April 13 / 13.20 Aintree

13.20

Soft

William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £42202.5
  • 3m 0f 149y
  • Class 1
  • 21 runners
ITV
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William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 21 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.90
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 4-1P11

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Loves the mud and is unbeaten in two runs since joining Dan Skelton, grinding out a workmanlike success under Charlie Todd at Uttoxeter (2m7f; Floueur well held in fifth; Seefin, Classic Concorde and Lord Snootie pulled up) four weeks ago; may not have finished improving and must be seriously considered despite a 9lb rise in the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Gwennie May Boy

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Posted handicap hat-trick at the end of last season and was better than ever when comfortably landing a Grade 2 at Haydock (3m, good to soft) this February; a case can be made on that form but he was tailed off in a Grade 1 at Aintree (3m, good) just three weeks ago and needs to bounce back.

16/1

6th

2

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Gwennie May Boy

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Posted handicap hat-trick at the end of last season and was better than ever when comfortably landing a Grade 2 at Haydock (3m, good to soft) this February; a case can be made on that form but he was tailed off in a Grade 1 at Aintree (3m, good) just three weeks ago and needs to bounce back.

16/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.20

Form: -76P2P BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Stays very well and ran a cracker when a close second to Cuthbert Dibble at Haydock (3m, heavy) in February; favourite at Uttoxeter on Midlands National day but ran no sort of race, reluctant early on and never the slightest threat behind Gwennie May Boy; can't be trusted after that, but he'll be a threat under optimum conditions if he's on a going day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Lord Snootie

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Christian Williams

Returned to form with two placed runs towards end of last season (2m7f/3m, good), and wasn't beaten far when eighth, behind Al Sayah, at Haydock (3m, good) this month; Sean Bowen rides here; can make presence felt.

11/1

8th

10

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Lord Snootie

10st 6lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Christian Williams

Inconsistent and only 1-18 under rules; placed twice from four starts over C&D, including when third to Serious Chat on latest start, but there appear to be more potent options among his rivals.

12/1

3rd

10

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Lord Snootie

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Only 1-17 but has flashes of smart form in good handicaps and easily his best run for ages when a rallying second at Bangor last month (2m7f, good; effective on softer); weighted to win races and seriously considered.

6/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1-1086 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Had a bleak midwinter but showed clear signs of a revival when a close sixth of 11 at Kempton (2m5f, good to soft) four weeks ago; that should have put her spot-on for a repeat bid for this race, which she won in convincing fashion off 6lb lower 12 months ago; handles soft ground, unraced on heavy; commands major respect attempting to make it 3-3 at Aintree.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

15th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:45 Kempton

West Balboa

12st 0lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders, mistake 2nd, prominent 3rd, slow jump and lost ground 6th

12/1

4th

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Warwick

West Balboa

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

C&D winner for whom a good case can be made on last season's peak efforts; hasn't hit the same heights on her four runs this term but Kempton last time was a step back in the right direction and she could take another today in first-time cheekpieces; chance.

9/4

4th

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Warwick

West Balboa

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

C&D winner for whom a good case can be made on last season's peak efforts; hasn't hit the same heights on her four runs this term but Kempton last time was a step back in the right direction and she could take another today in first-time cheekpieces; chance.

9/4

15/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 1-1448

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Stoutly bred gelding who was expected to relish the step up to 3m in last month's Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham but could finish only eighth of 13; that was a second underwhelming performance this year; needs to rediscover his spark as he moves into handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

33

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Johnnywho

10st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Fine over these fences in November; laboured from before three out when a well-beaten fifth to Haiti Couleurs in Irish National last April; that was in the mud, though, and his top efforts have been on good to soft; they include his neck second in the 3m2f Kim Muir at Cheltenham last March and, equipped with first-time cheekpieces after wind surgery, a 3m1f win from Jagwar at this year's Festival; able to race here off the same mark as last time (due to go up 6lb) and he wasn't stopping in either of those big races at Cheltenham; seriously considered.

12/1

1st

7

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Johnnywho

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Neck second in the Kim Muir here (3m2f, good to soft) 12 months ago; promise in defeat on his first two runs this season; not quite at the top of his game at Haydock last time but wind op since and cheekpieces are added; remains one to be interested in, especially given his Festival form.

