October 30 / 12.50 Fakenham

12.50

Good

Greene King Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 4f 1y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Greene King Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.20

Form: /3P-44

Last run: 161 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Unexposed after only four hurdling starts and shaped well before fading into fourth of six on handicap debut at Southwell (2m4f, soft) in May; competes off unchanged mark here but could still have a bigger run in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

24th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

14:35 Fontwell

Hiero Sport

11st 1lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Back in prime form when winning from the front here (2m3f, good) last month and now 2-10 over hurdles; recent 3lb rise certainly doesn't look excessive, and he ought to be right in the thick of things again.

7/2

1st

12

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:50 Fontwell

Hiero Sport

10st 10lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Defied this mark at Fakenham (2m4f, good) in October 2024; only four runs since but he returned after another break with a front-running third at Huntingdon (2m5f) three weeks ago; should benefit from that run and he's not ruled out on this drop back in trip.

13/2

3rd

3

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

16:50 Huntingdon

Hiero Sport

10st 12lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Scored at Fakenham (2m4f, good) in October 2024 off 2lb lower and should be sharper following his first run for 12 months when down the field here in December; hood is reinstated along with first-time tongue-tie; possibilities.

11/2

6/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 6-8694

Last run: 105 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
0-7 over hurdles but travelled well for a long way and took big step back in right direction when fourth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in July; can feature here if ready to roll after 105-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:42 Fontwell

Mersey Street

10st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won at Sedgefield (2m3f, good to soft) in February and was runner-up on his return visit over 2m5f two weeks later; looks interesting on that form but he needs to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Carlisle in March.

12/1

7th

13

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Mersey Street

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Sound performances (won then good second) at Sedgefield last month, while leaving the impression this return to a right-handed track will prove ideal; may still have more to offer over fences; in the mix.

10/1

2nd

3

19th Feb 2026

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:17 Sedgefield

Mersey Street

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Decisive winner over 2m3f here last time (good to soft); this longer trip will suit (has won over 3m1f) and should go well despite 6lb rise.

13/8

OUR TIP

9/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 455869

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Took backward step when well beaten over 3m at Southwell four weeks ago and has now been unplaced all six hurdling starts; needs combination of drop back in trip and first-time cheekpieces to pay dividends.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

14:52 Uttoxeter

Galway Reel

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ian Williams

Won a chase over 3m in September and nearly won another two runs back; produced a solid effort in defeat on his return to hurdling here last week and Sean Bowen rides again.

5/4

2nd

6

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

18:20 Uttoxeter

Galway Reel

10st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ian Williams

Gained a breakthrough win over fences at Market Rasen (3m) in September and posted a good second in handicap chase at Leicester (2m7f) when last seen out in December; proved reliable over hurdles so rates a player back in this sphere off a reduced mark.

2/1

5

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:22 Worcester

Galway Reel

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Got off the mark on his third chase start at Market Rasen (3m, good) last month; third to Grillon De Monty on his previous outing but he may have improved since.

9/2

Form: 3/43-P

Last run: 141 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Impressed on Irish point debut in February 2023 and was placed in what has turned out to be a good bumper for Michael Scudamore two months later; remote when making the frame on both 2m hurdling starts for this stable last season and was pulled up when upped to 2m4f in June but makes handicap debut in a low-grade race and could still have considerable potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:20 Ayr

Montys Soldier

12st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

held up in last, hampered by faller 7th, soon lost ground and detached

9/2

1

11th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:20 Ayr

Montys Soldier

12st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Winning Irish pointer; maiden under rules, although sound run when second to a subsequent winner in a novice handicap chase at Ffos Las in November (3m, soft; lost right fore shoe) on final run for Christian Williams; interesting on stable debut.

9/2

2nd

4

20th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

12:50 Ffos Las

Montys Soldier

11st 11lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Raced in detached last for most of recent handicap hurdle debut at Fakenham (2m4f, good) but caught the eye making late headway to finish fourth; moves up in trip for this chasing debut, and last year's impressive Irish point debut suggests he could have considerable potential over fences.

6/1

Form: 731443

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
In the frame three consecutive times since 6l win at Fontwell (2m1f, good) in August, most recently when third there (2m5f, soft) a week ago; not yet fully exposed over this sort of trip and ought to be right in the thick of things again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

24th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:55 Fontwell

Footloose Man

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Richard Hobson

Dual 2m5f course winner in early part of last season; returned from five-month break with low-key run here 18 days ago but is versatile regarding ground and his current mark is workable; can feature if that recent outing brought him on.

7/1

6th

8

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:42 Fontwell

Footloose Man

10st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Hobson

All of his three victories have been at Fontwell including two chase wins over an extended 2m5f (good to soft); beaten 9l when runner-up here in December but that was behind an improver and he's still lightly raced in this sphere; respected back in trip on his return.

