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Jumps Network: exclusive updates, horses to follow, tips and more
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 31 Oct 2025
Introducing the Jumps Network!
Welcome to the Jumps Network, an exciting new blog on racingtv.com that will feature exclusive updates and news, horses to follow, expert analysis and much more throughout the 2025-26 Jumps season!
This page will be updated daily by Andrew Blair White (ABW), Joshua Stacey (JS), Jake Price (JP) and Ash Symonds (AS), four jump racing experts who will aim to provide unmissable snippets of information for all jump racing fans.
The top team have their heads in the Jumps formbook 24/7, so will also be providing a tip or two along the way.
Not following them on X yet? Make sure you follow @ablairwhite13, @TheRacingJosh, @JakePriceRacing and @ASymondsJourno as they will all be posting when this page is updated, and ensuring you never miss any of the information provided.
We hope you enjoy the content on the Jumps Network over the coming months, and feel free to get in touch with Andrew, Josh, Jake or Ash with any feedback or extra content you would like to be included.
CALDWELL POTTER out for the season
Published by Jake Price, Friday October 31
Paul Nicholls has confirmed on X this afternoon that CALDWELL POTTER will be out for the remainder of the season, having sustained a small injury in a racecourse gallop at Newbury on Monday. Nicholls said:
"After consultation with the vets and his owners, it will mean that he will miss the rest of this season."
It is a huge blow for Ditcheat as Caldwell Potter was one of their leading lights for the campaign ahead. He was a general 4-1 chance for the Betfair Chase at Haydock before this news broke.
BLIZZARD OF OZ will be aimed at the Coral Gold Cup, and INTENSE RAFFLES could join him
(pic: Healy Racing Photographers)
Published by Ash Symonds, Wednesday October 29
BLIZZARD OF OZ, an impressive winner at Wexford on Monday, will be aimed at the Coral Gold Cup, Daryl Jacob confirms.
Owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old beat Rocky's Diamond, fourth in last season's Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, on his seasonal reappearance earlier this week.
Connections handed Blizzard Of Oz and INTENSE RAFFLES, the 2024 Irish Grand National winner, an entry for Newbury's feature £250,000 contest on Tuesday, and it seems like both could head over the water next month.
Jacob, assistant racing manager to Munir and Souede, exclusively told us:
"He’s going to come over for the Coral Gold Cup with potentially Intense Raffles as well, if the ground is soft enough. There are lots to look forward to with Blizzard Of Oz this season, and hopefully, he’ll develop into a Graded horse towards the end of the year."
Monday's success in the Michael Hickey Memorial Chase was a first career win over fences for Blizzard Of Oz, which means he is a second-season novice.
The Grade 1-winning rider was impressed by his performance under Paul Townend, and he's hopeful for a big season.
Jacob continued:
"I was very happy with him the other day at Wexford. Usually, he needs his first run, and he was a little bit careful over his fences last season. But he actually jumped very well the other day, and he beat a good yardstick in Rocky’s Diamond, who I thought would suit the track very well. All in all, we’re extremely happy with him, and we think he’s in a great place."
Blizzard Of Oz is 10/1 for the Coral Gold Cup, while Intense Raffles is 25/1.
CELTIC DINO next target will be ground dependent
Published by Andrew Blair White, Wednesday October 29
Welsh Champion Hurdle winner CELTIC DINO has a couple of options open for his next racecourse start. Having only been raised 4lb by the assessor, the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on November 16 could certainly be an option. An alternative plan would be the Grade Two Ascot Hurdle on November 22.
Trainer Sam Thomas exclusively told us:
"He has come out of Chepstow really well. His next target will be dependent on quicker ground, as he is a light framed horse."
Elsewhere in the yard, ROCKING MAN is back in training following a spell on the sidelines last season. He amassed some smart form as a bumper horse, and connections are looking forward to him going novice hurdling in the next couple of weeks.
"He suffered with some niggly issues last season. We aim to run at Chepstow next Wednesday or Aintree next Saturday."
Celtic Dino is currently a general 10-1 chance for the Greatwood.
