The 2025 Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle at Haydock

Seventeen are set to face the starter for the Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle (2.25 Haydock) tomorrow; the going on the hurdle course is currently described as good to soft.

Ma Shantou, seventh in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival, comfortably beat Electric Mason two and threequarters lengths at Cheltenham four weeks ago - and looked to have a bit left in the tank as well. 

Amongst those in behind that day were Supremely West (third), Long Draw (fourth); Prince Zaltar (sixth), Gowel Road (eleventh) and Patriotik (twelfth) - those listed also finished behind Kikijo over the same course and distance (on soft ground) last Saturday. Kikijo is now rated 127.

In this week's RP Weekender handler Emma Lavelle says of Ma Shantou:

"I suggested in my recent stable tour that he could step up to Graded company were he to win, and plenty of people have reminded me that we won this with a certain Paisley Park back in 2018.

"He was rated 147 that day and Ma Shantou is on 138, so he has a little way to go, but he's on an upward trajectory and we hope it can keep going." 

Ace Of Spades, owned by the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate, won on the Old Roan undercard at Aintree 27 days ago; race reader Richard Lowther commented:

"If he continues to progress, he could be one for Graded contests later in the season." 

In a Sporting Life stable tour article, trainer Dan Skelton subsequently said:

"We are going to try and get him ready for the long distance handicap hurdle at Haydock Park. We could have a couple in that but it would be my intention to have him ready for that. 

"We stepped him up in trip midway through last season and he improved for it. He had a good season. He nicked a race at Cheltenham and not many do that, but we did."

The race referenced was the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice Maiden Hurdle (17.11.24); last April Ace Of Spades was pipped a head by Billy Boi Blue in a Class 3 handicap hurdle over three miles at Ayr.

Joe Tizzard said of Hartington in his Sporting Life stable tour:

"I thought his final run last season at Windsor was good [four lengths second behind Emma Lavelle trained Guard Duty]. He was just weak last season and he just had a little setback which was enough that we couldn't run him, so we protected his mark a little bit.

"It was a good little race that he won up at Carlisle on Sunday [beat Florida Dreams - declared 1.15 Haydock - a neck, Karafon seventh 02.11.25], but we thought his Windsor run had worked out really well and we thought he had improved over the summer.

We went up there for that pot and it came off. It was a lovely first run and it looks like we could step him up to three miles now."  

Horaces Pearl looked a smart prospect winning at Newbury in February but, when last seen, his jumping remained a work in progress.

Jingko Blue sprawled on landing and unseated Nico De Boinville in the Reynoldstown at Ascot nine months ago; his hurdle mark (145) is six pounds lower than his chase mark and Brian Hughes rides. Stablemate Jango Baie, in the same ownership, won the Arkle at the Festival and goes in the Ladbrokes 1965 Chase (1.30 Ascot).

The Skelton second string Joyeux Machin is no mug. 

This gelding underwent wind surgery after finishing seventh behind Rambo T in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow six weeks ago. Back in March he looked to have a Class 2 handicap hurdle in the bag at Uttoxeter but was run out of it by Red Risk in the shadow of the post (Phantomofthepoints seventh). This one was put up by the Racing Post's Graeme Rodway as a horse to follow this season (RP Weekender 05-09.11.25). 

Navajo Indy won the Gerry Feilden at Newbury in November and was marked down as an eyecatcher when third behind Joyeuse and Lump Sum in the William Hill Hurdle (formerly known as the Betfair Hurdle and once upon a time as the Schweppes) at the same track in February, spotted doing his best work from two out. 

On seasonal debut four weeks ago he finished second behind French Ship over two and a half miles at Cheltenham and tries three miles for the first time here. Trainer Tom Symonds has sent out four winners from eight runners in the past fortnight.

Irish raider Shoot First won last year's renewal (with Phantomofthepoints third) off a mark of 139 (Alex Harvey claiming five); he races off 145 tomorrow with Benjamin Macey claiming seven. 

It's no surprise to see connections of Electric Mason decide to reoppose Ma Shantou, eight pounds better off when Freddie Gordon's three pound claim is taken into consideration. 

Best on good to soft, the gelding belied odds of 40/1 in the Challow, losing two places in the final 110 yards when fifth behind The New Lion, before finishing down the field in the Martin Pipe. 

Nab Wood appeared to win with something in hand off the steady pace set by Esprit Du Potier at Ayr three weeks ago. 

Nicky Richards' charge, sporting a sheepskin noseband, wasn't always fluent at the hurdles that day and looked as though he'd probably appreciate a stronger pace. Esprit Du Potier finished five lengths adrift in fourth, having lost third on the run to the line, and reopposes six pounds better off.

Titan Discovery won over this trip at Windsor in January and missed his intended comeback in the Welsh Champion Hurdle on account of the ground. Robbie Llewellyn identified this one as his trainer's pick in a 'Straight from the Stable' article (RP Weekender 31.01-04.02.24); sister Lunar Discovery moved to the yard from Jimmy Moffat's over the summer.  

Joint top weight Harbour Lake pipped Tiny Tetley over course and distance on good ground in May and has been raised five pounds for that effort while Phantomofthepoints, part owned by Kenny Alexander, tends to race prominently and won off this mark at Wincanton in January. 

Veteran Red Risk looks to face a stiff task on seasonal debut and would probably prefer more testing conditions.

I Love My Baie and Karafon are both in the ownership of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. The former has had three runs since a spell on the sidelines while the latter was moved out the Willie Mullins yard over the summer.

Recent winners (with official ratings and SP) include:

2018 Paisley Park; 148; 4/1

2020 Main Fact; 147; 13/2

2021 Dans Le Vent; 135; 16/1

2022 Botox Has; 144; 17/2

2023 Slate Lane; 127; 11/4f

2024 Shoot First; 139; 22/1

The market leader has been placed in six of the past ten renewals but Slate Lane remains the only favourite to have obliged in that timeframe.

On the shortlist Navajo Indy and Electric Mason; Nab Wood was of some interest but his jumping the last day was, on occasions, a cause for concern.

I've missed the price about Navajo Indy so Electric Mason is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 9/1 with bet365, Betfred and Ladbrokes / Coral among those who are paying five places. 

To finish, another in an occasional series of random racing references overheard on the telly. 

Bella Ainsworth (Natascha McElhone), on welcoming family guests to the eponymous Hotel Portofino which she runs on the Italian Riviera for the rich and the wealthy, helpfully explains in hushed tones:

"Grand Papa is in Epsom, and Aunt Amelia in Aintree."

I've still to discover who spent the night in the Newton Abbot.

The 2025 Paddy Power Gold Cup

Tomorrow's Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20 Cheltenham) is to be run in memory of Irish trainer Edward O'Grady who sent out 18 Festival winners between 1974 and 2006.

He trained Tranquil Sea to win this race in 2009 - and we haven't seen an Irish winner since. Five have crossed the Irish Sea to take their chance tomorrow. 

The going at Cheltenham is currently described as soft, good to soft in places, with a precautionary inspection called for 7.30 tomorrow morning as further heavy rain associated with Storm Claudia is forecast. 

Talking to ITV cameras before this afternoon's finale, clerk of the course Jon Pullen pointed out the rain was due to stop around 1.00 am and, with drying conditions, he was 'hopeful' racing could go ahead - the card would be given every chance.     

A final field of fifteen was declared on Thursday but this evening top weight and market leader Jagwar has been declared a non-runner on account of the ground. 

Vicenzo, a big horse who goes well fresh and generally needs time between his races, has replaced Jagwar at the head of the market. Sam Thomas' charge has yet to win over this trip but the stable has sent out five winners from seven runners in the past fortnight. 

Last year's winner Il Ridoto tries to repeat the trick this time off a mark just one pound higher.

Paul Nicholls' inmate raced from out the handicap that day but caries 11-08 tomorrow which indicates this year's running wouldn't be considered the highest quality renewal - last year top weight Protektorat was rated 167 and five others runners in the field of 15 ran off a mark in the 150s.

The lowest rated winner in the past decade is Coole Coady (137) in 2020.

Dan Skelton saddles three -  Panic Attack, Hoe Joly Smoke and Riskintheground. 

Harry rides the mare Panic Attack which suggests she's the stable's best chance - in a recent stable tour article the handler said:

"The plan is to give her one run and go for the Paddy Power Gold Cup."

She hasn't had that one run - last seen out at Warwick in February - and spent more time hurdling than chasing last season. Three of her five chase starts have been in mares' only races which I find off-putting but clearly this has been the target for some time and the stable is operating at a 26% win strike rate over the past fortnight.

On seasonal debut stablemate Hoe Joly Smoke ran well at this track over three miles one furlong when third behind Three Card Brag three weeks ago. 

Connections subsequently indicated they felt their charge didn't see the trip out that day as they'd done plenty of work with the horse and fitness wasn't the issue - the gelding has won over three miles but not beyond. I feel the step back to two and a half miles wouldn't necessarily suit - yet to win over the distance under rules - although the rain should help his stamina come into play.

Riskintheground won the Silver Trophy Handicap Chase on the New Course in April (Il Ridoto over ten lengths adrift in seventh) but his form is mostly on decent ground.

Thecompanysergeant finished two and threequarters lengths behind Jagwar in the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase at the Festival in March (Il Ridoto over 20 lengths adrift in twelfth). On a strict reading of that form he was closely matched with Jagwar but Gavin Cromwell's gelding hasn't been in the same form this summer and has drifted out to 9/1 with some layers.

Henry De Bromhead saddles two - Coming Up Easy and the mare Theatre Native.

Last year Lets Go Champ raced prominently before eventually finishing third for the yard; Coming Up Easy is a progressive front runner in a rich vein of form having won his last three starts in Ireland, the last a Listed handicap chase at Killarney. This one has won a Limerick maiden hurdle over two miles five on heavy ground and didn't appear to stay three miles behind Three Card Brag at Navan in January.

The booking of Sean Bowen for Theatre Native is interesting; she won the Aston Martin Mares' Novices' Handicap Chase on the New Course in April.

When the rain arrives, so does money for Venetia Williams trained runners - Hunter Legend has more than halved in price over the past 24 hours. He has won five of his 11 chase starts; this will be the first chase he has contested with more than eight runners in the field.

Hold-up ride Conyers Hill was sixth behind Jazzy Matty in the Grand Annual in March and has yet to win over this trip while veteran Es Perfecto doesn't have a lot of miles on the clock and finished fifth behind Caldwell Potter in the Jack Richards at the Festival in March (run on the New Course) - that day he lost three places after the final fence. 

The last horse older than nine to come home in front was Clear Cut in 1975.

While Bad has turned out to be rather good since blinkers were fitted for the first time in January - he has won three of his six chase starts - the arrival of rain looks a bit of a negative for Ben Pauling's runner. Lady Cricket, the last mare to come home in front, won the 2000 renewal as a six year old and since then only four horses have replicated the feat: Celestial Gold (2004); Exotic Dancer (2006); Johns Spirit (2013); and Ga Law (2002).