13/2

5

29th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

18:18 Fontwell

Footloose Man

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Richard Hobson

Course hurdle winner last summer (2m1f, good), having made most of the running; held up in rear and never looked dangerous when fourth of six on last month's chasing debut at Stratford (2m3f, good) but that was his first run since the autumn and a return to more positive tactics might show him in a better light here.

8/1

10/1

Form: 25-365 C

Last run: 108 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Course winner over fences; reverts to hurdling on career-low mark but was out of form when last seen in summer and it's hard to predict whether he'll give his running today; cheekpieces removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

13:40 Fakenham

Go Fox

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Neil King

midfield, jumped right 6th

20/1

13

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

13:40 Fakenham

Go Fox

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Neil King

midfield, jumped right 6th

20/1

9

22nd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

12:13 Fakenham

Go Fox

10st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Won over fences here (2m, good) in June 2023 but was well beaten here on both starts this autumn (2m4f hurdle/3m chase); still has stamina to prove over this sort of trip and is 3lb wrong today; others preferred.

14/1

Form: 1-4P08 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won off 1lb higher over C&D (good) for the Newland/Insole stable in April but both runs for John and Rhys Flint this season were very disappointing and he was tailed off for latest new trainer this month; the return to this track is a big plus but it still takes a leap of faith to support him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

16:50 Stratford

Tip Top Tonto

10st 8lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Alison Thorpe

In April last year he won a Fakenham handicap off 4lb higher but there's been nothing positive to take out of his last four races.

40/1

8th

7

30th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

12:50 Fakenham

Tip Top Tonto

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Alison Thorpe

Won off 1lb higher over C&D (good) for the Newland/Insole stable in April but both runs for John and Rhys Flint this season were very disappointing and he was tailed off for latest new trainer this month; the return to this track is a big plus but it still takes a leap of faith to support him.

25/1

8th

7

30th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

12:50 Fakenham

Tip Top Tonto

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Alison Thorpe

Won off 1lb higher over C&D (good) for the Newland/Insole stable in April but both runs for John and Rhys Flint this season were very disappointing and he was tailed off for latest new trainer this month; the return to this track is a big plus but it still takes a leap of faith to support him.

25/1

Form: 444-44

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
0-15 over hurdles but only the last two attempts were for this stable, and his close fourth of 15 at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) in August was a good effort; has won on the Flat since; high on the list here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

6th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:12 Stratford

Laser Focus

11st 0lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Won on the Flat in May but was safely held on both hurdling starts this year (both in 2m handicaps in July) and reverts to this code after a very poor Flat run last month; stablemate Chillhi looks a safer option.

6/1

6

(2)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Newmarket (July)

Laser Focus

9st 7lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: James Owen

Had a good run of form in 1m2f-1m5f handicaps (1423) before tailed off in his last two hurdle races and he's a dual winner in that scene; some wellbeing concerns all of a sudden.

8/1

7th

1

24th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Worcester

Laser Focus

11st 8lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Won twice over hurdles in the autumn (2m4f/2m7f) and has been in good form on the Flat in recent weeks but was well beaten when back over hurdles on Saturday (2m; raced too freely) and has a point to prove here.

16/1

Form: 558-

Last run: 266 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful on the Flat for Ralph Beckett in 2023 but did not show a great deal in three juvenile hurdles for Barry Brennan last season (albeit one was a Grade 2) and was down the field when returned to the Flat for latest run in March; others have much less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

14:33 Stratford

Seahouses

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Barry Brennan

Scored at Market Rasen (2m7f) in November and posted another solid effort when third of six in another 2m7f handicap there last month; ought to be thereabouts eased 1lb.

6/1

3rd

7

15th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

16:07 Market Rasen

Seahouses

10st 9lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Barry Brennan

Both wins have come here, the latest over this trip (good to soft) in November; may have found the ground too testing when a long way behind Aire Spray back here last month, but others look more solid nonetheless.

14/1

Form: P60-

Last run: 218 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Second in an Irish point a year ago; ultimately well beaten in three maiden/novice hurdles in February/March but led for a fair way over C&D on second occasion and has a lowly mark for this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

13:30 Doncaster

Cave Article

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

26,000euros 3yo; second foal; dam unraced half-sister to bumper and smart 2m4f-3m1f hurdle/chase winner Casey Jones; ran in two Irish maiden points last year, runner-up in October on second occasion; probably one for later on but market should guide on rules debut.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.20
Straight Forecast £28.00
Tricast £283.35
Trifecta £185.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Laser Focus

SPOTLIGHT:

Footloose Man

The Guardian:

Hiero Sport

POSTDATA:

Galway Reel

The Sun:

Cave Article

Daily Record:

Go Fox

WEST COUNTRY:

Footloose Man

D Express:

Hiero Sport

The Times:

Laser Focus

Telegraph:

Laser Focus

Daily Mail:

Laser Focus

Daily Mirror:

Laser Focus

The Star:

Laser Focus