February 14 / 15.20 Fontwell

15.20

Soft

Southern Cranes & Access Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 2m 1f 162y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Southern Cranes & Access Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 667-72 BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Sole win (ten races) came in a soft-ground bumper; tongue tied for his two starts this season, back to form when second of ten under Benjamin Macey in handicap at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) on latest; that puts him in the mix despite going back up 2lb.
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

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 231

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
French AW Flat winner; placed in Britain on first two runs over hurdles, before a runaway win from the front when 8-13 in six-runner juvenile hurdle at Wetherby (2m, soft) three weeks ago; could do with brushing up his jumping but there's a good chance that he'll prove better than today's opening mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

18:37 Chepstow

Torneo

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Jumping let him down in what was effectively a 0-150 handicap here latest (2m3f, good to soft); his string of low-130s RPRs before that read well in tonight's company, however, and although still 9lb above any mark defied he did land a C&D novice handicap last year on one other visit.

Evs

6th

3

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:32 Chepstow

Torneo

10st 8lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Jamie Snowden

Competitive in all his runs this season but has edged up the weights in the process and all his form is at about 2m; may need to find improvement for this longer trip if he's to defy current mark in this competitive a contest.

7/1

4th

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

13:10 Kelso

Torneo

11st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Two wins during last season's novice chase campaign (2m, soft/good) and runner-up on three of his four starts this season, most recently going close at Windsor (2m, soft) behind a progressive winner; climbing the weights in defeat but leading claims today nevertheless.

9/4

50/1

  • Place: £16.20

Form: 126-P9

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Shock winner of a Wincanton novice last March and bumped into a pretty useful mare next time at Ludlow (2m, soft); however, uncompetitive in her three handicaps since, one for former yard and two for her new one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

(4)

8th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 3

18:38 Kempton (AW)

Stopherandgo

9st 13lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: David Flood

A fair hurdles winner for Claire Harris in 2023 but this veteran mare offered little over hurdles and fences for Kevin Pickard last season; Flat debutante.

100/1

9th

11

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:10 Taunton

Stopherandgo

10st 2lb

J: James Robottom

T: Kevin Pickard

On a lengthy losing sequence and she has been pulled up in handicap chases at Wincanton (3m1f) and Ludlow (2m4f) either side of Christmas; reverts to hurdles with lots to prove.

25/1

Form: 312/23

Last run: 19 days

W: 12st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 10yo whose sole win was in January 2022, with a 660-day absence before this season; beaten a neck in three-runner race on reappearance but too far at Sandown last time for that to be called a creditable effort; bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

14th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

15:20 Fontwell

Nashville Nipper

12st 1lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

in touch with leaders

12/1

3rd

4

26th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

13:50 Sandown

Nashville Nipper

11st 11lb

J: Lt Billy Aprahamian

T: Toby Lawes

Back from a long absence at Fontwell a month ago (2m1f, good to soft) and he pushed a well-in winner all the way; these softer conditions won't inconvenience him if he can hold his form (usually consistent).

15/2

2nd

3

26th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 3

11:57 Fontwell

Nashville Nipper

11st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Toby Lawes

Consistent sort who ran well off 3lb higher on last appearance; however, badly lacks recent match practice (absent since March 2022) and takes on a couple of last-time-out scorers.

10/1

Form: 88-236

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 6yo; placed in a novice and maiden to start this season but handicap debut at Wincanton (2m5f) on latest outing was disappointing, all three of those races on heavy going; there's now a rethink about his trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Uttoxeter

Intimate

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Bounced back to form when second of six in 2m3f Hereford handicap chase 20 days ago; he must enter calculations nudged up 1lb in his bid for a breakthrough chasing victory.

3/1

2nd

1

23rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

14:40 Hereford

Intimate

12st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Ended last season with emphatic hurdle win here (2m, soft) and was creditable second on seasonal/chase debut at Sandown (1m7f, soft) in December; two lesser efforts have followed but it would be dangerous to write him off at this stage.