11/1

5th

2

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:00 Haydock

Johnnywho

11st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Beaten just a neck in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival (3m2f, good to soft) last March and finished strongly for close third in the Silver Cup at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last month; every chance he'll be bang there.

3/1

Form: 7-7441 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Responded well to first-time blinkers when winning the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, soft; 25-1) last month, in the process gaining his first success for nearly three years; up 6lb but he's still well treated judged on old form; leading contender again if the headgear has the same effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Monmiral

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

2024 Pertemps Final winner but that was off 8lb lower; contested two Grade 1s last spring, before a wind operation (his second) and heavy defeat when returned to fences three months ago (easily his worst chase performance); Freddie Keighley takes off 7lb on this return to a handicap.

9/1

6th

8

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Monmiral

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Creditable fifth to Gwennie May Boy on this card last year, having won the Pertemps Final (3m, soft) the time before; creditable second in Grade 2 contests the last twice but this is harder; well beaten in this race in 2023.

40/1

6th

8

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Monmiral

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Creditable fifth to Gwennie May Boy on this card last year, having won the Pertemps Final (3m, soft) the time before; creditable second in Grade 2 contests the last twice but this is harder; well beaten in this race in 2023.

40/1

Form: 351666

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Sixth in big fields at Leopardstown (3m, soft) and Cheltenham (2m5f, soft) on his last two outings, deserving extra credit considering late mistakes in the Coral Cup on latest; today's step back up in distance should suit and he's one to take seriously off an unchanged mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

1m 7f 168y

13:40 Thurles

Black Bamboo

11st 6lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: John Joseph Murphy

Bumper and maiden hurdle winner but out of form both over hurdles and fences last year; hard to recommend him at the moment.

33/1

4th

3

12th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 50y

18:08 Killarney

Black Bamboo

11st 10lb

J: Tom Harney

T: John Joseph Murphy

midfield, in touch with leaders 3rd, pushed along and lost position after 4 out, not fluent 2 out, went fourth approaching last, not fluent last, kept on, not reach leaders

14/1

4th

3

12th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 50y

18:08 Killarney

Black Bamboo

11st 10lb

J: Tom Harney

T: John Joseph Murphy

midfield, in touch with leaders 3rd, pushed along and lost position after 4 out, not fluent 2 out, went fourth approaching last, not fluent last, kept on, not reach leaders

14/1

Form: 41101P D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Often leads; an 11yo who has still won six of his last nine races (all staying handicap hurdles) but he bled from the nose when pulled up behind Gwennie May Boy at Uttoxeter last time and this race looks too hot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Classic Concorde

11st 10lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: David Brace

Veteran who is on a losing run but ran well enough for a long way in a Class 2 handicap at Chepstow two months ago (2m7f, good to soft) to command respect at this lower level; goes well on this ground.

6/1

10th

1

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Classic Concorde

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: David Brace

Won twice over C&D in 2023-24 season and ran well when fourth over C&D in February but this 12yo is far too inconsistent to rely upon nowadays, and has been absent since two heavy defeats in the spring.

20/1

5

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Classic Concorde

10st 13lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

Veteran who has proved far from consistent since winning a Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow 14 months ago; not the percentage call.

16/1

28/1

Form: P81214 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Useful at his peak and still versatile at the age of 11, winning over 1m7f (heavy) and 3m1f (soft) this term; however, put firmly in his place by Cuthbert Dibble at Haydock last time and may struggle to turn things round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

16

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

JAi Froid

11st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

12yo returning from 315 days off when 33-1 at Chepstow (3m, soft) 19 days ago but he had the call from approaching the final flight; back up 5lb in this hot race, he needs to find best form since his peak year of 2021.

66/1

1st

7

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:32 Chepstow

JAi Froid

10st 12lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

Useful at his peak and still versatile last term, winning over 1m7f (heavy) and 3m1f (soft); however, backward steps on last two starts and he's now a 12yo returning from 315 days off.

25/1

8th

13

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

JAi Froid

10st 11lb

J: John Kington

T: L J Morgan

Useful at his peak and still versatile at the age of 11, winning over 1m7f (heavy) and 3m1f (soft) this term; however, put firmly in his place by Cuthbert Dibble at Haydock last time and may struggle to turn things round.