Stablemate of Thecompanysergeant The Other Mozzie finished a further two places behind Es Perfecto in seventh in the Jack Richards and hasn't won beyond two miles two furlongs while Issar D'Airy's form over two miles with Martator and Libberty Hunter reads well enough.

In summary, not the highest quality renewal of the race once known as the Mackeson Gold Cup and it's no real surprise to see connections decide to withdraw Jagwar - which has seen prices contract.

Hoe Joly Smoke and Coming Up Easy were the two each-way chances under consideration; Henry De Bromhead's charge gets the nod although the handicapper doesn't appear to have been overly lenient with a mark of 142.

Coming Up Easy is the each-way suggestion, currently 9/1 with bet365 and William Hill both paying four places, provided, of course, the card passes tomorrow morning's inspection. 

Footnote

I've spent a lifetime struggling to sort the wheat from the chaff and I realise it must be even harder for blog readers, so here's a helpful little pointer.

Last month, in a post entitled 'Hoping to come on for the run', I indicated Deep Cave was worth a second look in the Native River Handicap Chase at Chepstow. After winning the opening handicap hurdle at Aintree on Grand National day, trainer Christian Williams had said of his charge:

"It's probably taken us a long time to figure him out, but we thought he'd be better on nice ground and he's going to be very special over fences next year. He won a novice chase in France, so he's not a novice, but hopefully he'll be a Saturday horse."

In the event Deep Cave didn't run at Chepstow on account of the ground but he did contest the Weatherbys and Birdie Calendars Handicap Chase at Bangor on Wednesday - and won at odds of 11/1.

Did you bet it, PG?

Good Lord! No! Who ever backs a Saturday horse on a Wednesday?

Factual correction published 15.11.25 @ 17:15

Happy Diva was the last mare to win the race - in 2019 - not Lady Cricket as stated above. 

The 2025 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase

Ordinarily I wouldn't be inclined to give you so much as a 'More tea, vicar?' for an episode of Murder Before Evensong, Channel 5's TV adaptation of Richard Coles' novel set in the 1980s, but last night, as my wife took in the finer detail of the fifth instalment, my own interest was piqued by Canon Daniel Clement's mother Audrey  - played with a delightful serving of old school sanctimony by Amanda Redman - popping into the village on Grand National day for a copy of the Racing Post. At that time a copy of the Racing Post would have cost considerably less than £5.50. 

Having studied the form, Audrey likes the look of Strands Of Gold for Aintree's 1988 showpiece. 

Meanwhile Dora Sharman (Amanda Hadingue), one of two middle aged sisters who live together, walks straight into a licenced betting office, extracts two substantial wads of cash from her handbag, and asks to stick the lot on Rhyme 'N' Reason. 'To win,' adds Dora, with a certain air of determination, obviously intent on making a killing. Recently I had a £70 bet on a 9/4 chance knocked back by a rails bookmaker at Ludlow. 

Various clips from the race are weaved into the storyline, complete with Sir Peter O'Sullevan's commentary: Strands Of Gold falls at Becher's second time around when in the lead, much to Audrey's dismay; Little Polveir takes up the running but unseats; Rhyme 'N' Reason is headed two out by Durham Edition but fights back tenaciously to lead on the long run-in, much to Dora's delight. 

A wonderful race;  and, of course, Little Polveir returned the following year to win.

Tomorrow's Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (2.40 Aintree) is run over two miles five furlongs over the National fences but these days they're nowhere near as stiff as they were in the 1980s; 17 are set to face the starter with the going currently described as good to soft, with soft places located primarily from Becher's Brook to the fence after Valentines.

Skirting quickly over the form, two points catch my eye. 

A few in the field have form over three miles and further while only six have run in the past 60 days: Jet Plane (54 days); If Not For Dylan (13); Vintage Fizz (54); Mahons Glory (24); Seddon (15 Flat); and Mount Tempest (27). 

Last year King Turgeon collected the spoils off a mark of 125, with Vintage Fizz second, Gaboriot third, and Frero Banbou sixth. 

David Pipe's grey put in some spectacular leaps that day but appears to have considerably more on his plate off 137 tomorrow on his first run for 242 days; the likelihood is this will have been a target, probably for the past 12 months.

Ollie Greenall and Josh Guerriero hold a strong hand with Gaboriot and White Rhino; the yard won the 2023 renewal with the ill-fated Gesskille, with the same horse pipped a nose by Al Dancer the year before. 

Gaboriot, four and a half lengths third behind King Turgeon last year, races off a mark three pounds lower this time; all his chase victories in this country have come over three miles or further. 

White Rhino is priced up favourite and the booking of Sean Bowen catches the eye. 

Although nine years of age, the gelding still only has four chase starts to his name and he failed to complete in two of those - unseated at the third in the Kauto Star at Kempton and then last time pulled up before two out in the Grimthorpe at Doncaster where he was found to have bled from the nose. Connections clearly expect a big run but the lack of chase experience is a concern.

Owned by J P McManus, top weight Johnnywho has form in the book but looks to face a stiff task. 

His third behind The Jukebox Man in the Grade 2 John Francome at Newbury reads well, and he was only beaten a neck in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham in March. He didn't appear to stay the extended trip when finishing a respectable fifth behind Haiti Couleurs in the Irish Grand National National at Fairyhouse.

Sam Thomas knows how to target a race - he won the 2022 renewal with Al Dancer. Our Power can go well fresh and has been backed but hasn't raced over this sort of trip since January 2022.   

Excello looked to be in with a shout in this year's Topham back in April but a bad mistake two out put paid to his chance; he goes off a mark two pounds lower here.

Colonel Harry has useful novice form in the book. 

He won the 2024 Towton at Wetherby, was third in the Scilly Isles at Sandown, and then sixth in the Turners at Cheltenham that March. He didn't appear to stay the trip when sent off a 10/1 chance for last year's Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and hasn't been seen since a fall at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. 

Vintage Fizz finished three and a quarter lengths behind Jagwar at Wetherby before running second in last year's renewal off 127. 

His sixth behind Ballysax Hank in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen is perfectly respectable but he has been well beaten on his two most recent starts, showing a tendency to jump left on occasions at Worcester the last day. That said, he's three pounds lower this time and the booking of Sam Twiston-Davies catches my eye. 

A fine leap at the Canal Turn took Frero Banbou past King Turgeon and into the lead last year.

Venetia Williams' charge travelled like the winner crossing the Melling Road but he just ran out of petrol between the final two flights, eventually finishing sixth. Third in the 2023 renewal, I just wonder whether his best chances of a win in the race are already behind him.

Jet Plane's second behind Gracchus De Baume over this course and distance in the Foxhunters in April - beaten a length - reads well; Team Skelton banged in three winners at Exeter this afternoon and another at Hexham.

Better known for his exploits on the Flat, Dylan Cunha saddles Mahons Glory who likes to front run but can jump left on occasions. This one has tended to show better form on good ground.

If Not For Dylan is another who races prominently and was third behind Torn And Frayed in a veterans' chase over the Mildmay fences 13 days ago; he's two pounds out of the handicap. 

He jumped slightly right that day but a quick look over his form reveals that on occasions he has jumped left on a right-handed track. The yard registered a double at Hexham earlier today with Out Of The Woods and Hay Meadow.

Bleu d'Enfer has his first start for Donald McCain. Previously trained in Ireland, to date he has been campaigned primarily on right-handed tracks when racing over fences.

On his last two starts Nocte Volatus finished behind The Flier Begley and Dubai Days in veterans' chases. 

Seddon and Happy And Fine both tend to be prominent in their races; age is catching up with the former while the latter has shown a preference for soft and heavy ground. 

Finally a word for rank outsider Mount Tempest who moved from Dan Skelton's yard to Sophie Leech this summer. 

After a couple of nondescript efforts over hurdles at Clairefontaine and Dieppe in France, he was sent off a 50/1 chance for a handicap chase at Worcester which he won at odds of 50/1, Jet Plane over ten lengths away in fifth and Vintage Fizz over 30 lengths adrift in seventh. Next time, with Sean Bowen up, he went off a 3/1 shot but ran a bit of a stinker behind Saint Segal and was pulled up in the home straight; after the race the handler indicated the gelding was not suited by the good to firm going. 

He's something of a curate's egg and wouldn't be considered the most reliable of individuals but a year ago he finished fourth behind Jagwar at Bangor and on a good day, with the going on the soft side, I could see Mount Tempest outrunning odds of 66/1. 

A competitive renewal which is likely to be run at a good clip with a few in the field keen to set the pace. After winning on Theonewedreamof at Exeter earlier this afternoon, jockey Harry Skelton had a word for Jet Plane who has been backed this evening.

I'm going to chance Mount Tempest who didn't do a tap when hitting the front at Worcester; he'll need to keep a tab on those front runners from the start. 

I certainly won't be taking a leaf out of Dora Sharman's book but I will be saying my prayers just before the off.   

Mount Tempest is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 66/1 with William Hill, BetVictor and Coral, all paying five places. 

The 2025 Lavazza Handicap Hurdle at Ascot

All that talk about holding the Cheltenham Festival from Wednesday to Saturday has given me the spooks. It's bats.

Anyway, for coffee lovers looking to blow away the pumpkins and the cobwebs, here's a shot at tomorrow's Lavazza Handicap Hurdle (3.10 Ascot). 12 face the starter with the going currently described as good, good to firm in places, the quicker ground to be found up the home straight. Rain is forecast.

I've spent some time looking at the less exposed types; many hold a rating from the Flat:

127h 74 Flat (GER)  Alexei

121h 83 Flat             Indemnity

119h 69 Flat             Torrent

 116h 100 Flat          Fasol

113h 79 Flat             High Fibre

110h 81 Flat             Maasai Mara

One or two look potentially 'well in' if an arbitrary figure of +45 is used to convert a British Flat rating to a hurdle mark; market leader Alexei's Flat rating was achieved in Germany.

Joe Tizzard's charge was beaten two and a quarter lengths by Celtic Dino in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow three weeks ago - and may have finished closer to the winner with a better leap at the last. Stable form is the concern though with just one winner from 23 runners in the past fortnight.

Bought out of Roger Varian's yard for £80,000 at the beginning of the year, Indemnity has won each of the three handicap hurdles he has contested, last time beating solid yardstick Bowmore, the pair 17 lengths clear of Vocito in third. Part owned by Andrew Gemmell, the gelding travelled strongly that day at Market Rasen and, for the most part, looked quick over the obstacles.

Torrent's second behind Gibbs Island in a four-year-old hurdle at Chepstow last time reads well - the winner beat Give It To Me Oj six lengths in the Victor Ludorum at Haydock in February before weakening from three out in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

No four-year-old has won this race in the past decade.

Fasol beat High Fibre in a Taunton maiden in March before going down a neck to Dance And Glance in a novice at the same track. Paul Nicholls' charge subsequently finished five lengths third to Give It To Me Oj in the Novices' Championship Final at Sandown in April. 

