January 19 / 14.45 Fakenham

14.45

Good To Soft

Sky Bet Cheltenham Non-Runner No Bet Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Mares’ Hurdle Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £13202.5
  • 2m 4f 1y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Sky Bet Cheltenham Non-Runner No Bet Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Mares’ Hurdle Qualifier)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.60
  • Place: £3.40

Form: 15417P D

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won four of her first seven starts for this yard over hurdles last year, the latest at Bangor (2m4f, soft) in October; may have found the ground too testing when pulled up at Sandown (2m4f, heavy) last month and could bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Mermaids Cave

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Won by 10l last week at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) in a race she also won the previous season, when beating Masked Dance on similar terms to today's; clear claims.

9/4

1st

3

7th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Mermaids Cave

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

7-27 over hurdles, including a good-ground C&D win; not firing on all cylinders since last autumn but wasn't beaten far when fifth of seven in refitted cheekpieces at Fakenham (2m4f, good) last month and continues to slip down the weights.

4/1

5th

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Fakenham

Mermaids Cave

12st 1lb

J: Mr Cian Murphy

T: James Owen

7-23 over hurdles, including a good-ground C&D win; beaten favourite in plating company two starts and pulled up in a subsequent handicap, but has slipped to a very good mark and can't be ruled out.

11/2

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 4-3463

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Had no problem with the longer trip when third of 12 at Wincanton (2m5f, good) last time, but now 0-7 in handicaps and she will need to hit the ground running in order to take this after ten weeks off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 2

15:30 Warwick

Greyval

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won this race last year (at Cheltenham) off today's mark; turned her back on chasing this winter and ran quite well over 3m at Kempton before finding soft ground too testing at Ludlow; plenty looks in her favour this time with cheekpieces added.

12/1

5th

1

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:33 Ludlow

Greyval

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Returned to hurdling with respectable sixth at Kempton (3m, good) just after Christmas and is now only 2lb higher than when winning valuable final of this series at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last April but the ground here will probably be slower than she prefers.

14/1

2nd

3

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 3

13:48 Huntingdon

Greyval

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Career-best form to end last season, winning at Chepstow before collecting a mares' final at Cheltenham (both about 2m4f on good); ran respectably on return to hurdling three weeks ago but she was below form in February on her only attempt over this far; chase debut.

11/2

5/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: P3-22

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
In the frame in both completed points and improving over hurdles, only going down by a head to Star Walking at Wincanton (2m5f, soft) last month; 1lb better off on handicap debut and there shouldn't be much between the pair again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 2

14:55 Ayr

Game Colours

10st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Ben Clarke

Untested at this trip under rules but there have been hints that she'll stay this far; in good form against fellow mares this winter prior to tailing off in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last month; takes on her own sex today and it will be no surprise to see a bold showing.

8/1

12th

20

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Game Colours

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Ben Clarke

Having shown some good form in defeat in handicaps (on various ground) she made the breakthrough in this sphere in a small-field, mares-only race at Exeter (2m, heavy) a fortnight ago; had 5l to spare but she'll need to be better than ever to follow up in this much more competitive contest.

33/1

1st

1

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

16:15 Exeter

Game Colours

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Ben Clarke

Sole win over hurdles came in a mares' novice at Lingfield (2m, soft) a year ago and she's still seeking her first handicap success, though she has posted some solid placed efforts, latest when a good second at Windsor (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day; return to heavy ground will pose no problem and she's sure to be involved.

7/4

Form: 1-1585 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Disappointed at Southwell (2m, soft) on New Year's Day, but the return to this trip is in her favour and drying ground not a problem; respected from just 2lb above her last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

23rd Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 2

15:30 Warwick

Pretending

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Third to Greyval 12 months ago off the same mark; hadn't been at her best this season but came good at Market Rasen (2m4f, soft) and clearly capable of having some say in the outcome.

6/1

1st

6

17th Feb 2026

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

15:02 Market Rasen

Pretending

11st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Exposed mare who hasn't been quite at her best this season, but is on a good mark (3lb lower than for last win); has an each-way chance.

14/1

4th

5

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 3

14:50 Plumpton

Pretending

11st 3lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Rather hit and miss since her last win (2m4f, good to soft) in October 2024 and she was pulled up at Fakenham eight days ago; back on her last winning mark but has a bit to prove at present.

12/1

20/1

Form: 346724

Last run: 119 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner over hurdles who has been running creditably on the AW lately, including a win at Wolverhampton in October; has been rated much higher over hurdles in the past, but looks vulnerable to an improver in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:08 Stratford

Addosh

11st 9lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Brian Ellison

Won a Sedgefield handicap hurdle in May (2m1f, good to firm) but has been rather disappointing over hurdles and on the Flat since; needs to bounce back.

9/1

4

(6)

5th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:53 Nottingham

Addosh

9st 5lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Brian Ellison

Four-time hurdle winner, including last month; has winning form on the Flat and forget Chester last week as the saddle slipped.

8/1

9

(3)

28th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 5

16:45 Chester

Addosh

8st 7lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

Four-time hurdle winner, including last month; has winning form on the Flat and placed on the AW earlier this year, but has no form here and others have more going for them.

