March 27 / 16.20 Wetherby

16.20

Good

Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5809.1
  • 3m 0f 26y
  • Class 3
  • 6 runners
RTV
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Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.40
  • Place: £3.20

Form: 051P5

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Successful twice in Irish points and once over hurdles for Rebecca Menzies; ran creditably at Kelso (2m6f) last time on handicap debut; market may offer further guidance in this first start for Sam England.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Kent De Thaix

11st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sam England

Easily won a maiden hurdle at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) in December and he tapped back into that promise to win a handicap at Wetherby (3m, good) three weeks ago on his stable debut; beat just five rivals last time but this 6yo is unexposed over staying trips and could be a contender up 4lb.

10/1

1st

4

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:20 Wetherby

Kent De Thaix

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Successful twice in Irish points and once over hurdles for Rebecca Menzies; ran creditably at Kelso (2m6f) last time on handicap debut; market may offer further guidance in this first start for Sam England.

7/1

5th

2

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

13:30 Kelso

Kent De Thaix

12st 0lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Rebecca Menzies

Two-time 3m point winner who built upon previous rules promise for easy win in maiden hurdle at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) in December; pulled up at 33-1 in Grade 2 at Doncaster (3m, soft) since but today's handicap debut provides a far more realistic opportunity and he's not ruled out.

5/1

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 49-739 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Ran poorly in a Pertemps qualifier most recently (second start for new yard) but is interesting off current mark dropped in class, being so attractively treated on the pick of his form for Gordon Elliott.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

American Mike

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Classy customer in these colours for Gordon Elliott; only his fourth run for current yard when forcing a dead-heat at Perth (3m, good; 3lb lower) and he's versatile trip-wise; likely contender in new cheekpieces.

5/4

1st

1

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

American Mike

12st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Smart novice over fences for Gordon Elliott; not quite as good these days but fair third at Newbury in November (2m4f, good to soft) on latest chase start; now 5lb lower and, following a decent run over hurdles last time, is worth considering.

11/4

2nd

1

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:20 Wetherby

American Mike

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Ran poorly in a Pertemps qualifier most recently (second start for new yard) but is interesting off current mark dropped in class, being so attractively treated on the pick of his form for Gordon Elliott.

5/1

Form: 2-73P0 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Not solid on his chase/hurdles form this year; previously a consistent sort in this sphere and has a fighting chance off current mark back down in grade, provided he's resurgent.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 1f 10y

Class 3

19:30 Huntingdon

Thank You Maam

12st 1lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Georgina Nicholls

Returned from layoff with three below-par chase/hurdle runs in February/March but, having swapped cheekpieces for blinkers, fared much better on last two appearances; lost out only by a nose after making most of the running at Warwick (3m1f, good) last time; can make another bold bid.

5/1

2nd

2

23rd Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 3

14:30 Warwick

Thank You Maam

11st 8lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Back hurdling the last twice after a brief stint over fences; the first time he'd worn these aids combined when a front-running third at Wetherby (3m, good; beaten 4.25l); exposed but firmly in the mix.

5/1

3rd

2

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:20 Wetherby

Thank You Maam

11st 4lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Not solid on his chase/hurdles form this year; previously a consistent sort in this sphere and has a fighting chance off current mark back down in grade, provided he's resurgent.

7/1

Form: -94451

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Seems badly in under a penalty for recent 2m7f success at Market Rasen, with future mark 3lb lower; however, remains unexposed at this sort of distance and may show the progress that's needed to follow up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

26th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

19:39 Plumpton

Escapologist

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nick Scholfield

Dual hurdle winner for James Owen, most recently at Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft) in March; backed that up with a solid effort next time but was beaten 22l when favourite back there 18 days ago, which leaves him with a bit to prove; makes stable debut with the booking of Sean Bowen catching the eye.

9/2

6th

7

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Escapologist

11st 9lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

C&D scorer in March (good to soft) on his first realistic staying assignment, and 3lb badly in when not quite up to defying a penalty next time; of renewed interest after a break, and a winner on good also.

6/1

4th

6

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:20 Wetherby

Escapologist

10st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Seems badly in under a penalty for recent 2m7f success at Market Rasen, with future mark 3lb lower; however, remains unexposed at this sort of distance and may show the progress that's needed to follow up.

11/4

Form: P12214 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 396673

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Has inconsistent form for current stable but ran encouragingly last time (2m5f) while shaping as if this return to further is worth exploring; well treated on historical data, which includes wins off higher marks in 2023 and 2024.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:47 Southwell

Ballygeary

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Beaten 6l in his penultimate race but following run was a reminder of his inconsistency; others safer.

20/1

6th

7

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:20 Wetherby

Ballygeary

10st 3lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Has inconsistent form for current stable but ran encouragingly last time (2m5f) while shaping as if this return to further is worth exploring; well treated on historical data, which includes wins off higher marks in 2023 and 2024.

12/1

3rd

6

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 181y

Class 4

16:20 Doncaster

Ballygeary

11st 5lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Ex-Donald McCain; creditable third on stable debut in July (2m4f, good) but hasn't been in top form since.

33/1

Non-runners

Jupiter Des Mottes

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.60
Straight Forecast £22.41
Trifecta £146.50

Selections

The Times:

Escapologist

SPOTLIGHT:

Jupiter Des Mottes

Daily Mail:

American Mike

POSTDATA:

Kent De Thaix

TOPSPEED:

Thank You Ma'am

The Sun:

Jalisco Star

RP RATINGS:

Ballygeary

Telegraph:

Escapologist

Daily Mirror:

Escapologist

The Star:

Escapologist

Daily Record:

Escapologist

The Guardian:

Jupiter Des Mottes

D Express:

American Mike