On his blog the handler hints the gelding doesn't always find what might be expected at the business end of a race but there still looks plenty of mileage in a hurdle mark of 116 compared to his Flat rating and Freddie Keighley takes off seven pounds.

After winning a novice maiden hurdle at Warwick in May, the Harry Fry trained High Fibre has been racing over two and a half miles. 

He finished a (remote) fifth behind Don Virginia in the Fixed Brush Hurdle Series Final at Worcester five weeks ago. I was at the track that day - racing from the front Don Virginia blew apart what looked on paper a very competitive field, a race in which hold up runners had no chance. The gelding steps back down in trip here; connections will hope first-time cheekpieces help the cause.

Maasai Mara races from one pound out of the handicap and is one of only three in the field without a recent run to their name.

Afadil and the mare Ooh Betty are the other two runners making their seasonal debut.

Mr Nicholls thinks Afadil, stablemate of Fasol, will come on for the run. 

Ooh Betty won first time out at Sandown last November and led to the final flight before finishing third behind Take No Chances (contests Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle 2.20 Wetherby tomorrow) and Kargese over course and distance in the Grade 2 Warfield Mares' Hurdle in January. That form reads well and Toby McCain-Mitchell claims five pounds.

Dance And Glance was sent off 5/1favourite for the Swinton at Haydock in May, eventually finishing fifth behind Our Champ. He looked to have Manuelito in his sights a fortnight ago at Newton Abbot but a bad mistake two out effectively cost him his winning chance. 

Washington, fifth in this race in 2022 when trained by Olly Murphy, has won three of his five starts since the move to Harry Dereham's yard 12 months ago. 

Last time the gelding held Moveit Like Minnie at Chepstow - the pair 40 lengths clear - but team Twiston-Davies will fancy their chance off 118 with five pound claimer James Turner replacing Tom Bellamy in the plate. 

Moveit Like Minnie was beaten less than three lengths behind Luccia, Impose Toi and Altobelli over course and distance off a mark of 124 in the 2023 running of the Betfair Exchange Trophy (once known as the Ladbrokes).

Top weight No Ordinary Joe contested the last three Martin Pipe Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival when trained by Nicky Henderson, finding only Iroko too good in the 2023 renewal. He looks to face a stiff task on his second start for Faye Bramley. 

I'm haunted by the spectre of Michelle Keegan recently informing TV viewers the latest Sky / Netflix deal represents 'handsomely good value'; I've struggled to find a bookmaker offering anything like that in this race - am I under a spell?

At various junctures since final declarations, I've thought Indemnity, Fasol, Ooh Betty, Moveit Like Minnie - only to see the price disappear, ghost-like, before my eyes.

More likely a trick than a treat but I'm hoping a mark of 113 underestimates High Fibre's abilities. This is just his third start in a handicap - the last run at Worcester is ignored. The stable has fired in two winners from seven runners over the past fortnight.

High Fibre is the each-way suggestion, currently 20/1 with Sky and Paddy Power, both paying four places.

Hoping to come on for the run...

Where to start? Well, spiders started coming into the house in the middle of August this year - that looks early in my book.

England manager Thomas Tuchel had a bit of a dig at the fans for their lack of support following last night's comfortable victory over Wales in a friendly at Wembley. 

Previously, after England's 2-0 victory over Andorra at the beginning of September, Martin Samuel wrote in The Times that 'Thomas Tuchel is selecting on form that is seven years out of date'. That line struck me like a bolt out of the blue: for years I've been doing something very similar - and I immediately experienced something of a personal epiphany.

After such a startling shock, I dashed straight under the stairs - a damp, dingy, festering space that I've used as a refuge in times of distress ever since the shed started to leak - and began to make the sort of technical adjustments to the selection processes that, in the long run, are unlikely to make any material difference whatsoever; readers hoping to see an improvement in the performance of the blog's highlighted runners should bear in mind the age old adage: old habits die hard.

Here's a salient case in point from Worcester's Fixed Brush Series Final card at the end of September.

Things had started off well enough on the day: minimal travel expenses incurred thanks to the Older Person's bus pass - used on the railway; concessionary course admission for £18.50; and then a kindly gent in the queue offered me a token for a free racecard. 

It went quickly downhill thereafter.

In the feature I preferred Knights Affair to Don Virginia, having watched a replay of their meeting over an extended trip at Stratford several times the night before. Don Virginia blew away what looked on paper a competitive field to win 17 lengths, with Knights Affair a further 20 lengths adrift in seventh.

Then Sir Hobnob took the biscuit by running green in the two and a half mile maiden hurdle.

After the Fixed Brush Hurdle Final, winning jockey Richie McLernon said:

"I was second on him at Hereford and thought he was a bit questionable then, but they held off for this and, fair play, it's paid off. They've [first-time cheekpieces] made a massive difference."

Paul Nicholls was slightly more helpful when he told Racing Post readers he doesn't have the ammo for a tilt at this year's trainers' title - he thinks Dan Skelton a bit of a shoo-in - but Martin Pipe's record of 3,930 winners is certainly within range.

Plenty thought Skelton a bit of a shoo-in last season but they hadn't counted on the the late run of Mr W.P.Mullins - for a second consecutive year. The Irish maestro clearly has his eye on the hat-trick with early season targets already pencilled in for Il Etait Temps (Tingle Creek); Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior (King George); and Anzadam (Fighting Fifth).

Mr David Maxwell hung up his riding boots over the summer - the David Maxwell dispersal sale takes place after racing at Cheltenham on Friday October 24th. 

The man himself told punters to 'lump on' Queensbury Boy in the Persian War Hurdle at Chepstow but earlier this afternoon the gelding could only finish fourth behind Sticktotheplan who, in a first-time hood, successfully conceded weight to all his rivals. Mr Maxwell's thoughts on one or two other key horses in the sale are here. 

Cheers for Chepstow's inaugural three-day Welsh Racing Festival which sees the Welsh Champion Hurdle (3.17 Sunday) return to the track for the first time since 2002. Earlier today the going on the hurdle track was changed from good to soft to good after the first race and on the chase track from good to good to firm, good in places after the third race.

On Monday, on his first ride since suffering spinal and neck injuries at Plumpton on Easter Monday, Nico De Boinville made all aboard The Expensive One to win the novices' handicap hurdle at Stratford. After that race the jockey said he was likely to 'come on for the run' and the same comment can be applied to the author of what follows.

Two chasers on the radar tomorrow:

Deep Cave makes his debut over British fences (2.45 Chepstow). 

After winning the opening handicap hurdle at Aintree on Grand National day, trainer Christian Williams said of Deep Cave:

"It's probably taken us a long time to figure him out, but we thought he'd be better on nice ground and he's going to be very special over fences next year. He won a novice chase in France, so he's not a novice, but hopefully he'll be a Saturday horse."

King Of Answers makes his chase debut (3.45 Hexham).

Back in May 2023 King Of Answers was beaten under two lengths by Wendigo in an Irish maiden point. Wendigo subsequently finished second behind The New Lion in the Challow at Newbury before finishing fifth in the Albert Bartlett behind Jasmin De Vaux. 

Finally, I realise I'm wandering off-piste but jumps trainers have a decent recent record in the Cesarewitch (3.40 Newmarket) - they have collected the spoils in nine of the past 12 renewals - and Ndaawi catches my eye. 

Gordon Elliott's charge, sent off a 7/1 chance for last year's renewal (Jamie Spencer up), finished stone cold last on soft ground, beaten 134 lengths off a mark of 92. After that race the trainer's representative reported the gelding did not stay the trip of 2m 2f on this occasion. 

Next time out, back over the sticks, he finished second to Kargese in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham (run over 2m 1f on the stiffer New Course on good to soft) and was then awarded the Galway Hurdle (2m, good) in the stewards' room at the beginning of August.

He lost two places when coming under pressure in the closing stages on the Flat at Chester last month (2m, good to soft, Cieren Fallon up) and connections have opted to fit first-time cheekpieces tomorrow. Cieren Fallon keeps the ride while Jamie Spencer is aboard stablemate Mordor.

His seventh in the 2024 Ascot Stakes (2m 4f good to firm) suggests this trip is within his compass on quick ground; a hurdle mark of 154 indicates there could be some leeway off a Flat mark of 89.

Ndaawi is a tentative each-way suggestion, 20/1 with Coral and William Hill at the time of writing, both paying five places.

Market Rasen Summer Plate 2025

I usually take an interest in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen but before looking at this year's renewal, I have good news and bad news to impart. 

Back in early January I received a phone call from a gentlemen's outfitters in Warwick informing me the clobber I'd ordered for my daughter's wedding was available for collection. 

Now, I was just about to set off to collect the clobber in question when my wife, as is her wont, presented me with a list of sundry errands that, coincidentally, needed to be run in Warwick; having completed no more than half of them as best I could, I thought a small treat was in order so I ordered a small americano (cold milk / regular blend / stay in / contactless) in a coffee house situated a stone's throw away from the clobber shop.

I'd barely taken my seat when a frail old lady struggled onto the premises and a kindly gent sat at an adjacent table, offering her his seat, approached and asked if he could join me at my table. No problem at all.

We quickly struck up a conversation and I quickly deduced this gent followed Flat form rather closely. 

His son, the landlord of a public house in nearby Kenilworth, was part of a syndicate that owned a share in a horse called Lazy Griff. The beast had respectable two-year-old form and syndicate members were spending the winter months dreaming their horse might just be good enough to contest a Derby - either at Epsom or The Curragh. At that time Lazy Griff was quoted 100/1 for Epsom and 66/1 for the Irish Derby.

Four months later Lazy Griff made his seasonal debut, running a very respectable second to Lambourn in the Chester Vase, sent off  a 25/1 shot. 

After that race handler Charlie Johnston told reporters his charge had recently met with a setback and was only 80% ready - improvement was to be expected, Epsom was the target, and any rain in the week leading up to the race would help his cause.

Propitiously, there was plenty of rain around in Derby week this year, and, on top of that, connections had managed to secure the services of Christophe Soumillon. Stall three looked a bit of negative but Betfred were offering 100/1 (four places) about Lazy Griff. I placed a small each-way wager with Betfred on Thursday evening and on Friday another at SP with Sky who were paying five places; Lazy Griff eventually went off a 50/1 shot.

The good news, of course, is that Lazy Griff ran a bit of a stormer. 

He raced in fourth for much of the trip; as they came round Tattenham Corner, I could barely believe my eyes - Soumillon was looking behind for dangers that weren't there, while it transpired the real danger was long-time leader Lambourn. Jock Soumillon pressed the button and set about reeling in the leader and, just for a fraction of a second, I thought he might get close. In the event he didn't, but he still finished second, three and threequarters lengths behind Lambourn.   

The bad news is that, given my egregious tipping performance in this particular race over a period of some fifty years, I didn't have the prescience to share the tip with you, dear reader. 

That's racing, as they say. 

