February 18 / 16.45 Ascot

16.45

Good

British European Breeders’ Fund EBF Mares’ Open NH Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5446
  • 1m 7f 152y
  • Class 3
  • 15 runners
SKY
View Course
British European Breeders’ Fund EBF Mares’ Open NH Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 452

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Outran triple-digit odds when staying-on fifth in Cheltenham Listed race (good ground) in November and lost out by only a neck after finishing well at Uttoxeter (heavy) in December; probably won't far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

24th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:37 Uttoxeter

Politacus

11st 10lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Returns to hurdling after going 0-5 over fences, producing only one effort of real note; nothing wrong with her mark if getting back in this discipline floats her boat.

5/1

6th

7

4th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

15:15 Warwick

Politacus

11st 3lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

No match for Irish Chorus here in March but she's got a handy pull in the weights with that rival and she lost a shoe when beaten 12l at Stratford; not discounted.

3/1

3rd

2

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

16:33 Stratford

Politacus

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Yet to add to her two hurdling successes (at about 2m4f) in this sphere but she comes here after a very good second of six in 2m Warwick handicap 20 days ago; that form is working out well so she's a big player eased 1lb for yard back among the winners.

100/30

7/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 1 D

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has the right type of pedigree for bumpers and kept on strongly for ready win on debut at Lingfield (AW) in December; contests a much stronger race here but it's very hard to gauge the limit of her ability.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Kay Tara Tara

10st 9lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Safely held on last month's chasing debut at Ludlow (2m4f, good) but that came after a 489-day absence and she's well handicapped on old hurdling form; no surprise if she gets closer to the target today.

10/1

4th

6

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

14:50 Ludlow

Kay Tara Tara

11st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Bumper (AW) and maiden hurdle winner for Alan King but she didn't progress; wore a tongue-tie when fair fifth on debut for this yard in November 2024 and she built on that in added cheekpieces when close second of four at Newcastle (also about 2m4f, good) a fortnight later; makes chase debut after 489 days away with the market likely to offer some clues.

9/1

2nd

4

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:55 Newcastle

Kay Tara Tara

11st 6lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

took keen hold, raced in third, good jump 3 out, challenging 2 out, led narrowly last, ridden run-in, no extra final 110yds, headed towards finish

13/2

16/1

  • Place: £9.40

Form: 5

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a bumper winner and made quite promising debut when fifth of 15 at Uttoxeter (heavy; about 15l behind Politacus) in December; today's faster ground needs to enable significant improvement if she is to land this prize, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

15:55 Leicester

Mighty Moth

11st 12lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Noel Williams

A winner over hurdles and off the mark as a chaser at the fourth attempt when breezing clear for a very comfortable win at Lingfield (2m4f, soft), beating Fortunefavorsdbold who runs earlier on the card; hit with an 8lb rise but the cheekpieces were new last time.

11/8

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to stable's fair hurdle winner Grosvenor Court; dam bumper winner, closely related to smart chaser Darkness and smart hurdler/chaser Cantlow; with stable running two, the market may provide some clues.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

13th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Mistral Milly

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: D J Jeffreys

Yet to win (0-10); is now rated 6lb lower than when runner-up at Hereford (2m5f, good to soft; for Emma Lavelle) over two years ago; reportedly bled from the nose when fourth of six at Warwick (2m; in an added tongue-tie) seven weeks ago; risks attached.

12/1

4th

4

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:58 Warwick

Mistral Milly

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: D J Jeffreys

She's on a competitive mark on what she showed in 2024 for Emma Lavelle and she was returning from a long absence when tailed off at 80-1 at Haydock three weeks ago; however, it's hard to be confident about her claims.

14/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a Listed Flat winner; drew nicely clear of the others with the runner-up when narrow winner of 17-runner Wincanton bumper (good to soft) on Boxing Day and ought to play a significant role under her penalty here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

18:40 Punchestown

Golden Ace

11st 5lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Fortuitous winner of the 2025 Champion Hurdle (same story in this season's Fighting Fifth); could only manage fifth when attempting to retain her crown (9.75l behind Lossiemouth); posted another solid effort in the Aintree Hurdle last time when fourth (2m4f, good to soft); return to 2m should suit, cheekpieces go on and she was second in this contest last year (good) but may need further luck to increase Grade 1 haul.

8/1

4th

7

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Golden Ace

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Fortuitous winner of the 2025 Champion Hurdle (same story in the Fighting Fifth) and finished only fifth, behind some of today's rivals, when attempting to retain her crown; largely consistent and has won over 2m4f but increasing her Grade 1 tally may require further luck.