Joe Tizzard readying a strong team for Ascot on Saturday
Published by Jake Price, Wednesday October 29
South West trainer Joe Tizzard is gearing up for a big Saturday at Ascot, where he is well represented across the card. The first of those big names to be unleashed is FIRST CONFESSION in the 1.10, who is set to make his Chase debut at a track where he won twice last season.
Another set to be popular in the betting is Welsh Champion Hurdle runner-up ALEXEI, who will bid to go one better in the 3.10. Surprisingly the BHA Handicapper did not increase his official rating despite finishing so close to Celtic Dino at Chepstow, and as such he looks to have outstanding claims.
A third high profile name set to run in Berkshire is THE CHANGING MAN, who has his sights set on the feature Sodexo Gold Cup at 3.45. Another horse who seems to love Ascot having bolted up in the Grade Two Reynoldstown Novice Chase in February, his last start in a Handicap saw him finish second in the Ultima at Cheltenham.
Tizzard exclusively told us:
"All three will run as it stands."
TELEPATHIQUE set for return at Carlisle
Published by Jake Price, Wednesday October 29
Lucy Wadham's exciting Mare TELEPATHIQUE is set to return to action at Carlisle on Sunday, when contesting the Listed Houghton Mares Chase over 2m4f.
Last season she was a very impressive winner of the Lady Protectress at Huntingdon in February, but despite being well backed, she unfortunately missed her intended engagement in the Paddy Power Mares Chase at the Cheltenham Festival due to injury. Trainer Lucy Wadham exclusively told us:
"The Mares Chase at Cheltenham is the ultimate goal, but we are looking forward to starting her off at Carlisle on Sunday."
Telepathique is a general 33-1 chance for the Paddy Power Mares Chase.
HAITI COULEURS unlikely to run this weekend
Published by Andrew Blair White, Tuesday October 28
Rebecca Curtis' stable star HAITI COULEURS is unlikely to take up his engagements at Ascot and Carlisle this weekend, with the preference to wait for softer ground. His early season target is the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on November 29.
Entries made for Paddy Power Gold Cup and Unibet Greatwood Hurdle
Published by Jake Price, Tuesday October 28
30 have been entered for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 15, including the Ante-Post favourite JAGWAR, who won the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March when last seen. Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell has also entered THECOMPANYSERGEANT, who was runner-up at The Festival.
33 have been entered for the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle on November 16, including recent Welsh Champion Hurdle winner CELTIC DINO. Gordon Elliott has entered a duo of runners including CASHELDALE LAD, whilst Olly Murphy has entered the Persian War winner STICKTOTHEPLAN.
Ten entered for the Charlie Hall at Wetherby
Published by Jake Price, Monday October 27
Ten entries have been made for the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday. Amongst the names in contention is last year's winner THE REAL WHACKER, who is set to retain his crown for Patrick Neville.
There are some very notable names in opposition however, including PROTEKTORAT for the Skelton team, PIC D'ORHY for Paul Nicholls, and 2023 King George winner HEWICK.
Click above to find all 10 entries for the Charlie Hall
ASH’S EYE-CATCHERS: Anthony Honeyball has plenty to look forward to after promising performances at Cheltenham
(pic: focusonracing.com)
Published by Ash Symonds, Sunday October 22
This weekend felt like the first few ‘big days’ for the 2025-26 jumps season. Chepstow kicked off the season proper two weeks ago, but Friday and Saturday at Cheltenham were a great watch, and Sunday at Aintree picked up where Prestbury Park left off.
So, with this week now at an end, here are my top eye-catchers of the last seven days.
THURSDAY – SNATCH A GLANCE, LUDLOW
Starting on Thursday, SNATCH A GLANCE made a nice start to his hurdling career, and he should be winning races very soon.
He was ridden like winning was out of the question in a bumper at Ludlow in early October, and he duly obliged comfortably. As for his hurdling debut, he was given an educational ride by Johnny Burke towards the rear of the field, but he made stealthy progress through the field to finish a good third.
As they turned for home, it looked like winning was a tall order, but he gave himself a chance after the second-last, which was impressive. He’s gone into my Racing TV tracker.
FRIDAY – RELIEVED OF DUTIES, CHELTENHAM
The two-mile Holland Cooper ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham on Friday was a bit of a weirdly run contest, which does mean I’ll be proceeding with caution regarding this piece of form going forward, but I think the first two could be quite smart novice chasers.
