14.25
FirmGreen Dragon Hotel Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £3696.7
- 3m 1f 119y
- Class 5
- 14 runners
Runners: 14 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
Abandoned
Form: -39141
Last run: 19 days
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 94
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 7 |
19th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 5f 137y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
Responded to pressure to win at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) in October on his third handicap start; fair fourth at Southwell (2m4f, good) since, when making a bad mistake at the final flight; might not be far away. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /F2P-0
Last run: 65 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 92
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 5 |
12th Mar 2025 Good 2m 7f 129y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
Best granted a sharp, flat right-handed track, but present attainment level uncertain having overraced in front on November's seasonal return here (debuted blinkers are retained); from the family of Hand Inn Hand and Tom Brodie, so may yet take to his new vocation of chasing. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -45PP0
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 8lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 90
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
23rd Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 0y Class 5 |
10st 13lb |
0-10 over hurdles; went down fighting when second here (3m2f, good) last March but we haven't seen him since and this drop back in trip may not be ideal. |
10/1 |
|
2nd 7 |
27th Mar 2025 Good 3m 2f 0y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
Continues to fall in the weights but he's had a few chances now in handicaps and is not progressing. |
20/1 |
|
8th 8 |
21st Feb 2025 Soft 3m 2f 0y Class 5 |
10st 4lb |
prominent, lost ground before 4 out, weakened before 2 out |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 44-4
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 89
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
18th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 198y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Placed twice in Irish points; soundly beaten when fourth on all three starts over hurdles, upped to 2m7f for his handicap debut last time; now tries headgear. |
10/1 |
|
9 |
18th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 198y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Placed twice in Irish points; soundly beaten when fourth on all three starts over hurdles, upped to 2m7f for his handicap debut last time; now tries headgear. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 99-040
Last run: 80 days
W: 11st 3lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 8 |
8th Mar 2025 Good 3m 1f 119y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
0-10 over hurdles in Ireland and only ninth of 12 on stable debut at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft), though was only beaten 12l and he did go off favourite; remains of interest in a first-time tongue-tie. |
8/1 |
|
9th 19 |
11th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
0-10 over hurdles in Ireland, though he was third of 17 in a Down Royal handicap in September 2023; that was over 3m and it's questionable whether he can return to that level. |
12/1 |
|
9th 19 |
11th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
0-10 over hurdles in Ireland, though he was third of 17 in a Down Royal handicap in September 2023; that was over 3m and it's questionable whether he can return to that level. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3P0056
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 3lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 |
19th Mar 2026 Good 2m 5f 28y Class 5 |
10st 7lb |
Two wins at Hexham (3m, good to soft) last year and on a handy mark on that form; soft ground may not have suited here last time but he's now been well below par on his last two starts and has to get back on track. |
12/1 |
|
4th 3 |
19th Feb 2026 3m 2f 59y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
Won twice over 3m at Hexham last year (good); pulled up when returning from a short break at Catterick last time; conditions perhaps not ideal and a bit to prove. |
9/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 608-65
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 2lb
5 yo Filly
OR: 84
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 8 |
19th Apr 2026 Good 3m 2f 83y Class 5 |
10st 4lb |
Opened her account at Leicester (2m4f) in November but well below par subsequently, tried in cheekpieces when pulled up at Taunton (3m) 26 days ago; tongue-tie is added now. |
20/1 |
|
9 |
24th Mar 2026 Good 2m 7f 198y Class 5 |
10st 13lb |
Won on reappearance at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in November off 4lb lower but out of form in her three starts since, with the last two over 3m2f/3m; now has headgear on for the first time. |
14/1 |
|
4th 6 |
5th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 84y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Won on reappearance at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in November but soundly beaten when fourth of five at there (2m4f, heavy) in December and pulled up at Fontwell last month; needs to get back on track. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 590
Last run: 17 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 82
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 14 |
18th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 198y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
French-bred 5yo; dark horse as he was soundly beaten over 2m in his three hurdle races (200-1 at Hereford last time) but now tries blinkers and 3m for his handicap debut, representing a red-hot yard; market can guide. |
10/1 |
|
8th 14 |
18th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 198y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
French-bred 5yo; dark horse as he was soundly beaten over 2m in his three hurdle races (200-1 at Hereford last time) but now tries blinkers and 3m for his handicap debut, representing a red-hot yard; market can guide. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -1P34U D
