September 13 / 17.05 Chester

17.05

Good

John Smith’s Jump Jockeys Challenge Handicap (Professional Jump Jockeys) (GBBPlus Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £11338.8
  • 1m 4f 63y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
John Smith’s Jump Jockeys Challenge Handicap (Professional Jump Jockeys) (GBBPlus Race) (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 444510

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Bought for 20,000gns out of the O'Meara yard for which he won three times, the latest over 1m2f at Ripon in June; well held at York since then; unraced over this far which is a worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

13:51 Market Rasen

Westernesse

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Bought for 20,000gns out of the O'Meara yard for which he won three times at up to 1m2f; made a quiet stable debut at Chester but was no doubt bought with hurdling in mind.

9/1

1

(9)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Westernesse

11st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Bought for 20,000gns out of the O'Meara yard for which he won three times, the latest over 1m2f at Ripon in June; well held at York since then; unraced over this far which is a worry.

10/1

Form: 242617 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won by a head at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) but only seventh under a penalty when upped to a Class 4 at Southwell; all four wins on the AW and 0-20 on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(10)

13th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Lingfield (AW)

Percy Jones

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

All four wins have been at Wolverhampton (1m4f-2m) and latest was 11 months ago; finished a close third off 1lb higher at Bath (1m6f, good) last month but he's not easy to predict and was well held with cheekpieces tried at Chester last time; the headgear is quickly discarded but he comes with risks attached.

16/1

6th

5

(3)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

17:50 Chester

Percy Jones

9st 13lb

J: David Egan

T: Mark Loughnane

Has won four times on the AW but is 0-23 on turf, although has been placed on 12 occasions; decent third at Bath last time (1m6f, good); each-way chance; cheekpieces now tried.

15/2

3rd

3

(5)

5th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Bath

Percy Jones

9st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Mark Loughnane

All four wins on AW at Wolverhampton; 0-22 on turf and beaten 24l on reappearance at Newbury (1m4f, good) three weeks ago; hard to fancy.

5/1

Form: 3-3616 CD

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won over 1m4f here in June (soft) and got upset in the preliminaries before finishing tailed off on his return visit; was running well when falling back over hurdles; entitled to be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(4)

12th May 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

17:15 Lingfield (AW)

Polling Day

10st 0lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Looked rusty after seven months off when last of seven in 1m4f Wolverhampton handicap last month; this course winner can build on that now.

10/1

7th

6

(1)

4th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Polling Day

9st 0lb

J: David Probert

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Soft-ground win last summer came off a 4lb lower mark and he's entitled to need this at his age back from seven months off; trainer also saddles Bulldog Spirit.

25/1

3

(8)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Polling Day

11st 7lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Won over 1m4f here in June (soft) and got upset in the preliminaries before finishing tailed off on his return visit; was running well when falling back over hurdles; entitled to be involved.

25/1

Form: 4/1615 D BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Two 1m4f wins in five runs for this yard and got competitive a good way out when below par last time, having previously run well in a competitive handicap hurdle; this ground could be borderline (enjoys good or quicker) but worth considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

17:00 Chester

Nibras Gold

9st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: James Owen

Seems in form having posted a couple of creditable efforts over fences this year (May/June); close second over C&D when last seen on the Flat ten months ago; capable of taking a serious hand.

100/30

3rd

2

16th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

15:15 Stratford

Nibras Gold

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Runner-up in three of his four chases, most recently at Bangor (2m1f, good; well clear of third) last month, after a layoff; also suited by this track and can make his presence felt again.

11/4

2nd

1

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

15:32 Bangor-on-Dee

Nibras Gold

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Dual 1m4f Flat winner (made all) and Summer Hurdle third last year, and jumped perfectly well when second on two of three chase starts in summer 2024; record of 62121 when returning from breaks of over 200 days.

7/1

Form: 511342 D

Last run: 2 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Mixes the Flat with hurdling and won under both codes this year; continued his good run of form when runner-up in a similar race to this at Epsom on Thursday (soft); respected if turned out again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:10 Cartmel

Saligo Bay

11st 12lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Sam England

Progressive on the Flat and over hurdles last year, collecting eight wins (one over C&D) in total; absent since respectable fifth in Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) in January, though, and current mark demands another personal best.

14/1

5th

6

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

13:43 Musselburgh

Saligo Bay

10st 7lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won three in a row (1m7f/2m, good-soft) prior to heavy defeat at Windsor a fortnight ago; however, the ground was soft, heavy in places last time which may have been too demanding, and he's not written off today.

16/1

11th

12

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Saligo Bay

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Sam England

Won on the Flat in September and also successful on four of his five hurdle starts since, including on soft ground and in good style at Haydock (1m7f, good to soft) last time; he's 7lb higher than last time and in a hotter race today, but he's clearly thriving and could go well once more.

