Eye Catchers

Hi Reader,

The jumps season is up and running, so this first edition rounds up all our October eye catchers: seven horses to note, starting with the most recent.

Skerry Hill (Gordon Elliott)

Won the 1.30 at Down Royal on 31 October

Skerry Hill remains unbeaten in four runs: a point-to-point for Ian Ferguson, two bumpers and a maiden hurdle. He showed class to win his maiden hurdle over two miles on good ground. That shows he isn't slow, having won his point and his Ayr bumper on heavy. Gordon has won this race in the past with Romeo Coolio, Ballyadam and Envoi Allen. He could step up in grade for the Royal Bond Hurdle at the Fairyhouse Winter Festival in late November. Ultimately, I see Skerry Hill as a Lawlor's of Naas Hurdle and/or Turners Novices' Hurdle contender over two and a half miles.

Hold The Serve (Olly Murphy)

Won the 12.35 at Uttoxeter on 30 October

Hold The Serve is going to make a smashing staying chaser. He finished second behind the exciting Kabral Du Mathan over two miles at Perth. That trip looked too sharp, yet he still won over two miles at Uttoxeter. Sean Bowen was delighted with his jumping and mentioned a two-mile handicap chase before Christmas. I think they'll step him up to two and a half miles later in the season. He handles good ground, so the Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival could be a longer-term target. Rated 130 over hurdles last season, I think he'll get into the 140s over fences.

Talk To The Man (Dan Skelton)

Won the 1.40 at Worcester on 21 October

Talk To The Man jumps like a natural over fences, bringing experience from his Irish pointing days with Donnchadh Doyle. He's a proper staying chasing type. He failed to win a bumper with Paul Nicholls, then won twice over hurdles around two and a half miles in February. A shot at the Grade 1 three-mile novice hurdle at the Aintree Festival didn't work out: he emptied quickly four out and was pulled up. Owner Johnny de la Hey has since moved him to Dan Skelton. Two and a half miles over fences looks suitable for now. He holds an entry in the Grade 2 Rising Stars Novices' Chase at Aintree on 7 November.

Bass Hunter (Chris Gordon)

Won the 2.00 at Plumpton on 19 October

Bass Hunter did very well in bumpers last season. He made all to win at Newbury before doing the same in a Listed bumper at Ascot. He then finished third in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, beaten a short head for second. We can forgive his poor run in the Aintree Festival bumper after a hard race at Cheltenham, and I liked the way he battled up the hill there when passed by The Mourne Rambler. Bass Hunter hurdled well to win this Plumpton novice hurdle easily. Freddie Gordon said he was only a passenger, so he'll stay at two miles. A tilt at the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day was mentioned as a target.

Watamu (Emma Lavelle)

Won the 4.49 at Stratford on 17 October

Paul Jacobs looks to have a quality mare with Emma Lavelle. The daughter of Crystal Ocean has lots of gears and won on the bridle here. Last season, as a four-year-old, she seemed to lack the stamina or strength to see out two miles and half a furlong at Newbury. She did beat Khrisma over the bare two miles at Huntingdon, though she was all out. Watamu is suited by a sharp track and has now won twice around Stratford. She holds entries at Aintree and Sandown this weekend, which will tell us if she stays properly as a year-older mare.

Daylatedollarshort (Olly Murphy)

Won the 4.02 at Chepstow on 11 October

Daylatedollarshort won the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle nicely, though his job was made easier when Swinton Hurdle winner Moon Chime fell at the last. Olly Murphy praised Sean Bowen for settling him well, allowing him to finish his race strongly. Last season he was second in a Punchestown Festival handicap hurdle, when Sean felt he raced too freely and didn't jump well. He'll head for the Cheltenham November meeting and stick to hurdles. He looks the type to progress from his first run of the season and stay further.

West Hill Verde (Seamus Mullins)

Won the 3.43 at Chepstow on 10 October

West Hill Verde won the Grade 2 Persian War Hurdle showing a great attitude. The Irish-trained runner-up looked to have the race won at the last, only to be outstayed by the resolute West Hill Verde. It was a well-deserved win after some good placed runs over hurdles last season, including third in the Grade 2 Premier Novices' Hurdle at Kelso. He will clearly stay and improve as he goes up in trip to three miles. Seamus Mullins is keen to go novice chasing, so he's an exciting prospect over fences, or up in trip over hurdles.

All seven are also on the website, with a quick-reference table and links to free horse trackers: Eye Catchers October 2026​

Want to know when I'm backing them?

Next tips for members go out Thursday night at 9pm.

Happy punting,

Hugh

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