January 20 / 16.02 Leicester

16.02

Soft

Watch On Racing TV ‘Hands & Heels’ Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (CJs’ & Amateur Riders’) (Part Of The REI)

  • Prize money: £3168.6
  • 2m 4f 110y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Watch On Racing TV ‘Hands & Heels’ Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (CJs’ & Amateur Riders’) (Part Of The REI)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.70
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 611-53 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won two good-ground hurdles (2m4f/3m) and three consecutive Flat races during highly productive spell last spring/summer and bettered low-key reappearance run when respectable third at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) last month; may yet have a bigger performance in her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ffos Las

Queen Of Steel

11st 7lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Stayed on gamely to score at Leicester (2m4f, heavy) in January, her third hurdle win, and probably bettered that performance when close/clear second at Southwell (3m, soft) last month; competes off career-high mark here but still respected in current form.

15/8

2nd

5

18th Feb 2026

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:55 Southwell

Queen Of Steel

11st 3lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Got on a roll last spring having joined this yard, winning at Ffos Las and Wetherby (2m4f/3m, good; cheekpieces) before clinching a Flat-race hat-trick at staying trips; brought her stable record to 6-11 when scoring at Leicester (about 2m4f, heavy) one month ago and holds leading claims once again.

2/1

1st

9

20th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:02 Leicester

Queen Of Steel

10st 13lb

J: Mr Lucas Murphy

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won two good-ground hurdles (2m4f/3m) and three consecutive Flat races during highly productive spell last spring/summer and bettered low-key reappearance run when respectable third at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) last month; may yet have a bigger performance in her.

7/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 3P-424

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
0-13 over hurdles but kept on for second at Hereford (2m3f, good) in October, after a break, and also ran well in last two editions of this race (both times on heavy); probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:00 Ludlow

After Many Days

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

0-18 but she's finished runner-up in her last three handicaps and latest was at Hereford (2m4f, good; 15-8 favourite) last month; up another 2lb but she still looks feasibly treated and should be in the thick of things again.

2/1

2nd

4

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

After Many Days

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Yet to win over hurdles but has run many a good race in handicaps and beat all bar a well-treated rival last time at Huntingdon (2m3f, heavy); has gone well here before on good ground; every chance.

11/4

2nd

3

19th Feb 2026

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

16:01 Huntingdon

After Many Days

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

0-14 over hurdles but has run many a good race in handicaps, including last time at Leicester (2m4f, heavy) where she looked set to collect before reeled in late on; up 2lb but goes on heavy and should be bang there.

7/4

14/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: -85548 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Out of form over hurdles and fences since returning from a break in September; on a good mark and versatile regarding ground but considered only if lively in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

20th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

16:50 Ffos Las

Shesupincourt

10st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Ryan Potter

Losing run is mounting up, as are a string of big defeats; has won over hurdles and fences but she needs to get back on track.

7/1

4th

7

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

18:50 Fontwell

Shesupincourt

10st 2lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Ryan Potter

2-31 over hurdles (soft/heavy) but the losing run is mounting up, as are a string of big defeats; the latest of those came at Hereford just eight days ago and she's out of the weights again.

12/1

7th

7

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:57 Hereford

Shesupincourt

10st 2lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Ryan Potter

Won twice over hurdles in 2023 (about 2m7f) and once over fences (2m4f) in Feburary 2025, all in the mud; beaten at least 20l on all completions this season, she's opposable despite her fall in the weights.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: /671-4

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Dual point winner who opened rules account in Uttoxeter novice (2m6f, soft) at end of 2024; remote last of four when returning from long layoff in heavy-ground handicap over that C&D last month but that run certainly wasn't devoid of positives and she might last longer here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Subtle Fortune

11st 13lb

J: Mr Darren Andrews

T: Mel Rowley

Rules wins (including one chase) came on soft or heavy but it was good ground when close up behind Streamsforth Lad over C&D last month; good chance.

8/1

3rd

3

31st Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Subtle Fortune

11st 12lb

J: Mr Darren Andrews

T: Mel Rowley

Her hurdle win was on soft and the chase win at Hereford two runs back on heavy; had luck on her side that day and was then beaten 10l off this mark at Leicester (good to soft); however, at least she's a recent winner and did win a point on good ground.