Alnilam set a decent tempo from the front, and he was able to pick up nicely after he had a breather. However, RELIEVED OF DUTIES is the horse that’s entered my Racing TV tracker.
He was given plenty to do by Danny Gilligan, but his penultimate furlong was the fastest in the field, and his fourth-last, third-last, and last furlong were the second-fastest, according to RaceIQ data.
Furthermore, he gained 7.5 lengths jumping, and 6.3 of that occurred over the last three jumps when he was allowed to stretch out. He was jumping fine in the first half of the race, but maybe the quick nature of the race caught him out a few times.
With this in mind, I would like to see him over 2m4f eventually. A step up in trip would suit his fast-finishing nature, and the slower pace of a race could further improve his jumping.
FRIDAY – BROOKIE, CHELTENHAM
Anthony Honeyball is one of my favourite National Hunt trainers, and he had a good weekend with two winners and two eye-catchers.
The first eye-catcher was BROOKIE, who was having his first run of the season and his first run in a handicap with this new mark of 149.
Like Relieved Of Duties, he had a bit of an uphill battle to win from where he was positioned coming down the hill, and, honestly, no horse was beating Calico on Saturday as this was his Gold Cup.
Honeyball’s progressive eight-year-old gained 7.48 lengths jumping, and he kept on up the home straight. The handicapper will find it hard to raise him for being beaten by seven-and-three-quarter lengths, and he can probably do some damage this season.
SATURDAY – CREST OF FORTUNE & MAJOR FORTUNE, CHELTENHAM
Two from the 2m4f novices’ limited handicap chase on Saturday have entered my Racing TV tracker, and they are CREST OF FORTUNE and MAJOR FORTUNE.
Starting with CREST OF FORTUNE, he is just five, yet he raced like an experienced handicap chaser on Saturday, and his jumping followed suit. He gained 3.79 lengths and achieved a jumping index rating of 8.4 with RaceIQ, which is impressive.
Honeyball thinks he could be a potential horse for the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase later this season, and he will surely be stepping back up to three miles soon enough. Saturday’s effort was a nice start to the season, and he can really build on this.
As for MAJOR FORTUNE, he made a notable move with five and four furlongs to go, but he seemed to just lack a bit of fitness after the last fence. He could well drop in the handicap after this weekend, and his last winning mark was 118, which is just 2lbs below his current handicap rating.
He is starting to look well-handicapped, and he should come on for this run.
Jamie Snowden upbeat despite chasing debut defeat for WENDIGO
(Pic: focusonracing.com)
Published by Ash Symonds, Wednesday October 22
It wasn't to be for WENDIGO on his chasing debut at Worcester, though trainer Jamie Snowden is still prepared to send him into Graded company on his next start.
Last season's Challow Novices' Hurdle runner-up produced a good performance on his first outing over fences on Wednesday afternoon, but WADE OUT and Sean Bowen ran him down in the final half-a-furlong to win the 2m4f beginners' chase.
Despite the loss, Snowden took plenty of positives out of the race, as he said: "It was a lovely start to chasing. He looked like the best horse in the race, he travelled like the best horse, he jumped like the best horse, but he didn’t win."Win, lose, or draw, it’s not the end of the world. We want to win in March, not necessarily October. He was beaten on his bumper debut and on his hurdling debut, and he progressed from both of those to be the horse that he is.
"I'm delighted with his jumping and I'm delighted with how he travelled through the race. Gavin [Sheehan, jockey] is obviously kicking himself a little bit, but it's not the be-all and end-all."
The Lambourn-based trainer had highlighted the John Francome Novices' Chase as a potential early-season target in previous interviews, and this Grade Two contest is still on the radar.
He continued: "Obviously, we've talked about stepping into Graded company, and we’ve got the John Francome at Newbury, which is a possibility."Although, he was beaten today, so you could go back for a beginners’ chase somewhere and get a bit more experience.
"He definitely wants three miles, but he's got the class to travel away over shorter.
"The thinking at the start of the season was to go to Chepstow for the Listed race, and we were then going to think about the John Francome before perhaps the Kauto Star, but we'll see.