Fifteen have been declared for tomorrow's Summer Plate (3.12); the going at the Lincolnshire track is currently described as good but thundery showers are forecast and the track reports conditions are likely to ease during racing.

Top weight Hang In There takes his chance and concedes ten pounds to nearest rival Horantzau d'Airy; as a result Mr Saxobeat, Doyouknowwhatimean, Ceanndana and the mare Shakeyatailfeather all compete from out of the handicap.  

Last year Sure Touch (137) touched off Soul Icon to collect the spoils, with Statuario (135) third, beaten five lengths; Riskintheground (127) fifth, beaten ten and threequarters lengths; and Vintage Fizz (130) sixth, beaten sixteen and a quarter lengths.

Sure Touch, for much of the week favourite to repeat the trick tomorrow off a mark one pound lower than last year (136), has been easy to back today, while there has been money for Irish raiders Ballysax Hank and Ceanndana. 

Olly Murphy's charge hasn't won in six starts since last year's win - and some might say he hasn't shown much noteworthy form either. 

He jumped poorly behind Docpickedme in the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster in January and last time came home just under 20 lengths behind Riskintheground (Vintage Fizz third) in a handicap chase at Ayr. 

No doubt Olly Murphy will have freshened him up for this and cheekpieces are fitted for the first time but his price is short enough.

Harry Cobden bids for a hat-trick in the race having ridden Born Famous to win in 2023 and Sure Touch last year. This year he's aboard the Gavin Cromwell trained Ballysax Hank; the booking looks significant and it has caught the attention of bookmakers and punters alike.

With just three chase starts to his name (U15), six-year-old Ballysax Hank makes his handicap debut and is the runner with the least experience of larger obstacles in this field. Five six-year-olds have previously come home in front: Stately Home (1997); Chicuelo (2002); Iron Man (2007); Really Super (2020); and Born Famous (2023).

Ceanndana carries five pounds more than his long handicap weight but has been well supported today, with Jordan Gainford travelling over for this sole ride. Ross O'Sullivan's charge ran well behind Arctic Fly over a shorter trip at Tipperary 18 days ago (nearest finish) but wouldn't appreciate too much rain.

The Bowen yard always targets this race - and has won it on eight previous occasions: Stately Home (1997); Ballycassidy (2003); Yes Sir (2006); Iron Man (2007); Snoopy Loopy (2008); More Buck's (2018); and Francky Du Berlais (2021 & 2022). 

In the betting course and distance winner Courtland is preferred to Statuario. 

Courtland finished third behind Charlie Uberalles at Cartmel three weeks ago - that was his first outing since April 2024. Having previously won off 142, he looks feasibly handicapped on 133 - and Shane Fenelon can claim five pounds - but there's the danger he could 'bounce' on his second run after such a long layoff.

Stablemate Statuario beat Hang In There in the Perth Gold Cup six weeks ago and has been raised two pounds to a mark of 130 - still five pounds lower than last year when beaten five lengths. All five chase wins to date have come at Perth.

In the past fortnight the yard has sent out five winners from 11 runners (45%). Both declarations in tomorrow's renewal are ten years of age; in the last 25 years only three winners have been older than nine - Glinger (11; 2004); Snoopy Loopy (10; 2008) and I Have Dreamed (10; 2012).  

After beating Vintage Fizz and Sure Touch at Ayr in April, Riskintheground beat Bhaloo and Hang In There at Cheltenham five days later; on 139 he's now 12 pounds higher than when fifth in last year's renewal - and the Skelton yard has been relatively quiet of late.

Bhaloo looked out of sorts when sent off  2/1 favourite for the Clarke Chase at Uttoxeter eight weeks ago, trailing in sixth behind Matterhorn (Horantzau d'Airy second at 50/1, Vintage Fizz fourth).

Bhaloo sports first time cheekpieces tomorrow while Horantzau d'Airy has his first run for trainer Sara Bradstock, having previously been trained by W.P. Mullins for Mrs S. Ricci - 2024 form included placed efforts behind Ashdale Bob, Flooring Porter and Real Steel in the Munster National at Limerick - and, more recently, by Newmarket handler Michael Keady.    

The Flier Begley has also gone up 12 pounds in the handicap after winning the Unibet Middle Distance Veterans' Series Final at Haydock in April and then the Associated British Ports Summer Plate Trial over course and distance four weeks ago. 

For much of that trial race Vintage Fizz, who can lug left at the fences on occasions, looked the likely winner but after taking up the running two out, he was run out of it after the last, eventually beaten a neck  - to my mind The Flier Begley just wanted it that little bit more.

Three of Charlie Uberalles' six chase wins have come at Cartmel - after his latest win at the Cumbrian track three weeks ago handler Dianne Sayer said:

"I reckon he is a stone better here than anywhere else. He had his own way in front which he enjoys."

His defeat of Docpickedme at Doncaster in December reads well and the trip will suit but he goes off a career high mark of 137 tomorrow.

Although Doyouknowwhatimean races from out of the handicap, Harry Atkins' seven pounds claim more than offsets the penalty. Last time Dan Skelton's charge was outpaced from four out behind former stablemate Third Time Lucki at Uttoxeter over two miles; all his wins to date have come around the two mile mark.

A competitive renewal, as always. 

Horantzau d'Airy looks intriguing on his first start for Sara Bradstock but at a slightly bigger price I'm going to take an each-way interest in flying veteran The Flier Begley who has been in good form recently and shouldn't be inconvenienced by any rain.

The Flier Begley is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 14/1 with bet365, Betfred and Paddy Power, all of whom pay four places.

The Pertemps Network Long Distance Handicap Hurdle at Haydock

I'm usually in hibernation mode at this time of year but I've just seen Sam Twiston-Davies on TV - in a suit - posing with winning connections after East India Dock won the Chester Cup earlier today; and the opener on tomorrow's mixed card at Haydock, the Pertemps Network Long Distance Handicap Hurdle (1.00), has somehow delayed my rostered summer slumbers... Those looking for some light relief at this time of year may prefer to take a look at the Canadian Online Casino but for those who prefer to talk form, there's this.

In last year's renewal Zain Nights (125) beat My Bobby Dazzler (121) a head with Harbour Lake (129) three and a quarter lengths adrift in third.

The trio do battle once again, having contested the Safran Landing Systems Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham 24 days ago. 

On that occasion Long Draw (128) beat Harbour Lake (137) two lengths with My Bobby Dazzler (119) over 12 lengths further behind in fourth and Zain Nights (132) another eight lengths adrift in fifth.

Adjusted ratings for those runners in tomorrow's renewal are:

Long Draw (134) +6

Harbour Lake (140) +3

My Bobby Dazzler (117) -2

Zain Nights (132) -

Winner Long Draw hit a couple of flat spots in that race at Cheltenham - at one point his chance looked to have gone completely - but he stayed on stoutly up the hill to claim the spoils; I can't help but feel a repeat of that performance on this flat track is likely to prove problematic.

Topgun Simmy won a three mile handicap hurdle at Down Royal off 129 on Monday - Paddy Hanlon claiming seven. He goes off 136 but will need to be a hardy sort to show his best in this better race; to date most of his form has been on right-handed tracks.

Tiny Tetley (132) bids to complete a four-timer, having started the sequence off on a mark of 114 at Exeter in March. This one beat Thank You Ma'am over course and distance three weeks ago; all his wins have come in races with less than nine runners.

This time last year Lihyan beat Porter In The Park at Market Rasen. 

Lihyan stays this trip but stable form is a concern while handler Emma Lavelle said of Porter In The Park [RP Weekender 29.01-02.02.25]:

"She's as hard as nails but not overly big and and is much better running in a better race with less weight. I'm not sure she genuinely stays 3m and her ideal trip is probably a good gallop over 2m 6f."    

Rated 80 on the Flat, Mostly Sunny appears well handicapped on 117 but he ran twice in the final week of the jumps season as trainer Dan Skelton valiantly tried to retain his dwindling lead in the jump trainers' title. Prior to that he was well beaten by Porter In The Park at Ludlow; he tries a trip beyond 2m 5f for the first time.  

Escapologist finished behind Mostly Sunny at Plumpton and tries a trip beyond an extended two and a half miles for the first time.

On the one occasion Patriotik raced on good ground, Evan Williams' charge finished well beaten behind Altobelli over a shorter trip at Ascot. On his penultimate start he showed a liking for drying ground, beating Kamsinas off 121 at Doncaster, and has been raised two pounds for his third behind Red Risk at Uttoxeter last time; in addition Isabel Williams no longer claims three so he's effectively five pounds higher here.  

Ki Woo (121) looks unexposed on his first run in a handicap. Beaten by Mailcash over a shorter trip in a maiden hurdle at Carlisle in February, he reversed the form with Donald McCain's charge over 2m 7f at Bangor four weeks ago.

On the longlist: Harbour Lake, Patriotik, Zain Nights, Ki Woo and My Bobby Dazzler.

The handicapper hasn't done Harbour Lake any favours, raising Alan King's charge to a career high of 140 after the Cheltenham run. 

Last year's winner Zain Nights remains on a career high mark; Lucy Wadham said of her charge [RP Weekender 19-23.03.25]:

"... I think he might just be a spring horse. He hasn't quite fired this season but he's been training really well. He ran in the Pertemps last week but didn't go a tap (pulled up behind Doddiethegreat at the Cheltenham Festival). Like so many he didn't get a very good start at Cheltenham and never got into the race. That can happen there. He's entered at Newbury on Friday and I think he'll run. He might find himself with a visor on."

The visor did the trick at Newbury where he beat Welcom To Cartries four and a quarter lengths. He ran better at Cheltenham behind Long Draw, leading after two out before weakening on the run-in.

I'm not certain Patriotik will show his best on good ground while Ki Woo isn't easy to assess. 

At ten years of age My Bobby Dazzler is certainly the veteran in the field but he ran well on his first run after wind surgery at Cheltenham and is now on a mark four pounds lower than last year when beaten a head by Zain Nights.

At the time of writing Zain Nights is generally a 9/1 shot while My Bobby Dazzler is 14/1; however bet365 stand out offering 20/1 about the latter.

My Bobby Dazzler is the each-way suggestion, 20/1 with bet365 paying four places. 

Whatever happens, come 1.15 I'm definitely going to engage hibernation mode. Honest.

A brief review of the 2024/25 jumps season

Champion jockey: Sean Bowen

Champion trainer: Willie Mullins

Winning owner: J P McManus

Champion conditional jockey: Freddie Gingell

Dan Skelton went into Aintree's Grand National meeting at the beginning of April with a commanding lead in the jumps trainers' championship - some £790,000 ahead of Paul Nicholls, £854,000 ahead of Nicky Henderson and over £1.3m clear of Willie Mullins in fourth place.

On the first day of the meeting Mr Mullins sent out the winners of the first four races on the card - all Grade 1 events: Impaire Et Passe (9/4), Manifesto Novices' Chase; Murcia (11/4), Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle; Gaelic Warrior (11/4), Aintree Bowl; and Lossiemouth (5/4f), Aintree Hurdle.

