October 26 / 13.10 Cheltenham

13.10

Good

William Hill Top Price Guarantee Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 4f 44y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
ITV
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William Hill Top Price Guarantee Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £21.00
  • Place: £4.80

Form: -22844 D BF

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Competitive mark on pick of hurdling form during the past year; close fourth in a beginners' chase on second run over fences but well held on starts either side of that, latterly in a handicap; tongue-tie joins the cheekpieces tried last time; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

2nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Lisnamult Lad

11st 12lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Decent sort at his best, career-best performance when close second in last season's 2m5f Topham at Aintree; very lightly raced this season, most recently running well for long way in same event before fading from last; type who could go well here if taking to the banks (won only point-to-point).

11/2

9th

20

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Lisnamult Lad

10st 6lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Well below his best on both runs this season, the latest at Leopardstown in December; however, he produced a career-best performance when a close second in this 12 months ago (good to soft), pulling clear with Gentleman De Mee, and the return to Aintree could spark a revival; on the shortlist.

12/1

6

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Lisnamult Lad

11st 0lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Better known as a chaser now and ran big race over the big Aintree fences in April (2m5f, good to soft); 1lb lower for this first hurdle run since May 2024 but this different test may not show him in quite the same light.

20/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 2660-3 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Essentially became disappointing for Nigel Twiston-Davies for whom he went 0-5 over fences last season; steadied the ship to some extent with his third at Worcester (2m7f, soft) four weeks ago but dropping back to 2m4f might not suit one who gallops rather than quickens; cheekpieces go on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Weveallbeencaught

11st 6lb

J: Mr J C Barry

T: E McNamara

Disappointing at Leopardstown in December last time but in good form previously for new yard, finishing second in the Munster National in October (3m, yielding to soft); 13l fourth in this race last year when he'd have been closer but for a bad late mistake; each-way shout if back on song.

16/1

11

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

16:15 Limerick

Weveallbeencaught

11st 0lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: E McNamara

Won a 3m Doncaster novice handicap chase in fine style for Nigel Twiston-Davies in January; second-best of the home team when fourth behind Daily Present in the Kim Muir; can be expected to improve from stable debut at Listowel; prospects of reversing form with Talk In The Park.

8/1

3

27th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 0y

16:30 Listowel

Weveallbeencaught

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: E McNamara

Won a 3m Doncaster novice handicap chase in fine style for Nigel Twiston-Davies in January; not a bad effort when last seen at Aintree in April; bought for 40,000GBP at Goffs in May; worth a market check on first start for new yard.

12/1

15/2

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 111513 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Has already had a good season with four handicap chases to his name at about this trip and his latest defeat in a Newton Abbot novice was no backward step; handicapper must be closing in but he should give his running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Riskintheground

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Good ground is the key to him; his form had nosedived but he was running much better when hampered late on at the Cheltenham Festival and then came good at Haydock (2m4f, good), prevailing only narrowly but under a confident ride in a strong race (he also won it the season before when staged at Cheltenham); a 4lb rise seems very generous.

11/8

1st

4

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Riskintheground

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won this race 12 months ago at Cheltenham when 1lb higher so he's dangerously handicapped for his defence; his form had nosedived after winning in a small field at Newton Abbot in October but the signs were more encouraging last time in the 2m4f Plate at the Festival as he was staying on when hampered by a faller at the last fence; has to be of interest, especially given the yard's form.

4/1

11th

13

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Riskintheground

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

He's run some of his better races at Cheltenham, including a New course win (about 2m4f, good; off this mark) from O'Moore Park last April; not much going for him on his form since beating three rivals at Newton Abbot in October but some sort of revival isn't beyond the imagination.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5400-1 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Grade 2 winner here over hurdles; last season fizzled out but he dug deep to make a winning start over fences at Warwick (2m4f handicap, good) this month, beating a last-time-out winner; just 4lb higher and should be capable of improving again (given hurdling highs).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Guard Your Dreams

11st 12lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Brought down at the first fence in the Plate at Cheltenham last month; made most of the running when winning easily at Warwick (2m4f, heavy) in February and, although now 8lb higher, he was rated higher over hurdles earlier in his career; versatile ground-wise; one to note.

