March 21 / 14.35 Ludlow

14.35

Soft

Balfours Llp And Lycetts Insurance Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qual’) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 1m 7f 169y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Balfours Llp And Lycetts Insurance Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qual’) (GBB)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/10 (Won)

  • Win: £1.58
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 18-U31 CD

Last run: 92 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Good-ground bumper winner who won comfortably over C&D (soft) in December on his third hurdle start; has had wind op since and now wears a tongue-tie; strong contender under a 7lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

14:40 Perth

Go To War

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

After a brief stint over fences he got back on track in beating 14 rivals over 3m at Windsor (soft) under a positive ride; however, there was a further reminder of his inconsistency when he dropped away tamely at Haydock in February; what does heighten interest is a pretty good record when fresh.

8/1

7th

9

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:50 Haydock

Go To War

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Nicky Henderson

Back to form with a bang returned to hurdles when fending off Doughmore Bay in a valuable 3m handicap at Windsor (soft) 27 days ago; allowed to bowl along at the head of affairs in that contest and there's possible competition for the lead from the likes of Red Dirt Road, Stone's Throw and Stay Away Fay here; still no surprise were he to progress again, though.

9/1

1st

14

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Go To War

10st 4lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Two chase efforts this season leave a doubt over his current form; disappointing in last hurdles attempt so there are enough reasons to oppose him in this competitive race.

20/1

6/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 5-3121 D

Last run: 86 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won Fontwell bumper (2m1f, good) last October and built upon his hurdle debut second at Hereford (2m, good) when making all at Kempton (2m, good) on Boxing Day; leading claims under 7lb penalty provided he handles conditions (unproven on ground slower than good).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

30th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

17:05 Ascot

Court In The Act

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Bumper winner and two hurdle victories include a 2m handicap on good ground; latest Kempton run (2m5f, good to soft) hinted at some stamina limitations over this far but that was a competitive race and today's forecast drier ground should be favourable; every chance.

5/2

4th

6

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:15 Kempton

Court In The Act

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

in touch with leaders, headway going best 2 out

8/1

14th

10

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Court In The Act

10st 8lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Harry Derham

Lightly raced 6yo who showed improved form when making all by 8l on his reappearance in a handicap at Market Rasen (2m, good) three months ago; has also run well on soft ground; has received a 10lb hike for last time and he's up in grade today, but he may well take it in his stride.

10/1

Form: 55U

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Irish maiden point last February and has shown some ability under rules, but not enough to suggest he'll be winning this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Express Surprise

11st 1lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Only defeat in his last four races came in a good-quality 3m4f handicap at Windsor; jumped well and stayed on best at Chepstow last time (2m7f, soft) where the front two pulled well clear; raised 7lb but Ned Fox takes away 3lb out of that; respected.

13/2

1st

6

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Express Surprise

11st 11lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Back-to-back wins at Wetherby (3m, soft) and Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) before finding a Class 3 beyond him at Windsor (3m4f), though didn't run at all badly; considered back at this level.

4/1

Form: 94

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won low-grade handicap on the Flat at Ffos Las (1m2f, soft) last July but well beaten at massive odds on both hurdle starts (2m, good/soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

21st Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

14:15 Exeter

Mambo Beat

10st 9lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Flat winner over two years ago; the odd piece of form over hurdles offers hope but current wellbeing is a big issue.

16/1

3

(10)

28th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

13:55 Ffos Las

Mambo Beat

11st 8lb

J: Miss Amy Tucker

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Placed off lowly mark over hurdles in first-time cheekpieces in March but is very inconsistent in that sphere and has not run on the Flat since 2023 (albeit did win over C&D in that year); not the percentage call.

25/1

11th

12

6th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

17:00 Ffos Las

Mambo Beat

10st 3lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Bernard Llewellyn

midfield, hit 2nd

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has contested three Irish mares' maiden points this season and finished runner-up on the two occasions she completed; needs to be fairly useful to win this on rules debut but no surprise to see a good run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Take A Hike

10st 13lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: D J Jeffreys

Disappointing on both runs this year and needs to turn things around; however, perhaps first-time cheekpieces will help and she won over C&D (good to soft) in November on her last visit here.

7/1

7th

9

3rd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:05 Newcastle

Take A Hike

11st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: D J Jeffreys

Justified market support when winning at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft; from 4lb lower) in November; didn't see it out as well as the principals at Ayr (3m; fourth of ten) next time, before pulling up on heavy ground at Leicester latest; probable player if returning to peak form.

9/2

8

20th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:02 Leicester

Take A Hike

10st 13lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: D J Jeffreys

Opened account with clearcut success at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in November and ran well until stamina ebbed away at Ayr (3m, heavy) last month; drops back in trip here and has another big role to play.

11/4

Form: 55

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ex-German 5yo who displayed useful Flat form as recently as last September; things may click in this code at some stage but he's been soundly beaten on his first two hurdle starts and needs to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

15:20 Market Rasen

No More Bolero

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: James Owen

Race-fit off the Flat when a battling winner over a little shorter at Worcester a month ago (visor back on) and looks a good thing to give his running once more off 4lb higher; respected.

5/4

1st

2

17th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:47 Worcester

No More Bolero

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: James Owen

Easy winner over hurdles at Ludlow (2m, good) last November and he recorded his fourth Flat win when scoring at Bath (2m1f, good to firm) in April; wasn't beaten far back there 12 days ago and he still has potential for further progress in this sphere; interesting contender back over hurdles.

5/2

6th

1

(7)

5th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Bath

No More Bolero

9st 9lb

J: William Carson

T: James Owen

Scored over hurdles last November and recorded his first win on the Flat in Britain, at this track (2m1f, good to firm) in April off 4lb lower; good second at Ripon subsequently but finished last of six back there (2m, good) after slipping on the bend on the first circuit last month; swaps a visor for blinkers and may be worth forgiving latest run.

4/1

Form: 9P

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Triple-figure odds and tailed off/pulled up on her two starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

21st Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Bettwyn

10st 12lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Triple-figure odds and tailed off/pulled up on her two starts.

200/1

1

7th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:50 Ludlow

Bettwyn

11st 5lb

J: Cillin Leonard

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

150-1, tailed-off last in bumper at Bangor (2m, good) last May.

100/1

9th

1

20th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

17:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Bettwyn

11st 2lb

J: Cillin Leonard

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Half-sister to a hurdle/chase winner; cost £800 as a yearling; trainer 0-13 in bumpers in last five years.

66/1

Non-runners

Blueberry Wine

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £1.60
Straight Forecast £1.68
Trifecta £4.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Go To War

RP RATINGS:

Court In The Act

TOPSPEED:

Court In The Act

LAMBOURN:

Court In The Act

The Times:

Court In The Act

The Guardian:

Court In The Act

Daily Mirror:

Court In The Act

The Sun:

Court In The Act

POSTDATA:

Go To War

WEST COUNTRY:

Go To War

Telegraph:

Go To War

Daily Mail:

Go To War

D Express:

Go To War

The Star:

Go To War

Daily Record:

Go To War