March 18 / 13.50 Uttoxeter

13.50

Soft

Your Dream Holiday With Optimum Experience Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7393.4
  • 2m 3f 207y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Your Dream Holiday With Optimum Experience Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.40
  • Place: £2.60

Form: /11-10 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
First start for 552 days and first-time headgear when winning seven-runner handicap chase at Hereford (2m5f, soft) in December; never involved in a competitive 3m handicap chase at Sandown next time but he does have a lower mark to work with back hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

25th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

16:05 Cartmel

Equus Dancer

10st 9lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Never that threatening when inheriting second over 3m5f here three months ago, finishing 10l behind Ilikedwayurthinkin; this shorter trip could be a plus but an 11yo now.

12/1

2nd

3

26th May 2025

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

16:05 Cartmel

Equus Dancer

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Has won four times over fences, the latest over 2m5f at Hereford in first-time cheekpieces in December 2022; stable going great guns but needs to recapture his form after two modest runs this year; stamina to prove.

9/2

15/8

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 3-211 CD

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Switches to handicap company on the back of novice hurdle wins over C&D (good to soft) and at Wetherby (extended 2m3f; soft); while it would be tough to argue his opening mark looks lenient he should have more to come in this sphere for his top stable; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

18th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Hitching Jacking

11st 8lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

midfield but in touch with leaders

6/1

6th

9

18th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Hitching Jacking

11st 8lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

midfield but in touch with leaders

6/1

12/1

  • Place: £4.00

Form: P/7887 D

Last run: 86 days

W: 10st 3lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Beaten a long way on all four outings since returning from a long absence but his mark is in freefall as a result; given 12 weeks off and worth a precautionary betting check with cheekpieces refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

8th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Carlisle

Limited Reserve

11st 11lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Christian Williams

First sign of retaining ability since returning from a long absence when 4l third over 2m4f at Uttoxeter in refitted cheekpieces (retained) three weeks ago; not certain to benefit from this shorter trip but he is well handicapped.

7/1

3rd

10

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Limited Reserve

10st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Beaten a long way on all four outings since returning from a long absence but his mark is in freefall as a result; given 12 weeks off and worth a precautionary betting check with cheekpieces refitted.

12/1

7th

9

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:40 Ffos Las

Limited Reserve

10st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Back from long absence with three disappointing efforts this autumn; ran well to a point in refitted cheekpieces at Kempton (3m, soft) last time and is too well handicapped to be ruled out but he has a lot more to prove than some; no headgear today.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1P8-P2 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Won a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Warwick last season but he ran no sort of race (stopped quickly) in the Lanzarote at Kempton on his reappearance and was beaten 35l when second on his Catterick chase debut since; has something to prove at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Stag Horn

11st 12lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Archie Watson

disputed lead, led before 3 out, ridden and joined 2 out, headed and weakened approaching last

9/1

2nd

3

28th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 51y

Class 3

14:15 Catterick

Stag Horn

11st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Archie Watson

Won a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Warwick last season and predictably struggled in Grade 1 company afterwards; didn't run much of a race on his reappearance in the Lanzarote at Kempton (2m5f handicap) but he's clearly a strong contender at this level if taking to fences; has won on fast ground.

2/1

7

14th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Kempton

Stag Horn

11st 2lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Archie Watson

Won the Leamington at Warwick on this day 12 months ago, taking hurdles record to 2-2; exposed in a couple of 3m Grade 1 races subsequently; drops in class but lacks recent match practice (absent for nine months).

16/1

Form: 4-9124 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer who got back on track with a win at Wetherby (2m5f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; creditable in-frame efforts both starts since; ought to give his running again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

14:15 Carlisle

Raffertys Return

11st 4lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Defied much higher marks twice, including over C&D, a couple of years ago; has failed to repeat the form since and ran particularly poorly last time.

16/1

10th

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

13:50 Doncaster

Raffertys Return

11st 13lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Rebecca Menzies

Five-time hurdle winner who continues to drop down the weights; however, it's a long time since this 11yo has been competitive.

33/1

7th

8

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Carlisle

Raffertys Return

11st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Five-time winner, including over 2m3f here; hasn't been at his best in two runs this season and probably best watched in what looks a competitive event.

50/1

Form: 3P7-37

Last run: 26 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Made a good return to action when third in the competitive Lanzarote at Kempton (2m5f, soft) in January; that was a particularly gruelling race (only four of 20 finished) and he perhaps wasn't over those exertions when fading out of it at Carlisle since; more than capable off this mark if close to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

31st May 2025

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Up For Parol

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Largely consistent 9yo who makes a quick reappearance after finishing well to take close fourth from a long way off the pace at Cartmel (3m1f, good to soft) on Monday; may not be ideally suited by the faster ground here.