"It's very well having a plan, but you’ve got to think outside the box a little bit, as well."
EXCLUSIVE: Chepstow bumper winner BLACK EDDY joins team Bowen
Published by Jake Price, Wednesday October 22
Recent impressive Chepstow bumper victor BLACK EDDY has been sold privately by Toby Bulgin, to go into training with Mickey Bowen.
His eased down two-and-a-quarter length success in Wales on October 12 caught many an eye, but it was the Welsh handler who positioned himself to secure the 4yo's services. He will run in the colours of Mr Martin Gowing, who also part-owns Peejaybee with Mickey Bowen.
Graded company next for WADE OUT after success over Grade 1-placed Wendigo
Wade Out wins at Worcester on chasing debut
Published by Ash Symonds, Wednesday October 22
Olly Murphy will now look towards Graded races for WADE OUT after his narrow success over Wendigo at Worcester on Wednesday afternoon.
Owned by Ferguson, Mason, Hales and Done, the six-year-old was one of the first horses off the bridle in the 2m4f beginners’ chase, but he pinged the last under champion jockey Sean Bowen and just got up to win by a head.
The Shantou gelding has always been highly thought of by Murphy, and the Warwickshire-based trainer is hopeful he can have a better season over fences than he did last year over hurdles.
“I chucked him out in the field in the spring as I was a bit disappointed with last season, albeit he won three novice hurdles, said Murphy. “I just thought he was going to be a proper Graded novice hurdler.
“I then really fancied him in a handicap at Aintree last season, but he was flat out all the way.
“Today didn’t surprise me, though we were a long way wrong at the weights with Wendigo. I thought he jumped well, and he had to jump well today as he was under the cosh from a long way out.”
Murphy saddled Kingston Pride, another exciting novice chaser for Warren Chase Stables, to win at Perth yesterday, and he is on course for the John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury in late November.
Sean Bowen on KINGSTON PRIDE following Tuesday's Perth debut chasing success.
Although no specific race was mentioned for Wade Out, he will contest a Graded race next, as Murphy continued: “Where we go next, I don’t know. He’ll want a month now as he’s had a hard race.
“The way we run our racing over here now, you’ve got to have four runs before you can stay contesting good money, so I imagine whatever mark he was going to get up to, he was going to get there anyway without winning good prize money.
“I’d imagine he’s going to have to go down the Graded novice chase route now. I reckon there will be a lot of improvement to come when he goes up to three miles, and even in the spring with a set of cheekpieces.”
Exciting UN SENS A LA VIE to tackle Cheltenham test on Friday
Published by Ash Symonds, Tuesday October 21
UN SENS A LA VIE is an intended runner at Cheltenham on Friday, co-trainer Willy Twiston-Davies confirms.
The exciting five-year-old is unbeaten in two starts for the Gloucestershire-based yard, and he holds an entry for the Grade Two Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park.
The £180,000 purchase was labelled as a potential horse for the Formby Novices’ Hurdle later this year by Sam Twiston-Davies after his wide-margin Market Rasen hurdles debut last week.
UN SENS A LA VIE could follow the POTTERS CHARM route, Sam Twiston-Davies says
He is currently the general 7-4 ante-post favourite for Friday’s contest, with FORTUNE DE MER (5-2) and JACK HYDE (6-1) among likely rivals.
Ten entered for the Old Roan at Aintree
Published by Jake Price, Monday October 20
Ten entries have been made for the Grade Two Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase at Aintree on Sunday. Amongst the names in contention are last year's 1-2-3 in MINELLA DRAMA for Donald McCain, HITMAN for Paul Nicholls, and AHOY SENOR for Lucinda Russell.
Three-times course winner IMPERIAL SAINT is a very interesting entry for the Philip Hobbs & Johnson White team, whilst MASTER CHEWY could drop back into handicap company for the first time in a while.
Click above to find all 10 entries for the Old Roan
JULY FLOWER sparkles on chasing debut
Published by Jake Price, Sunday October 19
We may well have seen our first proper Cheltenham Festival clue today, as JULY FLOWER was an impressive winner on her chase debut at Limerick. Already rated as high as 148 over hurdles, she jumped with aplomb and beat talented stablemate Tareze by an easy 11 lengths.