15/2

8

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Guard Your Dreams

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Fell in the Ultima last March but he has often run creditably over fences here and handles most surfaces; however, he's on his highest-ever chase mark following a Warwick win (about 2m4f, heavy) last month and now looks up against it.

25/1

1st

5

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Warwick

Guard Your Dreams

11st 2lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Absent since clear second of 14 at Uttoxeter (3m, good) last May but it's worth remembering his narrow C&D (good) win in October 2024 came after a layoff; versatile regarding ground and current mark is workable; a possible.

11/2

Form: 35-842

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Hadn't been in the best of form until finishing a 7l second on chase debut at Downpatrick (2m3f) 15 days ago; couldn't bother the winner, however, and this is a lot harder.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

31st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 80y

17:00 Kilbeggan

Andys Flame

11st 5lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Ran only twice in 2025, won at Kelso on the first occasion, poor at Cartmel on the second; suited by good ground; may need the run.

10/1

4th

4

27th Jun 2025

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 4

15:43 Cartmel

Andys Flame

11st 10lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: John C McConnell

His fifth at Cheltenham in October (2m4f, good) reads well and he responded well for pressure to lead late on at Kelso when last seen in early April (2m4f, good); that was after an even longer break; respected off 3lb higher, though good ground seems ideal for him.

5/1

1st

4

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Kelso

Andys Flame

11st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: John C McConnell

1-18 overall but it's still early days over fences and his fifth at Cheltenham in October (2m4f, good) reads well, with that race won by Topham runner-up Lisnamult Lad; respected back on good ground after a break with cheekpieces refitted.

6/1

Form: 17289- D

Last run: 192 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Consistent hurdler, winning four times and versatile ground-wise; quite capable of dealing with this mark if he can deliver a trouble-free round on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Bashers Reflection

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Respectable strike-rate over hurdles; record of 0-6 since switched to fences but has place possibilities on most of that form.

11/2

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Bashers Reflection

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Respectable strike-rate over hurdles; record of 0-6 since switched to fences but has place possibilities on most of that form.

11/2

3rd

10

15th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:20 Kempton

Bashers Reflection

10st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Record of 0-5 since switched to fences but turn looks near, having finished second at Wetherby and Newbury the last twice; however, needs some improvement to go one better in this stronger grade.

8/1

Form: 6-1125 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
2-2 over fences after picking up 2m/2m4f good-ground handicaps this May/June, with the second more decisive than the first; inferior form hurdling the last twice but those runs are forgiven; with fitness assured he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 4

14:20 Plumpton

Bob Bob Ricard

12st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Record of 3-6 over fences; only beat two rivals for the last of those wins (2m) but he ran well in a useful chase at Newbury a month ago (2m4f, good) and this is easier than that; respected.

100/30

3rd

1

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 4

14:20 Plumpton

Bob Bob Ricard

12st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Record of 3-6 over fences; only beat two rivals for the last of those wins (2m) but he ran well in a useful chase at Newbury a month ago (2m4f, good) and this is easier than that; respected.

100/30

4th

11

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Bob Bob Ricard

10st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won last May/June (2m/2m4f, good) in the first two of his five runs over fences, but it took a three-runner race for him to score again three weeks ago (Doncaster 2m, good) and he still threw in a blunder even then; in this company, others are a bit more persuasive.

4/1

Form: 1PP-13 D

Last run: 118 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
3-8 as a hurdler; skipped around Cartmel when making all on his chase debut in May (2m5f, good) and might have gone close to following up at Uttoxeter had he not clouted two out; had wind surgery since; respected off a mark untouched from last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

10th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

15:12 Chepstow

Will Carver

10st 13lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Had wind surgery since a laboured effort at Cartmel in late August (cheekpieces joined regular tongue-tie) but he has become wickedly inconsistent; capable off this mark but others have to rate safer propositions.

