March 09 / 16.02 Hereford

16.02

Soft

Betting.Bet Cheltenham Festival Free Bets Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 3f 147y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
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Betting.Bet Cheltenham Festival Free Bets Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £24.30
  • Place: £5.50

Form: 3-7406

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Beaten over 17l when weakening sixth on last month's handicap debut at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) but remains unexposed and, if his bumper form is a guide, drying ground might show him in a much better light here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th Oct 2025

Good

3m 3f 208y

Class 4

13:30 Ffos Las

Another Lord

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Three 3m wins (one here) this year; ran as though something was amiss two starts ago but bounced back with career-best performance at Uttoxeter (good) last month; could be hard to beat if this new trip suits.

5/4

1st

5

11th Sep 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:35 Uttoxeter

Another Lord

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Goes on any ground; won narrowly in a lower grade over C&D in June (3lb lower) before running no race at Market Rasen; clearly a contender if back on song.

7/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1/600-

Last run: 426 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner for different yard in spring 2022; well beaten in three maiden/novice hurdles last season and not seen since but stable has very good strike-rate with handicap debutants; sports first-time cheekpieces; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

4th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Rocky Hill

11st 3lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

in touch with leaders

5/1

3rd

5

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Ffos Las

Rocky Hill

11st 1lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Tom Lacey

Lightly raced 7yo who returned from long absence with good second on handicap debut at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) in March; fell mid-race there last month but still has potential and remains very much of interest.

15/8

3rd

5

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Ffos Las

Rocky Hill

11st 1lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Tom Lacey

prominent, edged left from 2 out, kept on but not pace to challenge

15/8

12/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 546643

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Ten-race maiden; made the frame on both starts last month, more recently when third of 14 here (2m5f, soft), but needs to find something extra today; 1lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

18:45 Fontwell

Damask

10st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

0-13 over hurdles for Tom Symonds, having signed off with two disappointing runs in the spring, but now 1lb lower than for creditable third of 13 at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) in March; changed hands for £13,000 in May and it will be interesting to see what Dan Skelton can do with her.

3/1

8th

12

27th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

15:40 Hereford

Damask

10st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Tom Symonds

Consistent in handicaps this spring, making the frame for the third consecutive time when close up over C&D (good to soft; handles heavy) 18 days ago; likely to have a say again.

7/1

3rd

13

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:02 Hereford

Damask

10st 5lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Ten-race maiden; made the frame on both starts last month, more recently when third of 14 here (2m5f, soft), but needs to find something extra today; 1lb out of the handicap.

12/1

Form: P-8345

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Didn't get home at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in January but made the frame over C&D (good/good to soft) on consecutive outings beforehand and has each-way claims if the ground dries out for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

18:45 Fontwell

Silver Atom

10st 9lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

1-26 under all codes, the win gained off a basement Flat mark just under a year ago; well beaten over hurdles, fences and on the Flat in recent months, and difficult to enthuse over at present.

20/1

6th

6

(9)

8th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

16:30 Brighton

Silver Atom

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Comfortably held over fences the last twice; sole win came under this code but he achieved little in sole Flat run this year.

10/1

12

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:25 Worcester

Silver Atom

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Archie Watson

Won on the Flat at Bath last September; in the frame in four of his handicaps over hurdles in November-April last term but less encouraging recently and always behind on chasing debut at Market Rasen (2m3f, good; 28-1) ten days ago; best watched.

20/1

Form: 776-P0

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Unable to land any sort of blow in novice hurdles at major tracks on his two appearances this season but made fairly encouraging hurdle debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last April and has a lowly mark for his handicap debut; moves up in trip with usual hood removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:02 Hereford

Parsons Stone

11st 1lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

Unable to land any sort of blow in novice hurdles at major tracks on his two appearances this season but made fairly encouraging hurdle debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last April and has a lowly mark for his handicap debut; moves up in trip with usual hood removed.

