March 13 / 15.15 Stratford

15.15

Good To Soft

Better Value With Racecourse Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Qual’)

  • Prize money: £5624.26
  • 2m 0f 70y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Better Value With Racecourse Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Qual’)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.80
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 3-2545

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Promising efforts in some decent novices and he travelled as well as anything before finishing a 5l fifth on his handicap debut at Warwick (2m, good); being keen that day didn't help and this venue could suit him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Bubble Dubi

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Has run just four times since 2023; returned from long absence to win at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) last November but failed to repeat the form in prestigious handicaps at Newbury and Sandown; something to prove.

50/1

8

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Bubble Dubi

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Won at Chepstow (2m, heavy) in February 2024 and this 9yo was racing for the first time since when winning at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) in November 2025; he's a lot better than he showed at Newbury latest (2m, heavy; again failed to settle) but is hard to fancy on the back of that heavy defeat.

50/1

8th

9

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

Bubble Dubi

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Missed last term but showed further progress to score readily at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) in sole outing this season, albeit the form may not be reliable as several hurdles were omitted; on a stiffer mark and goes up sharply in class.

20/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 34-333 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Won twice over hurdles in 2021; respectable thirds in this discipline during mid-winter before struggling back over fences; has each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

18th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 49y

Class 4

15:48 Fontwell

Word Has It

12st 0lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

raced lazily at times, in touch with leaders, mistake and jockey unbalanced 2nd, not fluent 5th, outpaced and lost position before 4 out, soon no impression, tailed off

6/1

6th

1

15th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

13:20 Sandown

Word Has It

12st 0lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

3-13 over hurdles and largely reliable, with no ground worries; won what was effectively a match on reappearance at Fontwell (2m1f, heavy) in November and ran creditably at Warwick on sole start since; relatively exposed but firmly in calculations.

4/1

OUR TIP

5/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1- D

Last run: 493 days

W: 12st 1lb

5 yo Horse

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Beat Gordon Elliott's high-class hurdler Fil Dor on the Flat in France (1m6f) and he comfortably justified favouritism on his hurdling debut at Warwick (good) in November 2021; absent since but would be tempting if strong in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

19:50 Stratford

In This World

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Won twice for the Skeltons; showed his best form for his current yard when fifth of eight at Warwick (2m, good) 26 days ago; his mark continues to drop and he should find another opening at some point.

7/1

5th

5

4th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

15:15 Warwick

In This World

11st 7lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Won twice for Dan Skelton but opposable on what he's shown in last four races, all handicaps divided between hurdles and fences.

20/1

5th

2

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

In This World

11st 10lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Won twice for Dan Skelton but showed little for current yard in three starts last year; hard to fancy.

25/1

Form: 341525 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
The winner of four handicap hurdles, the first here and then three at Taunton; very nearly landed another at the latter track last month, and her latest run there was too bad to be true; high in the weights but not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

19:20 Stratford

Amelias Dance

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Robert Walford

Runner-up five times last season but not at best when well-held fourth at Taunton (2m, soft) in March; pulled up after a bad early mistake at Kempton last month.

5/1

5th

1

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

19:20 Stratford

Amelias Dance

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Robert Walford

led, pressed leader when headed 2nd, led last (usual 2 out), headed home turn, weakened final 110yds

5/1

4

22nd Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton

Amelias Dance

11st 12lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

midfield, bad mistake and almost fell 3rd, soon pulled up quickly

14/1

Form: -24314 CD

Last run: 44 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Appeared suited by the return to hurdles when hammering a subsequent winner in a mares' handicap at Chepstow (2m, soft) and was always up against it in a Grade 2 next time won by Epatante; 8lb higher than for that last win but should be in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

7th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Sedgefield

Galice Macalo

12st 2lb

J: Mr Peter Summers

T: Jane Williams

Returned to form with an easy win under Peter Summers when back over fences at Leicester (2m, soft) last month; that was a first chase victory at the 11th attempt and she beat only two rivals, but it's hard to knock that performance otherwise and a 4lb rise isn't harsh.

5/2

1st

1

10th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

15:20 Leicester

Galice Macalo

12st 0lb

J: Mr Peter Summers

T: Jane Williams

Soundly beaten over hurdles last month and evidently not as good as she was but began this season with two very respectable chase runs (one in a Listed race) and is sure to appreciate today's ease in grade; versatile regarding ground; must be considered.

7/2

4th

1

6th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 2

14:35 Ludlow

Galice Macalo

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Returned to hurdles for a dominant 10l success at Chepstow in January (soft) off only a 3lb lower mark but lost her way a little afterwards; following wind surgery she seems back in good order judged on recent chase efforts (0-10 compared with 4-16 hurdling) and has plenty in her favour back in this discipline; should give it a good go from the front.

