March 01 / 14.55 Kelso

14.55

Good To Soft

bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £42712.5
  • 2m 2f 25y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

25/1 (Won)

  • Win: £18.10
  • Place: £3.00

Form: 2221

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
3m point winner (good to yielding) who was runner-up on his first three rules starts before showing improved form to win stylishly at Ayr (2m, soft); another step forward is needed today but he's in good hands to continue to progress and is not ruled out each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

17:25 Punchestown

Jet To Vegas

11st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Unsuccessful in three chase runs in first half of the season, including when well beaten on handicap debut at Musselburgh (2m5f, good to soft, 9-4 favourite); reverted to hurdles with a poor effort in the Morebattle after wind surgery but better effort when sixth at Aintree last time (2m4f, good to soft); returns to chasing now.

25/1

6th

11

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Jet To Vegas

11st 7lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Returned to hurdles (from fences) with a below-par effort last time in the 2m Morebattle at Kelso, where he had won a 2m2f Grade 2 novice event 12 months earlier; bit to prove in another warm handicap.

28/1

8th

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:55 Kelso

Jet To Vegas

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Finished held over fences at Musselburgh on New Year's Day on his handicap debut, but didn't run badly and has had wind surgery since; won the Grade 2 Premier Novices' Hurdle on this cards 12 months ago (2m2f, good to soft) and is not ruled out now back in this sphere.

10/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 53311 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won easily on hurdle debut at Downpatrick (2m2f, good) in August and again impressive in Wetherby novice (2m, soft) in January; the Wetherby runner-up had looked promising previously; leading contender for his top Irish yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Chart Topper

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Third in a Listed handicap over 2m6f at Galway (good) last summer; didn't enjoy much luck on next two starts (still in the lead when falling two out at Haydock in February) but he was well held in a big-field 2m5f handicap at Cheltenham last month; the cheekpieces worn on that occasion are discarded; still not fully exposed, particularly at 3m.

28/1

17th

13

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Chart Topper

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

His four handicaps were over longer trips, notably when third at the Galway festival (extended 2m6f, good) last August; hampered and pulled up here in October, before falling in a narrow lead two out in 3m Pertemps qualifier at Haydock (20-1) last month; needs improvement and better luck but represents Willie Mullins and is far from fully exposed; first-time headgear too.

18/1

3

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:50 Haydock

Chart Topper

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Kept on well for third in Listed handicap hurdle at the Galway festival (2m6f, good) in August; looked to be going okay when hampered soon after three out and pulled up sharply in a similar race to this at Cheltenham in October; off since; this soft-ground winner remains fairly unexposed for his top Irish stable.

11/1

3/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 11

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Easily won bumper at Ayr (2m, good) in November and made it 2-2 when scoring on hurdle/stable debut at Sandown (2m, soft) in January; beat some talented yardsticks last time and he's firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Castle Carrock

11st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Moved to Alan King after Ayr bumper win and he found the most on hurdle debut at Sandown (2m, soft) against a rival who showed up well at the Cheltenham Festival next time; just a respectable effort in Grade 2 at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) last month suggests he's highly tried here.

22/1

6th

1

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Castle Carrock

11st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Moved to Alan King after Ayr bumper win and he found the most on hurdle debut at Sandown (2m, soft) against a rival who showed up well at the Cheltenham Festival next time; just a respectable effort in Grade 2 at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) last month suggests he's highly tried here.

22/1

3rd

4

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 1

14:55 Kelso

Castle Carrock

11st 5lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Easily won bumper at Ayr (2m, good) in November and made it 2-2 when scoring on hurdle/stable debut at Sandown (2m, soft) in January; beat some talented yardsticks last time and he's firmly in calculations.

3/1

Form: 5-1114 BF

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Two-time Listed bumper runner-up who made it 3-3 over hurdles with Listed mares' novice win at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November; limitations seemingly exposed when fair fourth under penalty in Listed mares' novice at Taunton (2m, good to soft) last time, but she has an each-way shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Listentoyourheart

10st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Just held on to land big prize at Windsor (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day but wasn't in quite the same form on next two outings (2m3f/3m) and probably needs to find hidden reserves.

13/2

3rd

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 100y

Class 1

13:00 Kelso

Listentoyourheart

11st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Game when winning 2m4f handicap at Windsor (good) on New Year's Day, shaping as though she would be worth a crack at a staying trip; soundly beaten at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) since, and in view of this longer distance it's a concern she failed to settle that day, but she's not ruled out.

5/1

7th

7

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Listentoyourheart

10st 13lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Has bits of form on soft, campaigned mostly on faster ground; steadily back to form this term and landed a valuable handicap, holding on by a neck, at Windsor (2m4f) most recently; should remain competitive.

6/1

Form: 1-1 C

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point (3m, soft) and bumper (2m1f, good) winner who defied a long absence to win easily on hurdle debut here (2m, good to soft) in December; today's opposition is vastly tougher but it remains to be seen where his limitations lie; interesting candidate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 2

16:05 Ayr

Captain Butler

10st 13lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Ruth Jefferson

Runner-up here (2m4f, soft) in November and suited by the step back up in trip when fourth of 14 at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) four weeks ago, beaten just over 2l; that form looks solid; could again be thereabouts.

