October 26 / 14.55 Cheltenham

14.55

Good

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 7f 208y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
ITV
View Course
Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

OUR TIP

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.10

Form: -09111

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Progressive 6yo who has won his last three races, the most notable success coming in 18-runner Listed handicap at Galway festival (2m6f, yielding) in August; tackles 3m for first time here; must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

5

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 120y

16:25 Leopardstown

The Wallpark

11st 4lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gordon Elliott

High-class staying hurdler, rated 155; 0-5 so far chasing this term but much more encouraging run on latest when second to the classy Oscars Brother in Grade 2 Ten Up Novices' at Navan last month; jumping still requires attention but is 13lb lower than hurdles here in first handicap chase.

9/1

2nd

4

8th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 0y

15:50 Navan

The Wallpark

11st 3lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gordon Elliott

High-class staying hurdler, rated 155; now has serious questions to answer after his first four chase starts; remote seventh in Leopardstown event won by Koktail Divin (previously beaten by Oscars Brother at Punchestown); needs to jump a lot better than in 2m4f Gowran event; longer trip should be a help at least.

8/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 47346- C

Last run: 226 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Failed to win last season but ran with credit in some competitive handicaps, most recently when sixth of 22 in final of this Pertemps series on New course here (3m, soft) at the Festival in March; returns on a workable mark and is versatile ground-wise; probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

21th

2

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Gowel Road

11st 10lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Can front-run; Cheltenham regular, where he won a 3m Grade 2 last January; sixth in this in 2024 and ran creditably here on three of his first five starts this season, before a big run under Toby McCain-Mitchell at Chepstow 19 days ago; back up 2lb to his career-high mark but probably not far away.

28/1

2nd

1

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Gowel Road

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Cheltenham regular, where he won a 3m Grade 2 last January from Monmiral; ran creditably there on three of his latest four starts but he's only 2lb off his career-high mark; cheekpieces (worn on last three starts) are off; 5lb claimer is recruited.

6/1

4th

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Gowel Road

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Course regular who won this last year (soft); however, today's contest looks like it will take more winning, even before factoring in the 6lb penalty he carries this time around; looks vulnerable on this season's evidence.

12/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 1411-1 C

Last run: 168 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Took hurdling form to whole new level when upped to 3m in the spring, winning three times (once on New course here) on good/good to soft ground; 168-day break may have checked his momentum but further progress is not out of the question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Zain Nights

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Lucy Wadham

Just did enough to pip My Bobby Dazzler in this race last year (good ground; wore cheekpieces) and returned to form with front-running success in first-time visor at Newbury (3m, good to soft) in March; safely held, though, in Cheltenham race won by Long Draw in April and remains on career-high mark.

10/1

10th

5

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Zain Nights

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Lucy Wadham

Just did enough to pip My Bobby Dazzler in this race last year (good ground; wore cheekpieces) and returned to form with front-running success in first-time visor at Newbury (3m, good to soft) in March; safely held, though, in Cheltenham race won by Long Draw in April and remains on career-high mark.

10/1

5th

4

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Zain Nights

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Lucy Wadham

It was the middle leg of a hat-trick when beating Harbour Lake in this 12 months ago and the first-time visor triggered a return to form at Newbury last time (3m, good to soft; made all); has to be considered off 4lb higher.

5/1

16/1

Form: P22142 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Kept on strongly to win in good style at Market Rasen (2m7f, good) in August and has made the frame on both subsequent appearances, but he looks up against it from 6lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Hardy Boy

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

C&D winner last August and his close fourth at Cheltenham three runs back was his best form yet; soft ground was no good to him on final appearance; nothing wrong with his mark.

12/1

4th

4

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Hardy Boy

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

C&D winner last August and his close fourth at Cheltenham three runs back was his best form yet; soft ground was no good to him on final appearance; nothing wrong with his mark.

12/1

9th

9

29th Nov 2024

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

15:40 Newbury

Hardy Boy

10st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Ready winner over 2m7f at Market Rasen in August and he ran at least as well in defeat at Cheltenham in October but he has his share of weight now and soft ground has not been helpful so far.