8/1

4th

3

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

15:30 Leicester

Subtle Fortune

11st 8lb

J: Mr Darren Andrews

T: Mel Rowley

2m6f soft-ground mares' novice hurdle winner at Uttoxeter in December 2024; struggled in a couple of handicap hurdles back from almost a year out, but made a winning chase debut, ridden by Darren Andrews, when left clear at Hereford (3m1f, heavy) last month; may have been lucky but respected off 2lb higher.

3/1

Form: 559-

Last run: 416 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner in spring 2024; well beaten in three maiden/novice hurdles (2m-2m4f) for Laura Morgan the following November but Olly Murphy picked her up for £15,000 in October and she has a lowly opening mark to work with; tongue-tie added; market reference recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

15:40 Fakenham

Natus Vincere

11st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Came good under rules at Huntingdon (2m3f, heavy) in February, her second handicap; found one just too strong when odds-on to follow up at Market Rasen (2m2f, good to soft) last month but was given a wind op soon afterwards and now moves up in trip; probably still has potential.

13/8

2nd

3

15th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

15:32 Market Rasen

Natus Vincere

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Stable debut at Leicester in January landed her amateur rider in hot water, but she made no mistake under Sean Bowen at Huntingdon (2m4f, heavy) last month; up 8lb and it remains to be seen if testing ground is important to her, but she remains unexposed; should be hard to beat.

1/2

1st

5

19th Feb 2026

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

16:01 Huntingdon

Natus Vincere

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Irish point winner; picked up for £15,000 in October after heavy defeats in non-handicaps for previous yard; favourite for stable debut at Leicester (2m4f, heavy; first-time tongue-tie) after an absence but never got involved for a jockey having her first ride under rules; plenty to find with After Many Days on that run but Sean Bowen now takes over.

3/1

Form: /737-5

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
French chase winner in 2024; 0-7 over hurdles but made quite encouraging seasonal debut when fifth in stronger race than this at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) last month and has possibilities if that run brought her on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

9th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 5

18:37 Warwick

Kantagua Du Large

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Ex-French mare; followed up a couple of fair efforts at Exeter and Taunton with a below-par run at Ffos Las last month; has slipped to a career-low mark and Harry Cobden rides for the first time but she's still looking for her first win in Britain and others are preferred.

7/1

6th

3

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:20 Ffos Las

Kantagua Du Large

11st 8lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Ex-French mare; generally disappointing in Britain since start of 2025 but looked suited by step up to 3m when respectable fourth off much reduced mark at Taunton (good) last month; a possible.

10/1

4th

1

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:45 Taunton

Kantagua Du Large

12st 0lb

J: Miss Clara Brewitt

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Chase win in France; British hurdles form after six starts (mostly over about 2m4f) does not match up to this mark, even though she's had a marked fall in the weights; cheekpieces (French win was record in them) returned last time; now has 7lb-claiming amateur on board and a new trip.

8/1

Form: 13F-PP

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Now 2lb lower than when making all at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) just under a year ago but looked out of sorts when pulled up on first two starts this season (latterly over C&D) and needs a huge boost from the new blinkers; usual tongue-tie left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Walkinthecotswolds

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Harriet Dickin

Now 9lb below the mark of her sole hurdling success (2m3f, heavy), but aptitude for chasing remains unproven, falling mid-race on one attempt and racing too freely on the other.

33/1

1

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

15:20 Leicester

Walkinthecotswolds

11st 12lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

Mid-race faller in sole chase attempt; has a doubt over current form but is nicely treated assuming this return to fences prompts a resurgence; gained sole hurdles success off 5lb higher.

12/1

Form: P9-015 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Battled well for narrow course win (1m7f, soft) in November, her seventh hurdle run, but was safely held on her latest outing and is probably not one to rely upon heavily; ventures beyond 2m1f for first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

Sophie Power

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

Won by a nose at Leicester in November (1m7f, soft) but she's struggled in three subsequent runs and was pulled up at Ffos Las last month; had another wind operation since but she needs a major revival back up in trip; hood and tongue-tie are removed and cheekpieces are now tried.

