March 17 / 16.22 Wetherby

16.22

Good To Soft

racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3696.7
  • 3m 0f 26y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.30
  • Place: £4.40

Form: 42745P D

Last run: 53 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Pulled up at Warwick in January last time but was in pretty good heart towards the end of last year and he's now 1lb lower than when winning at Haydock (3m, good) last March; also handles soft; capable of going well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Imperial Merlin

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: John & Sean Quinn

Pulled up at Warwick in January last time but was in pretty good heart towards the end of last year and he's now 1lb lower than when winning at Haydock (3m, good) last March; also handles soft; capable of going well.

12/1

1

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

14:37 Warwick

Imperial Merlin

12st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: John & Sean Quinn

Only 1lb higher than for his Haydock win over a similar trip last March; does have a lot of weight though and was only fifth at Haydock last time, finishing just behind Gwennie May Star.

8/1

2

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

16:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Imperial Merlin

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: John & Sean Quinn

Not well handicapped but arrives here after a 3l second of eight at Uttoxeter when tried in cheekpieces (2m7f, good); no reason why he won't be involved once more.

6/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 62F442 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner for the Newland/Insole yard; returned from break with encouraging second over fences at Hereford on last month's stable debut; could build on that today and he has a lower mark to work with over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 1f 10y

Class 3

19:30 Huntingdon

Tiger Orchid

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Without a win since summer 2024 and not getting any younger but runner-up three consecutive times (2m7f-3m1f; once over fences) for new stable towards end of last season; probably won't be far away.

15/2

12/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: -31763

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won at Cartmel (2m6f, soft) last July and he's worked his way back to form, finishing third of eight at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in January; faces tougher opposition today, however, and needs another step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

27th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

19:08 Cartmel

Rioja Alta

10st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

C&D winner off 2lb lower last summer (soft) and some respectable runs in the meantime; the latest at Perth wasn't one of them but he's hard to rule out.

8/1

5th

1

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:40 Perth

Rioja Alta

12st 0lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Micky Hammond

Winner off 3lb lower at Cartmel last summer (2m6f, soft); two good runs this year, latest when third in a stronger race at Wetherby (3m, good to soft); chance down in grade.

9/2

3rd

11

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Rioja Alta

10st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

Won at Cartmel (2m6f, soft) last July and he's worked his way back to form, finishing third of eight at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in January; faces tougher opposition today, however, and needs another step forward.

12/1

Form: 4-41

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Point winner who won a maiden hurdle at Catterick (3m1f, soft) last month on his third rules start; that form reads well and this unexposed 7yo could prove to be superior to his opening mark; yard in good form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Hawthorn Street

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Point winner who got off the mark over hurdles at the third attempt at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in February and was beaten only 4l when fourth on last month's handicap debut at Wetherby (3m, good to soft); unexposed and further improvement is possible.

15/2

4th

6

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Hawthorn Street

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Point winner who won a maiden hurdle at Catterick (3m1f, soft) last month on his third rules start; that form reads well and this unexposed 7yo could prove to be superior to his opening mark; yard in good form.

5/2

1st

3

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 71y

Class 4

14:00 Catterick

Hawthorn Street

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Very lightly raced 7yo; bought from the Irish point-to-point scene for £155,000; dropped away in Class 2 contest at Windsor (3m) on return from another layoff last time but looks open to progress back down in grade with the outing under his belt; interesting.

9/4

Form: 612412 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
12yo who has been better than ever over fences this season following a stable switch, with wins at Sedgefield (2m5f, soft) and Catterick (3m1f, good to soft); this is a rare run over hurdles but he has a lower mark in this sphere, in which he scored twice in 2020; likes it here; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

Ladronne

11st 12lb

J: Miss Venetia Thompson

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Veteran who has looked as good as ever for his new stable this season, winning twice (2m5f/3m1f); probably doesn't have much margin for error off current mark but reverts to chasing after a respectable hurdle run and is suited by this C&D.

3/1

5th

10

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Ladronne

11st 4lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

12yo who has been better than ever over fences this season following a stable switch, with wins at Sedgefield (2m5f, soft) and Catterick (3m1f, good to soft); this is a rare run over hurdles but he has a lower mark in this sphere, in which he scored twice in 2020; likes it here; one to consider.

8/1

2nd

7

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Ladronne

11st 7lb

J: Jack Power

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Won this in 2024 (soft) and he's been better than ever this season following a stable switch, with wins at Sedgefield (2m5f, soft) and Catterick (3m1f, good to soft; last time); back up to a career-high mark and he's back up in grade but he could yet have more to offer for this yard; respected.

3/1

Form: 7-1138 CD BF

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Won in November on first two handicap starts (soft; including C&D) and solid third at Ascot (2m7f, good to soft) next time; disappointing at Ayr (3m, soft) last time but in the mix if rediscovering his previous promise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Buzz Iceclear

11st 5lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won in November on first two handicap starts (soft; including C&D) and solid third at Ascot (2m7f, good to soft) next time; disappointing at Ayr (3m, soft) last time but in the mix if rediscovering his previous promise.

