Five meetings run across Britain and Ireland on Friday 23 October: Cheltenham and Sligo over jumps, Doncaster on the Flat, and Wolverhampton and Dundalk on the all-weather into the evening. We’ve picked out the four best races of the day and pulled the stats that matter before you bet.

The biggest prize of the day is Cheltenham’s squareintheair.com Handicap Chase at 3.35pm (£52,030 to the winner). The richest of our four is the Grade 2 at Cheltenham at 3.00pm (£47,552), and Dundalk stages the Group 3 Mercury Stakes at 7.15pm. The going is Good at Cheltenham, Soft at Doncaster, Good To Yielding at Sligo and Standard at Dundalk.

Key Race Schedule For Friday 23rd October

Time	Course	Race	Grade	Distance	Runners
2.45pm	Doncaster	William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap	Class 2	7f 6y	10
3.00pm	Cheltenham	Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 87y	10
4.20pm	Sligo	Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle	Maiden	3m1f 164y	8
7.15pm	Dundalk	BAR 1 Betting Mercury Stakes	Group 3	5f	13

2.45pm Doncaster – William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap

Ten go to post for this Class 2 handicap over 7f 6y on Soft ground, worth £15,702 to the winner. The ratings run from 103 down to 86, a spread of 17lb.

Top of the ratings: Redemption Road (Michael Keady, Saffie Osborne) is top-rated on 103 and carries 9st 11lb in his first handicap. He was third in a 7f Group 3 in June and was bought for £260,000. Ellusive Butterfly (K R Burke) is rated 100, won a Listed race in June and returns after 121 days.
Unbeaten: Palladas (Charlie Appleby) is 2 from 2, most recently over 1m on the all-weather, and makes his handicap and turf debut off 95. Appleby is 7 from 20 (35%) in the last 14 days and William Buick is 10 from 28 (36%). Murashah (Edward Bethell) has won his last two and returns after 69 days.
C&D winners: Egoli (Ralph Beckett) won over C&D in July and wears a first-time tongue strap after 83 days off. Inishbeg (Kevin Ryan) has been gelded and won over C&D last month.
In-form jockey: Tom Marquand rides Power Fizz (William Haggas) and is 13 from 60 (22%) in the last 14 days. Power Fizz won over 7f on good to soft last month and ran 14 days ago.
Headgear and quick returns: Invictus Gold (Tom Clover) wears a first-time visor and is 3lb above his last winning mark. U Sure Do (Tim Easterby) is the quickest back, 13 days after his last run.

3.00pm Cheltenham – Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle

The richest of our four races: a ten-runner Grade 2 novices’ hurdle over 2m 87y on Good ground, registered as the Sharp Novices’ Hurdle and worth £47,552 to the winner. Nine of the ten won on their latest start.

Ratings: Planters Punch (Nicky Henderson, Nico de Boinville) is top-rated on 128. He won all three of his juvenile hurdles last season and returns after 195 days. Bells Grove (Edward Buckley) is rated 127, won a Navan handicap last month and is 2 from 3 over hurdles.
Hurdle debut winners: Cooltobecareless (Dan Skelton) won on his hurdling debut at Chepstow 14 days ago; Harry Skelton is 17 from 54 (31%) in the last 14 days. Governors Rock (Warren Greatrex, 2 from 6, 33%) won a maiden on his hurdle debut this month.
Hot combination: Spanish Darling (Alex Hales) won on his stable and hurdle debut 16 days ago. Hales is 2 from 7 (29%) and Kielan Woods is 4 from 11 (36%).
Form line: Scotts Legacy (Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies) beat Matiwo on his hurdle debut last month. The yard is 8 from 25 (32%) and Sam Twiston-Davies is 9 from 27 (33%). Matiwo (Jane Williams) was beaten favourite that day and was fourth in the Grade 2 Dovecote last season.
Weights: The four-year-olds carry 11st 1lb, 1lb less than the older runners. Sixpack (James Owen), a Flat stayer rated 118, won when back over hurdles last month.

4.20pm Sligo – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle

Eight line up for this maiden hurdle over 3m1f 164y on Good To Yielding ground, worth €9,424 to the winner. Only three of the eight have an official rating.

Top weight: Its Time For A Run (Emmet Mullins, Donagh Meyler) is rated 113 and carries 11st 12lb. He was second over 2m4f at Fairyhouse 18 days ago.
Next best rated: Fuusland (Gordon Elliott) is rated 100 and was second in a Downpatrick maiden hurdle over 2m6f. Danny Gilligan rides and carries a Top Course Jockey flag.
Long absence: Union Station (Gavin Cromwell, Keith Donoghue) returns after 174 days, and it is nearly two years since his last run over hurdles.
Quick turnaround: Minella Maverick (John Patrick Ryan) ran in a maiden hurdle at Clonmel yesterday. Colossal Impact (P J Rothwell) makes his hurdles debut.
Mares: Leading Rose and Pacy Macie are the two mares and carry 10st 11lb. Leading Rose has cheekpieces added, and Pacy Macie is rated 83.