9/1

4th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

Captain Butler

11st 8lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Ruth Jefferson

Course maiden hurdle winner who was a promising second on handicap debut at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in November; not beaten far in fifth when back over hurdles at Haydock (1m7f, good to soft) in January and the step back up in trip could be a positive move; possible player.

8/1

Form: 2-861 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Listed bumper on debut (2m, heavy) last March and off the mark at fourth attempt in maiden hurdle at Down Royal (2m1f, good to yielding) in January; others have more substance to their form but he's from a good Irish yard and is one to watch in the betting; tongue-tie goes on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:57 Listowel

Putapoundinthejar

11st 11lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: A J Martin

Failed to fire on the Flat last time but had previously returned to hurdles (dual winner) with a respectable fifth of 21 in a Listed handicap at Punchestown (2m, yielding); off the same mark here in a less demanding race.

7/2

7th

9

(2)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:45 Hamilton

Putapoundinthejar

8st 13lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: A J Martin

Just five Flat races, faring easily best when he won a handicap at Bellewstown (1m3f, soft) last month; returned to hurdling for a respectable show at Punchestown festival 19 days ago; his trainer's three runners at Chester last week were all well held, albeit with two in the Chester Cup, but this one should have more to offer in this sphere and goes on the shortlist.

13/2

5th

15

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 132y

15:40 Punchestown

Putapoundinthejar

10st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: A J Martin

Dual-purpose; 2-8 over hurdles, his last win coming at this meeting last year off 7lb lower; no impact over timber since but won on the Flat at Bellewstown 17 days ago and Sean Bowen was on board for that win here last season; can't discount.

14/1

Form: 11

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Won by 3l on debut in Haydock novice hurdle (1m7f, soft) in December and had nearly 5l to spare at Bangor (2m, soft) three weeks ago; this is a tougher test of his credentials but this unbeaten 7yo is entitled to respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

Laganhill

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Dual soft-ground hurdle winner at around 2m; has looked a thorough stayer over fences, 4l second of four over 3m at Exeter (heavy; first-time cheekpieces) six weeks ago; in the mix again off an unchanged mark.

9/1

2nd

2

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:44 Exeter

Laganhill

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Dual soft-ground hurdle winner at around 2m last season; made a promising start over fences at Carlisle and stepped forward from that when a staying-on second, upped to 3m, at Bangor (heavy) next time; below that level at Ascot latest, but still early days in this sphere and he's not one to dismiss with cheekpieces added.

7/2

7th

8

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

Laganhill

11st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Low-mileage 8yo who scored twice over hurdles last term; seemed to need reappearance effort behind The Jukebox Kid at Carlisle and duly fared better, staying-on second upped to 3m, at Bangor (heavy) later in November; interesting contender, with another step forward plausible.

7/1

Form: 111P

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Made it 3-3 over hurdles (2m/1m7f, good/soft) in Grade 2 novice at Haydock in November; carries 5lb penalty and has to bounce back from his flop in Aintree Grade 1 in December, but he's much better than that and this 3m point winner could be suited by today's extra yardage; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(2)

25th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Roadlesstravelled

9st 5lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Useful, having shown best hurdles form with Grade 2 novice win; not in same league as Constitution Hill in that sphere and duly proved no threat to that rival at Southwell on Flat debut, finishing midfield; bagged a silver medal there (1m3f) since, however, and again has place claims.

12/1

2nd

7

(2)

4th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 3

16:32 Southwell (AW)

Roadlesstravelled

9st 5lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Lightly raced hurdler with a Grade 2 win to his name in November 2024, but he signed off that campaign with two non-completions; returned from 356 days off with a midfield finish behind Constitution Hill on his Flat debut here over 1m4f 12 days ago.

10/1

6th

8

(6)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 2

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Roadlesstravelled

9st 6lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Lightly raced hurdler with Grade 2-winning honours in late 2024; signed off that campaign with two non-completions and this winning pointer makes Flat debut after nearly a year off; looks very vulnerable.

50/1

Form: 11

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) in November and 2-2 over hurdles following wins at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) and Ludlow (2m, good to soft); the form of the Huntingdon race has worked out very well and he did it easily at Ludlow; key player for last year's winning yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Vanderpoel

11st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Won at Ascot (2m1f, soft) in December on third chase start and followed up at Sandown (1m7f, good) in January; those wins came in small fields and this is much more competitive, but this lightly raced 7yo did it convincingly both times and it remains to be seen where the ceiling of his ability lies.

15/2

3rd

5

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 3

15:05 Uttoxeter

Vanderpoel

11st 5lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Irish point winner who began hurdling career with wins at Huntingdon and Ludlow (both 2m, good to soft) at start of this year; did not fire when upped to Grade 2 level in March but could still have considerable potential and Ben Pauling is evidently very keen to switch him to fences.

5/1

Non-runners

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Payout
Exacta £52.00
Straight Forecast £38.37
Tricast £145.09
Trifecta £280.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Chart Topper

The Sun:

Castle Carrock

WEST COUNTRY:

Vanderpoel

The Guardian:

Laganhill

D Express:

Captain Butler

The Star:

Castle Carrock

Daily Mail:

Vanderpoel

RP RATINGS:

Chart Topper

TOPSPEED:

Chart Topper

POSTDATA:

Chart Topper

The Times:

Chart Topper

Telegraph:

Chart Topper

Daily Mirror:

Chart Topper

Daily Record:

Chart Topper