14/1

Form: 6-2124 D

Last run: 84 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Six-time hurdle winner; holds no secrets from the handicapper but was in good form this spring/summer, most recently when close fourth of 18 behind The Wallpark in Listed handicap at Galway (2m6f, yielding) in August; each-way claims at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

16:00 Taunton

Beacon Edge

11st 12lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: J Newman

Best known as a very talented hurdler, also landing a Grade 1 novice chase in 2021; had jumping issues over fences subsequently and this is his first chase start since 2022; returned from some time off with a point win last month (3m, soft); it remains to be seen how much ability this 12yo retains but he's entitled to considerable respect on his hunter chase debut.

13/8

1st

1

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

16:55 Wexford

Beacon Edge

12st 0lb

J: Mr J M Halford

T: Gordon Elliott

Winner of nine races; 7-34 record over hurdles, including a four-runner Grade 2 event over 3m at Wetherby last October; ran creditably when seventh in the 26-runner Coral Cup at Cheltenham; down the field at Aintree subsequently; trip is short of his best but he won a stronger race than this over 2m2f at Ballinrobe a year ago; amateur rider, 2-11 over hurdles.

11/8

1

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

16:55 Wexford

Beacon Edge

12st 0lb

J: Mr J M Halford

T: Gordon Elliott

Winner of nine races; 7-34 record over hurdles, including a four-runner Grade 2 event over 3m at Wetherby last October; ran creditably when seventh in the 26-runner Coral Cup at Cheltenham; down the field at Aintree subsequently; trip is short of his best but he won a stronger race than this over 2m2f at Ballinrobe a year ago; amateur rider, 2-11 over hurdles.

11/8

Form: 165-41 D

Last run: 112 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Useful stayer on the Flat and looked suited by step up to 3m over hurdles when narrow winner at Bellewstown (3m, good; front pair clear) in July; this is a stronger race but he still enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

26th Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Como Park

10st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Useful stayer on the Flat and looked suited by step up to 3m over hurdles when narrow winner at Bellewstown (3m, good; front pair clear) in July; this is a stronger race but he still enters calculations.

12/1

3rd

2

(2)

23rd Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 180y

20:14 Killarney

Como Park

11st 7lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: Henry De Bromhead

pressed winner, pushed along from 4f out, ridden from 3f out, lost second and weakened from 2f out

8/13

Form: 4P213-

Last run: 192 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
In career-best form when last seen in the spring, winning at Ascot (2m5f, good) before close third to Zain Nights on New course here (3m, good); contender if still in same nick after 192-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

9th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

16:45 Killarney

Supreme Gift

10st 2lb

J: G B Noonan

T: E McNamara

Second runner for yard; won five times over hurdles and once over fences when trained in UK; three chase starts for this yard with best run coming when fifth at Limerick; needs a fair bit more.

25/1

16

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 120y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Supreme Gift

10st 10lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Useful performer for Henry Daly, winning six races, including an Ascot handicap chase; modest form in two starts for this stable, albeit trip and testing ground probably not ideal on latest; new cheekpieces need to spark.

25/1

Form: 4F5-12 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
3-7 over hurdles; upped significantly in grade today but gave good account when second at Perth (3m, good) last month, after a break, and remains unexposed over 3m; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Idem

10st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Another in this field who took in the Pertemps at Cheltenham, finishing a good fifth of 24 to Supremely West; should be competitive again but nothing in his record suggests he has enough in hand to win a race as hot as this.

25/1

5th

23

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Idem

10st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Never-dangerous tenth in this race last year; ran creditably on three of his four starts this season, second in the Musselburgh qualifier last time, but he's an exposed 8yo who needs to show something new.

50/1

Form: 4-21P4 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Posted career-best performance when scoring at Uttoxeter (2m7f, soft) in July, his sixth hurdle success, but two very poor runs have followed (latest was his chasing debut) and he's a very risky option at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

4th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:00 Uttoxeter

Secret Trix

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

C&D record of 31133 includes a soft-ground win off 9lb higher almost two years ago and last month's perfectly serviceable staying-on 10l third in 0-145 company; faces an easier-looking task this afternoon.

13/8

3rd

6

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

18:50 Uttoxeter

Secret Trix

10st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Dual C&D winner; only win last season was a walkover in a chase; went back hurdling after that and took time to find his form, but sound placed efforts on last two starts, latest when third at Haydock in March (3m, good; first run after a wind op) when Super Survivor was well behind in eighth; chance.

