February 15 / 16.45 Ascot

16.45

Good To Soft

Betfair Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £8985.9
  • 1m 7f 152y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Betfair Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1 D

Last run: 73 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £130,000 after beating a subsequent Listed hurdle winner in her Irish point; didn't blow them away when justifying favouritism at Ludlow (beat a stablemate of Belle Le Grand) but they went no pace and she's probably better than the bare form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:50 Fairyhouse

Jackie Hobbs

11st 5lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Dual bumper winner; 2-4 over hurdles and much the best effort on latest in Grade 2 Ryanair Mares' Novice at Cheltenham when staying on fifth; bit to find with several of these on that run however.

12/1

5th

11

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Jackie Hobbs

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Point and dual bumper winner; consistent without being strikingly progressive in going 2-3 over hurdles and the form of her latest win at Warwick (2m3f, good to soft) is no shining advertisement for her prospects.

66/1

1st

2

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

13:35 Warwick

Jackie Hobbs

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Harry Derham

Point and dual bumper winner; too good for a subsequent Listed winner when scoring on seasonal/hurdle debut at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November and not discredited when close fourth in Haydock Listed race (2m3f, good to soft) last month; in calmer waters here and an obvious contender.

11/10

14/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 4

Last run: 111 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Kept on quite promisingly to be 8l off the winner of a bumper confined to newcomers at Wincanton (good); tongue-tie also applied then and was ridden by Megan Bevan; a formline through the runner-up gives her something to find with Jackie Hobbs, though not a lot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:40 Taunton

Just A Heartbeat

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Harry Fry

Fontwell runner-up on her hurdling debut last May but she's twice failed to build on it, hooded when ninth in 2m Newbury novice in November; needs this switch to handicaps to spark improvement after a break.

6/1

OUR TIP

11/10

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 41 D

Last run: 131 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made all for a convincing success at Fairyhouse in October (good) and the runner-up won a bumper at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting; has a penalty but could be useful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

11th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:53 Worcester

Belle Le Grand

12st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Easily resumed winning ways at Newton Abbot (2m1f) in May and not discredited off a 7lb higher mark when sixth of ten in 2m1f handicap at Cartmel 19 days ago; not out of things back up in trip.

100/30

6th

5

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:10 Cartmel

Belle Le Grand

11st 3lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Back on the up (in first-time cheekpieces) when easily landing a gamble in 2m1f handicap at Newton Abbot 17 days ago; up 7lb but runner-up has gone in since so this C&D winner merits serious consideration in retained headgear.

11/4

1st

2

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:50 Newton Abbot

Belle Le Grand

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won two novice hurdles on good ground last May (2m/2m1f); no impact at 12-1 or bigger in five handicaps but she rallied to finish a respectable sixth of 15 at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in March; continues to drop down the weights and could be dangerous if first-time cheekpieces work.

7/2

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal out of a 2m-2m4f chase winner and sister to 2m/2m1f hurdle winner Martila; stable has had two bumper winners this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

12th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:00 Stratford

Laffer Curve

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Made a pleasing start over fences when runner-up at Worcester (2m4f, good) last month; her performance when pulled up at Hexham subsequently was too bad to be true; first-time cheekpieces are now applied and she still has time on her side.

13/8

4

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

16:13 Hexham

Laffer Curve

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Maiden hurdler who was a creditable second of four to a progressive rival in a mares' handicap at Worcester on chase debut this month (2m4f, good; first run after wind op; made a mistake four out, but rallied); one with a chance.

6/4

2nd

2

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

13:45 Worcester

Laffer Curve

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Showed promise in maiden/novice hurdles before running respectably when third on handicap debut at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) in March; finished weakly over a slightly longer trip at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) the following month but has since undergone wind surgery; now switches to fences from what looks a workable mark (eased 2lb) and commands respect.

9/4

Form: 7

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made no real impression from off the pace at Wincanton (good to soft) and was beaten about 20l; entitled to step up but will need to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

17:15 Fontwell

Neon Madonna

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

midfield, not fluent and dropped to rear 2nd, headway 3 out, weakened 2 out, tailed off

12/1

6th

6

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

17:15 Fontwell

Neon Madonna

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

midfield, not fluent and dropped to rear 2nd, headway 3 out, weakened 2 out, tailed off

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal out of a 2m5f hurdle winner and sister to useful bumper and 2m5f/3m hurdle winner Templeross; tongue tied for debut; stable 1-23 in bumpers recent seasons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

9th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:50 Southwell

Chanelle Noir

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Clarke

Her second at Ffos Las last time was no forward step with her beaten 24l by the winner; goes handicapping with plenty to prove.

