February 26 / 16.10 Wetherby

16.10

Soft

Join Racing TV Now Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier For The Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Final)

  • Prize money: £6601.25
  • 3m 0f 26y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Join Racing TV Now Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier For The Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Final)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 34-212 C

Last run: 90 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who landed a maiden here (2m3f, good) in October on second hurdle start before good second on handicap debut at Newbury (3m, soft) in November; there can be optimism he'll continue to progress for his top trainer and he's high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:46 Haydock

Blue Carpet

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Made a solid start to hurdling career on good ground; second on handicap debut at Newbury in November and went one better next time in taking fashion at Wetherby (again about 3m on soft) in February; raised 7lb but it's easy to think he has significantly more to give.

11/4

1st

7

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Blue Carpet

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Bumper winner who landed a maiden here (2m3f, good) in October on second hurdle start before good second on handicap debut at Newbury (3m, soft) in November; there can be optimism he'll continue to progress for his top trainer and he's high on the list.

7/2

1st

1

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

13:17 Wetherby

Blue Carpet

11st 4lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Ran well under penalties after winning his first bumper and has the benefit of hurdling experience after chasing home a well-touted horse (promising) at Chepstow (2m, good); faces nothing of that one's calibre here and very hard to oppose.

2/5

Form: 17/4P3

Last run: 59 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
He's run with credit this season on two of his three starts since returning from a long absence, returning to form when third of seven at Kelso (2m6f, good to soft) in December; his novice hurdle wins came on heavy ground and he could have more to offer now back up in trip; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Esprit Du Potier

12st 0lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

He's run with credit this season on two of his three starts since returning from a long absence, returning to form when third of seven at Kelso (2m6f, good to soft) in December; his novice hurdle wins came on heavy ground and he could have more to offer now back up in trip; on the shortlist.

9/1

4th

4

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Esprit Du Potier

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

4-10 under rules, posting a personal best when slamming four rivals in novice hurdle at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) in March 2024; in much deeper when down the field in Grade 1 novice at Aintree the following month, and has not been seen since; retains potential and will probably stay 3m, so he's quite an interesting candidate despite a lengthy absence.

9/2

Form: 42-152 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Reappeared with all-the-way win in Bangor novice (2m7f, soft) and bounced back from chase debut flop with well-held second in novice hurdle at Leicester (2m4f, heavy), behind subsequent Grade 2 runner-up Ubatuba; this unexposed 7yo has potential off his current mark, especially now up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Skuna Bay

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Reappeared with all-the-way win in Bangor novice (2m7f, soft) and bounced back from chase debut flop with well-held second in novice hurdle at Leicester (2m4f, heavy), behind subsequent Grade 2 runner-up Ubatuba; this unexposed 7yo has potential off his current mark, especially now up in trip.

6/1

Form: 3144PF D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles at Hexham (2m7f, good to soft) last June and now just 2lb higher, but she's had a patchy campaign over hurdles/fences subsequently and fell at Haydock last month when reverting to this discipline.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

2nd Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 60y

14:20 Galway

Pinot Rouge

11st 9lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Jessica Bedi

Both wins in Britain came at around this trip on easy ground; best effort for some time on latest when front-running second in 3m Hexham handicap in June for Susan Corbett; debuts for new trainer who had a good second on the flat here on Wednesday.

12/1

2nd

3

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 4

16:10 Hexham

Pinot Rouge

11st 12lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Susan Corbett

Below par since last June's C&D win off 5lb higher until a better effort when fourth in an Ayr (3m, heavy) Class 2 in April, but a heavy defeat since leaves him with plenty to prove.

12/1

7th

3

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 3

14:43 Cartmel

Pinot Rouge

11st 12lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Below par since last June's Hexham win off 2lb higher (3m, good to soft) until reviving, up to a point, with last month's Ayr Class 2 fourth; has to show that a sharp track is what's wanted, though.

8/1

Form: 111169

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who won four in a row last July-September (2m4f/2m2f, good) and his Newmarket trainer does very well here; however, he went off the boil on his final two outings last year and he's unproven on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(4)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 27y

Class 3

18:15 Pontefract

Sixty Plus

9st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: James Owen

Reeled off four straight hurdle wins last summer before losing his way; switched to the Flat this summer and he's now 3-3 in Flat handicaps, having won on good to firm at Thirsk (1m4f), Lingfield (1m6f) and Nottingham (1m6f) in the space of a week last month; the last of those wins was much more hard fought, by a neck, and he's another 3lb higher today but 2m+ is plausible and he might yet do better still.

3/1

1st

1

(2)

30th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:20 Nottingham

Sixty Plus

10st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: James Owen

Reeled off four straight hurdle wins last summer before losing his way; minor form when qualifying for a mark on the Flat since but he's proved well ahead of it since handicapping with cheekpieces refitted, winning by 6l at Thirsk (1m4f) and Lingfield (1m6f; both good to firm); 3lb well in under big penalty; major claims.