Incredibly, on Saturday he then sent out the first three home in the Grand National - Nick Rockett (33/1), I Am Maximus (7/1), and Grangeclare West (33/1) - and, for good measure, claimed fifth with Meetingofthewaters (20/1) and seventh with Minella Cocooner (18/1).

Skelton, pipped by Mullins for the title last year, must have been consumed by a sense of déjà vu. Somehow there just seemed an air of inevitability about it all. 

A week later Captain Cody (9/1) and Klarc Kent (14/1) filled the first two places in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr and by the time Sandown's final fixture came around, Mullins was priced up a 1/12 chance to collect his second British trainers' championship.

Gaelic Warrior (5/6f), Il Etait Temps (9/2) and Jump Allen (5/1) obliged for the Irish maestro but the Olly Murphy trained Resplendent Grey - champion jockey Sean Bowen up - struck a note of defiance for the home team, denying Lombron and Rachael Blackmore in the feature bet365 Gold Cup.

The final totals showed that Willie Mullins had won just shy of £200,000 more than Dan Skelton over the course of the season.

Once again Willie Mullins was crowned leading trainer at the Cheltenham Festival with ten winners.

Four of those winners came on the final day, including 100/1 shot Poniros in the Triumph Hurdle, but in the Gold Cup 8/13f Galopin Des Champs wasn't as slick at the fences as we've seen in the past and he was comprehensively beaten by Inothewayurthinkin, vindicating the decision of winning connections to supplement at a cost of £25,000.

The Champion Hurdle on Tuesday proved one of the most dramatic in recent memory with 1/2f Constitution Hill falling four from home. State Man (8/1), five lengths clear approaching the last and with the race at his mercy, clipped the top of the flight and came to grief, allowing the mare Golden Ace to claim the spoils and her trainer Jeremy Scott the adulation of the massed ranks of mellifluous supporters who had installed themselves on the terracing behind the winner's enclosure.

On Wednesday a bad mistake by Jonbon in the Champion Chase effectively put paid to his chance; in the circumstances he did well to finish second but Marine Nationale's deserved victory was an emotional affair. 

The horse had won the 2023 renewal of the Supreme with Michael O'Sullivan in the plate; on 6th February 2025 Michael was severely injured when falling from Wee Charlie at the final fence in a handicap chase at Thurles and he died from the injuries sustained ten days later.

On Thursday Fact To File produced an eye-catching performance in the Ryanair while Bob Olinger denied favourite Teahupoo in the Stayers' Hurdle.

The first three days of this year's Festival were plagued by false starts and attendances over the four days were down by more than 10,000 compared to 2024 - plenty to ponder on for Cheltenham's new chief executive Guy Lavender.

Back in the autumn Minella Drama won the Old Roan, The Real Whacker the Charlie Hall, and King Turgeon the Grand Sefton, the last-named on the same day the 2022 Grand Sefton winner, Al Dancer, rolled back the years to come home ten lengths clear in the 63rd renewal of Wincanton's Badger Beer Handicap Chase. 

At the Cheltenham Open meeting Freddie Gingell rode Il Ridoto to victory in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the following day Harry Cobden made all on Burdett Road to pick up the Greatwood for James Owen and the Gredley family.

Haydock specialist Royal Pagaille saw off Grey Dawning and Bravemansgame in the Betfair Chase while a week later Kandoo Kid claimed the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. 

On the same day the precocious Sir Gino won the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and subsequently, on his first start over fences, beat Ballyburn in the Wayward Lad at Kempton before picking up an injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Having won the Schloer Chase at Cheltenham, Jonbon added the Tingle Creek at Sandown and the Clarence House at Ascot before that mistake in the Champion Chase. 

Nicky Henderson's charge then went on to claim a second consecutive victory in the Melling Chase at Aintree but, returning to Sandown on the final day of the season, had no answer to the turn of foot shown by Il Etait Temps in the Celebration Chase.

Mr Vango had quite the exceptional season. 

Sara Bradstock's charge won the London National at Sandown, the Peter Marsh at Haydock and then the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter. Unfortunately, when the weights for the Aintree Grand National were framed in February, his rating of 143 wasn't high enough to ensure a place in the final field of 34 runners. Now rated 152, Mr Vango will be aimed at the 2026 Aintree spectacular.

Just before Christmas Crambo won the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot for a second time while at Kempton on Boxing Day Constitution Hill beat Lossiemouth in the Christmas Hurdle, Banbridge ran down the front-running Il Est Francais in the King George, and The Jukebox Man, owned by Harry Redknapp, won the Kauto Star comfortably. 

Unfortunately Harry's pride and joy picked up an injury and missed his intended engagement at Cheltenham - the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase - but connections are already talking about the 2026 Gold Cup for their charge, for which he is generally quoted at 25/1 chance.

The Mel Rowley trained Val Dancer emerged from the Chepstow fog in the lead in the Welsh Grand National but, despite subsequently finishing third behind Famous Bridge in Haydock's Grand National Trial, was another runner to miss the cut for the Aintree showpiece.

L'Homme Presse, third behind Banbridge in the King George, looked good winning the Cotswold Chase at the end of January but next time out was run off his feet behind Pic D'Orhy in the Ascot Chase over two miles five furlongs.

At that same Ascot meeting The Changing Man, having finished second in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle, the Howden Silver Cup at Ascot, and the Great Yorkshire at Doncaster, strolled home in the Reynoldstown after favourite Jingko Blue fell at the third. 

The owners of Jingko Blue had better luck with Jango Baie; although their horse was beaten a short-head by Handstands in the Scilly Isles at Sandown, he went on to win the Arkle at Cheltenham.

Grey mare Joyeuse won Newbury's competitive William Hill Hurdle eight lengths but couldn't live with Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

A fortnight later Knockanore won the Eider at Newcastle 16 lengths but couldn't build on that while Moroder bounced back to form, winning the Grimthorpe at Doncaster at the beginning of March at odds of 33/1.

And on the Saturday before the Cheltenham Festival Go Dante won a second Imperial Cup for Sean Bowen and Olly Murphy in what proved a breakthrough season for both jockey and trainer. 

Sean Bowen rode 180 winners to claim the jockeys' title, 38 more than nearest rival Harry Cobden while Olly Murphy sent out 141 winners, posting a 25% win strike-rate over the course of the season.

Finally Harry Skelton was crowned the inaugural winner of the David Power Jockeys' Cup. 

Jockeys gained points for finishing in the top four places of races televised by ITV Racing between 15th November 2024 and 4th April 2025; with 420 points, Harry Skelton finished 90 points clear of nearest rival Harry Cobden. 

Harry (Skelton) collected a cool £500,000 for his efforts, with principal trainer (and brother) Dan receiving £50,000, and a further £50,000 being shared among stable staff. 

The 2025 bet365 Gold Cup

On Monday 10th March Dan Skelton was priced up 1/6 to collect his first British trainers' title; six and a half weeks later, Willie Mullins is priced up 1/12 to collect his second British trainers' title.

Dan Skelton leads Willie Mullins by £68,483 this evening but tomorrow's card at Sandown will be pivotal.

The bet365 Gold Cup, due off at 4.10, is worth £98,473 to the winner and Willie Mullins is responsible for ten of the 20 runners. 

His Grangeclare West, third behind stablemates Nick Rockett and I Am Maximus in the Grand National three weeks ago (Minella Cocooner seventh, Threeunderthrufive and Monbeg Genius pulled up), carries top weight on a mark of 168, thereby ensuring 11 in the field run from out of the handicap - including stablemates O'Moore Park, Spanish Harlem, Chosen Witness and Klarc Kent. 

Skelton's sole entry, Hoe Joly Smoke, is 13 pounds 'wrong'.

Paul Townend, third on the Mullins trained Quai De Bourbon in the Irish National at Fairyhouse on Monday, rides favourite High Class Hero here. This one won a three mile point at Loughbrickland in November 2021 but has yet to win over that distance or beyond under rules.

Dancing City was well beaten in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham in March and then parted company with Townend in the Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree; back in May last year he finished half a length ahead of High Class Hero in the Grade 1 Channor Real Estate Group Novices' Hurdle at Punchestown.

Danny Mullins and Minella Cocooner were victorious in this race last year (Threeunderthrufive weakening from three out to finish thirteenth) and the partnership try to repeat the trick this year off 155, a mark just four pounds higher.

Four of the Mullins runners contested the Scottish National at Ayr a fortnight ago: Chosen Witness, Olympic Man, Spanish Harlem and Klarc Kent. 

Chosen Witness raced prominently but was eventually pulled up while both Olympic Man and Spanish Harlem didn't fence particularly well on the day; Klarc Kent on the other hand jumped the final flight three lengths to the good before being collared on the run to the line by stablemate Cool Cody.

Lombron, with Rachael Blackmore up, was pulled up on his sole start over three miles while O'Moore Park was beaten by the Skelton trained Riskintheground over an extended two and a half miles at Cheltenham ten days ago.

To my mind Minella Cocooner appeals most from the Mullins runners but there's no value in his current price.

Having said that, searching for a viable each-way play is beginning to look like something of a fool's errand.

Paul Kealy put up Victtorino in the RP Weekender. 

This one is best going right-handed and has won on good ground previously but stable form has been poor recently, although Hunter Legend obliged for connections at Bangor yesterday.

The suspicion is both Jonjo O'Neill runners - Monbeg Genius and Collectors Item - would want more cut underfoot.    

Resplendent Grey and Transmission finished fourth and fifth respectively behind Haiti Couleurs at Cheltenham in March (Klarc Kent eighth) - that form received a boost on Monday when the winner picked up the Irish National at Fairyhouse; off level weights, I'd expect Resplendent Grey to confirm the form.

Knockanore won the Eider 16 lengths in February but finished 33 lengths behind Mr Vango in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter - and is 15 pounds 'wrong' here.

I'm going to take a chance with King's Threshold who has won his last three but still goes from eight pounds out of the handicap. 

Writing in the RP Weekender [29.01-02.02.25] trainer Emma Lavelle said:

"He has plenty of ability but he's a fine-margin horse - he wants everything right for him. I've just fired his palate because he can make a bit of a noise and I think there are plenty more races in him. He's got himself well handicapped this season."

He has won on good ground and going right-handed; the trip is a step into the unknown.

King's Threshold is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 22/1 with Paddy Power who pay six places. 

The 2025 Scottish Grand National

In a bid to wrestle a second consecutive British trainers' title from Dan Skelton, Willie Mullins' bandwagon rolls in to Ayr...

Six of the yard's original 11 entries for tomorrow's Scottish Grand National (3.35) have made the final declaration stage in a field of 23 runners; those who waited to see what Paul Townend chose to ride waited in vain - the stable's star jockey hasn't been booked for a ride since finishing second on I Am Maximus at Aintree last Saturday.