28/1

Form: F-3740 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Shaped encouragingly back over hurdles when 13l third of 15 at Cheltenham (3m, soft) in November and is now 6lb lower; rather disappointing since, including in the Pertemps Final at the Festival but plenty from his stable underperformed there; won a Grade 1 novice chase at this meeting in 2021 and he's too well handicapped to be comfortably dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

14

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Chantry House

10st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Very smart in his heyday; returned to chasing at Cheltenham (extended 3m1f, soft) on New Year's Day and looked much more like his old self, asserting late on in a five-runner handicap; however, he singularly failed to back that up in a Grade 2 over that same C&D over three weeks later.

80/1

16th

14

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Chantry House

10st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Very smart in his heyday; returned to chasing at Cheltenham (extended 3m1f, soft) on New Year's Day and looked much more like his old self, asserting late on in a five-runner handicap; however, he singularly failed to back that up in a Grade 2 over that same C&D over three weeks later.

80/1

5th

3

25th Jan 2025

Good

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Chantry House

11st 4lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

towards rear, in touch with leaders 7th, weakened before 2 out, lost fourth run-in

7/1

12/1

Form: 429-2P

Last run: 70 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden under rules; has to put a poor run at the Dublin Racing Festival behind him but he'd previously finished second in a competitive race at Haydock (3m, good to soft; Bold Endeavour fifth, Lord Snootie sixth) in November on his first start for Willie Mullins; may still be unexposed and arrives here fresh after missing Cheltenham.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

29th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:35 Wexford

Fine Margin

11st 9lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

A 126-rated hurdler; narrowly made a winning start as a chaser over C&D before struggling in a Grade 3 at Galway when 25-1; finished well behind Intellotto that day.

7/1

9th

2

31st Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 54y

14:10 Galway

Fine Margin

11st 1lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Won three hurdle races in a row in Britain last summer on good ground; back from winter break for winning chasing debut in 2m4f Wexford beginners early this month, fresh but jumping well to beat two race-fit market principals on favoured good ground; looks like making a better chaser than hurdler and not one to dismiss despite jump in class.

12/1

3

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 110y

15:50 Wexford

Fine Margin

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Won three hurdle races in a row in Britain last summer at around 2m4f on good ground; pulled up in a better quality race next time at Worcester on soft ground (2m4f); 50l behind in a novice hurdle at Cheltenham last October; tries fences now but needs to bounce back.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 235264

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Has a good record in big-field handicaps and was one of the few Henderson-trained runners to perform with credit at the Cheltenham Festival when fourth to Monmiral in the Pertemps Final (3m, soft) four weeks ago; could make the frame again but others appeal more for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

6

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Bold Endeavour

10st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Back with Nicky Henderson last season and showed he retained a chunk of ability on first two starts, latterly when seventh of 24 in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, good); made the running at Aintree (22-1) four weeks ago but ended pulled up; remains well handicapped on old form but there's been no win since January 2023.

20/1

18

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Bold Endeavour

10st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Back with Nicky Henderson after last season with Laura Morgan; had marks in the 140s at his peak and has shown he still retains a good chunk of that ability in his two outings after a year off, latterly finishing seventh of 24 to Supremely West in the Pertemps at Cheltenham (3m, good).

16/1

7th

21

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Bold Endeavour

10st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Back with Nicky Henderson after last season with Laura Morgan; third of six to Ace Of Spades at Huntingdon in January came after a year off and was a partial revival; potentially thrown in if he builds on that, as he was fourth in the 2024 Pertemps Final off 13lb higher; stable going well.

10/1

28/1

Form: 21121P D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Was progressing well, winning at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) and Warwick (3m1f, soft), prior to bombing out at Uttoxeter four weeks ago; perhaps that was a blip but he'll need further improvement to return to winning ways in a race as strong as this one; stablemate of West Balboa and Gwennie May Boy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

2nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

14:35 Huntingdon

Seefin

11st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced in last, not fluent 6th, detached from 4th

4/1

3rd

2

2nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

14:35 Huntingdon

Seefin

11st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced in last, not fluent 6th, detached from 4th

4/1

5th

2

20th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

13:30 Uttoxeter

Seefin

12st 1lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, slow jump and detached 6th, mistake 10th, kept on approaching last, no telling impression

12/1

Form: 0-6284

Last run: 56 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Returned from a break with good second in Grade 2 at Wetherby (3m, soft) in November but down the field twice since; runs in a handicap for first time since well held in the 2023 Pertemps; first headgear needs to make a difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Red Risk

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Paul Nicholls

Retains lots of ability despite his advancing years and won a Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh in February (3m, good to soft); Uttoxeter was disappointing in a race he won the previous year, but he's shown bouncebackability in the past.