11/4

3rd

8

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:46 Haydock

Secret Trix

10st 8lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

6-26 over hurdles, including a win with first-time cheekpieces in this race in 2024 (soft) and he is 1lb lower today; ridden by 7lb claimer last four outings, with a big return to some form on latest (second at Market Rasen) and that has been followed by his second wind operation; cheekpieces (absent on last four starts) return; too well handicapped to be ignored.

12/1

Form: 661P5- C

Last run: 182 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Dual 3m Grade 2 winner on slow ground last season; faces a fairly tough assignment under top weight on handicap return but is suited by this C&D and can handle good ground; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

Botox Has

11st 13lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

10yo who's not the force of old; down the weights and this race is a drop in class, but he needs to improve on this season's form nevertheless.

12/1

3rd

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 1

14:50 Fontwell

Botox Has

11st 4lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

2-2 here, including when gamely holding Brewin'upastorm in the 2022 edition of this race; also won Grade 2 Rendlesham at Haydock (about 3m, heavy) in February 2024 but hasn't matched that form subsequently and was tailed off in a Windsor handicap (3m, soft) last month.

10/1

12th

1

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Botox Has

12st 0lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Gained the last of his Grade 2 wins almost two years ago; generally below that form since, most recently returned to handicap level; doesn't look set to end the losing spell.

14/1

Form: 2-1531

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
2-8 in maiden/novice hurdles this year, the latest win gained at Killarney (2m1f, yielding) three weeks ago; unraced beyond 2m4f under rules but won a 3m point last year and has stamina in his pedigree, so there's a decent chance this trip will unlock improvement on his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 110y

15:50 Wexford

Al Gasparo

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Rated 139 over hurdles; made all for three wins over hurdles last year; career best when winning a 20-runner Leopardstown handicap last Christmas (2m4f, good to yielding); bombed out on his first try over fences at Ballinrobe last time (2m1f, good); is better than that.

9/2

1

26th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:00 Ballinrobe

Al Gasparo

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Made all for three wins over hurdles last year; career best at Leopardstown (2m4f, good to yielding) last Christmas when taking 20-runner handicap; dropped away in the straight in the Coral Cup; won a point-to-point for Ciaran Murphy in 2023; should make a useful novice chaser.

5/2

1

26th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:00 Ballinrobe

Al Gasparo

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Made all for three wins over hurdles last year; career best at Leopardstown (2m4f, good to yielding) last Christmas when taking 20-runner handicap; dropped away in the straight in the Coral Cup; won a point-to-point for Ciaran Murphy in 2023; should make a useful novice chaser.

5/2

Form: 101P7- D

Last run: 196 days

W: 10st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Late-maturing 11yo who won six times (2m7f-3m) during very productive campaign last season; didn't run badly at Aintree festival (3m, good to soft) in April on latest appearance but may also find this race too competitive; 1lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Classic Concorde

11st 10lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: David Brace

Veteran who is on a losing run but ran well enough for a long way in a Class 2 handicap at Chepstow two months ago (2m7f, good to soft) to command respect at this lower level; goes well on this ground.

6/1

10th

1

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Classic Concorde

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: David Brace

Won twice over C&D in 2023-24 season and ran well when fourth over C&D in February but this 12yo is far too inconsistent to rely upon nowadays, and has been absent since two heavy defeats in the spring.

20/1

5

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Classic Concorde

10st 13lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

Veteran who has proved far from consistent since winning a Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow 14 months ago; not the percentage call.

16/1

Non-runners

Cruz Control

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.00
Straight Forecast £36.34
Tricast £153.01
Trifecta £146.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Zain Nights

SPOTLIGHT:

The Wallpark

TOPSPEED:

Gowel Road

POSTDATA:

Al Gasparo

Daily Record:

Como Park

Telegraph:

The Wallpark

The Star:

The Wallpark

The Times:

Zain Nights

The Guardian:

Zain Nights

Daily Mail:

Zain Nights

Daily Mirror:

Zain Nights

The Sun:

Zain Nights

WEST COUNTRY:

Gowel Road

D Express:

Gowel Road