12/1

5th

8

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Golden Ace

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Record of 3-4 at Cheltenham features two Festival wins, beating Brighterdaysahead in the Grade 2 novice hurdle in 2024 then admittedly fortuitous (left in lead when State Man took a late fall; odds-on Constitution Hill exited earlier) when 25-1 in this race last year; also had fortune on her side in this season's Fighting Fifth as the front two in the market, including The New Lion, failed to complete; ran creditably on Boxing Day when last seen; largely consistent and should go well but may require further luck to retain her crown.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a useful hurdler; easily beat a subsequent bumper winner to win by 8l on Irish point debut (soft) in February 2022; today's rules debut comes after a one-year absence and it's slightly unnerving to see a hood fitted but she is with a top stable and could be anything.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

7

23rd Jan 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 4

15:10 Newbury

Between Waters

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Easy Irish point winner; runner-up in a pair of 2m5f hurdles for mares at Ludlow and there's no doubt some improvement lurking now raised in distance for her handicap debut; interesting to see the level of confidence behind her.

7/2

2nd

5

20th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

14:25 Ludlow

Between Waters

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Easy Irish point winner who was very respectable sixth in Ascot bumper on rules debut in February and chased home Lilting Verse over C&D (good to soft) when switched to hurdling last month; 7lb better off with her old rival today and still has significant potential.

3/1

2nd

1

9th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

14:00 Ludlow

Between Waters

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Irish point winner in February 2022; absent for a year before finishing sixth in an Ascot bumper (favourite); still retains potential and could be a threat to all now tackling hurdles for the first time.

2/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fifth foal; sister to useful Flat winner Influencer and half-sister to another three useful Flat winners; dam French Listed-placed 1m3f winner; stable not prolific in bumpers but this filly has an interesting pedigree.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

15th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

15:45 Fakenham

Birdhouse

10st 4lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Soft-ground C&D bumper winner last Easter but yet to run to a comparable level over hurdles, last month's Market Rasen handicap third in debuted cheekpieces (retained) still comprising a 13l beating; mark unchanged.

7/1

3rd

8

6th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

14:35 Market Rasen

Birdhouse

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

midfield, not fluent 4th, mistake 3 out

14/1

0

9

8th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:05 Taunton

Birdhouse

11st 1lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Resolute winner of a soft-ground bumper at Fakenham last April; has kept a low profile in two completions over hurdles but she's on a plater's mark and is surely capable of better at this modest level.

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth foal; half-sister to stable's fairly useful bumper/hurdle winner It's Probably Me and another hurdle winner; dam unraced half-sister to useful winners Kayf Grace (bumper/2m hurdle) and Missis Potts (2m-2m3f hurdle/chase); set a tough task on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 97y

Class 4

15:50 Ascot

Spring Gale

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Henry Daly

Unlikely that she had to improve to win a 2m3f Chepstow maiden (good) under Harry Cobden in April; brings potential into handicaps, especially now raised in distance.

9/2

2

23rd Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 97y

Class 4

15:50 Ascot

Spring Gale

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Henry Daly

Unlikely that she had to improve to win a 2m3f Chepstow maiden (good) under Harry Cobden in April; brings potential into handicaps, especially now raised in distance.

9/2

1st

16

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:39 Chepstow

Spring Gale

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Henry Daly

Consistent efforts since having wind surgery, most recently third in Hereford handicap (2m5f) despite lacking fluency; respected on ratings and the booking of Harry Cobden is a bonus.

11/4

Form: 4

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a Flat and fairly useful jumps winner; stayed on for fourth on debut at Lingfield (AW) in December but was over 7l behind Kay Tara Tara there and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

5th Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Warwick

Whispering Gold

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Behind Flight Of Freedom when sixth in Cheltenham bumper in April then was placed in a lesser event at Fontwell (good) the following month; not the most obvious answer today but worth keeping an eye on with the future in mind.

20/1

3rd

7

10th May 2023

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

20:15 Fontwell

Whispering Gold

11st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Nearly 4l behind Mays Hill on debut at Lingfield (AW) in December and safely held in good-quality events at Ascot and Cheltenham since; has her sights lowered today, though, and is not ruled out each-way.

16/1

6th

15

20th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 2

17:00 Cheltenham

Whispering Gold

11st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Stayed on for fourth on debut at Lingfield (AW) in December but then well held at Ascot when huge odds.

50/1

Form: 2

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to useful jumpers Danny Whizzbang and Lastbutnotleast; promising debut when keeping-on second of 15 behind Inion Tiogair at Ludlow (soft) six weeks ago; has possibilities if that outing has brought her on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

12th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 49y

Class 4

14:40 Fontwell

Bethka

11st 0lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Ability in bumpers and found plenty of improvement from her comeback run to finish a staying-on fourth at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft) when just over 4l behind Stuti; gives the impression that she's going to stay further than this; handles soft.