20/1

11th

12

10th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

12:55 Newbury

Parsons Stone

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

took keen hold, always behind

100/1

Form: -35F12 D BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
In good form for new stable this year, most notably when winning easily by 7l at Huntingdon (2m3f, soft) last month; had to settle for second at Fakenham (2m7f, soft) three weeks ago and is effectively another 2lb higher here but the drop back in trip looks the right move; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:20 Taunton

Hermes Le Gris

11st 9lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

in rear, pulled up before 8th

9/1

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:20 Taunton

Hermes Le Gris

11st 9lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

in rear

9/1

1st

6

16th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ffos Las

Hermes Le Gris

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Was quick to make his mark for his current yard when bagging 2m4f Huntingdon handicap hurdle in February but he comes here on the back of a below-par sixth at Hereford (2m4f) 38 days ago; he's the sort to bounce back though.

4/1

Form: -22PP4

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
0-8 over hurdles but came second on consecutive outings in the November (2m4f/2m3f) and put two poor performances behind him when fourth in first-time cheekpieces at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) last month; has possibilities if in the right mood again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

6th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 5

16:30 Ffos Las

Hi Riko

10st 2lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Carroll Gray

Ran quite well over hurdles here (2m4f, good to soft) on stable debut in November but not much has gone to plan since; well held when unseating rider on last month's return to fences and effectively 5lb higher from out of the weights today; others appeal much more.

14/1

8

6th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 5

16:30 Ffos Las

Hi Riko

10st 2lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Carroll Gray

Ran quite well over hurdles here (2m4f, good to soft) on stable debut in November but not much has gone to plan since; well held when unseating rider on last month's return to fences and effectively 5lb higher from out of the weights today; others appeal much more.

14/1

8

2nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:55 Exeter

Hi Riko

10st 3lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Carroll Gray

17-race maiden with form figures of P5P over fences and he was pulled up over hurdles in his final run during the winter; opposable back in this sphere after a short break.

20/1

Form: 7704

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage mare who kept on for very respectable fourth on last month's handicap debut at Fontwell (2m3f, heavy; first-time cheekpieces); contender if able to build on that performance here; 1lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

6th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

18:25 Stratford

All Under Control

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ryan Potter

Ought to have coped much better with the soft ground when well beaten at Cartmel (2m6f) ten weeks ago but was runner-up on her two previous outings (both 3m2f, good; once here) and Sean Bowen is booked today.

9/2

10th

8

27th Jun 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

15:08 Cartmel

All Under Control

10st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Ryan Potter

Effective on tight left-handed tracks having finished second at Stratford and Newton Abbot the last twice, not beaten far either time; those were over 3m2f but she's fine over this far.

5/1

7

4th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:35 Newton Abbot

All Under Control

11st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Ryan Potter

2m5f hurdle winner (soft) last December, when with Robert Walford; form then tailed off; back in better form for this trainer last month, equalling her best RPR when a close second over C&D (good); now needs to back that up and she's a player if able to do so.

7/2

Form: 9-3336

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Slightly disappointing on latest outing but ended 2023 with two good thirds (both 2m4f, good to soft) and will be right in the thick of things if back on song today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

29th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

18:18 Fontwell

Celtic Fortune

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

0-17 under rules and absent since a poor performance in March but came second in consecutive chases during the winter (3m1f/2m7f) and will be favoured by the forecast rain here; contender if back on song.

6/1

3

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

14:20 Wincanton

Celtic Fortune

11st 12lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

in touch with leaders, mistake 3rd

7/2

2nd

6

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

15:05 Huntingdon

Celtic Fortune

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

in rear

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0-7475

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Appeared to display improvement when fifth of eight in Kempton novice (2m5f, soft) last month, his third hurdling start, but his opening handicap mark almost certainly demands further progress; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Warwick

Pescatorius

11st 4lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Left Olly Murphy for 5,500gns and pretty much tailed off in four handicap chases since.