11/1

Form: -13424 D

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Below best at York in June and since left David O'Meara for 20,000gns; an assured stayer who is capable off this mark and could have a part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(3)

17th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 4

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Heathen

9st 10lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Jennie Candlish

Of his five AW wins, two have come at this track, one over today's distance; respectable third at Chester (2m, good) on his reappearance in May but needs to be at the top of his game here as he is 5lb above his last winning mark.

6/1

Form: 0/44/0 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Following a long absence this 9yo wasn't the force of old over hurdles earlier this year and was tailed off back on the Flat three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Ayr

Cormier

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Brian Ellison

Has six wins on the Flat but his last of four successes over hurdles came four years ago; continues to drop in the weights without looking likely to take advantage.

7/1

6th

7

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

15:20 Newcastle

Cormier

11st 7lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

Remains capable at the age of 10 (won on the Flat in October) but it's been hard work back over hurdles, albeit in a pair of Class 2 handicaps; looks vulnerable.

14/1

4

(8)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:32 Nottingham

Cormier

9st 10lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Useful dual-purpose performer in his youth; had a long spell on the sidelines prior to his return in February and he's struggled on the Flat and over hurdles this year; down in the weights and he was prominent in the betting last time so he can't be dismissed.

6/1

Form: 911314 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Three thirds from five races at Chester, including a division of this 12 months ago; has won three of his last five starts and capable of a bold show off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

29th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Green Team

10st 7lb

J: Miss Grace Littmoden

T: Nick Littmoden

A three-time winner (including over C&D) in 2025 for Ian Williams; in good nick for his present yard too, fourth of eight in 1m3f Southwell handicap eight days ago; not out of things.

12/1

4th

4

(7)

21st May 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

17:23 Southwell (AW)

Green Team

10st 8lb

J: Miss Grace Littmoden

T: Nick Littmoden

On the downgrade in recent times for Ian Williams, from whom he was picked up for 7,500gns last month; just a fair debut for his new yard recently and this trip is a bare minimum these days.

12/1

Form: 611214 BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Has won over hurdles and now in a good run of form on the Flat, following an easy win at Ripon with a rallying fourth over Haydock's extended 1m3f (good); just 1lb higher here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

17:00 Chester

Spartan Times

9st 6lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Jennie Candlish

Productive on Flat and over hurdles since early last summer; creditable second, one place in front of L'Eagle Aid who admittedly came from a poorer position, over C&D most recently; major contender.

7/2

2nd

6

(1)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

17:50 Chester

Spartan Times

9st 13lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Went up 29lb for his four wins last season; wasn't at his best on first Flat run this year when last of five at Ripon (had been running well over hurdles); bit to prove.

9/1

5th

3

(3)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 5

16:45 Ripon

Spartan Times

9st 7lb

J: William Pyle

T: Jennie Candlish

Notched four Flat wins last year, including over 1m3f here on good; returned from a break to win over hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m, good) this month; only a fair fourth at Aintree since but still respected back on the Flat.

5/2

Form: 81-314

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced; it was a Class 6 handicap she won at Ffos Las (1m1f, good) and then only fourth in a Class 4 at Southwell; still one to consider, having won a 1m3f handicap with give underfoot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(6)

26th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

14:15 Haydock

Cotswold Cottage

9st 6lb

J: Tyrese Cameron

T: Faye Bramley

Lightly raced 5yo; made all at Ffos Las (1m1f, good) last month and ran better than her finishing position suggests when sixth at Chester (12.5f, good to soft) a fortnight ago; won't mind how the ground is riding; major player back down in trip.

4/1

10

(7)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Cotswold Cottage

10st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Faye Bramley

Lightly raced; it was a Class 6 handicap she won at Ffos Las (1m1f, good) and then only fourth in a Class 4 at Southwell; still one to consider, having won a 1m3f handicap with give underfoot.

8/1

4th

13

(4)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Cotswold Cottage

8st 10lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Faye Bramley

Very lightly raced 5yo who made it 2-3 in handicaps when comfortably making all at Ffos Las (1m1f, good) this month on second stable start; won over 11.4f on heavy ground at Windsor last October and she could have untapped potential at this sort of distance; on the shortlist.

12/1

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Nibras Gold

RP RATINGS:

Spartan Times

The Guardian:

Heathen

The Star:

Polling Day

SPOTLIGHT:

Green Team

POSTDATA:

Saligo Bay

The Times:

Cormier

Daily Mail:

Spartan Times

The Sun:

Heathen

Telegraph:

Nibras Gold

D Express:

Nibras Gold

Daily Mirror:

Nibras Gold

Daily Record:

Nibras Gold