At the time of writing four of the six Mullins horses are prominent in the market: Chosen Witness, with Sean O'Keefe up; Olympic Man (Mr P W Mullins); Captain Cody (Harry Cobden); and last year's winner Macdermott (Danny Mullins) .

Chosen Witness has yet to win a race over fences in three starts but he was travelling well enough at Navan last time when unseating Paul Townend in a race won by Better Days Ahead - who subsequently finished third in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival.

Olympic Man is another with just three chase starts to his name. He won over two and a half miles at Naas last time out but, to date, hasn't always appeared particularly fluent over his fences.

Captain Cody has yet to win in four chase starts; he unseated mid-race behind Haiti Couleurs in the National Hunt Challenge Cup at the Festival last month (Rock My Way second, Klarc Kent eighth, Hasthing fell at final fence when probably booked for fourth) and looks high enough in the handicap on 140.

In last year's renewal Macdermott (137) pipped Surrey Quest (133) a nose, with  Klarc Kent fourth (132), Spanish Harlem sixth (140), and Mr Incredible (153) pulled up. 

Macdermott's form looks rather indifferent this season yet he goes off 142 while this race has been a stated target for Surrey Quest who races off 139. 

Spanish Harlem, beaten just over eight lengths and now four pounds lower, appears feasibly treated on 136 while Klarc Kent - along with Magna Sam and Brandt - runs from out of the handicap this year but hinted at a return to form in the National Hunt Challenge Cup.

It all brings back memories of younger days when, on my annual trip to the Festival, I'd try to pick the Mullins trained winner of the Cheltenham bumper - more often than not, the market proved of no practical use whatsoever...

One final observation on last year's race, run on ground officially described as soft. 

11 of the 26 runners completed, all carrying under 11 stones; less than 10 lengths separated the first seven home, with all 11 finishers in a ratings band between 132 - 141.

In 2004 Grey Abbey carried 11-12 to victory; since then only four winners have carried more than 11-00: Godsmejudge (11-03, 2013); Vicente (11-03, 2016 and 11-10, 2017); and Mighty Thunder (11-01, 2021).

The going this year is described as good to soft; Skelton relies on Sail Away and Snipe in his bid to land the £112,540 first prize. He'll certainly feel encouraged by the treble he sent out at the Scottish venue today: Roxanne (100/30); Riskintheground (13/2); and Asta La Pasta (6/4f). 

Sail Away and Snipe finished second and third behind The Doyen Chief at Warwick just over a fortnight ago, beaten a neck and six and threequarters lengths; the winner was probably worth more than the official winning margin that day and has the bet365 Chase at Sandown as his target. 

Sail Away hasn't come home in front since winning the 2023 running of the Novices' Championship Handicap Chase at this meet off 136 but his last two runs have hinted at better to come - he bled from the nose when third behind The Doyen Chief on his penultimate start. He'll appreciate better ground and is feasibly treated on a mark of 132 although the trip is a journey into the unknown.

Previously Snipe came home third behind Docpickedme in the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster in January, where Walking On Air fell jumping the last when looking the likely winner.

Harry Skelton rides Sail Away and that one looks the stable's main hope.  

New handler Faye Bramley, based at A P McCoy's pre-training yard in Lambourn, saddles Walking On Air for the first time. When with Gary Brown, the gelding finished eleventh behind Daily Present in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham 30 days ago, a race in which Grozni finished sixth, Wiseguy seventh and Dom Of Mary eighth.

On his only try beyond three and a quarter miles Henry's Friend was pulled up behind Corbetts Cross in the 2024 National Hunt Challenge Cup. 

He appears to have his share of weight here - a comment that also applies to Our Power - while I noted Finn Lambert hard at work some way from home when The Kniphand stayed on to finish second behind Moroder in the Grimthorpe last month.

Rock My Way will need to jump better than last time to give himself a chance, a comment that also applies to Hasthing who wears cheekpieces for the first time. 

When Famous Bridge wore cheekpieces for the first time he scooted away from Apple Away after the last in Haydock's Grand National Trial. He was raised four pounds for that effort, then dropped one after finishing sixth behind Myretown in the Ultima. That still leaves Nicky Richards' charge on a mark of 141 and the stable has been quiet recently, although Summergrounds won the concluding handicap hurdle earlier today.   

Back in February the 11-year-old Magna Sam won the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh by nine and a half lengths off a mark of 114 (Surrey Quest third); he was raised eight pounds for his efforts but still races from out of the handicap tomorrow. 

In 2023 Alastair Ralph's charge finished fifth behind Kitty's Light in this race, two places behind 40/1 shot Flash De Touzaine; Liz Doyle's charge bounced back to form to win a Veterans' Chase at Limerick last month. 

Brandt won the Dublin Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over an extended three and a half miles last time off a mark of 110, with Tiernan Roche claiming five. He races from four pounds out of the handicap tomorrow; the booking of Sean Bowen certainly catches the eye.  

And Alice Stevens, claiming three, has the been given the unenviable task of cajoling former Mullins inmate Mr Incredible to put his best foot forward.

In summary...

I wouldn't be the only one surprised to see no runner from Lucinda Russell's stable in this field - Whistle Stop Tour goes in the Novices' Champion Handicap Chase at 1.43. 

Those on the shortlist include Surrey Quest, Spanish Harlem, Famous Bridge and Magna Sam. 

Surrey Quest looks solid - I'd expect him to reverse Edinburgh National form with Magna Sam on this left-handed track - but a mark six pounds higher than last year is a challenge. 

A mark of 141 looks stiff enough for Famous Bridge but Spanish Harlem makes some appeal - four pounds lower than last year when beaten just over eight lengths. 

Sporting first-time cheekpieces, Spanish Harlem has yet to win a race for W P Mullins but there were hopeful signs at Punchestown last time while the time before he finished 33 lengths behind Nick Rockett in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park. 

I'd like to think he can show some improvement on last year's effort.

Spanish Harlem is the each-way suggestion, 12/1 generally at the time of writing but 14/1 with Paddy Power who pay six places. 

Aintree Grand National 2025

Yesterday marked the 19th anniversary of the blog's very first post. 

If he were still alive today, my Latin teacher would have probably said: 'Jove! Tempus fugit!', then crossed the Via Acacia and rushed into our local Ladbrokes to stick 20 denarii on favourite I Am Maximus for this year's National.

Last year I Am Maximus beat Delta Work seven and a half lengths off a mark of 159 (Minella Indo third, Meetingofthewaters seventh, Coko Beach eleventh and Vanilier fourteenth); he races off 167 tomorrow, bidding to become the first horse to win back-to-back Nationals since Tiger Roll in 2018/19, and the first to carry top weight to victory since Red Rum in 1974. 

This is the second year with a reduced field size of 34 runners; the going is currently described as good to soft and they're due off at 4.00pm.   

Since 2015 a horse aged either eight or nine has won the National, with the one exception being Noble Yeats who won the 2022 renewal when seven.

The market is dominated by a number of Irish trained runners; this year Willie Mullins has six entries, Gordon Elliott five, Gavin Cromwell three. 

Of the Mullins runners, Minella Cocooner will be suited by drying conditions. He won the bet365 Chase on good ground at Sandown last April off 152 (Nick Rockett third, Theeunderthrufive thirteenth). 

Meetingofthewaters didn't quite see out the trip last year in seventh on ground described as good to soft, soft in places. He hasn't appeared in such good form this term but has higher hopes of lasting home on better ground.

Nick Rockett held Intense Raffles threequarters of a length in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse six weeks ago but meets last year's Irish Grand National winner 15 pounds worse off. 

Intense Raffles would probably prefer more cut underfoot.

Three Card Brag is probably Gordon Elliott's best chance; the booking of Sean Bowen catches the eye but stable form is a concern with just two wins from 42 runs in the past fortnight.

Gavin Cromwell has told the TV cameras he can't split his three. 

Stumptown looked to have a hard enough race winning the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham three and a half weeks ago with stablemate Vanilier doing well in the circumstances to finish third, having almost taken the wrong route early on.

Perceval Legallois had Nick Rockett, Three Card Brag, Horantzau D'Airy and Meetingofthewaters in arrears in a Listed Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and has the assistance of Mark Walsh in the saddle.   

Owner J.P.McManus relies on five as he bids to win the race for a fourth time: the well-backed I Am Maximus (W.P.Mullins); Iroko (O.Greenall & J.Guerriero); Perceval Legallois (G.Cromwell); Meetingofthewaters (W.P.Mullins); and Chantry House (N.Henderson).

Hewick famously cost £800 and is famously small but Shark Hanlon's charge has the heart of a lion and famously mugged Bravemansgame to win the 2023 King George at Kempton; drying ground helps his cause. 

At the time of writing Iroko is the only British trained runner near the top of the market. 

This race has been his target since he finished second behind subsequent Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin at this meeting last year; this season connections have campaigned their charge in such a way as to protect his handicap mark of 152.

Paul Nicholls saddles five with Kandoo Kid, the Coral Gold Cup winner in November, probably his best chance. 

Of his other runners Bravemansgame doesn't look the force of old but Threeunderthrufive was beaten just over six lengths on good ground in the 2023 Scottish Grand National at Ayr and showed his current wellbeing when beaten a nose by Victtorino at Ascot seven weeks ago. Harry Cobden rides Kandoo Kid, with Harry Skelton aboard Threeunderthrufive.

The BBC's Grand National Pinstickers' Guide may prove of more use than what follows... 

On Monday evening I bet Beauport each-way at odds of 33/1 with Sky (six places). 

Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge won the 2024 Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter and on seasonal debut won the Berkshire National Handicap Chase at Ascot on good ground. 

He's a proven stayer and can handle drying ground. 

On Wednesday Paul Kealy made a similar case in the RP Weekender, stating if the horse were trained in Ireland, he would likely be priced up around the 8/1 - 10/1 mark; there's perhaps some journalistic hyperbole in that statement.  

The two main concerns are he's on a mark 12 pounds higher after Ascot and, on occasions at Uttoxeter, he jumped right, a trait he hadn't shown previously on a left-handed track.

Still, he has been in very good form this term.

Of course, dangers abound everywhere - it's the Grand National! To my mind Iroko and Minella Cocooner pose big threats but, forget that, this evening Betfred stand out from the crowd by paying seven places.

Beauport is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 22/1 with Betfred who are paying the seven places.

Aintree 2025 - Friday

After Willie Mullins trains the winners of the first four races on Thursday's card, here are two selections for Ladies' Day... 

On New Year's Day I bet Lounge Lizard in a race at Cheltenham - watching his jumping there was no cure for anyone's hangover and certainly no way to celebrate the new year.

However five weeks ago he bounced back to form to win on good to soft ground at Huntingdon.

The Topham (4.05) has been the long-term target; he missed last year's renewal after he banged himself and went lame 24 hours before the race. 

Trainer Henry Daly said his charge jumped well and enjoyed himself over these fences in the 2023 Becher (prominent, weakened from two out) but he never got home in soft ground.

The step back to two miles five and drying conditions here are positives; he's quirky but, if he's in the mood, I think he can be competitive.