20/1

8th

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Red Risk

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Successful in this race last year (2-3 at Uttoxeter overall) and Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh latest start, both on good to soft ground; retains plenty of ability despite his advancing years and can't be dismissed.

11/1

1st

3

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Red Risk

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Veteran who won in a big field at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good to soft; 1lb higher today) last March; tailed off both starts since (Freddie Keighley on board last time) but with nearly eight months off in between and his trainer (also runs Sonigino) is always one to note here.

20/1

Form: -4PP5P

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with two 2m wins but this term has been a write-off, pulled up for the third time in four outings in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham; stamina for 3m is unproven; difficult to recommend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

18:43 Hereford

Russian Ruler

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

Ex-Nicky Henderson 8yo whose form hit the buffers last season under both codes; three non-completions in four starts for current yard and reservations remain.

10/1

6th

2

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

18:43 Hereford

Russian Ruler

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

Ex-Nicky Henderson 8yo whose form hit the buffers last season under both codes; three non-completions in four starts for current yard and reservations remain.

10/1

4

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

16:15 Stratford

Russian Ruler

11st 5lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Progressive hurdler in 2023 when with Nicky Henderson but he couldn't get it together over fences or hurdles last season and no sign of a revival for new yard; best watched with cheekpieces returning in place of a hood.

16/1

Form: 51-113 D BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Consistent 6yo who was better than ever when winning at Haydock (3m, heavy) in February and ran another cracker when third to Monmiral in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, soft; favourite; rallied) the following month; may still have more to offer and is high on the list once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 1

14:45 Chepstow

Cuthbert Dibble

11st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Strike-rate of 4-9 over hurdles and was third when favourite for last season's 3m Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival; stays 3m but he made a winning return here last season in a 2m3f handicap hurdle, so he's not slow; very much built for chasing.

5/2

15th

6

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Cuthbert Dibble

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Consistent 6yo who was better than ever when winning at Haydock (3m, heavy) in February and ran another cracker when third to Monmiral in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, soft; favourite; rallied) the following month; may still have more to offer and is high on the list once more.

13/2

15th

6

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Cuthbert Dibble

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Consistent 6yo who was better than ever when winning at Haydock (3m, heavy) in February and ran another cracker when third to Monmiral in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, soft; favourite; rallied) the following month; may still have more to offer and is high on the list once more.

13/2

Form: 161-U1 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Boasts an excellent (8-15) strike-rate over hurdles and posted a career best when winning ten-runner race at Doncaster (3m, soft; length down when left clear two out) in February; has a good attitude and may not have reached his ceiling just yet, but this is more competitive and he's up 5lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Johnsons Blue

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Has won eight of his 21 races over hurdles; doesn't seem to be the force of old as was pulled up at Haydock last time having finished last of eight on previous hurdle run.

20/1

6

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Johnsons Blue

10st 13lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Tailed off on his final hurdle start in November and three subsequent chase runs leave him with further questions to answer; potentially on a useful mark if he can get back on track, but there are clearly risks attached.

25/1

3rd

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:25 Newcastle

Johnsons Blue

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Useful hurdler; hasn't proved quite so effective in three runs over fences, but decent effort last time when third at Wetherby (2m3f, soft: runner-up has won since); prominent racer who has won over 3m; chance.