13/2

6/1

Form: 4

Last run: 94 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten when falling on point debut last spring but joined a good stable for her rules career and shaped with significant promise when fourth of 18 at Warwick (soft) in November; can improve if more relaxed in a first-time hood and she enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:35 Southwell

Our Nel

11st 11lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Harry Fry

Just a respectable fourth over fences at Taunton (2m5f, soft) seven weeks ago and now 0-9 under rules but reverts to hurdling on a workable mark and good ground also suits; tongue-tie added; a possible.

9/2

3

14th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:35 Southwell

Our Nel

11st 11lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Harry Fry

pressed leader

9/2

4th

3

26th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 150y

Class 5

16:50 Taunton

Our Nel

11st 9lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Harry Fry

Good start to chasing career when third behind two next-time-out winners at Fakenham (2m5f, soft) in December; was on the retreat when falling back at 2m2f here in early February (good ground no excuse) but hard to rule out.

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for 10,000euros last spring; out of a fairly useful bumper/hurdle/chase winner and represents stable which has an excellent bumper strike-rate (23%); well worth a glance in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

5th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

13:05 Wincanton

Cheskys In Milan

11st 0lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

took keen hold, midfield, dropped to rear after 3rd, no impression after 4 out, pulled up after 3 out

14/1

3

5th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

13:05 Wincanton

Cheskys In Milan

11st 0lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

took keen hold, midfield, dropped to rear after 3rd, no impression after 4 out, pulled up after 3 out

14/1

3rd

6

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

16:05 Hereford

Cheskys In Milan

10st 7lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Out of bumper and 2m3f/2m4f hurdle/chase winner; low key in two bumpers for Milton Harris in 2023 (11-10 favourite at Fontwell on latest); needs to improve for the change of scenery but market check advised.

5/1

Form: 21 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Built upon promise shown on debut in Ireland when causing 40-1 surprise at Ludlow (soft) last month; has quite a bit more on her plate but is open to further progress if the quicker ground suits.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

Inion Tiogair

11st 8lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

9yo who is exposed over hurdles but she scored over C&D (soft/good to soft) in two of her last three starts; 3lb higher than for her last win two weeks ago but she remains feasibly treated and should get a decent tow into this race; shortlisted.

11/4

1st

10

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Inion Tiogair

10st 12lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Drew clear to win by over 9l over C&D (soft) in February, opening her hurdling account at the 16th attempt; not sure to be ideally suited by today's forecast quicker ground but her 5lb higher mark ought to be manageable, and she certainly didn't run badly on heavy going at Ffos Las this month.

5/1

Form: 5

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third foal; sister to stable's useful hurdlers Robin's Dream and Jerrash; made low-key debut when well-held fifth at Fontwell (good to soft) last month and significant improvement is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

4th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 4

17:10 Newbury

Taras Light

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: Gary Moore

Had a physical excuse (lost her action in the early stages, soon pulled up, found to be lame) at Ascot two weeks ago; showed signs of ability at Fontwell in January but that bare form gives her modest claims.

50/1

10

18th Feb 2023

Good

1m 7f 152y

Class 3

16:45 Ascot

Taras Light

11st 2lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary Moore

Third foal; sister to stable's useful hurdlers Robin's Dream and Jerrash; made low-key debut when well-held fifth at Fontwell (good to soft) last month and significant improvement is needed.

40/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
£12,000 3yo; second foal; dam unraced half-sister to Flat/chase winner Toska Du Reponnet; stable has 3-30 strike-rate; will need to be useful to make a winning debut here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

13th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

20:45 Market Rasen

JVentile

10st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Oliver Signy

0-11 under rules and little sign of encouragement this year; hood is now removed and has plenty to prove.

40/1

7th

11

7th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

20:10 Fontwell

JVentile

10st 8lb

J: Mr Frederick Tett

T: Oliver Signy

always behind

33/1

7th

11

7th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

20:10 Fontwell

JVentile

10st 8lb

J: Mr Frederick Tett

T: Oliver Signy

always behind

33/1

Non-runners

J'Ventile

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £52.60
Straight Forecast £66.66
Trifecta £1698.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Between Waters

RP Ratings:

Politacus

The Times:

Golden Ace

The Star:

Bethka

The Guardian:

Our Nel

Telegraph:

Golden Ace

Daily Mirror:

Golden Ace

POSTDATA:

Politacus

WEST COUNTRY:

Politacus

D Express:

Politacus

LAMBOURN:

Between Waters

Daily Mail:

Between Waters

The Sun:

Between Waters

Daily Record:

Between Waters