Pace Forecast: Very weak
Field: 8 runners
Track: Left-handed, sharp track; race run over 3m3½f with a short run-in.
Draw/Pace Bias: No draw impact; strong stayers with finishing speed are often favoured when the gallop is steady.


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Pace & Tactical Overview

The pace forecast is notably weak, and with few habitual trailblazers, this could become tactical. Horses with a turn of foot or who can travel strongly in midfield may hold an advantage. Gracchus De Balme is tactically versatile and proven in slower-run races, while Jeffery’s Cross and Latenightfumble typically race from off the pace and may be reliant on a stronger gallop.


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Strongest Contenders

GRACCHUS DE BALME (FR) – Timeform 136
Winner of the Aintree Foxhunters’ and second at Cheltenham last time. Rated well clear on adjusted figures but has thrown in poor efforts (e.g. pulled up at Leicester) and hung badly under pressure last time. Still, sets the standard and should be well suited to a slow-run contest.
Rating: 9/10

JEFFERY’S CROSS (IRE) – Timeform 126
Dan Skelton runner and consistent hunter chaser who was second in a strongly-run Cheltenham race (32f) and won nicely at Ludlow. Slight stamina concern if this becomes a dash, and showed post-race heat stress before.
Rating: 8/10

LATENIGHTFUMBLE – Timeform 128
Lightly raced mare under Rules and won gamely at Cheltenham in a mares’ hunter, despite pulling early. A tricky customer who refused to settle, but has ability and is related to the classy Latenightpass. If tractable, she’s interesting.
Rating: 7/10


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Main Dangers and Others of Interest

EMPIRE DE MAULDE – Timeform 125
Old rogue with inconsistent profile. Runner-up on both hunter starts in 2025 including here behind Allmankind. Has placed form over trip and ground but lacks reliability and is prone to tailing off.
Rating: 6/10

LAW OF GOLD (IRE) – Timeform 121
Won this race in 2021 and placed in the Cheltenham Festival hunter behind Hung Jury. David Kemp’s runners go well in this race (2 past wins), but this 12yo has probably peaked.
Rating: 6/10

PINK EYED PEDRO – Timeform 119
14-year-old veteran who landed a weak hunter at Chepstow in April. Has been around a long time and effective over multiple trips and tracks but would need others to underperform.
Rating: 5/10

MONTANNA – Timeform 115
Justified market support at Newton Abbot, but well beaten at Cheltenham before that. Best form looks shy of the top three or four here.
Rating: 5/10

LEARNTALOT – Timeform 116
Won a weak Stratford novice last summer. Fourth of six on return and outclassed here. Low profile yard and would be a surprise winner.
Rating: 4/10


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Trainer Trends & Notables

Dan Skelton (Jeffery’s Cross) has a 22% strike rate in summer.

David Kemp (Law Of Gold) has trained two previous winners of this race (2021 and 2022).

Tom Ellis (Latenightfumble) consistently does well with mares in these events.

Watch the market on Latenightfumble and Empire De Maulde, both of whom have quirks but can be supported on a ‘go day’.



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Hold-Up Risks / Run Style Notes

Gracchus De Balme can race prominently or be held up; adaptable.

Jeffery’s Cross and Latenightfumble usually held up – risk of getting caught if race turns tactical.

Law of Gold is a dour stayer, better suited to an end-to-end gallop.



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Ratings Out of 10

Gracchus De Balme – 9

Jeffery’s Cross – 8

Latenightfumble – 7

Empire De Maulde – 6

Law Of Gold – 6

Pink Eyed Pedro – 5

Montanna – 5

Learntalot – 4



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Private Tissue Estimate

Gracchus De Balme – 2/1

Jeffery’s Cross – 3/1

Latenightfumble – 6/1

Empire De Maulde – 8/1

Law Of Gold – 10/1

Pink Eyed Pedro – 16/1

Montanna – 20/1

Learntalot – 33/1



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Each-way angle: Latenightfumble (8 runners, place terms apply) – lightly raced, smart pedigree, and may be underestimated if settling better this time.

Market watch advice:

Latenightfumble and Empire De Maulde have quirks; drift would be concerning.

Jeffery’s Cross – any significant move may indicate confidence from a yard in top form.

Law of Gold – returning to a race he’s won before; positive market support would be notable.