33/1

3

1st Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:30 Ffos Las

Sophie Power

10st 13lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

Nosed home off this mark at Leicester in November (soft) but comfortably beaten otherwise this season; the hood is reapplied for the first time since Leicester but she's not overly convincing.

16/1

8th

2

20th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:02 Leicester

Sophie Power

11st 12lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Harriet Dickin

Battled well for narrow course win (1m7f, soft) in November, her seventh hurdle run, but was safely held on her latest outing and is probably not one to rely upon heavily; ventures beyond 2m1f for first time.

10/1

Form: P768-9

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Left Archie Watson after string of disappointing runs last season and dropped out very tamely on last month's stable debut at Carlisle (2m1f, soft); needs to turn a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:30 Kelso

Chosen Hero

10st 10lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Sole success over hurdles came in January 2024 when trained by Archie Watson; she has offered little in three runs for current yard and it's easy to look elsewhere.

50/1

13

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:11 Hexham

Chosen Hero

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

On a long losing sequence and offered little in two runs for her new handler, pulled up in 2m4f handicap at Leicester in January; now tongue tied first time; easy to look elsewhere.

33/1

5

20th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:02 Leicester

Chosen Hero

11st 7lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Left Archie Watson after string of disappointing runs last season and dropped out very tamely on last month's stable debut at Carlisle (2m1f, soft); needs to turn a corner.

25/1

Form: 7-6366

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Showed nothing more than minor promise in three maiden/novice hurdles last year (2m-2m3f) but should have some improvement to come in handicaps and her pedigree suggests the increased emphasis on stamina here will suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 5

14:30 Catterick

Pearl Smoke

10st 8lb

J: Megan Fox

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Lightly raced 5yo who is one to watch in the betting but she's been pulled up at 40-1 and 50-1 in her first two handicaps (2m4f/3m, heavy/good to soft) and a transformation is needed.

50/1

5

5th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

12:40 Doncaster

Pearl Smoke

11st 5lb

J: Nathan Andrews

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Bred to stay and a market check is advised in first-time cheekpieces; however, she was pulled up at 40-1 on recent handicap debut at Leicester (2m4f, heavy) and needs to leave that form miles behind.

33/1

6

20th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:02 Leicester

Pearl Smoke

11st 3lb

J: Nathan Andrews

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Showed nothing more than minor promise in three maiden/novice hurdles last year (2m-2m3f) but should have some improvement to come in handicaps and her pedigree suggests the increased emphasis on stamina here will suit.

12/1

Form: 6-4714 D BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Opened account with clearcut success at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in November and ran well until stamina ebbed away at Ayr (3m, heavy) last month; drops back in trip here and has another big role to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Take A Hike

10st 13lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: D J Jeffreys

Disappointing on both runs this year and needs to turn things around; however, perhaps first-time cheekpieces will help and she won over C&D (good to soft) in November on her last visit here.

7/1

7th

9

3rd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:05 Newcastle

Take A Hike

11st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: D J Jeffreys

Justified market support when winning at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft; from 4lb lower) in November; didn't see it out as well as the principals at Ayr (3m; fourth of ten) next time, before pulling up on heavy ground at Leicester latest; probable player if returning to peak form.

9/2

8

20th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:02 Leicester

Take A Hike

10st 13lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: D J Jeffreys

Opened account with clearcut success at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in November and ran well until stamina ebbed away at Ayr (3m, heavy) last month; drops back in trip here and has another big role to play.

11/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.40
Straight Forecast £24.56
Tricast £192.33
Trifecta £158.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Take A Hike

POSTDATA:

After Many Days

Telegraph:

Queen Of Steel

D Express:

Pearl Smoke

RP RATINGS:

Shesupincourt

WEST COUNTRY:

Take A Hike

The Times:

Take A Hike

The Guardian:

Take A Hike

Daily Mail:

Take A Hike

The Star:

Take A Hike

The Sun:

After Many Days

Daily Record:

After Many Days

Daily Mirror:

Queen Of Steel