100/30

4th

4

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 4

13:45 Hereford

Intimate

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won a 2m soft-ground handicap hurdle by 10l here last March; his jumping lacked fluency so did well to go so close on chase debut at Sandown (1m7f, soft) and conditions were extremely testing when fourth at Haydock; massive shout on that penultimate effort.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: 811622 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row last May-July on good ground (two hurdle races here and a Flat handicap) and runner-up in the mud on latest two starts; raised another 4lb but he's still going the right way and one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

18:20 Fontwell

Hes A Latchico

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Four-time hurdle winner who has form figures of 11631 at Fontwell; has mixed record this season but he went close at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) on his penultimate run and was rallying in a close fifth when he unseated two out at Kempton (2m, good) last time; one of two runners for the yard and he's an interesting contender back at this track.

11/2

3

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Kempton

Hes A Latchico

11st 10lb

J: Rob Hargreaves

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Gained his spring/autumn wins last year at about 2m; ran well over 2m4f at Plumpton most recently; may remain competitive, back down in distance.

4/1

2nd

7

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 3

14:50 Plumpton

Hes A Latchico

11st 1lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Took hurdles score to four when winning at Leicester (1m7.5f, soft) in November and produced a solid effort in his follow-up bid off this mark at Ascot the following month; however, he has to be forgiven a below-par effort at Sandown since.

16/1

Form: 5-7641 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won on February 1st last two seasons, easily making all under 7lb claimer over 2m on heavy at Ffos Las last time; that was five days after finishing about 9l behind Copper Cove at Uttoxeter; back up 6lb after that career best on latest run but firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

5th Jun 2024

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:10 Newton Abbot

Heure De Gloire

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Has done her winning at about 2m, latest at Ffos Las in February; soundly beaten on last four starts, with moves back up to about 2m4f/3m for last three; her one piece of 3m form was back in January 2022 but she is back 4lb lower than her last winning mark.

14/1

6th

6

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:00 Ffos Las

Heure De Gloire

11st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Placed over 3m early in career but has done her winning at about 2m, including twice at Ffos Las; modest fourth over 2m4f here most recently; bit to prove back up further in trip.

14/1

6th

6

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:00 Ffos Las

Heure De Gloire

11st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Placed over 3m early in career but has done her winning at about 2m, including twice at Ffos Las; modest fourth over 2m4f here most recently; bit to prove back up further in trip.

14/1

Form: 324/33

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Seen mostly on Flat; solid record in his five-race hurdles career, all minor honours, and he should be on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

3

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Bucephalus

11st 8lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Front-runner who regularly gives his all and was beaten off only on the run-in when third to Dance And Glance over C&D (good) five weeks ago; should make another bold bid but several of these look less exposed.

20/1

3rd

2

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 2

14:12 Haydock

Bucephalus

11st 13lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Front-runner who was second over C&D (good) in December and bounced back from being pulled up in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury (heavy) to make all in four-runner handicap at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft); has a career-high mark in this hotter race but he did it comfortably last time; could make a bold bid.

8/1

1st

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Bucephalus

11st 13lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Poached a nice advantage but unable to hold off a progressive rival at Haydock (2m, good; in added cheekpieces) on penultimate start; pulled up in deep in a Premier Handicap at Newbury (50-1) latest; chance back in calmer waters.

4/1

Form: 51P8-0

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Sole win Flat/jumps came in a maiden hurdle at Hereford (2m, soft) last January but he's struggled badly on all three starts in this code since; the latest was at Ascot in December when 200-1 following six months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:05 Plumpton

Tying The Knot

11st 1lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Daniel O’Brien

prominent

40/1

7th

9

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:05 Plumpton

Tying The Knot

11st 1lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Daniel O’Brien

prominent

40/1

7th

2

(2)

21st Mar 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Tying The Knot

9st 8lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Daniel O’Brien

Hurdle winner for Alan King in early 2023 but he had mixed form for that yard and has been rather down on his luck for this one so far, on the AW and over hurdles.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.80
Straight Forecast £18.97
Tricast £1778.07
Trifecta £1563.40

Selections

POSTDATA:

He's A Latchico

SPOTLIGHT:

Torneo

TOPSPEED:

Copper Cove

The Star:

Heure De Gloire

D Express:

Bucephalus

RP RATINGS:

Torneo

LAMBOURN:

Torneo

Telegraph:

Torneo

Daily Record:

Torneo

WEST COUNTRY:

Copper Cove

The Times:

He's A Latchico

The Guardian:

He's A Latchico

Daily Mail:

He's A Latchico

Daily Mirror:

He's A Latchico

The Sun:

He's A Latchico