Trainer Henry de Bromhead was equally as impressed and said:
"She was a high-rated mare and looked brilliant there. We might aim for Cheltenham in November next."
It may well be that we next see her in the Grade Two Arkle Trial Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on November 15, as the intimation from her trainer was that they are thinking about dropping in trip, rather than moving up to three miles.
Her price for the Paddy Power Mares Chase at the Festival in March was cut to a general 12-1.
Chester Williams saddles first runners as a trainer
Published by Jake Price, Friday October 17
Saturday will be a big day for Chester Williams, who saddles his first runners in his own name at Newton Abbot. Gaining his license in July, he has taken 10 boxes at the yard run by his mother in North Devon. Williams told us:
"it has been a long build up, so it will be great to get those first runners on track."
His second runner comes in the Bumper (5.55), where GREAT DANCE looks like an extremely exciting prospect. She is a Doctor Dino Filly out of Let's Dance - who won the Mares Novices' Hurdle for Willie Mullins back in 2017. She will be ridden by Harry Cobden, which is certainly an eye-catching booking.
"She was physically immature last season. She's developed well over the summer though, and is ready for her first run."
His other runner on the card is HAAS BOY (5.25), who joins from the Emma Lavelle stable.
Mares Hurdle moved from Tuesday to Thursday
Published by Jake Price, Friday October 17
Cheltenham Racecourse has announced that the Grade One Mares Hurdle will be moved from its usual Tuesday spot at the Festival, to St Patrick's Thursday in 2026. As a result, the Plate Handicap Chase will switch to the Tuesday card.
NEW: Rich Ricci adds another French recruit to the Willie Mullins team
Published by Jake Price, Thursday October 16
Winner of the Prix Video Rock on the flat at Moulins in August, MISTER YVES has been purchased and was today registered in Ireland to run in the famous pink and green colours of Rich and Susannah Ricci.
He was made to dig deep that day when just about hanging on over 2400m, and he is yet another Juvenile for the season ahead to be joining the Willie Mullins stable.
King George VI Chase and Savills Chase mentioned for HEART WOOD
Published by Ash Symonds, Wednesday October 15
HEART WOOD, second in last season's Ryanair Chase to Fact To File, could be heading to the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. The Robcour-owned seven-year-old kicked off his season at Punchestown today with a one-and-three-quarter length success in the BetVictor Chase at short odds.
He wasn't at his best, but for his first run of the new campaign, that was expected, and the way he rallied past a valiant Monbeg Park after the last was quite commendable.Today's performance was his second win at 2m7f, and trainer Henry de Bromhead has his eyes on some high-profile staying contests later this year.
"I hope we’d improve a fair bit for the run," De Bromhead told Gary O'Brien on Racing TV. "It looked like a good opportunity, and a nice way to start his season.
"Down Royal (Ladbrokes Champion Chase, November 1) could come soon enough, but he’s in, and we have the option.
"Obviously, he was second in the Ryanair last season, but I’d love to see him over three miles again. So, you’ve got Kempton at Christmas or the Savills Chase.
"We’ll see. I haven’t spoken to the lads yet, so I want to see what everyone is thinking. There are plenty of places we could go."
Heart Wood was trimmed into 20/1 from 40/1 for the King George VI Chase after today's win.
35 entered for the Grand Sefton at Aintree
Published by Jake Price, Wednesday October 15
Early closing entries for the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree on the 8th November were made this week. This race provides the first spectacle of the season over the Grand National fences, and last year was won by KING TURGEON. Entered again to defend his crown, his trainer David Pipe exclusively told us:
"He is in good form at home, and currently the plan is to go straight to Aintree with him for the Grand Sefton."
Elsewhere in the field Kim Muir second JOHNNYWHO is an interesting entry for the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White team, whilst Irish trainer Gordon Elliott has entered a trio of runners, including THREE CARD BRAG. Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero have hinted that WHITE RHINO could also start his campaign here.
Click above to find all 35 entries for the Grand Sefton
STICKTOTHEPLAN to run in the Greatwood Hurdle or Newton Novices' Hurdle next
Published by Ash Symonds, Tuesday October 14
(Pic: focusonracing.com)
STICKTOTHEPLAN will next run in either the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (November 16) or the Newton Novices' Hurdle on Betfair Chase Day (November 22), Olly Murphy confirms.
