September 13 / 17.35 Chester

17.35

Good

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

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

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 12108- D

Last run: 269 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won six times on turf last year and still not handicapped out of contention as he's only 3lb higher than for the last of those wins (1m4f, soft); lacking a recent run is probably not ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(4)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

17:15 Doncaster

Three Dons

10st 0lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Multiple Flat wins at 1m-1m4f, including on heavy; unable to make a significant impact on the Flat last autumn but he's run with credit over hurdles in recent months and is well treated back on the level (6lb below his last winning mark); considered.

10/1

2nd

4

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

16:30 Catterick

Three Dons

11st 7lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Tony Carroll

Multiple Flat wins at 1m-1m4f, including on heavy; switched to hurdling late in the day but he's taken surprisingly well to this game, running two good races at Leicester (extended 1m7f; soft and heavy), and may well improve for this easier stamina test now handicapping; thereabouts.

4/1

3rd

11

20th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 113y

Class 4

14:32 Leicester

Three Dons

11st 8lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: Tony Carroll

8-46 on the Flat; left it rather late in the day to launch his hurdling career but went down fighting over C&D (soft) just after Christmas and has a good chance if in similar form again.

9/2

Form: -32104 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Running well prior to breakthrough win at York (1m4f) this summer and didn't enjoy a clear run when fourth of nine at Windsor (11.4f), though wasn't unlucky; back into a Class 4 here but might be high in the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(6)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

16:52 Chester

Secret Beach

10st 2lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Donald McCain

Perhaps best over further but he was only nabbed late on over C&D last week and, although 1lb higher, Toby Moore rides him for the first time claiming 7lb; can be inconsistent but he's run three excellent races in defeat around here; solid chance.

11/2

2nd

5

(1)

25th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

16:58 Chester

Secret Beach

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Donald McCain

Two 1m4f wins for Ben Brookhouse last year; hasn't seriously threatened back on the Flat for current yard (best effort was here in May) and ideally wants further.

16/1

4th

3

(2)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:40 York

Secret Beach

10st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Donald McCain

Two 1m4f wins for Ben Brookhouse last year, including this race on good to firm; hasn't seriously threatened back on the Flat for current yard and it remains to be seen whether a return to York sparks a full-scale revival.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: -20281

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Five runs in handicaps have yielded two seconds and a win, the victory coming narrowly at Newmarket last time (1m2f; second run in cheekpieces); only 1lb higher, stays this far and now goes in a visor; hard to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(6)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:27 Newmarket (July)

Sir Edward Lear

9st 7lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Both wins have been over 1m2f and latest was at this course last August; now 2lb lower but he's been well held in both runs this season and is untried at this trip; something to prove in another switch of headgear.

13/2

4th

2

(4)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 5

16:45 Ripon

Sir Edward Lear

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: James Owen

This course scorer might have needed his recent reappearance and is well treated if bouncing back to his best, having returned to the mark he defied at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm) last August; also went close over C&D last summer; cheekpieces off, visor back on; yard hasn't been as prolific as usual in the last couple of weeks but that's likely to change before long.

11/4

Form: 672156 C

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Won over 2m (good) here in June and the saddle slipped on his return visit the following month; can probably forgive him his Ascot run as well as that was a Class 3; could find this trip on the tight side, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(14)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 4

16:10 Ascot

Tailorman

9st 9lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Ian Williams

Acts on good to firm; in good form over 1m6f/2m last June, including for a Chester win off 3lb lower than today; well held on sole start here (last July) and not seen since last September; he ran well first time out last season but others look more persuasive today.

25/1

4

(8)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:35 Chester

Tailorman

11st 6lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Ian Williams

Won over 2m (good) here in June and the saddle slipped on his return visit the following month; can probably forgive him his Ascot run as well as that was a Class 3; could find this trip on the tight side, though.

16/1

Form: 82/56 BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Only had four races and did well to be beaten under 3l on handicap debut at Lingfield (1m4f AW) given how hard he pulled; the ability is there to go well if giving himself a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

13th Aug 2026

Good

1m 7f 120y

17:11 Tramore

Playtime

11st 5lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Flat winner is 1-11 over hurdles, having been successful in a Leopardstown maiden hurdle in March (2m, soft to heavy); good runner-up finish to the smart Switch From Diesel in a Punchestown novice hurdle in June was his best run since (2m1f, good); makes chasing debut now and his hurdles rating of 115 gives him a shout but his recent runs have been a bit below his best.