7/2

2nd

2

31st May 2025

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Up For Parol

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Largely consistent 9yo who makes a quick reappearance after finishing well to take close fourth from a long way off the pace at Cartmel (3m1f, good to soft) on Monday; may not be ideally suited by the faster ground here.

7/2

5

26th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:30 Cartmel

Up For Parol

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Ended a long losing run at Ffos Las (3m) in January and not disgraced when sixth of 17 in 2m7f Uttoxeter handicap last time; possibilities eased 1lb.

14/1

Form: 1P-4PP D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won pair of handicap chases last term but has been pulled up in similar events on his last two starts; needs a return to hurdles and new headgear (blinkers instead of cheekpieces) to spark a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

20:10 Chepstow

Chinwag

11st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Well handicapped judged on hurdle and chase form of previous campaigns; this is his first season without a win and he's been right out of form when trying headgear on last three starts; no headgear today but, after one attempt last November, his stamina for this sort of trip has not been proved.

40/1

7th

8

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Chinwag

11st 4lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Neil Mulholland

disputed lead, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly 2 out

16/1

5

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 2

16:03 Newcastle

Chinwag

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Neil Mulholland

Won twice last season and has dropped below his last winning mark; however, he was pulled up last March and there's been no return to peak form on his two outings this term; needs to raise his game.

14/1

Form: 3PP-10 D

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Back to form with a bang when making a winning reappearance at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) in November; disappointed at Kempton on Boxing Day but given time to get over that and could bounce back for a stable which continues to knock in the winners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Optimise Prime

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Ben Pauling

midfield, lost position and ridden halfway, weakened and pulled up before 3 out

7/1

6

26th Dec 2022

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:40 Kempton

Optimise Prime

11st 5lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Ben Pauling

in touch with leaders, mistake 5th, pushed along and dropped to midfield when bit short of room after 4 out

11/1

1st

2

15th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 3

14:00 Lingfield

Optimise Prime

11st 13lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

in touch with leaders

8/1

Form: 125-58

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Second in a C&D novice (soft) on this day last year; well beaten in a pair of 3m handicaps this winter but it's possible that trip stretches his stamina and he has a reduced mark to work with back over shorter; no shock were he to revive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

31st Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

13:45 Newcastle

Del La Mar Rocket

11st 7lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Hannah McMahon

Bumper and 2m6f hurdle winner on soft ground; formerly with Ben Pauling, for whom he lost his way; changed hands for £2,000 in February; cheekpieces go on; best watched on first start for this trainer.

100/1

5

31st Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

13:45 Newcastle

Del La Mar Rocket

11st 7lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Hannah McMahon

Bumper and 2m6f hurdle winner on soft ground; formerly with Ben Pauling, for whom he lost his way; changed hands for £2,000 in February; cheekpieces go on; best watched on first start for this trainer.

100/1

Form: 12-8P6 D

Last run: 78 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Triple hurdle and chase winner at up to 2m3f when trained by Guillaume Macaire in France; well beaten in two chases and a hurdle for this yard at the end of last year but he returns from an 11-week break with a reduced mark and his stable among the winners; one to keep a close eye on in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

22nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

14:08 Catterick

Batman For Ever

11st 2lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Ex-French; last April's win was in a point and he's 0-9 under rules in Britain; third of 13 in handicap at Uttoxeter (3m, good) last June on latest outing, which gives him a place chance if he's okay after the break.

5/1

7

22nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

14:08 Catterick

Batman For Ever

11st 2lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Ex-French; last April's win was in a point and he's 0-9 under rules in Britain; third of 13 in handicap at Uttoxeter (3m, good) last June on latest outing, which gives him a place chance if he's okay after the break.

5/1

3rd

6

6th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Uttoxeter

Batman For Ever

11st 3lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Won a 2m3f chase (soft) when trained by Guillaume Macaire; unable to replicate his French form for either Rebecca Menzies or Stuart Coltherd but did win a point for the latter in April; more needed back under rules.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.60
Straight Forecast £30.46
Tricast £431.79
Trifecta £475.50

Selections

Daily Mail:

Hitching Jacking

SPOTLIGHT:

Optimise Prime

TOPSPEED:

Up For Parol

Telegraph:

Stag Horn

POSTDATA:

Rafferty's Return

Daily Mirror:

Hitching Jacking

The Sun:

Hitching Jacking

The Star:

Hitching Jacking

The Times:

Up For Parol

The Guardian:

Up For Parol

RP Ratings:

Optimise Prime

WEST COUNTRY:

Optimise Prime

D Express:

Optimise Prime

Daily Record:

Stag Horn