October 24 / 14.25 Cheltenham

14.25

Good

Foundation Developments Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Qual)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 0f 87y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
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Foundation Developments Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Qual)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly sunny

Form: -891P6 D

Last run: 69 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Probably posted career-best performance when bagging good prize at Cartmel (2m1f, good to soft; refitted cheekpieces) in June but did not fire on latest outing and looks vulnerable under top weight here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 100y

17:35 Ballinrobe

Fiveonefive

11st 7lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Cian Collins

Gained a fifth win over hurdles at Cartmel last June but has lost his way since; heavy defeats the last twice at Naas and Aintree; is at least back down to last winning mark, but needs a revival.

22/1

20th

15

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Fiveonefive

11st 4lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Collins

Irish challenger who has done his winning at about 2m, mostly at Cartmel where he remains unbeaten; far from consistent and can be opposed in this highly competitive scenario back up in distance.

66/1

Form: P906-5 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Ran well before fading into sixth behind King William Rufus on New course here (2m1f, good) in April and this month's fifth in Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow (2m, good) wasn't a bad effort but he'll need to see this race out more strongly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

20th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Warwick

Norman Fletcher

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Has had three wins over hurdles but yet to convince on his suitability for this distance, latest when seventh of eight finishers at Haydock (2m5f, good) last month in first-time cheekpieces (retained).

10/1

7th

12

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Norman Fletcher

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

All five wins have been at about 2m or 2m1f; wasn't that strong through the line over Bangor's extended 2m3f last time (good) and has further to go here; tries cheekpieces.

10/1

3rd

6

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Norman Fletcher

10st 8lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Hasn't fired as he can this season but he's well handicapped on form that wasn't that long ago; back from a break and hasn't had many chances over this sort of trip.

6/1

Form: 16601- C

Last run: 191 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Two wins last season, the latter when holding on gamely in 16-runner handicap on New course here (2m1f, good) in April; needs another career-best performance today but still enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

King William Rufus

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Two wins last season, the latter when holding on gamely in 16-runner handicap on New course here (2m1f, good) in April; needs another career-best performance today but still enters calculations.

5/1

1st

8

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

17:00 Cheltenham

King William Rufus

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Chris Gordon

Ascot winner in December off 7lb lower (1m7f, good to soft); this represents a welcome drop in grade after contesting two high-profile handicaps and he's not out of it.

8/1

Form: 5-4426 D BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Scores good marks for his consistency for Fergal O'Brien since last autumn but is yet to win for this stable and appears to have very little margin for error off current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

24th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 2

15:28 Uttoxeter

Liverpool Knight

10st 13lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Plenty of good runs to his name since his last win in September 2023 and he raced freely after a break when behind Miss Maverick and Sir Galahad here 22 days ago; better can be expected this time.

20/1

6th

7

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

15:50 Uttoxeter

Liverpool Knight

11st 6lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has made the frame several times since his last win in September 2023; returns from a winter break on a career-low mark and not out of this if he is ready to roll.

4/1

6

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

Liverpool Knight

10st 12lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Scores good marks for his consistency for Fergal O'Brien since last autumn but is yet to win for this stable and appears to have very little margin for error off current mark.

12/1

Form: 0-3411 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Back in good form since returning from a break in June and bids to complete a hat-trick after wins at Sligo (2m2f, good) and Galway (2m, yielding); produced good late surge to lead close home under Eoin Staples on latter occasion but this race looks stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 90y

19:40 Kilbeggan

Torquay Road

11st 5lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Cian Collins

Three-time hurdle winner who has fared well in three starts over fences, beaten a neck by Kilbrin Rocco at Tramore 26 days ago; step up in trip and ground should suit.

11/2

2nd

2

19th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 110y

17:00 Tramore

Torquay Road

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Cian Collins

Three-time hurdles winner; sound effort on chase debut in a beginners' at Downpatrick (20.5f, gd-yld) when a 5l third but tailed off on softer ground at Fairyhouse (2m) on latest in January; soft ground a concern on handicap chase bow.