25/1

5th

2

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

15:43 Stratford

Pescatorius

11st 9lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Won twice for Olly Murphy in the autumn and subsequently sold for 5,500gns; hasn't been in the same form in three runs for his current trainer; cheekpieces worn on his last three starts are dispensed with on this step up in trip; still has time on his side but all of a sudden has a bit to prove.

8/1

3rd

8

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:20 Stratford

Pescatorius

10st 7lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

In good form for Olly Murphy in the autumn, winning in blinkers at Sedgefield (3m2f, good to firm) and Market Rasen (2m5f, good to soft), but soundly beaten in cheekpieces (retained) at Warwick for new stable twice since and now has a point to prove.

25/1

Form: 9486

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Struggled on first two hurdling starts (2m3f/2m) and probably didn't achieve a great deal when well-held sixth at Chepstow (2m, heavy) on latest outing; reportedly made a respiratory noise there, though, and is open to improvement in handicaps if combination of wind surgery and first-time tongue-tie solves that problem.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 7079-7

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Well beaten when 100-1 for handicap debut at end of last season (2m2f) and also when reappearing in Ludlow novice last month (2m); very difficult to enthuse over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

25th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Warwick

Happy Sanchez

10st 3lb

J: David Noonan

T: Max Young

Unplaced all six hurdling starts, most recently when pulled up at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) last month; upped in trip and fitted with cheekpieces for chasing debut; may benefit from the return to good ground.

50/1

14

25th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Warwick

Happy Sanchez

10st 3lb

J: David Noonan

T: Max Young

Unplaced all six hurdling starts, most recently when pulled up at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) last month; upped in trip and fitted with cheekpieces for chasing debut; may benefit from the return to good ground.

50/1

10

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:02 Hereford

Happy Sanchez

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Max Young

Well beaten when 100-1 for handicap debut at end of last season (2m2f) and also when reappearing in Ludlow novice last month (2m); very difficult to enthuse over.

66/1

Form: 4FU9-9

Last run: 109 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
18-race maiden; tailed off here (2m5f, good) on seasonal debut in November and not seen again since; not the obvious answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

18:20 Stratford

Spiritus Mundi

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Nikki Evans

Well beaten on both outings last season and now 0-13 over hurdles; 2lb out of the weights here; can't be recommended.

50/1

4th

9

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

18:20 Stratford

Spiritus Mundi

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Nikki Evans

Well beaten on both outings last season and now 0-13 over hurdles; 2lb out of the weights here; can't be recommended.

50/1

11

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:02 Hereford

Spiritus Mundi

10st 6lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Nikki Evans

18-race maiden; tailed off here (2m5f, good) on seasonal debut in November and not seen again since; not the obvious answer.

66/1

Form: 0P6U-8

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Disappointing over fences for Deborah Faulkner last season and struggled when reappearing for new stable last month; reverts to hurdling with huge amount to prove and is 2lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:02 Hereford

Gala Des Lys

10st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Adrian Wintle

Disappointing over fences for Deborah Faulkner last season and struggled when reappearing for new stable last month; reverts to hurdling with huge amount to prove and is 2lb out of the weights.

66/1

8th

11

1st Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ffos Las

Gala Des Lys

10st 2lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Adrian Wintle

always behind, struggling before 4 out

40/1

Non-runners

Gentleman

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £108.60
Straight Forecast £66.44
Tricast £435.65
Trifecta £1064.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hermes Le Gris

Daily Mail:

Rocky Hill

D Express:

Silver Atom

WEST COUNTRY:

Hi Riko

POSTDATA:

Celtic Fortune

Daily Mirror:

Rocky Hill

The Star:

Silver Atom

The Times:

Hi Riko

RP RATINGS:

Hermes Le Gris

Telegraph:

Hermes Le Gris

The Guardian:

Hermes Le Gris

The Sun:

Hermes Le Gris

Daily Record:

Hermes Le Gris