12/1

3

25th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

16:05 Cartmel

Will Carver

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Second at Ayr in April (2m4f, good to soft) behind a revitalised rival but ran moderately the following month and he is wickedly inconsistent; cheekpieces are added; mixed record after breaks.

12/1

Form: 8-4211 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle in August and was never headed when following up on chase debut at Kilbeggan (2m4f, yielding; jumping impressed); that improved RPR bodes well with a view to this mark; now 2-2 in this headgear combination and chasing looks his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 90y

19:40 Kilbeggan

Marv Michael

11st 12lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: Liz Doyle

Four-time winner for Henry de Bromhead, including when bolting up by 12l over C&D last May; finished last season with two below-par runs; off 230 days and dropped 4lb on stable debut.

20/1

5

27th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 0y

16:30 Listowel

Marv Michael

11st 8lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won off 1120 at Kilbeggan (20.5f, good) in May but 11lb rise halted his progress; remains 8lb above that last win and needs to find more to get his head back in front.

12/1

16th

9

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Marv Michael

11st 6lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

More talented over fences than hurdles; won a beginners' and a 2m4f handicap at Kilbeggan off 120; raised 10lb for that and unable to follow up back at that track the last twice; 4.5l behind Moonovercloon most recently; O'Keeffe chooses Native Speaker.

14/1

Form: 2-2117 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Consistent chaser, his latest win coming in a 2m1f handicap at Killarney (yielding) since which he's been well held off a lower hurdle mark; might be a better horse over shorter but has a lot going for him otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:08 Wexford

Dutch Schultz

11st 6lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual-purpose type; most recent of two chase wins came in a 2m1f Killarney handicap chase in August 2024; best effort last year when fourth in a 24-runner handicap chase at the Punchestown festival; not a bad run at Fairyhouse after a break; however, Come On The Lads seems to be the yard's number one.

10/1

7th

5

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 45y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Dutch Schultz

11st 9lb

J: Miss C O O’Brien

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual-purpose type; most recent of two chase wins came in a 2m1f Killarney handicap chase in August 2024; best effort last year when fourth in a 24-runner handicap chase at the Punchestown festival. best form over shorter than this and on better ground; lacks a recent run.

16/1

8

21st Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 150y

16:58 Listowel

Dutch Schultz

10st 9lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Gavin Cromwell

Five wins and ten placed from 40 starts (2-20 over fences); disappointing since finishing fourth in a competitive Punchestown festival handicap, with several of these rivals behind him; finished behind Gaelic Arc (runner-up) at Killarney in July; remote sixth at the same venue last month when Gaelic Arc was pulled up.

10/1

Form: /P211- D

Last run: 294 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Pulled up when highly tried on last season's hurdle debut but went on to win two Wincanton novices (2m4f soft; 2m5f heavy) with lots in hand; exciting prospect for chasing and could easily be sitting pretty off this sort of mark; it's too early to assume he needs the mud.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Lord Of Thunder

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Off the mark over fences at the fourth attempt in Newbury handicap in February (2m7f, soft; Pic Roc second); also effective on good going; merely mid-division in the Jack Richards at Cheltenham since but he's back in a less competitive race here and he could tap back into his previous promise.

14/1

4th

5

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Lord Of Thunder

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

in touch with leaders, not fluent 2nd

14/1

Non-runners

Jazzy Matty, Doughmore Bay

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £179.00
Straight Forecast £182.45
Tricast £1575.39
Trifecta £1442.90

Selections

Telegraph:

Marv Michael

SPOTLIGHT:

Lord Of Thunder

TOPSPEED:

Riskintheground

The Times:

Doughmore Bay

The Star:

Bashers Reflection

Daily Mail:

Weveallbeencaught

The Guardian:

Dutch Schultz

RP RATINGS:

Will Carver

WEST COUNTRY:

Lord Of Thunder

D Express:

Lord Of Thunder

Daily Mirror:

Marv Michael

The Sun:

Marv Michael

Daily Record:

Marv Michael

POSTDATA:

Riskintheground