March 09 / 16.20 Stratford

16.20

Soft

DragonBet The Roar Before Cheltenham Welcome Offer Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4568.06
  • 2m 6f 125y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
RTV
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DragonBet The Roar Before Cheltenham Welcome Offer Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.60

Form: -233F4

Last run: 44 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Yet to build on his bumper success in April 2024 but was still in contention when falling four out at Wetherby (3m, soft) in December and may not have got home when last of four finishers at Doncaster (3m, soft) the following month; drops back down in trip and is not out of this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:08 Uttoxeter

As Legends Have It

10st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

0-5 over hurdles but he made it fourth time lucky over fences when scoring at Stratford (2m7f, soft) 19 days ago; was left clear at the second-last but he still hit a personal best with that success and should have more to offer in this sphere; respected up 3lb.

5/2

1st

2

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:20 Stratford

As Legends Have It

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Yet to build on his bumper success in April 2024 but was still in contention when falling four out at Wetherby (3m, soft) in December and may not have got home when last of four finishers at Doncaster (3m, soft) the following month; drops back down in trip and is not out of this.

9/2

4th

7

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

14:38 Doncaster

As Legends Have It

10st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Started favourite for the Wetherby event won by Chasingouttheblues, only to fall four out; consistent otherwise and looks a possible danger with a clear round in this third chase attempt.

11/2

7/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 24-134

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Made a winning start over fences at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) in November and ran well when third of 13 finishers at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) the following month; had an off day at Market Rasen last time but worth another chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

23rd Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 2

15:00 Warwick

Realta Liath

11st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

Has to bounce back from a couple of modest runs (latest second was a remote one) but she has since undergone a wind operation; closely matched with Party Vibes and Theonewedreamof on their Cheltenham clash in December; possible.

12/1

2nd

4

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:20 Stratford

Realta Liath

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Made a winning start over fences at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) in November and ran well when third of 13 finishers at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) the following month; had an off day at Market Rasen last time but worth another chance.

7/1

4th

3

16th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Realta Liath

11st 8lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

0-5 over hurdles but made winning seasonal/chase debut at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) in November and bettered that performance when close third of 15 in Cheltenham mares' race (2m4f, good to soft) last month; moves back up up in trip here and probably still has more to offer over fences.

13/8

Form: 321155

Last run: 45 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
In good form for Olly Murphy in the autumn, winning in blinkers at Sedgefield (3m2f, good to firm) and Market Rasen (2m5f, good to soft), but soundly beaten in cheekpieces (retained) at Warwick for new stable twice since and now has a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Warwick

Pescatorius

11st 4lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Left Olly Murphy for 5,500gns and pretty much tailed off in four handicap chases since.

25/1

5th

2

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

15:43 Stratford

Pescatorius

11st 9lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Won twice for Olly Murphy in the autumn and subsequently sold for 5,500gns; hasn't been in the same form in three runs for his current trainer; cheekpieces worn on his last three starts are dispensed with on this step up in trip; still has time on his side but all of a sudden has a bit to prove.

8/1

3rd

8

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:20 Stratford

Pescatorius

10st 7lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

In good form for Olly Murphy in the autumn, winning in blinkers at Sedgefield (3m2f, good to firm) and Market Rasen (2m5f, good to soft), but soundly beaten in cheekpieces (retained) at Warwick for new stable twice since and now has a point to prove.

25/1

Form: 35-421

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won three times over hurdles and got off the mark in this sphere in a match at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) four weeks ago; up 4lb and difficult to evaluate but on an upward curve and one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:20 Stratford

Star Of Affinity

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Won three times over hurdles and got off the mark in this sphere in a match at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) four weeks ago; up 4lb and difficult to evaluate but on an upward curve and one to be interested in.

11/4

1st

1

9th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 166y

Class 4

13:45 Plumpton

Star Of Affinity

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Three-time hurdle winner (2m-2m5f; all on right-handed tracks); respectable efforts in both runs over fences, last time runner-up at Wincanton; won't mind returning to further or getting back on softer ground.

11/4

Form: /51-5P

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Jumped well when scoring on his stable debut at Warwick (2m4f, soft) in late 2024 but he hasn't recaptured that form in two runs following a year's absence, latterly when found to have an irregular heartbeat back at Warwick in January; cheekpieces back on but risky at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:30 Southwell

Noche Negra

11st 10lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Jumped well when scoring on his stable debut at Warwick (2m4f, soft) in late 2024 but he hasn't recaptured that form in three runs following a year's absence, pulling up on his last two starts.

11/1

6

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:20 Stratford

Noche Negra

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Jumped well when scoring on his stable debut at Warwick (2m4f, soft) in late 2024 but he hasn't recaptured that form in two runs following a year's absence, latterly when found to have an irregular heartbeat back at Warwick in January; cheekpieces back on but risky at present.

12/1

Form: 3533UU

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
0-16 but has shown bits of form over hurdles; has failed to complete in three starts over fences, latest when unseated early on at Southwell (3m, soft) in first-time cheekpieces (retained); not one to give up on but comes with risks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Streamsforth Lad

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Gary Hanmer

Jumping has been an issue but it's improved in his last two races when runner-up behind winners who were well backed and well handicapped; has course form; big shout.

6/1

2nd

3

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

Streamsforth Lad

11st 11lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Gary Hanmer

He's fallen/unseated on three of his five starts over hurdles but was going well when exiting two out at Stratford (2m6f, soft) last month and ran well when runner-up to well-backed winner at Bangor (3m, good) a fortnight ago; major player granted a clear round.

7/2

2nd

4

31st Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Streamsforth Lad

11st 12lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Gary Hanmer

Maiden; three times third over hurdles; 0-4 over fences and yet to complete the course, yet he was bang in contention when falling two out at Stratford three weeks ago (2m6f, soft; has form on good); if avoiding the mistakes he should have a role to play.

7/2

Non-runners

Batwomen, Jeu dOpale

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.30
Straight Forecast £8.21
Tricast £85.73
Trifecta £57.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Star Of Affinity

RP RATINGS:

Jeu d'Opale

SPOTLIGHT:

Realta Liath

Telegraph:

Jeu d'Opale

D Express:

Jeu d'Opale

Daily Mirror:

Jeu d'Opale

The Star:

Jeu d'Opale

TOPSPEED:

Realta Liath

LAMBOURN:

Realta Liath

The Times:

Star Of Affinity

The Guardian:

Star Of Affinity

Daily Mail:

Star Of Affinity

The Sun:

Star Of Affinity

Daily Record:

Star Of Affinity