April 22 / 16.15 Ffos Las

16.15

Soft

Dragonbet Backing Welsh Sport Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4039.96
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Dragonbet Backing Welsh Sport Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

11/8 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.10

Form: -46P31 D

Last run: 3 days

W: 12st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Dual bumper winner who got off the mark over hurdles when making all to justify favouritism in Exeter handicap (2m2f, good) on Friday; has a penalty on this quick turnaround but that was a dominant display last time and he's open to more progress; key player with cheekpieces added back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

11th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 1

15:15 Chepstow

Bullets Hill

11st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Ella Pickard

in touch with leaders, prominent 4th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off

50/1

6th

3

6th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:43 Uttoxeter

Bullets Hill

11st 13lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Ella Pickard

Made all to win novice handicaps at Exeter (2m2f, good) and Ffos Las in April (2m, good); pulled up after early error on chase debut at Ffos Las last time; up 14lb (raised 7lb for each win); could go well but may find others better treated.

5/1

4

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:05 Ffos Las

Bullets Hill

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ella Pickard

midfield, jumped badly right 1st, soon in rear, pushed along after 2nd, reminders after 4th, lost touch and pulled up after 7th

7/4

9/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: -646P4

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Point winner but he's 0-7 over hurdles and has not finished closer than 12l to a winner in this sphere; ran well for a long way at Market Rasen (fourth of ten) when last seen in February and mark continues to fall but others are more convincing; cheekpieces removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

17th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 5

14:18 Wincanton

Hugueneau

10st 11lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, midfield, some headway after 3 out, weakened from 2 out

10/1

3

24th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:40 Fontwell

Hugueneau

11st 5lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

Got off the mark when dead-heating at Huntingdon (2m3f, good to soft) in May; not disgraced over 2m7f at Worcester on his last two starts and he shouldn't be far away.

6/1

6th

10

18th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:55 Worcester

Hugueneau

11st 3lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

Awarded the race when forcing a dead-heat at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft) in May and ran well when just over 8l fourth under Ben Sutton to Indian Sunbird over C&D 17 days ago; closely matched with that rival on the revised terms and shouldn't be far away.

7/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 123132 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 123132 since November and her latest second at Ludlow (2m, soft) was behind a big improver; only 1lb higher here and she should be in the thick of things again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

16:40 Hereford

Passing Kate

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

Won two soft-ground chases (both 2m3f) in early 2025 and has posted some good efforts in defeat this season; looked laboured and was below form here (2m, soft) last month but can be dangerous off current mark if back on song in first-time cheekpieces.

7/2

4th

4

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Passing Kate

11st 6lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Matt Sheppard

Won three times last season on soft/heavy ground; runner-up on first three starts this term then fifth at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft) 17 days ago when three places behind Royal Mer; today's forecast slow ground could aid her cause.

9/4

1st

6

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:00 Chepstow

Passing Kate

10st 10lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Matt Sheppard

Three-time hurdle winner who kept on well to make winning chase debut at Exeter (2m1f, soft) last month; pulled up at Wincanton since, having made made jumping errors at consecutive fences, but still has scope to for further progress in this sphere.

8/1

Form: 00034

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Six-time Flat winner who is 0-5 over hurdles but he was a good third in Wincanton handicap (1m7f, heavy) last month and was only beaten around 5l at Ludlow last time; should have more to offer in this sphere and he's in the mix; handles any ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(8)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dundory

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

in rear, broke down and fell after 2f, race voided

33/1

4

(8)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dundory

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

in rear, broke down and fell after 2f, race voided

33/1

8th

9

(9)

8th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:03 Newcastle (AW)

Dundory

8st 13lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

held up in rear, outpaced 3f out

50/1

Form: -12534 C

Last run: 81 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Triple chase winner but he's been well held in that sphere in last three runs, most recently when a 23l fourth here (2m, heavy) in February; well treated on his best form over fences and is still unexposed over hurdles but he has a bit to prove back from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

5th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 5

17:22 Ffos Las

Boston Joe

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Goes well here, gaining fourth course success with a narrow verdict in March (2m3f, soft); beaten 8l behind L'Empire Vert off this 4lb higher mark on his return visit but he was held up in a race that favoured those ridden handier; good chance.

13/2

5th

1

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

16:20 Ffos Las

Boston Joe

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Prevailed from a solid rival in similar event over C&D (soft) last time, taking Ffos Las record to 4-15; should remain competitive despite going back up 4lb.

