November 19 / 15.10 Warwick

15.10

Soft

Denis O’Connell Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 3m 1f 5y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Denis O’Connell Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qualifier)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 7518-9 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
C&D novice hurdle winner in 2022; thorough stayer who gained latest win in Surrey National at Lingfield (3m5f, heavy) in January; suffered heavy defeat in Eider Chase the following month and tailed off on his comeback at Ffos Las (25.5f, soft) three weeks ago; runner-up five times in cheekpieces and that aid is refitted on first hurdle start for well over two years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Sporting Ace

10st 8lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Reportedly appreciated the heavy ground when rallying to lead close home at Huntingdon (2m7f) last month; will be suited by the longer trip here but the ground will be much quicker this time and he's very unreliable now.

8/1

13

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Sporting Ace

10st 8lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Returned to form with narrow win in this race a year ago (heavy) and is now 1lb below that mark but well beaten all four starts since (three this season) and needs to bounce back again; headgear (worn for last two races) removed.

16/1

Form: 6433-1

Last run: 190 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Burst back to life with 15l win at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May; absent since and up 11lb, which puts him on clear career-high mark at the age of nine; also has a slight query on this forecast soft ground but Harry Skelton retains the ride; should be in the mix if ready to go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Thankyourluckystar

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Returned to form with creditable second at Southwell (2m4f) last time but looks unlikely to go one better; the 10yo faces a difficult task against several younger rivals who are open to further improvement.

14/1

2nd

4

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:52 Southwell

Thankyourluckystar

11st 9lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Alastair Ralph

All wins have been on good ground, latest at Worcester in May (2m7f); below-par two runs since and bit to prove at present.

11/1

2

19th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Thankyourluckystar

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Alastair Ralph

Burst back to life with 15l win at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May; absent since and up 11lb, which puts him on clear career-high mark at the age of nine; also has a slight query on this forecast soft ground but Harry Skelton retains the ride; should be in the mix if ready to go.

5/2

Form: 157738 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 9lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Secured the second leg of a four-timer with wide-margin win over C&D (good) in May; now just 2lb above his last winning mark but generally well beaten since (the exception in a four-runner race) and he was tailed off last time; others look more likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Im A Starman

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mark Rimell

Grand veteran with eight wins over hurdles, including two over C&D last summer; down to his last winning mark and should be sharper for his fifth at Hereford last month following a five-month layoff, but you have to think that one of his younger rivals should have his measure.

12/1

5th

4

16th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:30 Hereford

Im A Starman

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Mark Rimell

Registered a four-timer last April-June (3m1f/2m7f, good/good to soft); very in and out since and he's now a 13yo but he finished on the heels of the principals off today's mark at Warwick in November when last seen; more to prove after the break.

4/1

3

19th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Im A Starman

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Mark Rimell

Secured the second leg of a four-timer with wide-margin win over C&D (good) in May; now just 2lb above his last winning mark but generally well beaten since (the exception in a four-runner race) and he was tailed off last time; others look more likely.

16/1

Form: -85313 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Running well at present and he followed a Wetherby win (3m) in October with a solid third at Bangor (2m7f, also good), despite giving Joe Anderson a workout, 12 days later; has form on soft and is one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Kiss My Face

11st 10lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Alastair Ralph

Hurdles record of 5-32 includes wins over 3m on good ground at Wetherby in October and Haydock latest start; holding his form well and is better than ever; may remain competitive.

12/1

4

19th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Kiss My Face

11st 8lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Alastair Ralph

Running well at present and he followed a Wetherby win (3m) in October with a solid third at Bangor (2m7f, also good), despite giving Joe Anderson a workout, 12 days later; has form on soft and is one to consider.

8/1

6

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Kiss My Face

11st 6lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Alastair Ralph

Arguably posted career-best performance when winning at Warwick (3m, good) 12 days ago, but is 6lb higher in a stronger race and not always one to rely upon; others appeal more.

11/2

Form: /5P41-

Last run: 283 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Point winner who won on hurdles/rules debut at Stratford (2m6f, soft) in November 2023; couldn't match that subsequently (including over fences) until she popped up again over hurdles in this headgear combination at Chepstow (3m, soft) in February; up 3lb for this reappearance; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Getaway Theatre

11st 2lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Stuart Edmunds

Won at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) last winter and she returned after nine months off with a near-miss at Warwick (3m1f, soft) in November; looks interesting on that form but she's not matched it in two runs since and needs to rediscover her spark.

16/1

5th

1

26th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:20 Plumpton

Getaway Theatre

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Solid contender on the form of a Chepstow win (2m7f) last February and when narrowly failing to give weight to a subsequent winner at Warwick (3m1f, also on soft) in November; lacked the pace to play a part on good to soft there since but today's surface and lower grade will help.

