February 10 / 15.35 Kempton

15.35

Good

Visit racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Visit racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1-332U

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Has continued to run well since his Plumpton win last April and held every chance when hanging left and unseating Freddie Gordon at the final flight at Wincanton last week; very capable of making amends if behaving himself.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

21st Oct 2024

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

15:25 Plumpton

Sami Bear

11st 9lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

held up in rear, fell 4 out

15/2

3rd

4

22nd Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

16:50 Plumpton

Sami Bear

11st 6lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Dual hurdle winner (once here); seemingly back in good nick when runner-up at Fontwell (2m3f, good) in June, his second run after a break, but disappointed there last month and needs a boost from the first-time cheekpieces today; probably best suited by good/good to soft ground.

13/2

6th

1

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

15:50 Fontwell

Sami Bear

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Dual hurdle winner who locked back in good nick when runner-up here (2m3f, good) in June, his second run after a break; still on a workable mark after a 2lb nudge; shortlisted.

9/2

7/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 11-708 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won back-to-back 2m4f handicaps on good ground last spring, the latest off 5lb lower; nothing like so good since returning this season and cheekpieces are now turned to; risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Hardy Boy

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

C&D winner last August and his close fourth at Cheltenham three runs back was his best form yet; soft ground was no good to him on final appearance; nothing wrong with his mark.

12/1

4th

4

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Hardy Boy

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

C&D winner last August and his close fourth at Cheltenham three runs back was his best form yet; soft ground was no good to him on final appearance; nothing wrong with his mark.

12/1

9th

9

29th Nov 2024

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

15:40 Newbury

Hardy Boy

10st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Ready winner over 2m7f at Market Rasen in August and he ran at least as well in defeat at Cheltenham in October but he has his share of weight now and soft ground has not been helpful so far.

14/1

OUR TIP

5/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 6-2552

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Some promise in his novice efforts and ran a solid handicap debut to be second behind one well treated at Huntingdon (2m3f, good to soft); hood sported until now is replaced by a tongue-tie; strong chance if as good as he was last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

14:08 Wetherby

No No Tango

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Derham

Lightly raced for his age and produced career-best performance when making all on seasonal/stable debut at Wincanton (2m3f, soft) in December; fell mid-race at Haydock a fortnight ago but remains open to further progress for Harry Derham; must be considered.

5/2

Form: 24-PBP D

Last run: 85 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle in Ireland and a handicap chase for this yard off 5lb higher (December 2021); however, has lost his way completely in that discipline and returns to hurdling with much to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

6th Sep 2023

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:18 Hexham

Ahead Of The Field

11st 12lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Runner-up at Worcester in June, on penultimate start for Emma Lavelle; disgraced himself on stable debut at Cartmel 11 days ago and aids worn there quickly left off; have to be doubts for now.

15/2

0

5

26th Aug 2023

Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 4

15:25 Cartmel

Ahead Of The Field

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: John C McConnell

walked to post, in rear, bucked repeatedly and unrideable soon after start, pulled up before 1st

11/2

4th

3

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:53 Worcester

Ahead Of The Field

11st 8lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

Had failed to finish his previous three chasing attempts so last month's C&D second was a welcome return to some form; not sure that was the strongest of races but the effort puts him firmly in the picture here.

9/2

Form: -2651P D

Last run: 71 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Stayed on well to win by 11l at Fontwell (2m5f, good; refitted cheekpieces) in October and a slower surface wouldn't have been ideal next time; could bounce back off his light weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

25th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

16:08 Fontwell

Whats My Line

10st 2lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Michael Madgwick

Soundly beaten here on both outings during very light campaign last season and competes from 3lb out of the weights on this first start since October.

16/1

7

25th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

16:08 Fontwell

Whats My Line

10st 2lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Michael Madgwick

Soundly beaten here on both outings during very light campaign last season and competes from 3lb out of the weights on this first start since October.

16/1

10

23rd Oct 2024

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:30 Fontwell

Whats My Line

10st 8lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Michael Madgwick

Tailed off here (2m3f) on recent seasonal debut but some positives can be taken from that performance; now back on same mark as when scoring at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) last autumn, and it's worth remembering that his other hurdle win was in this race in 2022.

12/1

10/1

Form: 413258 D

Last run: 68 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won quite decisively off 4lb lower at Huntingdon last summer and has shown he can cope with this higher mark; however, his recent efforts were well below par.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

16:25 Wincanton

Justified

12st 0lb

J: Ms Laura Ward

T: Neil King

midfield on inner, ridden and no impression after 5 out, pulled up after 3 out

12/1

6th

6

10th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Kempton

Justified

11st 7lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Won quite decisively off 4lb lower at Huntingdon last summer and has shown he can cope with this higher mark; however, his recent efforts were well below par.