7/2

Form: 82P-45 CD BF

Last run: 83 days

W: 12st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
A case can be made on plenty of his form, but he didn't impress with his finishing effort in handicap chases at Ascot or Ludlow before finishing well held on the AW; reservations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

16th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 103y

Class 3

19:35 Aintree

Gumball

11st 6lb

J: Miss Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Wasn't in the best of form in second half of last season; on a fair mark now, but others stronger.

9/1

8th

2

19th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

17:00 Cheltenham

Gumball

11st 13lb

J: Miss Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

A case can be made on plenty of his form, but he didn't impress with his finishing effort in handicap chases at Ascot or Ludlow before finishing well held on the AW and again back over hurdles a month ago.

25/1

6th

1

13th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:15 Stratford

Gumball

12st 2lb

J: Miss Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

A case can be made on plenty of his form, but he didn't impress with his finishing effort in handicap chases at Ascot or Ludlow before finishing well held on the AW; reservations.

5/1

Form: -21710 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Found the Betfair Hurdle too big an ask last time but he's 3-9 over hurdles and won comfortably at Doncaster the time before off 9lb lower; current mark asks a question but he travels well and has form on tight tracks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

1st Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 3

19:10 Market Rasen

Restitution

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

took keen hold, prominent, pressed leader after 5th, hit 7th

11/1

6th

4

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

19:25 Warwick

Restitution

11st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Displayed huge improvement when sauntering to 12l win at Doncaster (2m, good) in December and put two lesser efforts behind him when staying-on third at Wincanton (2m5f, good to soft) last month; still unexposed over this trip and may benefit from the addition of cheekpieces.

6/1

3rd

3

16th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

14:25 Wincanton

Restitution

11st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Alan King

Appeared to display huge improvement when sauntering to 12l win at Doncaster (2m, good) in December; subsequent defeat in major handicap is not viewed harshly but he looked out of sorts at Stratford last month and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.

20/1

Form: -37421 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
No match for Thor De Cerisy at Ffos Las but then won narrowly at Chepstow (2m, good to soft); only 2-25 overall and this looks a bit deeper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Zambezi Fix

12st 0lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Has been struggling for form since reappearing in October and offered little encouragement on April's return from just over two months off; has come a long way down in the weights and drops into a Class 5, but that's for good reason and he needs to turn things around.

12/1

6th

9

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:15 Chepstow

Zambezi Fix

10st 7lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Bernard Llewellyn

All three hurdle wins have come over C&D but he failed to beat a rival here in December and was tailed off again at Ffos Las in January; overall record is now 4-48 and others are preferred.

16/1

6th

4

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Ffos Las

Zambezi Fix

11st 11lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Veteran who is normally suited by Chepstow but failed to beat a rival back there last time; not particularly solid on his form this season.

20/1

Form: 60-315 D BF

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Emphatically returned to winning ways in a 2m heavy-ground handicap hurdle at Ffos Las (off 5lb lower) before cutting out quickly after a mistake on his return to fences there (in new cheekpieces that are retained); would prefer softer ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:45 Uttoxeter

Thor De Cerisy

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

raced in last but in touch with leaders, outpaced after 4 out, weakened 2 out

8/1

4th

3

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:45 Uttoxeter

Thor De Cerisy

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

raced in last but in touch with leaders, outpaced after 4 out, weakened 2 out

8/1

3rd

4

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:15 Chepstow

Thor De Cerisy

11st 3lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway and went second before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon outpaced, not fluent last, weakened and lost second run-in

7/1

Form: 13P/2- D

Last run: 679 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Returns from a long absence but he was useful on the Flat for James Fanshawe and his only real blip in four runs over hurdles came in a Grade 1; lurks on a dangerous mark and could be interesting should market vibes be encouraging.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

2nd Jul 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:25 Uttoxeter

Bombyx

11st 8lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Lucy Wadham

Long absences in his career but retains plenty of his ability judged on fifth of 12 at Ludlow in May; latest start (12 days ago) was voided early on; unraced beyond 2m; not entirely dismissed.

6/1

3

21st Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Worcester

Bombyx

11st 9lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Long absences in career but retains ability, as he showed when fifth at Ludlow last month; would have a live chance if appearing here.

7/1

9

20th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:30 Stratford

Bombyx

10st 13lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

in touch with leaders, pulled up before 4th, race voided

7/1

Non-runners

Zambezi Fix, Thor De Cerisy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.30
Straight Forecast £28.67
Tricast £81.17
Trifecta £110.20

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Galice Macalo

The Times:

In This World

RP Ratings:

Zambezi Fix

SPOTLIGHT:

Bubble Dubi

POSTDATA:

Amelia's Dance

The Star:

Thor De Cerisy

D Express:

In This World

The Sun:

In This World

WEST COUNTRY:

Galice Macalo

Telegraph:

Galice Macalo

The Guardian:

Galice Macalo

Daily Mail:

Galice Macalo

Daily Record:

Galice Macalo

Daily Mirror:

Zambezi Fix