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 0lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 82
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 8 |
27th Mar 2025 Good 3m 2f 0y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
Only win came on good ground off 2lb higher here last May (3m1f); has run well since then but form has taken a turn for the worse this year and should have run better only 19 days ago at Hereford when back on good ground. |
10/1 |
|
4th 9 |
8th Mar 2025 Good 3m 1f 119y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
Only win came on good ground off this mark at Warwick last May (3m1f); was knocking on the door in the autumn (on good and good to soft) and a softer surface has perhaps found him out the last twice; better expected. |
7/1 |
|
10th 10 |
21st Feb 2025 Soft 3m 2f 0y Class 5 |
10st 4lb |
in touch with leaders, towards rear with one circuit to go, not fluent 3 out, soon struggling |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 262823 BF
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 82
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
19th Apr 2026 Good 3m 2f 83y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Bagged a fourth success of the season at Chepstow (2m3f) in February; seemed unsuited by dropping back to 2m when a solid fourth of ten at Hereford 13 days ago and not out of things over this more suitable distance. |
12/1 |
|
4th 5 |
6th Apr 2026 Good 2m 0f 53y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Won three in a row in November/December (2m3f-2m4f) and scored at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) in February; well-held fourth eight days later at Ffos Las, possibly finding the quick turnaround too much; may resume progress, though the drop in trip is a slight concern. |
8/1 |
|
4th 2 |
1st Mar 2026 Heavy 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Won three in a row in November/December (2m3f-2m4f) and took his form to another new level when battling on well to score at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) eight days ago; latest 4lb rise does not look excessive and further progress is not out of the question. |
5/2 |
Abandoned
Form: /86/45
Last run: 53 days
W: 10st 8lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 76
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
22nd Mar 2025 Good 2m 7f 32y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
took keen hold, pressed leader |
15/8 |
|
1st 9 |
27th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 5f 55y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
0-10 but returned to form with neck second of 16 to Brockarno at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) last month on his third stable start; can be thereabouts if handling the forecast soft ground. |
13/2 |
|
2nd 17 |
24th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 88y Class 5 |
10st 7lb |
8yo maiden; made the frame at Stratford (back from long absence) last May but has largely unconvincing form otherwise. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: PP6-P5
Last run: 85 days
W: 10st 8lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 76
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
6th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 10y Class 5 |
10st 3lb |
in rear |
10/1 |
|
9 |
6th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 10y Class 5 |
10st 3lb |
in rear |
10/1 |
|
4th 16 |
13th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 5f 137y Class 5 |
10st 4lb |
Made mistakes and was pulled up on chase/handicap debut last spring but put in good front-running shift when fifth on return to hurdling at Hereford (2m3f, good) in October; going further this time should be of benefit. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 766/7P
Last run: 18 days
W: 10st 5lb
13 yo Gelding
OR: 70
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 12 |
27th Mar 2025 Good 3m 2f 0y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
No worthwhile form over fences and hurdles since returning from a long absence; a 13yo now. |
100/1 |
|
8 |
10th Mar 2025 Good 2m 3f 164y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
His only placing in 27 starts came in an AW handicap in September 2017; poor form since returning from a mammoth absence in October and makes his chase debut at the age of 13; can't be recommended. |
100/1 |
|
8th 9 |
6th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 137y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Teenager with 0-26 strike-rate under all codes; pulled up when 100-1 for handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter in December and can't be recommended here; 4lb out of the weights. |
50/1 |
Abandoned
Form: U8P-66
Last run: 36 days
W: 10st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 68
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
1st Jun 2025 Good 2m 7f 95y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
Runner-up over C&D (good) off 2lb higher in February and reverts to hurdling after two respectable chase runs this spring; probably won't be far away but overall strike-rate now stands at 0-18 and others in this line-up appeal more. |
10/1 |
|
4 |
1st Jun 2025 Good 2m 7f 95y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
Runner-up over C&D (good) off 2lb higher in February and reverts to hurdling after two respectable chase runs this spring; probably won't be far away but overall strike-rate now stands at 0-18 and others in this line-up appeal more. |
10/1 |
|
4th 6 |
7th May 2025 Good 3m 1f 210y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Maiden hurdler; beaten about 10l and 14l in his two chases, latterly a never-dangerous third at Huntingdon when behind Getupearly; opposable. |
11/1 |
Verdict
Some unexposed rivals lurk in the shadows but MARTALITE has made good progress in recent months and was one of two to pull nicely clear of the others when doubling his hurdling tally in a big field 19 days ago. Bennettsbridge, Jewel Eyed Judy and Kick For Touch (preferred in that order) are arguably the most interesting ones among the aforementioned group of unexposed horses in the line-up.[Chris Wilson]