9/2

Form: F2-54P

Last run: 84 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Useful in 2m-2m6f novice hurdles last term, recording RPRs of 140 on three occasions; has not taken to chasing at all well this season, soundly beaten three times, and was sold from Gordon Elliott for 50,000euros in February; may be revived by a change of scenery and the return to hurdling, but he's something of a risky proposition in his first handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

18:10 Hexham

Landrake

11st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jamie Snowden

raced in second

5/1

4th

3

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

18:10 Hexham

Landrake

11st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jamie Snowden

raced in second

5/1

7

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Landrake

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Useful in 2m-2m6f novice hurdles last term, recording RPRs of 140 on three occasions; has not taken to chasing at all well this season, soundly beaten three times, and was sold from Gordon Elliott for 50,000euros in February; may be revived by a change of scenery and the return to hurdling, but he's something of a risky proposition in his first handicap.

20/1

Form: 10-41P D

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Made it four wins over hurdles when leading for much of the way at Ayr (3m, heavy) in January, albeit facing only three opponents; pulled up in a much stronger race at the Dublin Racing Festival next time; needs to bounce back with a personal best off a career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Ailie Rose

11st 4lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Made it four wins over hurdles when leading for much of the way at Ayr (3m, heavy) in January, albeit facing only three opponents; pulled up in a much stronger race at the Dublin Racing Festival next time; needs to bounce back with a personal best off a career-high mark.

33/1

8

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Ailie Rose

11st 4lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Made it four wins over hurdles when leading for much of the way at Ayr (3m, heavy) in January, albeit facing only three opponents; pulled up in a much stronger race at the Dublin Racing Festival next time; needs to bounce back with a personal best off a career-high mark.

33/1

Form: P-5P25 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Unpredictable over the years for several different stables; easily best effort this season when going down narrowly at Doncaster (3m, soft) in March but was beaten 41l at Uttoxeter on Midlands National day; unconvincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

25th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

16:45 Perth

Floueur

12st 1lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

raced in second

16/1

1

25th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

16:45 Perth

Floueur

12st 1lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

raced in second

16/1

10

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Floueur

11st 1lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Rebecca Menzies

Unpredictable over the years for several different stables; easily best effort this season when going down narrowly at Doncaster (3m, soft) in March but was beaten 41l at Uttoxeter on Midlands National day; unconvincing.

66/1

Form: -18232 D

Last run: 83 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Usually gives his running and eked out a bit more improvement when a neck second of ten at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) in January; no obvious reason why he won't perform creditably again but he's creeping up the weights and this is undoubtedly the strongest opposition he's encountered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:48 Carlisle

Ramo

11st 10lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Hasn't won since Ludlow success in November 2023 (2m5f, good to soft); two fair runs over this sort of trip at Market Rasen and Ffos Las in February and could go well again.

6/1

2nd

3

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:52 Ffos Las

Ramo

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Best effort for two years when under 4l behind Gold In The Rivers at Market Rasen latest (2m7f, soft), passing stopping rivals having lost his pitch; 2lb swing with that rival and yard back among winners in the meantime.

7/2

3rd

4

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:20 Market Rasen

Ramo

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Well handicapped on old form but didn't fire during light campaign last season and was tailed off when reappearing in December; revival needed.

10/1

Form: 0-P693 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 10st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Suited by a good test of stamina and is falling in the weights, but he doesn't look quite the force of old and he was safely held in third behind Johnson's Blue at Doncaster in February; would be a surprise winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

17:15 Southwell

Storm Nelson

10st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Olly Williams

led, headed 7th, outpaced after 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened last

20/1

2nd

4

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

17:15 Southwell

Storm Nelson

10st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Olly Williams

led, headed 7th, outpaced after 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened last

20/1

6th

5

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

16:02 Carlisle

Storm Nelson

11st 1lb

J: William Maggs

T: Olly Williams

towards rear

16/1

Non-runners

Honor Grey

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £100.10
Straight Forecast £84.45
Tricast £280.37
Trifecta £629.10

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Cuthbert Dibble

RP RATINGS:

Monmiral

The Times:

Gwennie May Boy

THE NORTH:

Johnson's Blue

Daily Record:

Johnnywho

Daily Mirror:

Black Bamboo

SPOTLIGHT:

West Balboa

The Guardian:

Bold Endeavour

Daily Mail:

Honor Grey

LAMBOURN:

Chantry House

The Star:

Gwennie May Boy

WEST COUNTRY:

Cuthbert Dibble

D Express:

Cuthbert Dibble

The Sun:

Cuthbert Dibble

POSTDATA:

Monmiral

Telegraph:

Monmiral