10/1

8th

5

4th Dec 2022

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

12:45 Huntingdon

Justified

11st 6lb

J: Jack Wildman

T: Neil King

disputed lead, prominent after 2nd, ridden and dropped to rear after 4 out, weakened before 2 out

10/1

Form: 1545-9

Last run: 98 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Successful under both codes but was well held over this trip at Exeter in November and hasn't offered much on the Flat since then.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(1)

26th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:54 Lingfield

Russian Rumour

9st 4lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Jonathan Portman

Course winner (2m) who bids a for hat-trick after wins at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) last September (by 12l) and on her Nottingham return under Donagh Murphy (1m6f, good) 17 days ago; only 2lb higher and much respected.

11/8

1st

2

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Nottingham

Russian Rumour

9st 12lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Jonathan Portman

9yo who won this race (good) on her reappearance in 2024 and she ended last season with a 12l win at Ffos Las (2m, heavy; made all); 7lb higher on her return but she still looks on a workable mark and won't mind what the weather does; key player for in-form yard.

5/4

1st

1

(1)

28th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Ffos Las

Russian Rumour

10st 2lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Jonathan Portman

Won over 2m1f on heavy ground last year and went in again at the expense of two rivals on good to firm this summer; nothing wrong with her latest effort in a Class 2 over 1m6f at Bath (soft).

5/2

Form: 88-645 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Finished last of six in a 1m4f AW novice two weeks ago on his very belated Flat debut; a five-time winner over hurdles but not as good as he was, though that's at least reflected in a reduced handicap mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Ferrobin

11st 11lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Max Young

Suddenly bounced back to form with 66-1 win off much reduced mark at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) in April but was pulled up over that C&D the following month and now has it all to prove again; cheekpieces replaced blinkers.

33/1

10

9th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

13:50 Huntingdon

Ferrobin

11st 7lb

J: Mr Murray Dodd

T: Max Young

towards rear

12/1

10

9th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

13:50 Huntingdon

Ferrobin

11st 7lb

J: Mr Murray Dodd

T: Max Young

towards rear

12/1

Form: /4430/

Last run: 763 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Finished a 4l third on handicap hurdle debut when third at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in December 2020 but left Harry Whittington afterwards and was a tailed-off last on his first run for this yard in an AW bumper the following month; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

13th Sep 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Deer Hunter

10st 10lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

0-9 over hurdles; stuck to his task pretty well when sixth over 2m4f ten weeks ago and ought to be suited by today's move back up in trip, but others have more pressing claims.

16/1

6th

5

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:28 Worcester

Deer Hunter

11st 1lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Maiden; pulled up on last week's chasing debut but previous two efforts over hurdles, at this track, give him each-way claims.

12/1

Form: 2661-0

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won a small-field novice hurdle on fast ground at Exeter in October 2021 but not seen again until Boxing Day when tailed off in a handicap at Wincanton; was in rear throughout that day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

12

11th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:10 Taunton

Battle March

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Lightly raced and generally very disappointing since winning small-field novice in October 2021 but proved some ability remains when third of 16 over C&D (good) five weeks ago; now needs to build on that performance.

8/1

3rd

14

6th Feb 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:50 Taunton

Battle March

10st 7lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

in touch with leaders, slow jump 1st, not fluent 3 out

66/1

0

5

13th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Battle March

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Won a small-field novice hurdle on fast ground over C&D in October 2021; off 445 days before failing to spark last winter, including with his jumping; dropped a total of 12lb as a result of those two runs.

33/1

Form: 5P6-26

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Was in no form on the Flat before finishing second in a big-field handicap hurdle at Chepstow in October; disappointing that he failed to build on that at Fontwell and he's becoming hard to predict.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

10th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Kempton

Optimistic Belief

10st 8lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Pat Phelan

Was in no form on the Flat before finishing second in a big-field handicap hurdle at Chepstow in October; disappointing that he failed to build on that at Fontwell and he's becoming hard to predict.

10/1

6th

5

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 49y

Class 5

15:27 Fontwell

Optimistic Belief

11st 5lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Pat Phelan

Badly out of form on the Flat this year but different story when second of 17 on handicap hurdle debut at Chepstow in October; up 2lb but repeat of that puts him right in the shake-up.

11/2

2nd

16

25th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Optimistic Belief

10st 10lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Pat Phelan

held up in rear, good headway before 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and kept on approaching last, no impression run-in

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.80
Straight Forecast £11.18
Tricast £28.35
Trifecta £31.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

No No Tango

RP Ratings:

Sami Bear

WEST COUNTRY:

Hardy Boy

D Express:

Optimistic Belief

TOPSPEED:

Justified

The Times:

No No Tango

The Guardian:

No No Tango

The Sun:

No No Tango

Daily Record:

No No Tango

The Star:

Hardy Boy

POSTDATA:

Sami Bear

Telegraph:

Sami Bear

Daily Mail:

Sami Bear

Daily Mirror:

Sami Bear