16:20 Sligo

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle

View Course

Going Yielding
Distance 3m 1f 164y
Class —
Race Type Hurdle Turf
Surface Turf
Runners 5

Prize Money

1st €9,424
2nd €3,024
3rd €1,424
4th €624
5th €304
6th €144

RTV

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

2 1 tip

Colossal Impact 15 days W: 11st 4lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

J: Mr R Sugrue T: P J Rothwell

OR: — RPR: — Form: 3-4

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey 4.2/10 Trainer 8.3/10 Course — Distance —

Fuusland 14 days W: 11st 4lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

J: Danny Gilligan T: Gordon Elliott

OR: 100 RPR: 105 Form: U452

GG Racing Score 38% Ability 5/10 Draw — Jockey 0/10 Trainer 5/10 Course — Distance —

Rememberwhat 33 days W: 11st 4lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

J: Benjamin P Kennedy T: P G Fahey

OR: — RPR: 113 Form: 46267

GG Racing Score 67% Ability 6.7/10 Draw — Jockey 4.2/10 Trainer 8.3/10 Course — Distance 7.5/10

6 3 tips

Union Station 174 days OUR TIP W: 11st 4lb Age: 7 yo Gelding

J: Keith Donoghue T: Gavin Cromwell

OR: — RPR: 126 Form: 2U446-

GG Racing Score 77% Ability 10/10 Draw — Jockey 10/10 Trainer 8.3/10 Course — Distance 0/10

Leading Rose 18 days W: 10st 11lb Age: 6 yo Mare

J: Niall Moore T: William P Murphy

OR: — RPR: 76 Form: 9

GG Racing Score 8% Ability 0/10 Draw — Jockey 1.7/10 Trainer 1.7/10 Course — Distance —

Its Time For A Run 18 days W: 11st 12lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

J: Donagh Meyler T: Emmet Mullins

OR: 113 RPR: 116 Form: 78-142

GG Racing Score 58% Ability 8.3/10 Draw — Jockey 6.7/10 Trainer 0/10 Course — Distance —

Minella Maverick 1 day W: 11st 4lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

J: Daniel King T: John Patrick Ryan

OR: — RPR: 84 Form: 07

GG Racing Score 38% Ability 1.7/10 Draw — Jockey 8.3/10 Trainer 3.3/10 Course — Distance —

Pacy Macie 34 days W: 10st 11lb Age: 5 yo Mare

J: Mr B J Walsh T: Barry John Walsh

OR: 83 RPR: 100 Form: 3657

GG Racing Score — Ability 3.3/10 Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance 7.5/10

Form

2 1 tip

Colossal Impact 15 days 1 tip 5 yo Gelding · 11st 4lb

J: Mr R Sugrue T: P J Rothwell

OR —

RPR —

TS —

Form 3-4

Win % 10%

Has to find a fair bit of improvement for hurdles debut and looks more of a place prospect Form

Fuusland 14 days Top Course Jockey 5 yo Gelding · 11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan T: Gordon Elliott

OR 100

RPR 105

TS 81

Form U452

Win % 18%

Second in a Downpatrick maiden hurdle over 2m6f; needs further improvement to take this Form

Rememberwhat 33 days 6 yo Gelding · 11st 4lb

J: Benjamin P Kennedy T: P G Fahey

OR —

RPR 113

TS 78

Form 46267

Win % 17%

Has to rebound from a poor run in a bumper plus Listowel maiden hurdle on latest starts Form

6 3 tips

Union Station 174 days 3 tips 7 yo Gelding · 11st 4lb OUR TIP

J: Keith Donoghue T: Gavin Cromwell

OR —

RPR 126

TS —

Form 2U446-

Win % 50%

Nearly two years since his last hurdle run but has the class to win this if near his best Form

Leading Rose 18 days 6 yo Mare · 10st 11lb

J: Niall Moore T: William P Murphy

OR —

RPR 76

TS 55

Form 9

Win % 4%

Beaten a long way in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle; cheekpieces added; others preferred Form

Its Time For A Run 18 days 5 yo Gelding · 11st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler T: Emmet Mullins

OR 113

RPR 116

TS 65

Form 78-142

Win % —

Second over 2m4f at Fairyhouse; prospects of staying this trip so one to consider Form

Minella Maverick 1 day 5 yo Gelding · 11st 4lb

J: Daniel King T: John Patrick Ryan

OR —

RPR 84

TS 66

Form 07

Win % —

Well beaten in maiden hurdles at Listowel and Clonmel (yesterday); best watched for now Form

Pacy Macie 34 days 5 yo Mare · 10st 11lb

J: Mr B J Walsh T: Barry John Walsh

OR 83

RPR 100

TS 90

Form 3657

Win % —

Best hurdle run when beaten 10l at Wexford; rated 83 and has plenty to find Form

Terms and conditions

*Odds displayed on this page are sourced directly from online bookmakers. Please check all details before placing your bet(s). 18+ only.