25/1

Form: 4-4325

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who is 0-8 over hurdles, albeit in the frame six times; better than her finishing position would suggest at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last month, but she still needs to find more to get her head in front; tongue-tie returns.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

14:45 Fakenham

Linda Moon

11st 1lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Bumper winner who is 0-8 over hurdles, albeit in the frame six times; better than her finishing position would suggest at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last month, but she still needs to find more to get her head in front; tongue-tie returns.

16/1

6th

8

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

14:45 Fakenham

Linda Moon

11st 1lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Bumper winner who is 0-8 over hurdles, albeit in the frame six times; better than her finishing position would suggest at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last month, but she still needs to find more to get her head in front; tongue-tie returns.

16/1

5th

1

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

15:45 Wincanton

Linda Moon

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Consistent mare who was only collared late on when trying this far for the first time at Taunton; just 1lb higher.

7/2

12/1

Form: 6-2626

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a bumper and a hurdle at Wexford (2m4f, yielding to soft) last year, but made a low-key stable debut at Ffos Las (2m, soft) eight days ago; will need to improve for the return to this trip and the fitting of cheekpieces; yard triple-handed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(3)

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 47y

Class 5

20:09 Carlisle

Laravie

10st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: James Owen

Four-time hurdle scorer and has collected three Flat wins this spring (1m6f-2m1f); turned over at very short odds at Yarmouth (1m6f, good to firm) 16 days ago but the emphasis in that three-runner race was more on speed than ideal for a mare who has won over just short of 3m over timber; can show she's still on a good mark back at 2m+.

11/10

2nd

1

(2)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 17y

Class 5

13:30 Yarmouth

Laravie

9st 13lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: James Owen

Unexposed on the Flat and she made it 3-3 in turf handicaps with an easy Pontefract (2m1f, good) win ten days ago; a slow start there meant she couldn't dominate as she had at Salisbury and Catterick beforehand; 4lb well in under a penalty; obvious chance.

1/3

Form: 1-21 C

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner and bumper winner here (good) last April; had to battle hard to just get the better of Game Colours in a novice hurdle at Wincanton (2m5f, soft) last month, but still open to plenty more progress now handicapping; Brian Hughes 3-5 for the yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

20:07 Chepstow

Star Walking

12st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Harry Fry

Effectively a 0-135 mares' handicap she took in course record time at Kempton over Christmas (good); can throw in the odd poor effort and there's something to take on trust after she stopped early on latest start (made a noise) but she's in the mix if all is well with her.

2/1

7

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 100y

Class 1

13:00 Kelso

Star Walking

11st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Reappeared with good second to Rockola Vogue in Ascot handicap (2m7f, good) in November then went one better at Kempton (3m, good) in December; she needs another step forward now up in grade but things appear to have clicked for this lightly raced 7yo and she could be a contender.

10/1

6th

4

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

17:45 Ffos Las

Star Walking

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Harry Fry

in touch with leaders, struggling before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 14-522 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Completed a five-timer over hurdles (2m-2m4f) between the end of 2023 and last April and has continued to run well since; likely to try her best again, but is still 7lb above her last winning mark and may not want the ground to dry out any further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

23rd Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 2

15:00 Warwick

Sunday Soldier

11st 2lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Multiple hurdle winner who is 0-5 over fences and has a bit to find with some of these; she also has to rebound from a modest effort at Chepstow and her stamina isn't guaranteed.

33/1

8th

6

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

15:55 Chepstow

Sunday Soldier

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Five-time hurdle winner who was beaten under 7l at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) before running well on unfavourable terms in a Listed chase at Wincanton; should have a part to play off a realistic mark.

10/1

3rd

6

14th Feb 2026

1m 7f 149y

Class 1

13:05 Wincanton

Sunday Soldier

11st 2lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Five-time hurdle winner who is 0-4 over fences; ran respectably in a hurdle handicap at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) last month but this is a tough task on the figures and she fell over fences on her penultimate run; passed over.

16/1

Form: 3650-1 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Disappointed in her next three starts after a promising hurdles debut but, having been off for 284 days, she got off the mark in a maiden here (2m, good to soft) last month despite racing too freely and not jumping fluently; still unexposed, but will need to settle better back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

14:45 Fakenham

Lindy Reilly

11st 3lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Disappointed in her next three starts after a promising hurdles debut but, having been off for 284 days, she got off the mark in a maiden here (2m, good to soft) last month despite racing too freely and not jumping fluently; still unexposed, but will need to settle better back up in trip.

13/2

6

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

14:45 Fakenham

Lindy Reilly

11st 3lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Disappointed in her next three starts after a promising hurdles debut but, having been off for 284 days, she got off the mark in a maiden here (2m, good to soft) last month despite racing too freely and not jumping fluently; still unexposed, but will need to settle better back up in trip.

13/2

1st

8

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 3

12:50 Fakenham

Lindy Reilly

11st 1lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, towards rear but in touch with leaders, headway before 4th, prominent with one circuit to go, not fluent 4 out

11/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £98.50
Straight Forecast £78.18
Tricast £780.73
Trifecta £967.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Star Walking

Telegraph:

Game Colours

RP RATINGS:

Greyval

The Star:

Sunday Soldier

POSTDATA:

Pretending

TOPSPEED:

Addosh

The Times:

Star Walking

The Sun:

Star Walking

Daily Record:

Star Walking

D Express:

Game Colours

Daily Mirror:

Greyval