March 22 / 17.00 Ffos Las

17.00

Soft

Vickers.Bet Independent Family Owned Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5809.1
  • 2m 7f 191y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Vickers.Bet Independent Family Owned Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.30
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 6263

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Unexposed having raced just four times over hurdles; made a promising handicap debut here (2m4f, good to soft; finished third) most recently, shaping as if this longer trip will suit; one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Ballydisco

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-12 over fences but he has competitive form and although no match for the winner at Uttoxeter (3m, good) that run was probably needed after an absence.

5/1

2nd

8

24th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:12 Uttoxeter

Ballydisco

11st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-11 over fences but he has the form to feature off this mark if ready to rock on his stable debut after a long absence; the market should be informative.

8/1

3

20th Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

15:10 Sedgefield

Ballydisco

11st 7lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent

100/30

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.30
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 311121 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Has a strike-rate of 4-6 during a progressive 2022-23 campaign and his form stacks up well; justified favouritism at Wetherby (3m, soft) most recently, beating a subsequent scorer and taking record over 2m7f/3m to 3-3; commands respect despite racing off a triple-digit mark for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

15:15 Haydock

The Imposter

11st 12lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Nigel Hawke

Made it a remarkable nine wins (heavy-good to soft) from his last ten starts when scoring at Chepstow (2m7f) last December; pulled up on his only outing since but that was a tough ask in a hot handicap here four weeks ago, after an absence of nearly a year, and he's not written off.

14/1

2

21st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

15:15 Haydock

The Imposter

11st 12lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Nigel Hawke

Made it a remarkable nine wins (heavy-good to soft) from his last ten starts when scoring at Chepstow (2m7f) last December; pulled up on his only outing since but that was a tough ask in a hot handicap here four weeks ago, after an absence of nearly a year, and he's not written off.

14/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 32-525

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden who has consistent form on the whole, close fifth at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft) most recently; first-time cheekpieces may activate success, as he gives the impression headgear will suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

30th May 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 2

19:35 Stratford

Learntalot

12st 0lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Alan Hill

Held on to land the restricted race on this card last year, and this month's 7l Cheltenham fourth (3m1f, good) was stronger form again; more needed, but oughtn't fail for stamina judged on midwinter 3m4f point win.

25/1

5

30th May 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 2

19:35 Stratford

Learntalot

12st 0lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Alan Hill

Held on to land the restricted race on this card last year, and this month's 7l Cheltenham fourth (3m1f, good) was stronger form again; more needed, but oughtn't fail for stamina judged on midwinter 3m4f point win.

25/1

4th

5

2nd May 2025

Good

3m 1f 56y

Class 4

17:45 Cheltenham

Learntalot

12st 0lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Alan Hill

prominent, briefly led 12th, pressed leader home turn, weakened approaching last

9/1

Form: 2F-746

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Four-time point winner who earned a couple of silver medals (hurdle/chase) last season; not in quite the same form this term but today's first-time cheekpieces may prompt an upturn off a reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

21st Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

13:35 Market Rasen

Concrete King

10st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

held up in rear, raced wide when on turn after 2nd, headway from 3rd, lost position after 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

10/1

5th

6

1st Jun 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

16:55 Hexham

Concrete King

10st 9lb

J: John Kington

T: L J Morgan

Has won four points, but 0-20 under rules (12 over fences); best recent run when second over 2m3f at Fontwell in March (heavy); quite interesting with visor replacing cheekpieces on stable debut.

11/1

7th

8

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

15:30 Fontwell

Concrete King

10st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Neil Mulholland

Has very mixed record this season but ran well and looked the likely winner for a long way before weakening into third over C&D (heavy; just behind Mister Murchan) last month; 2lb lower today; can't rule out.

6/1

Form: 55761 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 5yo who opened his account in C&D contest (on good ground) 17 days ago when having only his second attempt at handicap level and first go at 3m under rules; could well build on that success and improve further; major contender up just 4lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Oct 2026

Good To Soft

3m 3f 208y

Class 4

17:13 Ffos Las

Puddlesinthepark

11st 11lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Mrs C Williams

Took this 12 months ago; winless since but he didn't enjoy a smooth run when sixth of eight in 3m1f handicap chase at Cartmel in May; no surprise to see this three-time course scorer play a prominent role back here.

13/2

6th

7

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

15:55 Cartmel

Puddlesinthepark

10st 12lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Mrs C Williams

A three-time scorer (including over C&D) last season; hinted at a revival when a never-nearer fifth over 3m4f at Taunton last month so needs considering off a slipping mark.

10/1

5th

4

9th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 85y

Class 4

16:15 Taunton

Puddlesinthepark

11st 4lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Mrs C Williams

Five-time chase winne, the latest at Ffos Las (3m4f, good) off this mark in October; has been below par in three runs since but his usual cheekpieces are back on and he may appreciate this better ground.

6/1

Form: 14-346

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Soft-ground bumper winner who has made the frame twice over hurdles; only midfield here (2m4f, good, beaten 12l; handicap debut) most recently but may improve for this return to a slower surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Copper Cove

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Dominic Elsworth

Bumper/hurdle winner who goes well on slow ground; he returned to fences at Hereford two weeks ago and looked booked for second when falling late on; has a chance off 1lb lower.