Betting Forecast

11/1 Colossal Impact, 6/1 Fuusland, 13/2 Rememberwhat, 6/4 Union Station, 28/1 Leading Rose

Non-runners

Its Time For A Run, Minella Maverick, Pacy Macie

Verdict

Though he is a maiden in all spheres and it is almost two years since his last hurdle run, UNION STATION(nap) should have the quality to take this. He is also getting 8lb from his main danger, Fairyhouse runner-up Its Time For A Run. Rememberwhat could get involved if bouncing back to his best. [Tyrone Molloy]

Selections

POSTDATA:

RP RATINGS (IRE):

SPOTLIGHT:

The Irish Sun:

7.15pm Dundalk – BAR 1 Betting Mercury Stakes

Thirteen run in this Group 3 sprint over 5f on Standard ground, worth €41,230 to the winner. Three of the field are C&D winners.

Ratings: Washington Heights (Kevin Ryan) is top-rated on 103 and has won a Listed race this season. He makes his all-weather debut. Shane Gray rides and is 4 from 20 (20%) in the last 14 days. Sir Les Patterson (Stephen Thorne) is rated 101 and was beaten favourite over 5f here last time.
C&D winners: Institute (A P O’Brien) is a C&D maiden winner and wears cheekpieces. Ipanema Queen (Robson De Aguiar) made all in a C&D Listed race last year. Rosie Frith (Patrick Magee) has also won over C&D.
Course winners: Eclairage (Daniel James Murphy) and Valiant Force (Robson De Aguiar) carry Course Win flags. Valiant Force ran seven days ago and was fourth in this race in 2024.
Thorne pair: Kerdos won last time, 21 days ago, and runs alongside stablemate Sir Les Patterson. Both carry Top Course Trainer flags.
Only two-year-old: This Moment (George Boughey) is the only juvenile and carries 8st 10lb. He has won on the all-weather and ran in a Group 3 last time. Boughey is 7 from 27 (26%).

Trainers and jockeys in form

These strike rates cover the last 14 days, and every name has runners in today’s featured races.

Name	Role	Last 14 days	Featured runners today
Charlie Appleby	Trainer	7/20 (35%)	Palladas (2.45pm Doncaster)
Warren Greatrex	Trainer	2/6 (33%)	Governors Rock (3.00pm Cheltenham)
Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies	Trainer	8/25 (32%)	Scotts Legacy (3.00pm Cheltenham)
Alex Hales	Trainer	2/7 (29%)	Spanish Darling (3.00pm Cheltenham)
George Boughey	Trainer	7/27 (26%)	This Moment (7.15pm Dundalk)
Kielan Woods	Jockey	4/11 (36%)	Spanish Darling (3.00pm Cheltenham)
William Buick	Jockey	10/28 (36%)	Palladas (2.45pm Doncaster)
Sam Twiston-Davies	Jockey	9/27 (33%)	Scotts Legacy (3.00pm Cheltenham)
Harry Skelton	Jockey	17/54 (31%)	Cooltobecareless (3.00pm Cheltenham)
Ciaran Gethings	Jockey	4/18 (22%)	Matiwo (3.00pm Cheltenham)
Tom Marquand	Jockey	13/60 (22%)	Power Fizz (2.45pm Doncaster)
Shane Gray	Jockey	4/20 (20%)	Washington Heights (7.15pm Dundalk)

Key angles

Course-and-distance winners: Egoli and Inishbeg in the 2.45pm at Doncaster, and Institute, Ipanema Queen and Rosie Frith in the 7.15pm at Dundalk, are the only C&D winners in the featured races.
Winners everywhere at Cheltenham: Nine of the ten in the 3.00pm won on their latest start. Matiwo, second last time, is the exception.
Unexposed at Doncaster: Palladas is unbeaten in two starts and tries turf and a handicap for the first time, with trainer and jockey both on 35% or better over the last 14 days.
Contrasting ground: It is Soft at Doncaster but Good at Cheltenham and Good To Yielding at Sligo, so check each runner’s ground record.

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Next Race Off

Friday Racing Cheat Sheet: Stats & Trends For Cheltenham, Dundalk, Doncaster And Sligo

Key Race Schedule For Friday 23rd October

2.45pm Doncaster – William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap

14:45 Doncaster

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap

Verdict

Selections

3.00pm Cheltenham – Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle

15:00 Cheltenham

Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Sharp Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Verdict

Selections

4.20pm Sligo – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle

16:20 Sligo

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle

Verdict

Selections

7.15pm Dundalk – BAR 1 Betting Mercury Stakes

19:15 Dundalk

BAR 1 Betting Mercury Stakes (Group 3)

Verdict

Selections

Trainers and jockeys in form

Key angles