13/2

Form: 21316- D

Last run: 244 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Quite progressive in handicaps last season, winning twice at Huntingdon (2m/2m4f); absent since a lesser effort at Kempton in February but is only a 5yo and has plenty of scope for further improvement this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

15

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Gold For Alec

10st 2lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Tom Symonds

A marked step up in trip saw him emerge from the wilderness to win five-runner handicap at Hereford (extended 3m1f, good) last month and he did it comfortably, but he's 10lb higher today (4lb out of the handicap) against far more daunting opposition.

12/1

1st

5

16th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:30 Hereford

Gold For Alec

11st 3lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Both wins were at Huntingdon in winter 2024-25; ran well at Cheltenham (2m) in October but has had a bleak time of it since until something of an upturn at Chepstow (extended 2m3f) two weeks ago; needs to build on that and there was some encouragement last time for stepping up in trip.

3/1

3rd

10

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Gold For Alec

11st 5lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Ran well in defeat on his reappearance but nowhere near as effective in his last four races; the cheekpieces tried last time are removed.

25/1

Form: 114- D

Last run: 315 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
2-2 in novice hurdles last autumn; only fourth on handicap hurdle debut at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) in December and moves up in grade here but posted some commendable performances on the Flat this year, perhaps most notably when placed in Northumberland Plate; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Charging Thunder

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-4 in handicaps; however, he should be on a fair mark given the level of his Flat ability and he ran quite well in a valuable Newmarket handicap at the Guineas meeting; player.

9/4

7th

9

(8)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Charging Thunder

8st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Had underwhelming hurdle and AW campaigns before his second of five when returned to Flat turf at Beverley (2m) 18 days ago; this demands markedly better and his 2024 and 2025 turf records aren't that persuasive.

25/1

2nd

1

(3)

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 32y

Class 3

16:00 Beverley

Charging Thunder

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Second to Sax Appeal over C&D and successful over 1m6f at Wolverhampton (both off 2lb higher than today) last July; it's hard to be enthused by his more recent efforts, including well held at Newcastle on Good Friday, but this is a much less competitive scenario.

4/1

Form: 171-63 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Landed valuable series final for mares at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in March but was just a respectable third of five at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) last month and needs subsequent wind surgery to help her kick on again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

Leloopa

10st 9lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Landed valuable series final for mares at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in March but was just a respectable third of five at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) last month and needs subsequent wind surgery to help her kick on again.

14/1

4

9th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

15:58 Newton Abbot

Leloopa

11st 3lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Went up 10lb for winning by 8l at Kelso in March and finished well beaten next time at Uttoxeter; could be on a harsh mark now and would prefer drier ground.

13/2

1

27th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:37 Uttoxeter

Leloopa

12st 0lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Took form to whole new level when winning valuable series final by 8l at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in March and is now 3-6 over hurdles; returns from 127-day break on 10lb higher mark but good ground also suits; shortlisted.

11/2

Form: 213- BF

Last run: 186 days

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Very unexposed 4yo who won Wincanton maiden (1m7f, good; first-time hood) comfortably in March on British debut; managed only third when odds-on to follow up at Chepstow in April and needs to learn to settle better but moves into handicaps with significant potential and Freddie Keighley looks very good value for his 8lb claim against other conditionals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

Zaochen Enki

10st 8lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Very unexposed 4yo who won Wincanton maiden (1m7f, good; first-time hood) comfortably in March on British debut; managed only third when odds-on to follow up at Chepstow in April and needs to learn to settle better but moves into handicaps with significant potential and Freddie Keighley looks very good value for his 8lb claim against other conditionals.

8/1

3rd

7

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

14:24 Chepstow

Zaochen Enki

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Runner-up on debut in France last summer and won very comfortably when reappearing for Paul Nicholls at Wincanton (1m7f, good; first-time hood) last month; could easily have a lot more to offer and makes obvious appeal.

