This analysis covers the Wetherby races in chronological order, drawing exclusively on the information provided in the sources, and identifying the TimeWise Master Top Two rated horses based on the total TimeWise rating from the Ratings Report.

---

1. 12.40 6 Horses Challenge At bet365 Novices’ Hurdle (Class 3) 2m

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated:

1. Kadastral (FR) (5yo, 11-0)
2. Cave Bridge (IRE) (5yo, 11-6)

Recent Form and Comments

Kadastral (FR)

• Recent Form: 21-. Promising second on debut in Kempton bumper (2m, soft) in February, then won a bumper at Newbury (2m, good).
• Comments: It looked a good race last time. He is in top hands (D Skelton) and brings considerable potential to his first hurdle start.

Cave Bridge (IRE)

• Recent Form: P-11. Won a point. Won by 2l when even-money for his recent hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m1f, good).
• Comments: He is a likeable prospect but he needs a sizeable amount of improvement, including in the jumping department, if he is to defy a penalty in today’s company.

Spotlight Verdict

This could be between two bumper winners who have the potential to go a long way over hurdles. KADASTRAL impressed when winning at Newbury in March and earns the vote ahead of Wilstar, who also produced a very likeable performance at Perth in April. C&D runner-up Sleeping Late may be best of the rest.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups (w-pl-r): 4yo 3-4-25, 5yo 6-8-42, 6yo 0-3-18, 7yo 0-0-4, 8yo 0-0-3.
• Fate of Favourites: 2121F1411.
• Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Dan Skelton 2-2-6, Olly Murphy 1-1-3.

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Kadastral (FR)

• Strengths: Bumper winner in a good race. Highly regarded/potential-filled newcomer to hurdles. Backed by a strong training team (D Skelton).
• Weaknesses: Making hurdle debut.
• Suitability: Earning the vote in the Spotlight, suggesting strong potential for this sphere.

Cave Bridge (IRE)

• Strengths: Recent hurdle debut winner and point winner. Described as a likeable prospect.
• Weaknesses: Needs a sizeable amount of improvement, particularly in jumping, to defy the penalty.
• Suitability: Needs to raise his game considerably in this company.

---

2. 1.15 Position Payout At bet365 Handicap Chase (Class 3) 2m 3f 85y

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated:

1. Lightning Flash (IRE) (5yo, 11-0)
2. Ninth Loch (IRE) (6yo, 12-0)

Recent Form and Comments

Lightning Flash (IRE)

• Recent Form: 827-11. Won over hurdles at Perth (2m4f, good) in September and followed up on chase debut at Chepstow (2m, good to firm).
• Comments: This 5yo could have plenty more to offer over fences. Has also won on good to soft ground. There is room for improvement in his jumping and he is in a deeper race today.

Ninth Loch (IRE)

• Recent Form: 43812-. Won over hurdles at Chepstow (2m, good) in April and was runner-up at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) 11 days later (his final run for H Derham).
• Comments: Takes on proven chasers on his first outing over fences. He is only six and starts here on stable debut with a tongue-tie applied.

Spotlight Verdict

In the last five seasons Samuel Drinkwater has a 25% strike-rate with his chasers as opposed to a 9% record with his hurdlers, so there can be optimism STRONG FOUNDATIONS will improve now going over fences. He earns the vote ahead of point winner Top Target, who could also be suited by the switch to chasing. The 5yo Lightning Flash is 1-1 over fences and third choice, while Choose A Copper has a handy mark to exploit on this first start since wind surgery.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups (w-pl-r): 4yo 0-0-1, 5yo 2-2-5, 6yo 1-4-11, 7yo 1-4-18, 8yo 2-0-7, 9yo 0-1-11, 10yo 1-0-10, 12yo 0-0-1.
• Fate of Favourites: 1123111.
• Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Micky Hammond 1-0-3.

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Lightning Flash (IRE)

• Strengths: 1-1 over fences. Recent winner over obstacles and fences. Potential for plenty more over fences. Handles good/good to soft ground.
• Weaknesses: Jumping needs improvement. Facing a deeper race today.
• Suitability: Strong contender, given winning debut over fences.

Ninth Loch (IRE)

• Strengths: Consistent over hurdles towards the end of his last campaign. Only six years old.
• Weaknesses: Debut over fences, taking on proven chasers.
• Suitability: An interesting novice making his chase debut.

---

3. 1.50 bet365 Mares’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (Class 1) 2m

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated:

1. Golden Ace (7yo, 11-6)
2. Kateira (8yo, 11-4)

Recent Form and Comments

Golden Ace

• Recent Form: 4311-2. Produced a highly creditable performance when second in the Punchestown equivalent (2m, yielding) in May. Fortunate winner of last season’s Champion Hurdle (2m, good to soft) in March.
• Comments: Effective on good ground. She is the one to beat on this return to action.