11/4

2

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

Copper Cove

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Dominic Elsworth

Mud lover who suffered big defeats both starts over fences for Jonjo O'Neill; couldn't land a gamble on his fourth outing for this yard when second of eight over hurdles at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) last month; suitability for chasing and this trip unproven but weighted to be competitive.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: P-F5P0 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 1lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Defied a 4lb higher mark in mares' event at Ascot last term; not in anything like the same form (over hurdles/fences) this season and failed to beat a rival on latest outing; major revival is required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:32 Chepstow

Tequila Blaze

12st 1lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Retains plenty of ability aged ten and won well under Tom Broughton at Southwell (3m, good to soft) in February; however, held off this mark since and faces some unexposed types in this field; vulnerable.

10/1

4th

2

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:32 Chepstow

Tequila Blaze

12st 1lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Retains plenty of ability aged ten and won well under Tom Broughton at Southwell (3m, good to soft) in February; however, held off this mark since and faces some unexposed types in this field; vulnerable.

10/1

5th

4

27th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:00 Wincanton

Tequila Blaze

11st 0lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Hadn't been firing at all but she fairly bolted up over this far at Southwell (good to soft) 54 days ago; back up 7lb but had got herself well handicapped.

8/1

Form: -655F6

Last run: 90 days

W: 10st 10lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Very well handicapped on peak form having gained last three wins off 24lb higher; however, declined badly in 2022 and needs to turn things around markedly on this first 2023 outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

22nd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

17:00 Ffos Las

Runasimi River

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Peter Bowen

always towards rear

25/1

6th

6

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:10 Ffos Las

Runasimi River

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter Bowen

Multiple hurdle winner (various ground) when trained by Neil Mulholland but badly out of form over fences/hurdles for Peter Bowen this autumn; refitted cheekpieces didn't do much for her two starts ago; sports first-time visor today; has a lot to prove but lurks on a dangerous mark and is worth a glance in the betting.

33/1

Form: P6-125 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Ran creditably on soft going in October but may ideally need a sound surface having gained both wins on good; disappointing back on that ground last time; cheeekpieces added in bounce-back mission.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

24th Oct 2023

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 3

16:00 Exeter

Gentleman Valley

11st 12lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Won three in a row in early part of this season (2m7f-3m1f) and was set to finish second off today's mark before last-flight fall at Warwick (2m5f, good) this month; respected.

7/1

0

5

5th Oct 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:35 Warwick

Gentleman Valley

11st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

In fine form in the summer and completed his hat-trick in 2m7f Worcester handicap hurdle; posted another solid effort off a 6lb higher mark when fourth at Stratford (3m2f) last time so he's shortlisted.

5/1

4th

4

3rd Aug 2023

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 3

17:25 Stratford

Gentleman Valley

11st 9lb

J: Dylan Whelan

T: Ben Pauling

Has his quirks but going great guns this summer and completed a hat-trick with a career-best effort at Worcester last month; has form on soft ground and no surprise if he proves up to this 6lb higher mark.

9/4

Form: 1561-4 D

Last run: 127 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Successful in a couple of Class 5 handicaps on soft ground last term; however, posted a modest effort in this grade on sole run this season (November) and has a bit to prove in this similar event.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

19th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

14:00 Exeter

My Last Oscar

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Ploughed through the heavy ground when winning at Hexham in December (3m; from an 8lb lower mark); arguably that wasn't the strongest of races though, and he was never travelling when pulled up at Taunton subsequently; some work to do in these newly applied cheekpieces.

8/1

3

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

16:25 Taunton

My Last Oscar

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

C&D winner who is prone to the odd lesser effort but he has a healthy strike-rate in handicaps at 2m7f+ and made light of heavy ground at Hexham in December (2m7f); up 8lb but still respected.

8/1

1st

1

13th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

15:20 Hexham

My Last Oscar

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Taunton winner in March 2022 (3m, soft); has not run as well since, although fair effort after a break when 20l third at Warwick last time (3m2f, soft); a possible.

7/2

Form: 225/P8

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 8lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 10yo; point winner in 2018 and runner-up twice over hurdles in 2020; has achieved little in two starts since returning from long absence, however; cheekpieces applied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

7th Jun 2023

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

16:10 Newton Abbot

Gios Girl

11st 1lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Polly Gundry

Twice runner-up at the end of 2020 but little in four starts this year, after a very long absence; cheekpieces back in place of blinkers.

25/1

9th

4

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:45 Chepstow

Gios Girl

11st 6lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Polly Gundry

Runner-up twice over 2m7f in the mud late in 2020 and she'd be a player on that form, but she has returned from a long absence with three disappointing runs this year (2m5f-3m; cheekpieces added last time); now tries blinkers.

20/1

4

4th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

15:00 Fontwell

Gios Girl

10st 8lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Polly Gundry

Runner-up twice over 2m7f on slow ground towards end of 2020 but has returned from a long absence with three disappointing runs this year (2m5f-3m; cheekpieces added last time) and it's questionable whether today's drop in trip will suit.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.40
Straight Forecast £10.71
Tricast £47.06
Trifecta £55.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Imposter

The Guardian:

Puddlesinthepark

WEST COUNTRY:

Ballydisco

Daily Mirror:

Learntalot

D Express:

Puddlesinthepark

The Sun:

Puddlesinthepark

The Star:

Puddlesinthepark

Daily Record:

Ballydisco

RP Ratings:

The Imposter

TOPSPEED:

The Imposter

POSTDATA:

The Imposter

The Times:

The Imposter

Telegraph:

The Imposter

Daily Mail:

The Imposter