1/2

1st

1

(1)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:27 Lingfield

Sixty Plus

10st 2lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: James Owen

Won four times over hurdles between July and September last year; lost his way in that sphere and struggled this summer in his first three Flat runs (1m2f-1m6f) but he should have a future in Flat handicaps, as he showed when winning well in a small field at Thirsk (1m4f, good to firm) on Friday; hard to beat under a penalty if in the same form.

Evs

OUR TIP

Form: 01473U D

Last run: 40 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent but he won at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last July and returned from a break with a close third here (2m5f, soft) on Boxing Day, staying on nicely; he's fine at this trip; not his fault when unseating mid-race at Haydock last month; could be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Icare Allen

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent but he won at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last July and returned from a break with a close third here (2m5f, soft) on Boxing Day, staying on nicely; he's fine at this trip; not his fault when unseating mid-race at Haydock last month; could be involved.

12/1

6

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

14:35 Haydock

Icare Allen

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent but he won at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last July and returned from a break with a close third at Wetherby (2m5f, soft) on Boxing Day, staying on nicely; he'll be fine now back up in trip and could be involved.

11/1

4

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Icare Allen

11st 12lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Returned to form to win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in July and again ran well when fourth there (2m4f, good) last month; stays this far and is effective on soft ground; goes well for Benjamin Macey, with form figures of 29214, and he could have a part to play.

6/1

Form: 5-0419

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Listed bumper runner-up who was suited by the step up in trip when winning at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) in December on his third handicap start; merely mid-division at Newbury (3m, good to soft) since but not written off in view of the promise shown on his penultimate start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

16th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:30 Hereford

Block Rockin Beats

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

1-8 over hurdles, up in trip when winning at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) in December; with two major backward steps since, a lot seemingly depends on his subsequent wind surgery and today's first tongue-tie.

6/1

8th

9

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Block Rockin Beats

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

Listed bumper runner-up who was suited by the step up in trip when winning at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) in December on his third handicap start; merely mid-division at Newbury (3m, good to soft) since but not written off in view of the promise shown on his penultimate start.

8/1

9th

8

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Block Rockin Beats

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

Opened his hurdles account in similar event at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) last time; remains unexposed at this sort of distance and bumper form suggests he has the potential to do better still; shortlisted.

7/1

Form: 21-332 BF

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

24th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Kempton

Woodland Park

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

110,000euros 3yo; brother to 2m-2m7f hurdle/chase winner Some Dove, half-brother to three more winners including bumper and 2m3f/2m4f hurdle winner The West Awaits; dam bumper/2m4f hurdle winner; in-form stable has an excellent (21%) record in bumpers; high on the list.

7/1

Form: /211-9

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft) last March on second hurdle start and followed up on handicap debut at Newton Abbot (3m2f, heavy); tailed off at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) on Boxing Day on sole run this season but retains potential; wears first-time cheekpieces; one to watch in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Moonset

11st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Won at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft) last March on second hurdle start and followed up on handicap debut at Newton Abbot (3m2f, heavy); tailed off at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) on Boxing Day on sole run this season but retains potential; wears first-time cheekpieces; one to watch in the betting.

10/1

1st

5

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Moonset

11st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

in rear

3/1

1st

5

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Moonset

11st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Not an obvious stayer on pedigree but he kept on well when losing out late in 2m7f maiden at Worcester (good) in September before getting off the mark at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft; narrowly) last month; acts on soft; potential improver now handicapping.

3/1

Form: 5-732

Last run: 78 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
He's shown ability at up to an extended 2m4f in novice hurdles; there's stamina in his pedigree and his trainer won this last year with a 5yo who was going up in trip on handicap debut; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

14:00 Uttoxeter

Arcadian Star

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Showed ability over an extended 2m4f in two Leicester novice hurdles, before pulled up over 3m on handicap debut at Wetherby one month ago; there's stamina in his pedigree and he had wind surgery soon after that latest start, but even his best form leaves him with a fair bit to find.

20/1

10

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Arcadian Star

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

He's shown ability at up to an extended 2m4f in novice hurdles; there's stamina in his pedigree and his trainer won this last year with a 5yo who was going up in trip on handicap debut; interesting.

13/2

10

10th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

13:57 Chepstow

Arcadian Star

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Ran green and was only midfield in a Huntingdon bumper earlier this year (good to soft; 16-1); best watched for now.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.00
Straight Forecast £15.43
Tricast £80.45
Trifecta £88.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Blue Carpet

RP RATINGS:

Woodland Park

LAMBOURN:

Block Rockin Beats

The Times:

Arcadian Star

POSTDATA:

Skuna Bay

Telegraph:

Blue Carpet

Daily Mirror:

Blue Carpet

The Sun:

Blue Carpet

Daily Record:

Blue Carpet

TOPSPEED:

Woodland Park

The Guardian:

Woodland Park

D Express:

Woodland Park

The Star:

Woodland Park

Daily Mail:

Block Rockin Beats