Kateira

• Recent Form: /3152-. Listed winner at Kempton (2m5f, good to soft) last November. Went close in mares’ Grade 2 at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in January when last seen.
• Comments: Also effective on good ground. The drop back in trip (from 2m5f/3m) is not an obvious advantage, but her top trainer (D Skelton) has had recent winners of this race with similar profiles. Respected.

Spotlight Verdict

Dan Skelton has a fine recent record in this race and Kateira could have a big part to play despite the drop back in trip, but this can go to GOLDEN ACE. She was a fortunate winner of the Champion Hurdle in March but holds leading claims nevertheless.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups (w-pl-r): 4yo 0-2-8, 5yo 0-2-7, 6yo 3-6-27, 7yo 3-2-15, 8yo 3-1-8, 9yo 1-0-2.
• Fate of Favourites: 131522112P.
• Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Dan Skelton 4-2-9.

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Golden Ace

• Strengths: Highest RPR (162) and OR (152). Holds leading claims based on form (second in Punchestown equivalent). Effective on good ground.
• Weaknesses: Was a “fortunate winner” of the Champion Hurdle.
• Suitability: The one to beat on return.

Kateira

• Strengths: Listed winner. Supported by trainer Dan Skelton who has a fine recent record in this race. Effective on good ground.
• Weaknesses: Drop back in trip from staying distances (2m5f/3m).
• Suitability: Respected and capable of playing a big part.

---

4. 2.22 bet365 Hurdle (Grade 2) (West Yorkshire Hurdle) (Class 1) 3m 26y

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated:

1. Strong Leader (8yo, 11-8)
2. Potters Charm (FR) (6yo, 11-5)

Recent Form and Comments

Strong Leader

• Recent Form: /1042-. Reappeared with a win in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) last November. Finished second in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree (3m, good) in April.
• Comments: Class act. Holds leading claims despite conceding weight all round.

Potters Charm (FR)

• Recent Form: 11125-. Made it 5-5 under rules in the Grade 1 Formby at Aintree (2m1f, soft) in December. Won Grade 2 novice at Cheltenham (2m5f, good) last November.
• Comments: An interesting prospect for the staying hurdle division. Returns having had wind surgery. Came up short against the best novices in the Turners (2m5f, good to soft) in March. Respected.

Spotlight Verdict

Class act STRONG LEADER won the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle on last season’s reappearance and is taken to make another winning return. Winter Fog was fourth in the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown in May, which reads well in today’s context, and he is feared most ahead of Potters Charm would was a Grade 1-winning novice last term. The mare Take No Chances could also be involved.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups (w-pl-r): 5yo 0-1-2, 6yo 2-3-13, 7yo 3-1-19, 8yo 3-3-14, 9yo 1-2-11, 10yo 1-1-5, 11yo 0-1-2.
• Fate of Favourites: 2F23413433.
• Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Dan Skelton 2-1-6, Olly Murphy 0-1-2.

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Strong Leader

• Strengths: Class act with Grade 1 and Grade 2 victories. Excellent reappearance form history. High RPR (165).
• Weaknesses: Conceding weight to all rivals.
• Suitability: Taken to make a winning return.

Potters Charm (FR)

• Strengths: Grade 1-winning novice last season. Returns after wind surgery. Interesting prospect for this division.
• Weaknesses: Form dropped off at the end of last season in Grade 1 company.
• Suitability: Respected, being a Grade 1 winner.

---

5. 2.57 bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) 3m 45y

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated:

1. Protektorat (FR) (10yo, 11-4)
2. Pic D’Orhy (FR) (10yo, 11-10)

Recent Form and Comments

Protektorat (FR)

• Recent Form: 62142-. Three-time Grade 1 winner, including the Betfair Chase (3m1f, soft) in 2022. Ran well when keeping on for second to Jonbon in the Grade 1 Melling Chase (2m4f, good) in April.
• Comments: Holds leading claims on today’s terms. Has a solid reappearance record.

Pic D’Orhy (FR)

• Recent Form: P/11P-. Multiple Grade 2 chase winner who has won three Grade 1s (good-soft), the latest being the 2m5f Ascot Chase in February.
• Comments: Unproven beyond 2m5f and unraced over 3m. Goes well fresh. Key player under a 6lb penalty if he sees out the trip.

Spotlight Verdict

The usual puzzle in the Charlie Hall. Protektorat (second choice) has a leading shout on today’s terms but preference is for DJELO, who looked seriously classy when on song last season and may still have more to offer, being the youngest horse in the race. Pic D’orhy can have a big say if seeing out the trip. Hewick arrives following a recent win over hurdles.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups (w-pl-r): 5yo 0-1-1, 6yo 2-0-2, 7yo 3-3-14, 8yo 2-3-20, 9yo 3-2-14, 10yo 0-0-10, 11yo 0-1-3, 12yo 0-0-1.
• Fate of Favourites: 13P2P2F522.
• Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Paul Nicholls 2-1-8, Patrick Neville 1-0-1.

