February 13 / 16.19 Leicester

16.19

Soft

Pointing Pointers Dick Saunders Novices’ Hunters’ Chase

  • Prize money: £2980.2
  • 2m 6f 151y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Pointing Pointers Dick Saunders Novices’ Hunters’ Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hunter Chase

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 62/2/1 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 12st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Useful for Paul Nicholls, finishing third behind Constitution Hill in the Grade 1 Tolworth three years ago; unbeaten in three runs for Will Biddick in the last 13 months, with the first two in points and the latest an easy win in hunter chase at Wincanton (3m1f, heavy) two weeks ago; has a penalty in this deeper race but he's still unexposed over regulation fences and should have more to offer in this sphere; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

Mr Glass

12st 2lb

J: Mr Michael Treneer

T: Mrs D J Treneer

Won races for Paul Nicholls and Will Biddick and his last success was in a hunter chase at Wincanton (3m1f, heavy) last January; that form puts him in the picture and he made a respectable stable debut when third at Exeter (3m, good to soft) last month; possibilities.

7/2

3rd

9

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:13 Exeter

Mr Glass

12st 2lb

J: Mr Michael Treneer

T: Mrs D J Treneer

Put poor reappearance run behind him when signing off for Paul Nicholls with fair third in Wincanton hunter chase (2m4f, good to soft; behind Gateau De Miel) last month; will be fine over this longer trip and has each-way claims if in similar form for new yard; cheekpieces removed after one use.

10/1

Form: P1P/4-

Last run: 460 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Three wins from five starts over hurdles and he made it 2-2 in points when making all at Larkhill (3m) on his comeback in December; had tough task in Grade 2 on only previous run over regulation fences and he's respected on this hunter chase debut; his three rules wins have been on good to soft/soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:19 Leicester

Givega

12st 0lb

J: Mr James King

T: L Morgan

Three wins from five starts over hurdles and he made it 2-2 in points when making all at Larkhill (3m) on his comeback in December; had tough task in Grade 2 on only previous run over regulation fences and he's respected on this hunter chase debut; his three rules wins have been on good to soft/soft.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: P

Last run: 262 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a four-runner point (3m, good to firm) in May 2022 but he's struggled since and was pulled up in a Cartmel hunter chase (2m5f) on rules debut last May; can only be watched on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:19 Leicester

Il Padrino

12st 0lb

J: Mr Zac Baker

T: Mrs Louise Bevin

Won a four-runner point (3m, good to firm) in May 2022 but he's struggled since and was pulled up in a Cartmel hunter chase (2m5f) on rules debut last May; can only be watched on his return.

100/1

4

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:15 Cartmel

Il Padrino

12st 0lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Mrs Louise Bevin

Won a four-runner point in May 2022 (3m, good to firm); well beaten recently and others look stronger.

20/1

4

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:15 Cartmel

Il Padrino

12st 0lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Mrs Louise Bevin

Won a four-runner point in May 2022 (3m, good to firm); well beaten recently and others look stronger.

20/1

Form: 53 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
7yo with a record of 5-8 in points; turned over as favourite in his two runs in hunter chases but he was only beaten 2l in a good race at Warwick (3m, good to soft) last month, when a mistake at the third-last fence didn't help; that form puts him firmly in the picture and he still has potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

30th May 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 2

19:00 Stratford

Jeux dEau

12st 0lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Miss Laura Richardson

Became first horse since Brunico (1992-3) to win successive renewals of the prestigious Lady Dudley Cup at Chaddesley Corbett latest (3m2f, good; Red Delta over 6l third); beaten favourite in all three hunter chases, mistakes seeming more the issue than the soft ground each time.

9/2

6

30th May 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 2

19:00 Stratford

Jeux dEau

12st 0lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Miss Laura Richardson

Became first horse since Brunico (1992-3) to win successive renewals of the prestigious Lady Dudley Cup at Chaddesley Corbett latest (3m2f, good; Red Delta over 6l third); beaten favourite in all three hunter chases, mistakes seeming more the issue than the soft ground each time.

9/2

4

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:19 Leicester

Jeux dEau

12st 0lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Miss Laura Richardson

7yo with a record of 5-8 in points; turned over as favourite in his two runs in hunter chases but he was only beaten 2l in a good race at Warwick (3m, good to soft) last month, when a mistake at the third-last fence didn't help; that form puts him firmly in the picture and he still has potential.

11/2

Form: 45427-

Last run: 327 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful over hurdles and fences for Willie Mullins; emphatic winner of a point (3m, good to soft) in November and he's finished runner-up in that sphere in last two runs; now returns to rules and he's a key player on his best chase form last season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Paul Marvel

12st 0lb

J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

T: J J O’Shea

Beaten 6l by Golden Son at Warwick in January and his subsequent wins (in the new cheekpieces) were races he was entitled to win at odds-on; lacks Cheltenham experience; opposable.

