February 27 / 16.43 Newbury

16.43

Good To Soft

Cheltenham Specials Made Simple At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qual)

  • Prize money: £9241.75
  • 3m 0f 57y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Cheltenham Specials Made Simple At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qual)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 25-313

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 7yo who left low-key seasonal debut behind when scoring by just over 5l at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) in December and again ran well when placed here (2m4f, good) later that month; open to improvement on first attempt at 3m; must be considered seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

Peacenik

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Katy Price

Progressed again on last three starts, winning two of them (good to soft); moving up to 3m at this track proved an excellent fit three weeks ago when he mostly had a clear lead before striding on again smoothly in closing stages; up another 9lb but could also prove too hot for today's rivals.

15/8

1st

2

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Peacenik

11st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Katy Price

Low-mileage 7yo who left low-key seasonal debut behind when scoring by just over 5l at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) in December and again ran well when placed here (2m4f, good) later that month; open to improvement on first attempt at 3m; must be considered seriously.

11/2

5th

8

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 173y

Class 2

16:45 Sandown

Peacenik

11st 0lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Katy Price

pressed leader, not fluent 1st, not fluent but led 3rd

14/1

Form: 444311 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Improving novice who bids to complete a hat-trick after handicap wins at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) and Wincanton (3m, heavy) this year; moves up in grade but still needs to taken very seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

4th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:20 Newton Abbot

Call Me Legend

12st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Has form figures of 431122 since switched in handicaps and that latest second was a near-miss at Exeter (2m7f, good) 13 days ago; up another 3lb but he's versatile ground-wise and is open to more progress over staying trips; strongly respected with cheekpieces added.

2/1

2nd

4

22nd Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

16:47 Exeter

Call Me Legend

11st 12lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won over C&D (good to soft) and then at Wincanton (3m, heavy) before coming up short in a higher grade (Class 3) at Newbury (3m, good to soft) but still ran well behind the favourite and was clear of the remainder; gets in off the same mark here; good chance.

3/1

2nd

10

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Call Me Legend

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Improving novice who bids to complete a hat-trick after handicap wins at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) and Wincanton (3m, heavy) this year; moves up in grade but still needs to taken very seriously.

11/4

20/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 24-55P

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Consistent over hurdles last season, with best effort a C&D second (soft) just over a year ago; disappointing over fences this term (three attempts; blinkers tried last time) and this switch back to hurdling needs to rekindle his enthusiasm; usual cheekpieces back on today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Magical King

12st 1lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Runner-up off this mark at Newbury (3m, soft) last February but he's not hit the same level since and was beaten 19l back at Newbury (third of nine) last month; overall record is now 1-15 and others are more persuasive.

7/1

3rd

5

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Magical King

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Consistent over hurdles last season, with best effort a C&D second (soft) just over a year ago; disappointing over fences this term (three attempts; blinkers tried last time) and this switch back to hurdling needs to rekindle his enthusiasm; usual cheekpieces back on today.

20/1

3

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:27 Kempton

Magical King

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Consistent over hurdles last season; ran well to a point on chasing debut at Bangor (3m, heavy) in November and may have found the good ground too lively when safely held at Doncaster in December; not out of this if change of headgear gives him a boost.

10/1

Form: 6P1221 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
2-4 since returned to hurdling in the autumn, the latter win gained in four-runner mares' race at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) a fortnight ago; evidently in very good nick but has quite a bit more on her plate here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:20 Wetherby

Jalisco Star

10st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Laura Horsfall

In-form staying mare whose wins in December/February flanked second-place finishes; made the frame at Newbury most recently; may no longer be a step ahead of the assessor but still holds reasonably solid claims.

6/1

4th

7

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Jalisco Star

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Laura Horsfall

2-4 since returned to hurdling in the autumn, the latter win gained in four-runner mares' race at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) a fortnight ago; evidently in very good nick but has quite a bit more on her plate here.

7/1

1st

3

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

15:10 Chepstow

Jalisco Star

11st 7lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Laura Horsfall

Couldn't get much going over fences but form figures of 122 since returned to hurdling at Class 4 level; up a grade here off a career-high mark, but this assured stayer has plenty in her favour otherwise.

11/4

Form: 9-3PPP

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Very promising novice during 2023-24 season but generally very disappointing over last two campaigns; pulled up on last three chase/hurdle runs (cheekpieces added last time); big leap of faith required to support him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

20th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Warwick

Champagne Twist

11st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

2024 EBF Final winner off 7lb higher; unseated too far out at Uttoxeter latest to say if and where he may have figured, but his poor winter up to that point tempers enthusiasm either way; overlooked.

