April 19 / 14.05 Haydock

14.05

Good

JCB Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle (Series Final) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £20576
  • 1m 7f 144y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
ITV
View Course
JCB Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle (Series Final) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.40

Form: -14031 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Posted personal best in first-time tongue-strap five weeks ago, making all in four-runner race at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft); that was his fourth hurdles win, and with more improvement possible he should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Givemefive

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has won both races since the tongue-tie joined cheekpieces, latterly making all for a narrow success over C&D three weeks ago (good); a 5lb rise isn't the end of the world but dominating this bigger field with likely pressure up front could be challenging.

10/1

4th

1

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Givemefive

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has won both races since the tongue-tie joined cheekpieces, latterly making all for a narrow success over C&D three weeks ago (good); a 5lb rise isn't the end of the world but dominating this bigger field with likely pressure up front could be challenging.

10/1

1st

1

19th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Givemefive

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Posted personal best in first-time tongue-strap five weeks ago, making all in four-runner race at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft); that was his fourth hurdles win, and with more improvement possible he should go well again.

9/4

4/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 264549 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
In good form last August/September, winning twice on a sound surface; seemingly disappointing last five outings but there have been excuses; the tongue-strap returns today and so does Harry Skelton; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 4

17:30 Cartmel

Got Grey

11st 6lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Won twice over hurdles and once over fences for Dan Skelton; wasn't beaten far when third of three on stable debut here (2m1f, good) in May but he was well held in another small-field event over C&D last time; still lightly raced over fences but he needs to step up again after that last run; cheekpieces reapplied.

8/1

5th

5

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 2

16:15 Cartmel

Got Grey

10st 9lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Won twice over hurdles and once over fences for Dan Skelton; sold to join current yard for £10,000 in October; not beaten far when last of three at this track (2m1f, good) last month on stable debut following seven-month break and should be sharper this time; not out of this.

8/1

Form: -13454 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Now 2lb lower than when scoring under Kevin Brogan at Wetherby (2m, good to soft) in October, but he seems to have been going through the motions since; needs to be revitalised by first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 3

15:55 Newton Abbot

Schmilsson

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Failed to beat a rival in his final two races when last seen a year ago; however, he won his first two in this discipline (2m on good ground) and would have every chance if returning in good spirits.

7/2

5th

1

25th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 4

16:58 Uttoxeter

Schmilsson

12st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Flat bred but won his first two chases (2m, good), albeit with luck on his side the second time when left clear; latest run when last at Stratford just wasn't his true running; still looks competitively treated.

2/1

3

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 3

18:18 Stratford

Schmilsson

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Not bred for chasing but is 2-2 since switched to fences in May; might have been fortunate at Perth last month (2m, good; leader fell at final fence) and is 2lb wrong here but still features prominently in calculations.

7/4

Form: 406417 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Fourth of 17 in the Swinton Hurdle here last spring; capitalised on reduced mark at Taunton (2m, good to soft) in February and far from disgraced in warm race at Aintree two weeks ago; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:20 Aintree

Luttrell Lad

10st 12lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Tom Lacey

Won at Exeter and then a close fourth at Sandown (2m4f, good); could put a line through his subsequent races on account of heavy ground and a trip too far; respected.

14/1

4th

7

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

Luttrell Lad

11st 1lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Tom Lacey

Won at Exeter (2m2f) in November and creditable fourth at Sandown (2m4f) next time, before heavy ground might excuse his latest start; this, however, is his first foray beyond 2m6f, after 37 races and at the age of ten.

16/1

4th

4

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 5y

Class 3

16:10 Warwick

Luttrell Lad

11st 3lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

November's Exeter win looked unlikely but he stayed on much the best over 2m2f on good to soft; not beaten far off this 6lb higher mark at Sandown (2m4f, good) when close up behind Henri The Second who won easily back there last weekend; thoroughly exposed but enters the equation for sure; has won on heavy.

15/2

Form: -B33U6 D

Last run: 154 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Often let down by his jumping and made several mistakes when last of six at Wetherby (second favourite) in November; has since been unplaced twice on the AW; potentially well handicapped but has something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

17:45 Market Rasen

Oslo

10st 12lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Seemingly aided by new tongue-tie since the summer, most notably when keeping on well to score at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) 11 days ago; also suited by 2m but recent 5lb rise might leave him vulnerable in this competitive race.

9/1

3

16th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:10 Uttoxeter

Oslo

12st 0lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Posted sound effort when second at Worcester (2m4f, good) last month but has modest strike-rate in recent years and probably won't be favoured by the forecast rain here; others have more pressing claims.

8/1

2

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Worcester

Oslo

11st 13lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Hasn't threatened on the Flat on last two starts but this course winner didn't run badly when mid-division in a higher grade than this over hurdles at Market Rasen (2m, good) last month and today's step back up in trip is well worth a go for one who stays 1m6f on the Flat; interesting.

11/1

Form: 611P21 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Having a productive season and took his record over 2m at Fakenham to 3-3 when scoring bravely five weeks ago; handles good and soft ground; up another 3lb but cannot be dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

15:50 Uttoxeter

Bluegrass

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

All five wins over hurdles have been at 2m; hasn't won since his return to action in October and ran poorly when eighth of nine finishers at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last month; handicapper is at last relenting but his best chance of success in the short-term may be back at 2m.

8/1

8th

1

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Bluegrass

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Record of 5-23 over hurdles and placed a few times as well; a bit up and down this season but ran respectably in the new blinkers at Fakenham last time and now regular cheekpieces return over a longer trip that may suit him better.

10/1

Form: 274365 D

Last run: 151 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won twice in quick succession (2m4f/2m) last May but the handicapper looked in charge after that; has slipped back down the weights but is still 1lb higher than for most recent success; returns from five months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:10 Cartmel

Well Educated

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: George Bewley

Runner-up three consecutive times at Hexham (2m-2m4f, good) this spring and also suited by this track but his latest run was below par and he's 2lb wrong today.

14/1

4th

5

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

15:43 Hexham

Well Educated

10st 5lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

No win since May 2024, but has run plenty of good races since; runner-up here on all three starts this season (2m/2m4f), last time finishing 9l behind to Perseus Way, who is 9lb worse off.

9/2

2nd

8

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

15:40 Hexham

Well Educated

10st 2lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

A head away from securing a fifth course win here last Saturday (2m); can number two C&D successes among that haul and respected again, for all that his record in the past three editions of this race reads 655.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.90
Straight Forecast £15.23
Trifecta £102.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Got Grey

Telegraph:

Bluegrass

POSTDATA:

Givemefive

The Times:

Schmilsson

RP RATINGS:

Luttrell Lad

WEST COUNTRY:

Oslo

LAMBOURN:

Givemefive

D Express:

Givemefive

Daily Mirror:

Bluegrass

The Sun:

Bluegrass

Daily Record:

Bluegrass

TOPSPEED:

Got Grey

The Guardian:

Got Grey

Daily Mail:

Got Grey

The Star:

Got Grey