13/2

6th

5

2nd Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 160y

13:50 Galway

Playtime

11st 9lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Leopardstown maiden hurdle winner (2m, soft) in March and runner-up to the smart Switch From Diesel in a Punchestown novice, his best run since; 2m6f may have stretched him last time, back in trip now.

10/1

3rd

1

14th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 185y

16:12 Downpatrick

Playtime

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Leopardstown maiden hurdle winner (2m, soft) in March and runner-up to the smart Switch From Diesel in a novice two runs back; only seventh in a handicap since then but was beaten far; every chance on these terms.

7/4

Form: /80-35

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
The winner of two novices, on fast and slow ground; placed over 1m2f here last month before finishing midfield last week at Haydock (extended 1m3f); in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

14:00 Downpatrick

Rogue Sea

11st 0lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Flat winner in UK showed a hint of ability in four hurdle runs there; fell four out on stable/seasonal debut at Clonmel; only 10/1 that day so considered for a yard that does well here.

14/1

4

5th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 113y

18:10 Clonmel

Rogue Sea

11st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Flat winner; no sign of winning potential in four maiden hurdles at 2m-2m1f but may improve for switch to a handicap on stable bow; check market.

14/1

Form: 221847

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Nosed home in a four-runner race at Epsom in July (1m2f, good to firm) but comfortably beaten in the meantime; on the plus side, he has twice hit the frame on four visits here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(17)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 20y

18:10 Navan

Giselles Defence

9st 9lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Sean Davis

Four wins in Britain for Ian Williams at 1m2f but yet to reproduce that level of form for current connections, from 7f to 1m5f.

33/1

Form: 3198-6 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Formerly with Harry Charlton; won over 1m4f (AW) on yard debut last winter but nothing good to take from his subsequent races.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(4)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:35 Chester

Arazzo

10st 13lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Formerly with Harry Charlton; won over 1m4f (AW) on yard debut last winter but nothing good to take from his subsequent races.

50/1

6th

8

(7)

5th Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:15 Ffos Las

Arazzo

8st 13lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Lightly raced 4yo who won on stable debut at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) last November but finished down the field on his next two starts; needs to get back on track on this first outing of the year.

20/1

8th

7

(7)

30th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

15:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Arazzo

9st 4lb

J: Jordan Williams

T: Bernard Llewellyn

slowly away, always behind, eased when no chance over 1f out

9/1

Form: 112-76 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Some sign of returning to form last week at Down Royal and has to be respected as a dual C&D winner last summer; nothing wrong with his mark and conditions should be about ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(5)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 5

16:15 Beverley

Grey Fable

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Karl Thornton

Passed by Mr Moonshine close home when fourth at Chester latest, beaten under 1l and clear of Sisterandbrother and Return With Gold; well treated on 2024's peak form, but winless around any course this galloping.

4/1

4th

6

(6)

25th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

13:53 Chester

Grey Fable

9st 8lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Karl Thornton

Victory in this two years ago is one of two course wins; dangerously treated if revived by a return to this venue and he did win on the AW in May.

8/1

Form: -63246

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Just missed out over C&D three runs back but remains a maiden and finished last of the six on her final run; clearly a contender if replicating that run here in July.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(3)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 5f 192y

Class 5

10:30 Catterick

Kokinelli

9st 13lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Hugo Palmer

Pipped at Chester (1m4f, good) in July and returned to form at Southwell (upped to 1m6f, AW) 15 days ago, getting off the mark at 14th attempt; back up 5lb but may have more to offer at this trip.

2/1

6

(9)

3rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Kokinelli

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Hugo Palmer

Just missed out at Chester (12.3f, good) in July but her form has slipped in the wrong direction in three subsequent runs; edging back down the weights but she's now 0-13 and has stamina to prove at this new trip.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £56.90
Straight Forecast £44.99
Tricast £152.15
Trifecta £237.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Sir Edward Lear

SPOTLIGHT:

Grey Fable

Telegraph:

Playtime

Daily Mirror:

Secret Beach

POSTDATA:

Sir Edward Lear

NEWMARKET:

Sir Edward Lear

The Guardian:

Sir Edward Lear

Daily Mail:

Sir Edward Lear

The Sun:

Sir Edward Lear

Daily Record:

Sir Edward Lear

The Times:

Grey Fable

D Express:

Grey Fable

The Star:

Grey Fable