3/1

1st

2

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Boston Joe

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Gained three of his five chase wins here; must bounce back from a poor performance (over hurdles) in January but was placed here on first two starts this season (2m4f hurdle/2m chase) and has been given a chance by the handicapper.

9/2

Form: 455222

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in three chase runs this year but he's been beaten 22l at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) and Plumpton (2m1f, soft) in last two starts; overall record now stands at 0-16 and he needs to find more back over hurdles; 2lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

20:10 Cartmel

Robins Field

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Harriet Dickin

0-22 under all codes but ran big race when second in this contest a year ago (soft) ground and is effectively 1lb lower today; reverts to chasing after respectable hurdle run in March; could have a say.

7/1

11

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

20:10 Cartmel

Robins Field

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Harriet Dickin

0-22 under all codes but ran big race when second in this contest a year ago (soft) ground and is effectively 1lb lower today; reverts to chasing after respectable hurdle run in March; could have a say.

7/1

3rd

5

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

14:20 Chepstow

Robins Field

10st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Harriet Dickin

The veteran of this field but he's a maiden (0-20 under rules); runner-up seven times but they were all over fences (from 14 chases) and his record over hurdles (latest attempt last April) is pretty threadbare.

10/1

Form: 5067

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Struggled at big prices in his three qualifying runs (2m-2m5f) but it is still very early days for this well-bred 5yo; half-brother to a 2m hurdle winner and it wouldn't be a surprise if he showed a lot more back at this trip on his handicap debut; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

12:50 Hereford

The Big Man

10st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Not yet fully exposed after only seven starts but was beaten just over 30l in his first two chases, more recently when always towards rear over C&D (good) last month.

16/1

6th

8

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

12:50 Hereford

The Big Man

10st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Not yet fully exposed after only seven starts but was beaten just over 30l in his first two chases, more recently when always towards rear over C&D (good) last month.

16/1

10th

11

4th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

16:20 Hereford

The Big Man

10st 7lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Offered little over hurdles but he's a well-bred 5yo with low mileage and, although well beaten on his switch to fences at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft), he was well backed; shaped as though the run would bring him on.

10/1

Form: -94336

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Close up when third in first two handicaps, but only four ran at Southwell (2m, heavy) in February and he was well below that form at Bangor last month; still lightly raced and now drops back in grade but he needs to find more progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:49 Huntingdon

Jumbo Veste Verte

10st 5lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Tom Gretton

pressed leader, lost position 8th, weakened 9th, pulled up before 3 out

16/1

8

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:49 Huntingdon

Jumbo Veste Verte

10st 5lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Tom Gretton

pressed leader, lost position 8th, weakened 9th, pulled up before 3 out

16/1

Form: 4-68UP

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner in France but he's generally struggled in Britain and has failed to complete in chase handicaps in his last two runs; dropped another 4lb but he needs a transformation back over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

16:15 Ffos Las

Icarat

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

prominent behind clear leaders, weakened after 5th, tailed off

12/1

9th

7

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

16:15 Ffos Las

Icarat

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Bumper winner in France but he's generally struggled in Britain and has failed to complete in chase handicaps in his last two runs; dropped another 4lb but he needs a transformation back over hurdles.

12/1

4

21st Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 5

16:40 Ludlow

Icarat

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Bumper winner in France; has far-from-solid claims on British form but he's in good hands and unexposed over fences; admittedly well held when unseating rider two out at Ffos Las (2m; 11-2 for chase debut) most recently.

7/1

Form: 0/5-PP

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Nine-race maiden who has been pulled up in two staying handicaps since returning from another long absence; out of the weights on this big drop back in trip and can only be watched; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

16:15 Ffos Las

Cards Are Dealt

10st 5lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Gary Brown

always behind, tailed off

40/1

10th

10

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

16:15 Ffos Las

Cards Are Dealt

10st 5lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Gary Brown

Nine-race maiden who has been pulled up in two staying handicaps since returning from another long absence; out of the weights on this big drop back in trip and can only be watched; cheekpieces added.

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.20
Straight Forecast £13.79
Tricast £38.88
Trifecta £62.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bullets Hill

The Guardian:

Passing Kate

POSTDATA:

Dundory

Daily Mail:

Passing Kate

D Express:

Passing Kate

Daily Record:

Passing Kate

RP RATINGS:

Bullets Hill

WEST COUNTRY:

Bullets Hill

Telegraph:

Bullets Hill

Daily Mirror:

Bullets Hill

The Star:

Bullets Hill

The Times:

Dundory

The Sun:

Dundory