10/1

4

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Champagne Twist

11st 11lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Very promising novice during 2023-24 season but generally very disappointing over last two campaigns; has dropped a long way in the weights but he was pulled up three times during the winter before a remote fifth at Newbury (3m, good to soft) last time; down the list.

12/1

Form: 2/1-51

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
2-3 over fences this season, with both wins gained in four-runner 2m4f races on heavy ground (cheekpieces added last time); faces a different test on this return to hurdling but could have untapped potential over 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

16:00 Ffos Las

Big City Roller

11st 10lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

2-3 over fences, with both wins gained in four-runner 2m4f races on heavy ground; tailed off in a 3m hurdle last time but could quite plausibly have untapped potential over 3m as a chaser.

7/1

6th

3

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Big City Roller

11st 9lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

2-3 over fences this season, with both wins gained in four-runner 2m4f races on heavy ground (cheekpieces added last time); faces a different test on this return to hurdling but could have untapped potential over 3m.

6/1

1st

1

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Lingfield

Big City Roller

12st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Very lightly raced 8yo who returned from long absence to win four-runner Bangor handicap (2m4f, heavy) by wide margin on chasing debut just under a year ago; in contention until nearly losing his jockey at the last fence at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) last month, after another layoff, and may still have potential; cheekpieces added today.

3/1

Form: 42/014 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
3-15 over hurdles, latest win at Warwick (3m2f, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; below form on latest outing, though, and needs to bounce back with career-best effort here; cheekpieces (absent this term) are refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

23rd Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 3

14:30 Warwick

Benign Dictator

11st 4lb

J: Tom Hutsby

T: Olly Murphy

Career-best form came here in December when scoring over 3m2f (good to soft); hasn't really approached that level since, in cheekpieces and blinkers (new) the last twice.

15/2

6th

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

13:37 Bangor-on-Dee

Benign Dictator

12st 0lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Posted career-best effort when scoring at Warwick (3m2f, good to soft) in December but two laboured efforts have followed this year; wore refitted cheekpieces last time; first-time blinkers are given a whirl here.

9/1

7th

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Benign Dictator

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

3-15 over hurdles, latest win at Warwick (3m2f, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; below form on latest outing, though, and needs to bounce back with career-best effort here; cheekpieces (absent this term) are refitted.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: -273P7 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won four times over hurdles last season (2m7f-3m) but chasing didn't go to plan in the autumn and he was soundly beaten when back over hurdles on Boxing Day; needs to get career back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Tiny Tetley

12st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won four times over hurdles last season (2m7f-3m) but chasing didn't go to plan in the autumn and he was soundly beaten when back over hurdles on Boxing Day; needs to get career back on track.

16/1

7th

5

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Tiny Tetley

11st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

In excellent form in the spring, completing hat-trick with ready success in series final at Haydock (3m) in April before going very close in another competitive handicap over that C&D (also on good) in May; obvious contender if in similar nick after 168-day break.

16/1

2nd

4

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Tiny Tetley

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Ended last season in excellent form, completing a hat-trick with a ready C&D success (good; Thank You Ma'am second) in a quite valuable series final three weeks ago; last two wins were under today's claiming rider Callum Pritchard; probably still on the upgrade; good chance.

7/2

Form: PP-441 C

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Good fourth over C&D (soft) in November and outstayed next-time-out winner Jalisco Star when scoring at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; still on workable mark after latest 2lb rise; likely contender again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Kruger Park

11st 2lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Good fourth over C&D (soft) in November and outstayed next-time-out winner Jalisco Star when scoring at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; still on workable mark after latest 2lb rise; likely contender again.

5/1

1

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Kruger Park

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Took a hiding at the weights for Newbury win (2m4f, heavy) last March; he's run to a similar level in defeat twice since but was pulled up at Fontwell in February and 3m2f may be further than he wants to go.

12/1

Non-runners

Fierce Warrior

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.80
Straight Forecast £9.00
Tricast £46.82
Trifecta £89.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Peacenik

RP RATINGS:

Kruger Park

The Times:

Call Me Legend

LAMBOURN:

Fierce Warrior

TOPSPEED:

Tiny Tetley

Daily Record:

Big City Roller

The Star:

Benign Dictator

The Guardian:

Call Me Legend

POSTDATA:

Peacenik

D Express:

Peacenik

The Sun:

Peacenik

Daily Mail:

Fierce Warrior

Telegraph:

Kruger Park

Daily Mirror:

Kruger Park