Lounge Lizard is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 20/1 with bet365 and 18/1 with William Hill, both paying six places.

The concluding conditional jockeys' and amateur riders' handicap hurdle (5.15) looks monstrous; two have piqued interest - but you'd probably be better off with a visit to https://www.jokaroom.io/en/casino-bonuses 

Afadil appears well handicapped, having finished third in this last year off a mark of 130 and racing off 124 tomorrow.

Last time out he looked a tad unfortunate to be mugged close home by Go Dante in the Imperial Cup at Sandown, losing second spot to Wreckless Eric in the shadow of the post. Connections fit cheekpieces for the first time to help the cause.

Handicap debutants include Celtic Dino, Diamonds For Luck, Jack Hyde and Grimaud; Dylan Johnson prefers Celtic Dino ahead of top weight Lump Sum.

Fiercely Proud brings strong handicap form to the table, having finished sixth in the Greatwood, and then winning the Ladbrokes Hurdle at Ascot just before Christmas. Ben Pauling's charge was found to be suffering from an irregular heartbeat when pulled up in the William Hill Hurdle (formerly the Betfair Hurdle) at Newbury in February.

Moon Chime has been well backed during the day and is now 10/1 generally, 12/1 with Ladbrokes. 

After beating Balhambar nine lengths at Stratford last month, joint trainer Graeme McPherson said they were pleased to see Moon Chime back to the horse they thought they had following recent wind surgery. 

The handicapper raised him 11 pounds for that effort; connections hinted that the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock might be next on the agenda after this. 

He needs a good quick two miles and I'd imagine that's what he'll get here; Nick Slatter had been pencilled in to ride but I see Mr Tommie M O'Brien, claiming three, is in the saddle.

I had an each-way interest in Alnilam in the Morebattle at Kelso last time, when I also happened to learn the horse is named after the central star in Orion's belt, located between Mintaka and Alnitak. 

Anyway, Olly Murphy's star looked the winner turning for home but was collared by Cracking Rhapsody on the climb to the line (Old Gregorian noted with a career best in third, Slugger fourth and Cormier sixth). 

This flat track and drying ground will suit and Beau Morgan's five pounds allowance means he's effectively competing off a mark two pounds lower.

Having missed the fancy prices about Moon Chime, I'll take an each-way interest in Alnilam, 14/1 generally with most layers paying five places.

Aintree 2025 - Thursday

Just one selection for the first day of this year's Grand National meeting.

The Kalooki Kid takes his chance in the opening Manifesto Novices' Chase (1.45) yet looks to face a stiff task in this Grade 1 contest. 

Seven of his eight rivals boast a higher rating - Nicky Richards' charge has some 21 pounds to find with Arkle winner Jango Baie. That said, connections hold their grey in high regard and think he'll be good enough to compete in competitive handicaps such as the Paddy Power Gold Cup in the future; at the time of writing bet365 and William Hill offer 33/1 (three places) but I'm not tempted.

Four years ago Ahoy Senor went into everyone's notebook after beating Bravemansgame seven lengths in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle at odds of 66/1 on just his second start over hurdles. 

Lucinda Russell's charge hasn't seen a hurdle in public since; over fences he has tended to look like a horse with a mistake in him. 

His very best form is over the Mildmay fences - his record reads 13223, with two of those defeats behind Shishkin in the 2023 Aintree Bowl and Gerri Colombe in last year's renewal. He takes his chance again this year (3.30) but that looked a bit of a crunching fall he took in the Gold Cup just 20 days ago...

With a few layers paying five places, I'm going to take a chance on one in the Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase (4.05), the first race of the meeting run over the National fences.

Current favourite Willitgoahead ran into a place behind Wonderwall in the St James's Place Open Hunters' Chase - often referred to as the amateur riders' Gold Cup - at the Festival 20 days ago (Ontheropes eighth, Bardenstown Lad eleventh). The step back in trip here wouldn't necessarily play to his strengths.

Mr William Biddick was in the plate when Famous Clermont beat Bennys King in this race in 2023 while Bennys King and Annamix finished second and third respectively behind Its On The Line last year. 

This year Mr Biddick is aboard My Drogo who, back in 2021, won the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle at this meeting. Owned and bred by Mr & Mrs Richard Kelvin-Hughes, My Drogo was moved out of Dan Skelton's yard in December, presumably with this race as a target.

A pertinent piece of form is the Walrus Open Hunters' Chase run at Haydock seven weeks ago. 

That day My Drogo reeled in Gracchus De Balme after the last, with Jet Plane, following a bad mistake at the final flight, finishing third, some six lengths behind the winner.

10 days later Gracchus De Balme was pulled up behind Bennys King in the Cottesmore Open Hunters' Chase at Leicester (Autonomous Cloud second, Bothwell Bridge third). 

At 14 years of age Bennys King is the oldest horse in this race but on past form he'll have more behind him than in front at the finish. 

Lifetime Ambition's fourth over these fences behind Al Dancer in the 2022 Grand Sefton is noteworthy; Percussion has performed well over these fences in the past but is likely to be outpaced at this distance.

Senior Citizen has been placed in a Grand Sefton and a Topham when trained by Alan King; on his first run for Alan Hill he won a three mile point 15 lengths and apparently underwent wind surgery less than three weeks ago.

Coming back to that Haydock form, there wouldn't be an awful lot between My Drogo and Gracchus De Balme, while Jet Plane would have finished closer to the leading pair with a better leap at the last. The market doesn't reflect the form with My Drogo 6/1 generally, Gracchus De Balme 20/1 and Jet Plane 28/1.

Gracchus De Balme is tempting but the Leicester run is disconcerting - just 10 days after Haydock it probably came too quickly. At the prices, I'll chance Jet Plane.

Jet Plane is the each-way selection, at the time of writing 28/1 with William Hill who pay five places. 

Aintree aspirants

Seven days after this year's Gold Cup, I found myself in Cheltenham - Inothewayurthinkin. 

Actually, I was there for my daughter's wedding.

In the evening of the following day, the day after the main event in a manner of speaking, while my wife and I were looking for a quiet place to eat with the aim of recharging run-down batteries, we came across a review of The Tivoli, penned by The Times' restaurant critic Giles Coren.

Mr Coren describes the establishment as '...a wonderful, huge old building on Andover Road in the grand/shabby curate's egg of a town that is Cheltenham.' 

Now, for at least 40 years I've considered Cheltenham - the home of National Hunt racing - a place of sacred pilgrimage, to be spoken of in revered, hushed tones only; the tweed set may baulk a little at Mr Coren's irreverence but I found it singularly refreshing.

The accompaniment to our meal at The Tivoli was a Blues playlist that proved most invigorating; as I paid the bill and handed my feedback form to the waitress, I asked if she would be so kind as to send me details of the playlist.

To date, I haven't heard a pip, and it must be a 33/1 longshot I ever will. 

I've noticed that about organisations generally - they have no qualms in pestering you for feedback yet when you ask for feedback on your feedback, they can't be bothered to respond...

Anyway, the Lincoln at Doncaster takes centre stage tomorrow; Ascot's card on Sunday - the main jumps meeting of the weekend - has seen field sizes decimated by the drying ground; a visit to wolfwinner online pokies au is probably a more productive use of one's time.

Court Cian goes in the finale at 5.40 - an acquaintance of mine owns a share. 

Apparently the gelding's comfortable win at Market Rasen last time came as a bit of a surprise to connections so I might give the guy a bell beforehand, just to see what they're expecting this time around.  

With Aintree on the horizon, I've spent a bit of time looking for horses whose connections have, at some point previously, indicated this forthcoming Aintree meet was a possible target. 

The list below is far from exhaustive and I'm sure the whole exercise will prove little more than an exercise in futile displacement activity; still, it beats watching the news on the television.

Arayapearl / Peter & Mickey Bowen

Straight from the Stable [RP Weekender 26-30.03.25]:

"She has never run before but works really well at home. We haven't had time to give her a run in between but her work is better than any of our youngsters. She's a really nice filly and will run in the Aintree bumper as well. She'd be my dark horse." 

Battle Born Lad / Mark Walford 

Talented but quirky individual.

After passing the post to win the Grade 2 Prestige Novices' Hurdle at Haydock 15.02.25, he unseated jockey Jamie Hamilton. Later the jockey said:

"He's not an easy ride as he's free-going, he hangs and always looks for a way out. He was still full of it, I turned in and couldn't believe how well I was going. I'd say Cheltenham would be too soon, but there's always Aintree." 

Castle Carrock / Alan .King  

Bought out of Nicky Richards' stable for £100,000 after winning a bumper at Ayr on good ground. Beat 2/9f Diva Luna in a Sandown novice 24.01.25 and then third behind Jet To Vegas in the Grade 2 Premier Novices' Hurdle at Kelso 01.03.25. Trainer states [RP Weekender 26-30.03.25]:

"Castle Carrock will be in the 2m and 2m 4f novice hurdles. If they look red hot, we have the option of giving him an extra week and waiting for Ayr instead." 

Charisma Cat / Alan King

Won the Listed mares' bumper at Sandown 08.03.25. Trainer states [RP Weekender 26-30.03.25]:

"...Charisma Cat is a possible for the mares' bumper on the opening day. 

"I haven't done a lot with her since her win at Sandown and I'd want to be 100 per cent happy with her if I was to run. Otherwise we'll put her away."

Holds an entry (5.15 Thursday)

Dedicated Hero / Sandy Thomson 

After winning the Grade 2 Rossington Main Hurdle at Haydock 18.01.25 rider Ryan Mania said:

"The original plan was the Premier Hurdle at Kelso as he's won twice there and then maybe Aintree..."

Declared a non-runner on the day in Kelso's Premier Hurdle.

Fingle Bridge / Olly Murphy 

Beat Regent's Stroll in a Listed novice at Exeter 09.02.25; needs proper soft ground. 

Horaces Pearl / Fergal O'Brien 

Won Newbury novice 28.02.25 over extended 2m 4f; jumping still a work in progress. Beat stablemate Tripoli Flyer in last season's Aintree bumper. Possible target: Grade 1 novice race.

Jet To Vegas / Lucinda Russell 

Won Grade 2 Premier Novices' Hurdle at Kelso 01.03.25 despite jumping right, Castle Carrock nine and a half lengths third. Afterwards trainer said:

"He normally has to go right handed but it was worth taking a chance here. As he got tired, he jumped straight, when he was fresh he jumped right handed. He'll go to Aintree."

Jurancon / David Pipe  

Has form behind The Kemble Brewery and beat Tripoli Flyer in a Chepstow maiden 06.11.24. After winning on handicap debut at Newbury 01.03.25, trainer David Pipe said:

"He has got a great attitude, which is half the battle, and we might have a look at Aintree with him."  

Appears best suited by soft ground.