66/1

1st

1

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

16:20 Leicester

Paul Marvel

12st 4lb

J: Mr Henry Crow

T: J J O’Shea

Took well to first-time cheekpieces in similar event (2m6f, heavy) at the last Leicester fixture, opening his chase account; solid effort on penultimate start; commands respect in the retained headgear.

2/1

1st

6

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:25 Leicester

Paul Marvel

12st 0lb

J: Mr Henry Crow

T: J J O’Shea

Maiden hurdle and two-time point winner (including on heavy ground) who was runner-up in a hunter chase at Warwick (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; that performance reads well in today's context and he's a key player in first-time cheekpieces.

11/10

Form: 3-

Last run: 650 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
3-7 in points but he was a well-held third when switched to rules in a hunter chase at Cheltenham (3m2f, good) in May 2023; still has low mileage but this looks tough after a long absence and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Pyleigh Court

12st 0lb

J: Miss Ella Herbison

T: R C Pudd

Dual hunter chase winner but tends to struggle on the bigger stage; remote third on sole visit here (2023) and pulled up in 2025 Aintree Foxhunters'.

80/1

2nd

3

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

16:50 Leicester

Pyleigh Court

12st 4lb

J: Miss Ella Herbison

T: R C Pudd

Lightly raced 11yo who resumed his progress in similar event at Wincanton (3m1f, heavy) on seasonal debut, taking chase record to 2-5; successful on this card last year (2m4f, heavy) and warrants respect.

9/4

1st

4

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

16:03 Wincanton

Pyleigh Court

12st 0lb

J: Miss Ella Herbison

T: R C Pudd

Won a small-field Leicester maiden hunter chase last February (2m4f, heavy) before pulling up over the big fences at Aintree; looks vulnerable, especially over this far.

12/1

Form: 8P/F8/

Last run: 993 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Ten-time point winner but he's been disappointing in last two runs in that sphere including a pulled-up effort last month; has something to prove again back over regulation fences and he's 1-18 under rules; change of headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:19 Leicester

Ragnar Lodbrok

12st 0lb

J: Mr Alex Chadwick

T: Mrs J Owen

Ten-time point winner but he's been disappointing in last two runs in that sphere including a pulled-up effort last month; has something to prove again back over regulation fences and he's 1-18 under rules; change of headgear.

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual point winner but he's come up short in his last three runs in that sphere and this looks a tough assignment on his rules debut; down the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

Red Delta

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Fiona Needham

Stays thoroughly, having won the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen (3m4f) on Boxing Day and performed well in the Eider at Newcastle (4m1f) in February; perhaps his heavy defeat over 3m on latest start can therefore be forgiven, particularly as he was hampered early on; considered back at 3m4f.

14/1

11th

2

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:52 Carlisle

Red Delta

11st 12lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Fiona Needham

Stays thoroughly, having won the Lincolnshire National (3m3f) on Boxing Day and performed well in the Eider (4m1f) last time; not crying out for this drop back to 3m.

7/1

3rd

9

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Red Delta

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Fiona Needham

3-10 in points; seven-race career under rules includes two handicap wins this season and there have been two notable performances over 3m3f/3m4f, including his win in the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen (good to soft) on Boxing Day last time; 11lb higher this time (including 3lb out of the handicap) but he's a strong candidate for this trip.

12/1

Form: 2U6P5- D

Last run: 293 days

W: 12st 0lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 12yo; point winner who has plenty of useful form under rules but he's failed to complete in three of his last five starts and is now 0-10 over regulation fences; passed over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:19 Leicester

Walk Away

12st 0lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: R Pallas

Lightly raced 12yo; point winner who has plenty of useful form under rules but he's failed to complete in three of his last five starts and is now 0-10 over regulation fences; passed over.

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-5 in points in 2023 including two pulled-up efforts; now switches to rules after a long absence and can only be watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

25th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

16:15 Leicester

Fine Dining

11st 5lb

J: Mr Tom Hutsby

T: F A Hutsby

0-5 in points; placed in 16-runner Larkhill maiden (3m, good to soft) in December 2023 but, following a long absence, was pulled up (albeit in stronger race than this) on recent hunter chase debut here (2m6f, soft).

20/1

10

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:19 Leicester

Fine Dining

11st 7lb

J: Mr Tom Hutsby

T: F A Hutsby

0-5 in points in 2023 including two pulled-up efforts; now switches to rules after a long absence and can only be watched.

100/1

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Mr Glass

The Times:

Jeux d'Eau

Daily Record:

Paul Marvel

The Sun:

Jeux d'Eau

RP RATINGS:

Mr Glass

POSTDATA:

Mr Glass

WEST COUNTRY:

Mr Glass

Telegraph:

Mr Glass

The Guardian:

Mr Glass

Daily Mail:

Mr Glass

D Express:

Mr Glass

Daily Mirror:

Mr Glass

The Star:

Mr Glass