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Protektorat (FR)

• Strengths: Highest RPR (182). Proven Grade 1 winner over 3m+. Solid reappearance record. Holds leading claims on terms.
• Weaknesses: Was “somewhat in and out” last season.
• Suitability: Strong candidate for the win.

Pic D’Orhy (FR)

• Strengths: Multiple Grade 1 winner. Goes well fresh.
• Weaknesses: Unproven over 3m and unraced at this distance. Carries a 6lb penalty.
• Suitability: Key player if staying the trip.

---

6. 3.30 Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) 2m

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated:

1. Go Dante (9yo, 12-1)
2. Max Of Stars (FR) (5yo, 11-1)

Recent Form and Comments

Go Dante

• Recent Form: 9P071-. Signed off last season with a hard-fought repeat success in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, good to soft). Six wins to his name, including over C&D (soft) in March 2023.
• Comments: Up only 4lb. Has a decent record fresh, so he is “no forlorn hope” if tuned up after eight months off.

Max Of Stars (FR)

• Recent Form: 121241. In excellent form recently, winning three times over hurdles and once on the Flat. Latest success came from the front over C&D (good) 17 days ago.
• Comments: Nudged up another 2lb. This is a warmer race but she is fit and hard to discount.

Spotlight Verdict

A case can be made for quite a few of these but the one with clearly the most potential is DON’T MIND IF I DO (nap) and Alan King’s lightly raced 5yo can make his handicap debut a winning one. If dual Imperial Cup winner Go Dante is ready to go first time out, he may pose the main threat, although Saligo Bay is also likely to be thereabouts, Irish raider Half A Chance has been knocking at the door and Pure Gold is on a hat-trick.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups (w-pl-r): 3yo 1-1-3, 4yo 0-1-10, 5yo 4-3-17, 6yo 2-4-18, 7yo 2-1-12, 8yo 0-4-12, 9yo 0-0-5, 10yo 0-1-1, 11yo 0-0-1.
• Fate of Favourites: 431101011.
• Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Pam Sly 2-0-3, Olly Murphy 0-1-2.

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Go Dante

• Strengths: Imperial Cup winner. C&D winner on soft ground. Well handicapped (up only 4lb). Good record fresh.
• Weaknesses: Returning after eight months off.
• Suitability: Should pose the main threat if ready after a break.

Max Of Stars (FR)

• Strengths: Highly in form (4 wins recently). C&D winner recently (17 days ago). Fit.
• Weaknesses: Facing a warmer race today. Up 2lb.
• Suitability: Hard to discount due to recent fitness and winning form.

---

7. 4.05 bet365 Handicap Chase (Go North Red Rum Series Qualifier) (Class 4) 3m 45y

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated:

1. Konfusion (7yo, 11-9)
2. Red Delta (6yo, 11-7)

Recent Form and Comments

Konfusion

• Recent Form: 51343-. Won here (2m3f, soft) in February. Suited by step up in trip when scoring at Uttoxeter (3m, good) in March. Was second at Bangor (3m, soft) in April.
• Comments: An unexposed 7yo who could have more to offer this term. A progressive novice last season.

Red Delta

• Recent Form: 1F3-21. Three-time point winner. Won on recent handicap debut at Sedgefield (3m2f, good) 13 days ago, doing it nicely from the odds-on favourite.
• Comments: The 5lb rise may not stop him.

Spotlight Verdict

Former pointer RED DELTA won in good style at Sedgefield a fortnight ago and this 6yo can follow up. The 10yo Ribeye has been in the form of his life and may be the chief danger ahead of Konfusion, who was a progressive novice last season.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups (w-pl-r): 4yo 0-0-1, 5yo 1-2-4, 6yo 1-5-11, 7yo 2-1-25, 8yo 3-5-17, 9yo 3-3-21, 10yo 0-1-11, 11yo 0-1-5, 12yo 0-1-1.
• Fate of Favourites: 4121401331.
• Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Jonjo & A J O’Neill 1-0-1, Micky Hammond 0-5-11, Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero 0-1-1.

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Konfusion

• Strengths: Progressive novice chase form from last season. Successful over 3m. Unexposed 7yo with potential for further improvement.
• Weaknesses: None specified.
• Suitability: Expected to offer more this term.

Red Delta

• Strengths: Recent winning form (handicap debut). Three-time point winner. Did it nicely in his last win.
• Weaknesses: Facing a 5lb rise.
• Suitability: Can follow up recent win.