10/1

8th

5

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:13 Ayr

Buzz Iceclear

11st 5lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won in November on first two handicap starts (soft; including C&D) and another good run when third at Ascot (2m7f, good to soft) last month; remains open to further improvement and he's a solid candidate for last year's winning yard; wears first-time cheekpieces.

7/2

Form: -24P34

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Didn't threaten on his two runs last month (2m/2m3f, heavy/good to soft) but those weren't bad performances and it's possible this half-brother to a 3m-3m2f winner will be suited by the step up in trip; on a reduced mark and he's not discounted in first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Into The Park

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Ran below his mark even when placing over the winter, and none the wiser as to his staying credentials after a subdued effort behind Tiger Orchid at Wetherby latest (3m); tongue-tie added on this stable debut.

16/1

7th

3

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Into The Park

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Didn't threaten on his two runs last month (2m/2m3f, heavy/good to soft) but those weren't bad performances and it's possible this half-brother to a 3m-3m2f winner will be suited by the step up in trip; on a reduced mark and he's not discounted in first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces).

8/1

4th

2

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 3

15:30 Catterick

Into The Park

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

He hasn't kicked on since going close off 2lb higher on his reappearance at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in October; also effective on soft/good to soft; however, he didn't run badly at Taunton recently and is not ruled out.

9/2

Form: 473110

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won at Uttoxeter (2m6f, heavy) in December on second handicap start and followed up at Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft); tailed off at Ascot (2m7f, good to soft) since but made a bad early mistake; retains potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Heart Over Head

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won at Uttoxeter (2m6f, heavy) in December on second handicap start and followed up at Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft); tailed off at Ascot (2m7f, good to soft) since but made a bad early mistake; retains potential.

6/1

18th

6

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 123y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Heart Over Head

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Improving 7yo who bids for a hat-trick after emphatic wins at Uttoxeter (2m6f, heavy) and Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft); moves up in grade here but still needs to be taken very seriously.

9/2

1st

1

16th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

13:28 Market Rasen

Heart Over Head

12st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Well suited by combination of heavy ground and step up to 2m6f when comfortably beating three rivals at Uttoxeter last month, his sixth start over hurdles; could have more improvement to come but is 10lb higher here and may not be seen to quite the same effect on the forecast faster ground.

7/2

Form: 11-09P

Last run: 38 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won his final two starts last season (2m3f/2m4f, soft/good to soft) and there's every chance this 7yo will get back on track at some stage; however, he's been disappointing on his three outings this term and it's hard to be confident regarding his claims today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Kapal Layar

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won his final two starts last season (2m3f/2m4f, soft/good to soft) and there's every chance this 7yo will get back on track at some stage; however, he's been disappointing on his three outings this term and it's hard to be confident regarding his claims today.

10/1

5

7th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

13:35 Newbury

Kapal Layar

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Ended last term with maiden (on soft) and handicap wins, latterly at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) in April; disappointing on both starts this term but was struck into last time and has also since had wind surgery; additionally, he's now upped in trip and has tongue-tie and cheekpieces for the first time, so there could be explanations aplenty were he to stage a revival.

9/1

11th

8

2nd Nov 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 218y

Class 2

14:02 Carlisle

Kapal Layar

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Still raw last season according to his trainer so encouraging that he could follow up his maiden win with a comfortable handicap debut at Perth (2m4f, good to soft); raised 9lb for that Class 4 success and this is appreciably stronger, but everything would suggest that he's going to get better.

11/4

Form: -34715

Last run: 150 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Bumper runner-up who won maiden hurdle at Downpatrick (2m6f, good) last August; has shown promise on yielding to soft; tough task in Listed novice in October when fifth of six on final run for Stuart Crawford; subsequently sold for £26,000; improvement necessary on stable/handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Dramatic License

10st 12lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: John Wainwright

Last-gasp Downpatrick maiden hurdle winner last August (2m6f, good), but yet to offer anything for his newest connections.

150/1

3

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:30 Newcastle

Dramatic License

11st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: John Wainwright

Won maiden at Downpatrick (2m6f, good) last August; tough task in Listed novice in October on final run for Stuart Crawford, before sold for £26,000 and tailing off when 150-1 for stable/handicap debut at Wetherby (3m, good to soft) two weeks ago; may have needed that run but a dramatic turnaround is needed.

50/1

10th

7

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Dramatic License

11st 7lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: John Wainwright

Bumper runner-up who won maiden hurdle at Downpatrick (2m6f, good) last August; has shown promise on yielding to soft; tough task in Listed novice in October when fifth of six on final run for Stuart Crawford; subsequently sold for £26,000; improvement necessary on stable/handicap debut.

33/1

Non-runners

Libre De Choeur

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £161.80
Straight Forecast £150.46
Tricast £2070.89
Trifecta £860.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hawthorn Street

Daily Mail:

Into The Park

TOPSPEED:

Imperial Merlin

The Times:

Tiger Orchid

POSTDATA:

Ladronne

RP RATINGS:

Hawthorn Street

Telegraph:

Hawthorn Street

The Guardian:

Hawthorn Street

Daily Mirror:

Hawthorn Street

The Sun:

Hawthorn Street

The Star:

Hawthorn Street

Daily Record:

Hawthorn Street

D Express:

Into The Park