16.37
Good To FirmMichael Oliver Memorial Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase
- Prize money: £3973.6
- 2m 4f 11y
- Class 5
- 4 runners
Runners: 4 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
Abandoned
Form: 311-22 D
Last run: 16 days
W: 12st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 102
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 4 |
25th Sep 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
This front-runner didn't have it all his own way in a qualifier for this last month and, off this career-high mark, he inherited second place (beaten 8l by the winner); could be vulnerable again, though should run well provided he takes to the new visor (replacing cheekpieces). |
8/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
23rd Aug 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Front-runner who was granted an easy lead last time at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) and made no mistake by 3l; hard to grumble with the 3lb rise and if getting into a rhythm he should put up another bold show. |
11/2 |
|
1st 2 |
15th Jul 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 8lb |
Bold-jumping front-runner with seven chase wins, four under Gavin Sheehan; didn't get to the front at Southwell (2m, good) last month and never threatened the winner but shaped as though still in form; remains 7lb higher than for his latest win but could prove hard to catch if allowed an easy lead. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 313-24
Last run: 15 days
W: 11st 13lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 101
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
25th Mar 2026 Good 2m 0f 8y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Reliable veteran who was in good form when last seen, finishing third on his last three runs; won this off 1lb lower last year and he's worth considering back from a break. |
5/2 |
|
4 |
8th Oct 2025 Good To Firm 2m 4f 11y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
Just one win from 24 starts but that was by 11l over fences at Hereford (2m, good) in March and he ran into a handicap blot there in final run in the spring; looks interesting off 3lb lower on his return and his win was under Shane Quinlan. |
11/4 |
Abandoned
Form: 3-552F
Last run: 21 days
W: 10st 11lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 6 |
29th Sep 2026 Good 2m 0f 178y Class 5 |
10st 6lb |
Won this easily in 2024, with his yard also responsible for the 2022 winner Lucky Lover Boy; back on song lately, runner-up at Bangor (2m4f) and forcing his head to the front where it matters at Kelso (2m2f, good to firm; 5-2); obvious chance from 4lb higher. |
5/2 |
|
1st 7 |
16th Sep 2026 Good To Firm 2m 2f 25y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
Hasn't won for two years and has raced mainly over fences for the last 12 months; ran better when second of eight finishers back over hurdles at Bangor (2m4f, good) 12 days ago and is one of the likelier ones. |
9/4 |
|
2nd 10 |
4th Sep 2026 Good 2m 3f 123y Class 5 |
10st 6lb |
Better known as a chaser now and has not really been firing on all cylinders since returning from a break in April; not yet proven over this far and needs to be perked up by this switch back to hurdling; usually avoids ground slower than good. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -34513 D
Last run: 34 days
W: 10st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 83
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 |
28th Sep 2026 Good 3m 2f 105y Class 5 |
10st 6lb |
2-15 over hurdles, latest win over 2m7f at Worcester last August under Eleanor Williams; largely disappointing since until a 2.5l second at Plumpton (3m1f, good) last week, where hanging may have cost him; should go close if reproducing that effort. |
15/8 |
|
2nd 4 |
20th Sep 2026 Good 3m 0f 217y Class 5 |
11st 5lb |
Lost his way after winning off today's mark at Worcester (2m7f, good) last summer but caught the eye when running on to take fourth over that C&D in July and it will be interesting to see whether he can build on that performance. |
7/1 |
|
4th 9 |
10th Jul 2026 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
2-13 over hurdles, the latter win gained off this mark over C&D (good) last summer; has lost his way a bit since, though, and was safely held off his lower chase mark last month; others have more pressing claims. |
16/1 |
Non-runners
Stardhem
Verdict
With ten wins, including this race in 2021, Ludlow is third only to Cheltenham and Fakenham on the list of Gina Andrews’ most successful rules courses as a rider, and her booking for PEP TALKING has to be a plus. For his part, Billy Aprahamian’s gelding ought to prove better for this month’s return. Stardhem’s hat-trick bid in April foundered badly behind the selection, but he may bounce back if the six-month break has done him good. [Jeremy Grayson]
Selections
SPOTLIGHT:
Pep TalkingRP RATINGS:
Cawthorne CrackerThe Times:
PooroldmackleyPOSTDATA:
Pep Talking