For many, today’s Chepstow jumps meeting marks the start of the new season proper and with a bumper eight-race card the Welsh track is expected to also see a huge crowd.
The action gets going at 1:22pm and runs till 5:30pm, – but it’s the Grade Two Persian War Novices’ Hurdle that is the feature contest at 3:43pm.
With the race also part of the ITV Racing schedule on Friday – as the ‘free-to-air’ channel will be covering races at Chepstow, as well at Newmarket and York.
Andy Newton is on hand to look at the Persian War Novices’ Hurdle – plus he’s also got his free Newmarket horse racing tips for the main races at HQ.
Persian War Hurdle Race Details
📅Date: Friday 10th October 2025
⌚Time: 3:43pm
🏇Racecourse: Chepstow (2m 3 1/2f)
💰Winning Purse: £45,560
📺 TV: ITV / Sky Sports Racing
Persian War Novices’ Hurdle Tips: “Lump On” Queensbury Boy, Says Owner David Maxwell
Recently retired amateur jockey David Maxwell still owns a stack of good horses – but maybe not for long.
Having announced he won’t be riding again, the controversial millionaire owner has also said he’s going to sell all his horses in a dispersal sale at Tattersalls Cheltenham on October 24th.
One of those horses up for grabs is Persian War Novices’ Hurdle hot-pot – QUEENSBURY BOY.
The horse was a £130k buy for Maxwell back in 2023 but having won twice back in March he’s expected to fetch a lot more at the sales later this month.
However, his price will depend on how he goes in Friday’s Chepstow race and has been a big Persian Novices’ Hurdle tip for many after what his famous owner has said.
Maxwell, who rode 75 winners, came out a few weeks ago t0 tell the racing world to ‘lump on’ his 6 year-old in the Grade Two Hurdle.
Adding that his trainer Harry Derham also thinks the world of the horse, who was last seen running a well-beaten fifth behind the classy Final Demand at Punchestown.
The trainer added the horse has been ‘laid out’ for the Persian War.
But, as a result, Queensbury Boy has now been well-found in the market with the best horse racing betting sites – and will be sent off as favourite.
Persian War Novices’ Hurdle Tips: Twiston-Davies To ‘Krak’ Persian War
It’s hard to ignore the confidence of both Harry Derham and David Maxwell for Queensbury Boy – especially as the yard also boast a 36% SR with their hurdles at Chepstow.
However, due to all the ‘beaking off’ – the horse is little value now in the market.
Yes, he could easily win this as he likes – but at around 6/4, you won’t be getting much back.
Therefore, with there being eight runners and the jolly taking up the bulk of the market – there could be some value further down.
Sticktotheplan is certainly a player – he’s the top-rated in the field after all. But does have to give weight away as a result.
The first-time hood is interesting though and could eke out more and this Olly Murphy runner is also fit from a decent summer jumping campaign that saw him win at the Galway Festival at the end of July.
He’s since been switched from the Farrell yard in Ireland to Olly Murphy and champion jockey Sean Bowen rides – there’s a lot to like.
Jack Hyde is respected to for last year’s winning yard of Fergal O’Brien too. As is the Skelton runner Moneygarrow, but the market drift would be the worry here.
Krak Is Rated Only A Pound Lower Than The Favourite
However, another stable that have won this before is Nigel Twiston-Davies and they also have an Irish recruit – KRAK – running for them for the first time.
NTD took this in 2014 with Blaklion and before that in 2003, 2004 and 2005, so knows what is needed.
This 5 year-old is rated 130, which is only a pound lower than the hot favourite Queensbury Boy – but does have to give him 3lbs.
Meaning he’s got just 4lbs to find with the jolly – but is over four times the price.
He also comes here in winning form – having landed a Handicap Hurdle in Cork back in April and with only four career runs looks the sort that could have more improvement to come.
Of the rest, winning machine mare Laravie gets plenty of weight from the rest and comes from the in-form James Owen yard.
Plus will be ridden by Gavin Sheehan, who come here having ridden six winners from his last 13 (43%).
🥇KRAK (e/w)
🥈QUEENSBURY BOY
🥉STICKTOTHEPLAN