Friday's impressive Persian War Novices' Hurdle winner has come out of Chepstow in good shape, the Warwickshire-based trainer confirmed on Tuesday evening, and the five-year-old looks set to step down in trip to two miles for his next assignment.
If he were to line up in the Greatwood Hurdle next month, he would race off a new handicap mark of 143, 8lb higher than at Chepstow last week.
As for the Newton Novices' Hurdle, he would have to shoulder a 5lb penalty because he has already won a Class One weight-for-age hurdle race.
UN SENS A LA VIE impresses on hurdles debut
Published by Jake Price, Tuesday October 14
Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies are no stranger to having a good novice, and in the same colours as Potters Charm, UN SENS A LA VIE made a taking hurdles debut at Market Rasen this afternoon.
Jumping well in the main, he made a mistake at the second last when still cruising. Coming down to the last however he certainly made amends, before stretching away under hands and heels. After the race Sam Twiston-Davies nominated the Formby Novice Hurdle as a potential future target, with the Cheltenham October meeting also not ruled out. Either way, he is certainly one to keep on side.
Listen to Sam Twiston-Davies on UN SENS A LA VIE at Market Rasen
Irish trio set to run in the American Grand National
Published by Jake Price, Tuesday October 14
A facile winner of the Summer Plate at Market Rasen in June, Gavin Cromwell and Paul Byrne have once again made some ambitious plans BALLYSAX HANK- who is set for a tilt at the American Grand National at Far Hills on Saturday.
Last seen winning a 1m6f maiden at Gowran Park in September, the third in that race FIL DOR is also being aimed at the showpiece event in American Jumps Racing - where he will be joined by stablemate ZANAHIYR. Gordon Elliott, who trains the pair, was only narrowly denied in the race 12 months ago when Galvin finished second.
Watch how BALLYSAX HANK beat FIL DOR on the Flat at Gowran last month
Last year's winner SNAP DECISION will also bid to retain his crown. The race is due off at 20:45 on Saturday 18 October.
WEEKEND EYE-CATCHERS: Luckless Tom Lacey novice hurdler is worth following
Published by Ash Symonds, Monday October 13
What’s better than an eye-catcher to follow at the start of a new jumps season? Well, two of them!
Below, I have listed a couple of horses who I think can go on to better things, and one of them really made a strong impression on Friday.
UNJEU ROYAL - 13:22 CHEPSTOW, FRIDAY
(Pic: focusonracing.com)
Having been on track at Chepstow on Friday, there was one horse who I couldn’t stop thinking about, and all he did was finish ninth in the opening two-mile novices’ hurdle. Beautiful.
UNJEU ROYAL, trained by Tom Lacey, is the horse in question.
He was quite keen throughout the race, and yet he still arrived at the third-last tanking in the hands of Stan Sheppard. Unfortunately, it was reported by the stewards that he was hampered at this hurdle, and this became quite noticeable after the flight, as he seemingly lost a fair few lengths.
There was a good chance he would have at least placed on Friday, which is notable considering his slightly exuberant jumping and keenness on seasonal debut, and yet he might go under a few people’s radars because of his finishing position.
Connections ran him in a top-quality bumper at the Aintree Grand National Festival last season, so he must have been showing good things, and there’s a fair chance he has improved over the summer.
I’d be quite hopeful he can win a novice or maiden hurdle on his next start, and it’ll be interesting to see what the handicapper does with him eventually.
TAKE NO CHANCES – 15:20 CHEPSTOW, SATURDAY
(Pic: focusonracing.com)
How TAKE NO CHANCES is campaigned this season will be interesting.
She’s officially rated 146, but I’d be hopeful that the handicapper drops her by a couple of pounds on Tuesday as she was beaten by seven-and-a-half lengths with Harry Atkins taking off seven pounds in the saddle.
If she does start to drop in the handicap, she will be worth keeping one eye on throughout the season. After all, she did finish a good second to Wodhooh, the subsequent Martin Pipe winner, at last year’s Cheltenham December Meeting with a handicap mark of 137.