100/30

Form: /447-7

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Promise in two Chepstow maiden hurdles (about 2m4f, soft and good to soft) around this time last year but only mid-division in two subsequent handicaps; wasn't beaten far in the latest of them on last month's reappearance, however, and has untapped potential at this trip; hood goes on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Murphys Milan

11st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Promise in two Chepstow maiden hurdles (about 2m4f, soft and good to soft) around this time last year but only mid-division in two subsequent handicaps; wasn't beaten far in the latest of them on last month's reappearance, however, and has untapped potential at this trip; hood goes on.

7/2

6

10th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:55 Chepstow

Murphys Milan

11st 10lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Shaped with promise in two C&D maidens last autumn and wasn't beaten far when upped to 3m for handicap debut in March; back from another break today but remains unexposed.

14/1

7th

8

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 4

16:37 Newbury

Murphys Milan

11st 10lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Plenty of promise in his bumper and a pair of 2m3f maiden hurdles (from soft to good); very interesting now raised in distance on his handicap debut as there's lots of stamina in the pedigree; absent since November so market support would be welcomed.

8/1

Form: 51P-35

Last run: 75 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner for Dan Skelton but signed off for that yard (same owners) with some poor efforts and is still 6lb above his last winning mark; pulled up on only start at this trip; watch the market on stable debut after 75 days away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Gwennie May Star

11st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Christian Williams

Won twice over today's trip at Warwick for Dan Skelton last season (soft/good to soft); started off for Christian Williams with two pretty good efforts on good ground towards the end of that campaign but may find others in this line-up better handicapped.

12/1

4th

11

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

14:40 Perth

Gwennie May Star

11st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Won races for Dan Skelton (2m1f/2m3f) and Olly Murphy (3m1f); now on a career-high mark, off which he was no match for the front two on stable debut at Bangor (2m7f).

9/1

3rd

6

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

13:37 Bangor-on-Dee

Gwennie May Star

11st 7lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Christian Williams

Won twice over hurdles for Dan Skelton last season (2m1f/2m3f) and twice for Olly Murphy this term (3m1f); ran poorly on latest outing five weeks ago, though, and remains on career-high mark for this stable debut.

7/2

Form: 8141F-

Last run: 275 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Raised game when switched to fences with cheekpieces on, winning at Leicester (2m6f) and Sedgefield (3m2f, also soft) last term; can make the odd mistake, however, and was already beaten when falling at Carlisle in February; absent since but this is his first start in a handicap over hurdles and he may well have something to offer in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Catch Catchfire

10st 3lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Record of 2-8 over fences; his narrow defeat by Aworkinprogress at Lingfield (3m5f, soft) puts him in the mix and there were excuses last time at Exeter where he was kicked at the start, made the odd mistake and lost a shoe; can put a line through that; hard to rule out.

16/1

5

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Catch Catchfire

10st 7lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Fifth in the Borders National at Kelso (4m, soft; unraced on heavy) in December was up with his best at the time; suffered an early mishap next time but raised his game when rallying strongly for a close second in the Surrey National at Lingfield (3m5f, soft; jumped to his right) on latest start, which puts him firmly in the mix despite this 5lb higher mark and going this way round could help; he should have a big shout.

7/2

2nd

14

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Catch Catchfire

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Very close third over hurdles on seasonal debut in November and not beaten far from out of the weights in Borders National at Kelso (4m, soft) when back over fences last month; suffered early mishap last time and is 1lb wrong today but, after only six chase runs, he's not fully exposed.

12/1

Form: 43-P13 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
First run over this sort of trip when springing a 50-1 surprise at Hereford in October; proved it was no fluke when third at that track (also 3m2f, good) a fortnight ago; latter form looks solid and he's unexposed as a stayer; player despite potential ground query.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

19th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Flash In The Pan

10st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Kathy Turner

First run over this sort of trip when springing a 50-1 surprise at Hereford in October; proved it was no fluke when third at that track (also 3m2f, good) a fortnight ago; latter form looks solid and he's unexposed as a stayer; player despite potential ground query.

14/1

1st

6

13th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

15:42 Hereford

Flash In The Pan

11st 5lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Kathy Turner

Placed for the first time when third at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in March on handicap debut but Fontwell was disappointing after a break.

14/1

5

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

17:20 Fontwell

Flash In The Pan

10st 9lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Kathy Turner

0-6 but placed for the first time when third at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in March on handicap debut; still early days and may find improvement.

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.60
Straight Forecast £25.84
Tricast £143.45
Trifecta £197.50

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Murphy's Milan

The Guardian:

Thankyourluckystar

RP RATINGS:

Kiss My Face

SPOTLIGHT:

Catch Catchfire

POSTDATA:

Murphy's Milan

The Times:

Murphy's Milan

Telegraph:

Murphy's Milan

D Express:

Murphy's Milan

The Star:

Murphy's Milan

Daily Mail:

Thankyourluckystar

Daily Mirror:

Thankyourluckystar

Daily Record:

Thankyourluckystar

The Sun:

Kiss My Face