8/1

5

22nd May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:35 Ffos Las

Chanelle Noir

10st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Clarke

Glimmer of ability in bumpers but she was well held on her hurdle debut and there was nothing new from her at Hereford recently; an unlikely novice winner.

33/1

5

22nd May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:35 Ffos Las

Chanelle Noir

10st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Clarke

Glimmer of ability in bumpers but she was well held on her hurdle debut and there was nothing new from her at Hereford recently; an unlikely novice winner.

33/1

Form: 86

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Comfortably held in her opening two races, the first when behind Jackie Hobbs at Ludlow.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

13th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

15:42 Hereford

Sure To Please

11st 1lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Has shown little in bumpers and over hurdles, with jumping an issue; going right handed may help (jumped that way back in a maiden last time) but unconvincing overall; first run beyond 2m5f.

16/1

2

1st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

15:50 Warwick

Sure To Please

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Has shown little in bumpers and over hurdles so far and she had jumping issues on handicap debut at Fontwell (unseated at fourth) last week; still early days but has a lot to find back in a maiden and can only be watched; cheekpieces added.

25/1

5

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

14:30 Fontwell

Sure To Please

11st 6lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Evan Williams

Has shown little in bumpers and over hurdles so far; she drops back in trip on handicap debut and needs to show improvement.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third foal; half-sister to French 2m1f-3m chase winner Coulee Verte; dam French 2m1f-2m3f hurdle/chase winner; trainer 1-60 with his bumper runners in recent seasons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

23rd Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

Rue De Lota

10st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Thomas Gallagher

Related to winners in France; nibbled at in the betting when 21l eighth of ten at 28-1 on debut at Ascot (1m7f, good) in February 2025; absent since and a watching brief may be the best option on her return.

50/1

8th

8

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 2

16:45 Ascot

Rue De Lota

11st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Thomas Gallagher

Third foal; half-sister to French 2m1f-3m chase winner Coulee Verte; dam French 2m1f-2m3f hurdle/chase winner; trainer 1-60 with his bumper runners in recent seasons.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
6,000euros 3yo; fourth foal; dam German 1m1f winner, half-sister to Group 1 winner In Swoop (German Derby, Arc second); stable 0-10 in bumpers the last five seasons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(9)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 139y

Class 6

16:32 Pontefract

Izakaya

9st 3lb

J: J F Egan

T: Camilla Poulton

Won two in a row on the Flat (2m1f/2m, soft) last autumn and running well when falling three out on hurdle debut in December; always in rear back on the Flat last month but that came after a 109-day break and she could leave than run behind this afternoon.

13/2

8th

9

(6)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

17:17 Lingfield (AW)

Izakaya

9st 4lb

J: J F Egan

T: Camilla Poulton

Won her last two Flat starts in the autumn (2m1f/2m, soft) and she was running well when falling three out on her hurdle debut at Fontwell in December; this is her first run since and she's struggled on AW previously, but she could be a different proposition now; wears first-time hood; could go well.

9/1

Form:

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
33-1 when a tailed-off last on good to soft at Uttoxeter and limited appeal after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 2

16:45 Ascot

Compromising

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

33-1 when a tailed-off last on good to soft at Uttoxeter and limited appeal after that.

66/1

13th

4

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:40 Uttoxeter

Compromising

11st 5lb

J: Mr Joshua Parker

T: Lucy Wadham

6,000euros 3yo; third foal; dam unraced half-sister to useful Flat/jumps winner Its'afreebee; stable does well in bumpers (15% strike-rate).

33/1

13th

4

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:40 Uttoxeter

Compromising

11st 5lb

J: Mr Joshua Parker

T: Lucy Wadham

6,000euros 3yo; third foal; dam unraced half-sister to useful Flat/jumps winner Its'afreebee; stable does well in bumpers (15% strike-rate).

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.50
Straight Forecast £15.99
Trifecta £39.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jackie Hobbs

RP RATINGS:

Belle Le Grand

D Express:

Just A Heartbeat

LAMBOURN:

Jackie Hobbs

The Times:

Jackie Hobbs

Telegraph:

Jackie Hobbs

Daily Mail:

Jackie Hobbs

Daily Mirror:

Jackie Hobbs

The Sun:

Jackie Hobbs

The Star:

Jackie Hobbs

Daily Record:

Jackie Hobbs

POSTDATA:

Belle Le Grand

The Guardian:

Belle Le Grand