As for her performance on Saturday, it was pleasing for a seasonal reappearance. She travelled nicely towards the rear of the field, her jumping was slick, and she stayed on towards the line.
Her next run could be the Wetherby Mares’ Hurdle that she won last year, or connections may stick to handicaps for the time being. If they chose the former, she would have to be on the shortlist immediately, and if it’s the latter, her handicap mark could creep down to a place that makes her attractive.
CALDWELL POTTER handed Newton Abbot option
Published by Jake Price, Monday October 13
The 2025 Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase winner at the Cheltenham Festival and subsequent Mildmay Novices' Chase winner at Aintree, CALDWELL POTTER - has been entered for the 2m5f Class 2 Intermediate Chase at Newton Abbot on Saturday.
Paul Nicholls has won this race with Pic D'orhy and Bravemansgame in recent years, and his latest entry has similar Grade One ambitions this season, with the likes of a Betfair Chase potentially on the agenda.
Watch how CALDWELL POTTER won the Mildmay Novices' Chase last season
Other entries for the race on Saturday include BLUEKING D'OROUX, LOOKAWAY, and RISKINTHEGROUND. The ground is currently described as Good to Soft.
GWENNIE MAY BOY joins Olly Murphy
Published by Jake Price, Saturday October 11
Olly Murphy has been the benefactor of a few stable switchers this season, but the latest to arrive at Warren Chase is the talented GWENNIE MAY BOY.
Last season, when trained by Dan Skelton, this seven-year-old won the Grade Two Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock by 7½ lengths - so he is already rated 148 over Hurdles. Plans remain open as to whether he stays over Hurdles, or goes chasing this season.
Watch how GWENNIE MAY BOY won the WKD Rendlesham Hurdle last season
Exclusive: MAESTRO CONTI joins the Skelton team
Published by Jake Price, Friday October 10
Recent Moulins winner MAESTRO CONTI has been purchased and is set to join the Dan Skelton team plus will run in the same colours as his half-brother LIVE CONTI.
He was an extremely impressive winner of the 3YO Tunis Hurdle on September 17, scoring by 6½ lengths, and is clearly well bred being a half-brother to the 2025 Grade One Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle runner-up.
Skelton told us: "He arrived this week. He won really well on debut, but on looks, and his performance, he looks really smart. We'll get him ready for Christmas time."
Well-bred MASKED MAN can be a graded horse this season
Published by Ash Symonds, Friday October 10
It was hard not to be seriously impressed by MASKED MAN in the second division of the two-mile novices’ hurdle at Chepstow on Friday. He was ridden like the best horse in the race, and I liked how he picked up quickly after the second-last hurdle, even though he clipped through the top of it.
The Simon Munir & Isaac Souede-owned four-year-old is a half-brother to Willie Mullins’ Batman Girac, a horse I had a lot of time for as a juvenile despite his keen tendencies. No immediate target was highlighted by Willy Twiston-Davies, his co-trainer, in the immediate aftermath, but I imagine he will be contesting Graded contests soon.
Willy Twiston-Davies said: “He showed a very high level of ability in his point-to-point, and he’s done nothing but impress us since.
“He’s very straightforward, and we think he’s very nice. He won a three-mile point-to-point, and he settles well, so he’ll definitely get two-and-a-half miles.
“I’m not sure where we’ll go now - we might just go and win another novice.”
Persian War winner STICKTOTHEPLAN to be kept for nicer ground
Published by Ash Symonds, Friday October 10
The feature race of the day went to Olly Murphy’s STICKTOTHEPLAN, and the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle winner could be saved for better ground this season. The former Cormac Farrell-trained five-year-old had “nearly worked too well” in the lead-up to this race, which meant Murphy was “not surprised” by the manner of his four-length success.
He is officially rated 135, but the handicapper will almost certainly change this on Tuesday, and his new mark could decide what connections do with him from here.
Murphy said: “I wouldn’t be afraid to drop him back to two miles - he went through the race incredibly well. It’ll be interesting to see what the handicapper does.
“He’s a horse who wouldn’t want the depths of winter ground, so we’ll probably keep him to a bit of nicer ground, and he might be a horse for the spring as well.”
Watch STICKTOTHEPLAN winning at Galway before joining Olly Murphy
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