Live Conti / Dan Skelton 

Formerly with Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm in France. Won at Wetherby on stable debut for current connections 12.02.25 and was quoted a 20/1 chance for the Triumph Hurdle. After that Wetherby win the trainer said:

"We got Live Conti in November and I'm glad we didn't run him earlier as he's really improved in the last month and keeps thriving. 

"The form of his Auteuil race is very good and we'll decide whether we go to Cheltenham or go to Aintree, but he's a horse who is further down the line as he's already quite furnished and strong."

Holds entry in Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (2.30 Thursday)

Lounge Lizard / Henry Daly 

I tipped Lounge Lizard for a race at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. After the event (fourth, 21 lengths behind Springwell Bay) I wrote that his jumping 'left a lot to be desired, looking laboured and cumbersome on more than one occasion'. 

In an apparent return to form, the rascal won the Prestige Developments John Bigg "Oxo" Handicap Chase at Huntingdon 02.03.25. After the race the trainer said:

"Lounge Lizard was unfortunate because it absolutely bucketed it last time and he doesn't like that wet ground. [Pulled up behind El Rio at Kempton 07.02.25]. I'm not sure if he didn't get a bit bored in the closing stages today. He jumped very nicely today and the plan is Aintree [Topham]. We got as far as declaring him last year, but unfortunately he went lame 24 hours before because he banged himself. He ran in the Becher last term and ran well, jumped well and enjoyed it, but it was very soft and he never got home. We set out our stall to run in the race last year and again this year."   

At the time of writing quoted 25/1 for the Topham Handicap Chase (4.05 Friday); needs 13 runners to scratch to make the cut. 

Moon Chime / D.Killahena & Graeme McPherson 

Back on track at Stratford last time 10.03.25. After that race Graeme McPherson said:

"It's nice to see Moon Chime back and like the horse we thought we had. We had his wind done after Carlisle and at Ludlow last month it didn't work, but everything fell into place there. I think we'll look at the two-mile conditionals' race at Aintree [on April 4]. We've got a great lad in Nick Slatter who has won on him so the race could be tailor-made for him. Then possibly we can go on to the Swinton at Haydock. He loves a good quick two miles and we can look at better races again."  

Rubber Ball / Neil King 

Aintree mooted a possibility after Rubber Ball won a novice hurdle at Newbury 08.02.25. 

The Kalooki Kid / Nicky Richards 

Won the Scottish Champion Chase at Musselburgh over an extended two mile four furlong trip 01.02.25. After the race the trainer said:

"The Kalooki Kid is a good traveller, good jumper and that was a good display on just his third chase. He's doing well for a young horse and my owners are local from Kirkcaldy so they are over the moon. I don't know what the handicapper will do, but I think he's got Aintree written all over him. There's a two-and-a-half-mile chase that might suit him, and looking towards next year, something like the Paddy Power at Cheltenham might suit." 

Holds an entry in the Manifesto Novices' Chase (1.45 Thursday)

There Runs Mary / Olly Murphy. 

Cost 105,000 euros. Wins a mares' bumper at Wincanton 30.01.25 in a time 7.7 seconds faster than the second division of the race. Next time unable to concede weight to Heron In The Park in mares' bumper at Newbury 01.03.25. Mares' bumper identified as a possible target but not entered up.

Cheltenham Festival 2025 - the betting debrief

This year seven of the blog's eight highlighted selections came under starter's orders over the four days - Langer Dan was a non-runner, declared to be suffering from a respiratory infection on the morning of the Stayers' Hurdle.

Shown below the recorded loss to level stakes (1 point win, 0.5 points each-way with each-way returns calculated to one fifth the odds):  

Outlay over four days: 7 points

Return over four days: 1.9 points

Profit / Loss: -5.1 points

Loss as percentage of outlay: 72.86%

Brief notes on individual selections:

Malina Girl (bet struck:14/1 each-way; third in Ultima)

Good run behind Myretown and The Changing Man. Winner impressive.

Herakles Westwood (bet struck: 20/1 each-way; seventh in National Hunt Challenge Cup)

Towards rear; never threatened.

Potters Charm (bet struck: 14/1 each-way; fifth in Turners)

Outpaced by market principals off home bend.

Libberty Hunter (bet struck: 33/1 each-way; fell in Champion Chase)

Four lengths down and creeping into contention when falling three out.

Primoz (bet struck: 20/1 each-way; fourteenth in Grand Annual)

Lost any chance in chaotic start.

Protektorat (bet struck: 6/1 win; fourth in Ryanair) 

Outpaced from three out; winner Fact To File impressive.

Our Champ (bet struck: 50/1 each-way; sixth in County Hurdle)

Led; tapped for toe off home bend, stayed on up the hill. 

The Champion Hurdle set the tone for a dramatic week with the two former winners in the field, Constitution Hill and State Man, both falling, the latter at the last when five lengths clear. Golden Ace, trained by Jeremy Scott, picked up the pieces.

Inothewayurthinkin denied Galopin Des Champs a third victory in the Gold Cup while Fact To File put up an imperious display in the Ryanair.   

Marine Nationale, forever associated with Michael O'Sullivan, proved a fitting winner of the Champion Chase while Bob Olinger denied Teahupoo in the Stayers' Hurdle.

The final result of the Prestbury Cup: Great Britain 8 Ireland 20

Just one British trained runner contested the Supreme and there were no British entries in a final field of seven in the Brown Advisory. 

Once again Willie Mullins was the leading trainer at the Festival, equalling his previous record total of 10 winners. He fielded 11 of the 18 runners in the Triumph and won it with 100/1 shot Poniros who was racing over hurdles for the very first time. 

Shambolic starts and the drop in attendance figures are two topics we're likely to hear more about in the coming days.  

Cheltenham Festival 2025 - Friday

Earlier today Frank Keogh reported that the attendance on Wednesday was the lowest seen at the Festival since 1993.

Fact To File looked something special in the Ryanair this afternoon and, in other news, Frankie Dettori has announced he's filing for bankruptcy...

Malina Girl ran a creditable third on Tuesday but otherwise it has been a miserable, downward spiral for the blog's selections. Only one pick for the final day - and I'm not confident it's going to turn the tide... 

1.20 Triumph Hurdle

No bet for me in a race I'm not particularly fond of. 

Willie Mullins saddles 11 of the 18 runners; Paul Townend rides filly Lady Vega Allen. 

Tom Segal penned a piece in the RP Weekender [29.01-02.02] headlined "Flat-bred East India Dock set to find Triumph beyond him". To summarise, most of the current Flat bred horses aren't bred to stay any further than a mile whereas Jumps bred horses are stronger - and classier. 

Tom believes East India Dock won't be strong (or classy) enough to compete with the likes of Lulamba or a yet-to-be-revealed Mullins marvel.

Last time out East India Dock beat Stencil 10 lengths over the Triumph Hurdle course and distance on Trials Day; Stencil, sent off 11/4 favourite for the Fred Winter on Tuesday, finished down the field in 15th, with the comment 'weakened before the last' noted.

As a slight digression, I see East India Dock had a Flat rating of 89, Mondo Man a Flat rating of 111. 

The issue for the Gary Moore trained Mondo Man is he needs to learn to settle - he patently failed to do so in the Adonis at Kempton three weeks ago. On his previous run, in receipt of 10 pounds, he finished three and a half lengths behind Lulamba, despite having pulled hard in rear; he's in the same ownership as Botox Has and Nassalam.

Back in 2020 the same yard ran Goshen  - Flat rating of 80 at the time - in this race; ten lengths clear coming to the last, he made a mistake and dumped Jamie Moore on the turf. 

Connections fit a hood for the first time tomorrow and Brian Hughes replaces Caoilin Quinn in the saddle. I'll keep an eye out for the partnership during the race - a decent pace should help their cause.

2.00 County Hurdle

Sixteen declared. 

Absurde won this last year off 138 before embarking on a Flat campaign that culminated in a trip to Australia; this year he goes off 146. 

Willie Mullins' charge benefits from a hold-up ride and likes to weave his way through the field at the business end of a race. Last time out he finished fifth in the Melbourne Cup behind Knight's Choice, beaten under two lengths.

Paul Townend rides stablemate Kargese. Last time out this one was beaten at odds of 2/5f in the Warfield Mares' Hurdle run on good ground at Ascot. Since 2010 the Mullins yard has trained the winner of this on seven occasions.

The Skelton yard regularly targets this race and have had plenty of success in recent years with Superb Story (2016); Mohaayed (2018); Ch'tibello (2019) and Faivoir (2023). Valgrand flies the flag this year but he ran no sort of race when last seen behind Ooh Betty at Kempton over Christmas.

Hansard was fourth in that Kempton race and subsequently ran well behind Golden Ace (won the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday!) in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. The yard is in better form now, operating at a 25% win strike rate over the past fortnight.

Cracking Rhapsody looked good in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso 13 days ago; connections will pick up a bonus if they win here but Ewan Whillans' charge has tended to show his very best form at Kelso. 

I'm going to have a bet on Our Champ in this because I think he's overpriced at 50/1 provided the ground has dried out sufficiently and the showers stay away. 

Back in October he won the Lavazza Handicap Hurdle run on good ground at Ascot, beating Break My Soul a nose with Secret Squirrel third, Afadil fourth and Fiercely Proud falling when disputing second. 

The yard were going through a lean spell at the time - as they are now - but he got the job done that day despite Freddie Gordon dropping his whip in the final 110 yards. 

Secret Squirrel has subsequently won a competitive handicap at Windsor, Afadil was third in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last Saturday while Fiercely Proud reversed form with the selection in the Ladbrokes at Ascot in December run on good to soft ground.

I bet Our Champ in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury five weeks ago where soft ground went against him; he finished eighth behind Joyeuse (Secret Squirrel fell at the last, Fiercely Proud pulled up and later found to be suffering from an irregular heartbeat).

He ran without the tongue-tie at Newbury but it's back in place now. He has won on the Old Course here and ran third behind Tintintin on the New Course last April.

In a stable tour article [RP Weekender 26.02-02.03] handler Chris Gordon said:

"He'll go for the County Hurdle and he'll run really well if it dries up."

At the time of writing the going on the New Course is good to soft - the showers will need to stay away before the off.

Our Champ is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 50/1 with William Hill and bet365, both paying five places. 

4.00 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Galopin Des Champs will face eight rivals in his bid to win a third successive Gold Cup. 

Henrietta Knight, who trained Best Mate to achieve the feat (2002 -2004), thinks he will win.

Banbridge is no pushover on drying ground while course and distance winner Inothewayurthinkin, supplemented at a cost of £25,000, is 7/1 favourite for the Aintree Grand National.

Inothewayurthinkin and Monty's Star were fourth and fifth respectively behind Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Corbetts Cross didn't appear to have the best prep behind Pic D'Orhy at Ascot last month and wouldn't be suited by drying ground while The Real Whacker and Gentlemansgame were both pulled up in this race last year.

Ahoy Senor has shown his best form at Aintree, Royal Pagaille at Haydock.

At 6/1 Banbridge was an each-way bet to nothing but the price has disappeared; a race to watch and savour then.