging Thunder

Telegraph:

Charging Thunder

The Guardian:

Charging Thunder

D Express:

Charging Thunder

The Sun:

Charging Thunder

The Star:

Charging Thunder