Skip to main content
Regional secretary with the National Education Union
Oriental Lily's the one to watch at Donny's major seven furlong
Modus (left) ridden by Barry Geraghty at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

It’s the real start of the National Hunt season with the Showcase meeting at Cheltenham so lets go for the jugular straight away in the opening race on the card at 2.00 with my selection For Good Measure.

Trainer Philip Hobbs had a very average season last year and as a consequence of that a lot of his horses are pretty well weighted.

A really good staying handicap hurdler for the West Country handler, the nap selection has only twice raced over fences and those runs were over two miles and two-and-a-half miles, very much an insufficient test of stamina for this seven-year-old.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Kalpana, October 19, 2024
Horse racing / 26 July 2025
26 July 2025

Including races at Ascot, York, Chester and Newcastle 

Havana Hurricane ridden by Charles Bishop on their way to winning the Windsor Castle Stakes on day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, June 18, 2025
Horse racing / 19 July 2025
19 July 2025

Including races at Newbury, Market Rasen, Curragh, Ripon, Newmarket, Haydock and Doncaster

Jockey William Buick celebrates on board Notable Speech after winning the Sussex Stakes during day two of the Goodwood Festival, Chichester, July 31, 2024
Horse Racing / 12 July 2025
12 July 2025

Including races at Newmarket, York and Ascot

Rumstar ridden by Rob Hornby on their way to winning the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Palace House Stakes on 2000 Guineas Day of the Betfred Guineas Festival at Newmarket Racecourse, Suffolk, May 3, 2025
Horse racing / 5 July 2025
5 July 2025

Including races at Sandown, Haydock, Carlisle, Beverley and Leicester

Similar stories
Firefox ridden by Sam Ewing on their way to winning the Mong
Horse racing / 12 March 2025
12 March 2025
Conflated ridden by Jack Kennedy (right) leads on lap one of
Horse racing / 1 February 2025
1 February 2025
Leopardstown, Sandown Park, and Wolverhampton,
Uncle Bert ridden by jockey Jordan Nailor on their way to wi
Racing / 7 December 2024
7 December 2024
Including races at Aintree and Sandown
Chillingham ridden by Kevin Stott (left) wins the Ben and Ma
Racing / 9 November 2024
9 November 2024
Including races at Doncaster, Wincanton, Aintree and Kelso