6/5

3rd

7

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

14:24 Chepstow

Zaochen Enki

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Runner-up on debut in France last summer and won very comfortably when reappearing for Paul Nicholls at Wincanton (1m7f, good; first-time hood) last month; could easily have a lot more to offer and makes obvious appeal.

6/5

Form: 0-7133

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
0-6 in bumpers; won comfortably on hurdle debut at Downpatrick (2m2f, good) in July and has finished third in two small-field handicaps there since (2m6f/2m1f); needs improvement here but is not yet fully exposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:22 Listowel

Diamond Tipp

11st 11lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Martin Hassett

Won good-ground 2m2f maiden at Downpatrick last July and some okay runs at same track after; pulled up on testing ground on first run of the year at Fairyhouse and has since left John McConnell.

8/1

14

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:05 Fairyhouse

Diamond Tipp

11st 0lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Won comfortably on hurdles debut at Downpatrick (2m2f, good) last summer and some okay runs in handicaps afterwards; absent since October and probably wants better ground.

25/1

12

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

Diamond Tipp

10st 7lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John C McConnell

0-6 in bumpers; won comfortably on hurdle debut at Downpatrick (2m2f, good) in July and has finished third in two small-field handicaps there since (2m6f/2m1f); needs improvement here but is not yet fully exposed.

14/1

Form: -33114 D BF

Last run: 62 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
4-21 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Market Rasen (2m, good) in July; behind Grey Skies when fourth at Cartmel in August and recent Flat form is uninspiring; may find this too competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(5)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

14:37 Southwell (AW)

Prince Quattro

9st 3lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Registered a first Flat win when scoring over C&D in January and it was a creditable effort when chasing home St Faz at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) six days ago; work to do if he's to turn the tables but still one of the more likely ones.

6/1

2nd

6

(5)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

14:12 Lingfield (AW)

Prince Quattro

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Recorded his first Flat success when scoring at Southwell in January (1m6f); he has run to a similar level in defeat since and he should remain competitive.

8/1

4th

1

(5)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Prince Quattro

10st 0lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

4-22 over hurdles but just 1-15 on the Flat, the win coming at Southwell (1m6f, Tapeta) in January; only 1lb higher, though, and should make his presence felt.

2/1

Form: -53113 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Perked up by blinkers this summer, winning twice, but faded into third after setting the pace in run-of-the-mill Worcester handicap (2m, good) last month and is patently not the force of old.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

15th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

19:30 Aintree

Grey Skies

11st 11lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Won twice in blinkers on good ground last summer (2m/2m1f) but was given a break after two disappointing runs in the autumn and made a low-key return without blinkers last month; has blinkers back on today but needs to get back in the groove.

20/1

7th

7

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

19:00 Hereford

Grey Skies

11st 3lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Two wins last summer (2m/2m1f, good), the latest off just a 1lb lower mark; form has dipped in his last two races, at Cheltenham and then Carlisle where he should have run better; absent since November.

12/1

15

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

Grey Skies

10st 4lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Perked up by blinkers this summer, winning twice, but faded into third after setting the pace in run-of-the-mill Worcester handicap (2m, good) last month and is patently not the force of old.

25/1

Non-runners

Rubber Ball, Cavern Club, Scintillante

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £390.50
Straight Forecast £260.14
Tricast £1473.72
Trifecta £2652.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Zaochen Enki

TOPSPEED:

Cavern Club

The Times:

Charging Thunder

RP RATINGS:

Liverpool Knight

D Express:

Leloopa

Daily Record:

Torquay Road

The Star:

Norman Fletcher

WEST COUNTRY:

Zaochen Enki

Daily Mirror:

Zaochen Enki

POSTDATA:

Cavern Club

The Sun:

Cavern Club

The Guardian:

Charging Thunder

Daily Mail:

Charging Thunder

Telegraph:

Liverpool Knight