April 25 / 14.25 Perth

14.25

Soft

Assured Partners Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 4f 35y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Assured Partners Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 133

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Placed in 3m points and he stayed on well to win on hurdle debut at Stratford (2m, soft) last November; again kept on nicely when third at Bangor (2m, soft) last month in his first handicap and today's step up in trip could be just what this unexposed 6yo needs to return to winning ways.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

What A Johnny

10st 3lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Olly Murphy

Unraced on heavy under rules; given wind surgery in September and has had three races since, creditable third on soft over 2m7f/3m on last two occasions and he passed four rivals in the closing stages at Cheltenham latest (finished just behind Idefix De Ciergues); tongue tied that day and now tries cheekpieces as well; they need to prompt a career best.

7/1

10

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

What A Johnny

10st 3lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Olly Murphy

Unraced on heavy under rules; given wind surgery in September and has had three races since, creditable third on soft over 2m7f/3m on last two occasions and he passed four rivals in the closing stages at Cheltenham latest (finished just behind Idefix De Ciergues); tongue tied that day and now tries cheekpieces as well; they need to prompt a career best.

7/1

3rd

7

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

14:40 Cheltenham

What A Johnny

10st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Had wind surgery before penultimate start; due to have this tongue-tie first time at Market Rasen (near 3m, soft) five weeks ago but ran without it and was back to form in a close third of seven; in the mix.

5/1

11/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 425424 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
His form has been mixed over fences on his last six starts but there have been positive performances and this two-time hurdle winner is on a feasible mark now back in this sphere with Gavin Sheehan booked; a first-time visor replaces his usual cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

Euchan Falls

10st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: R Mike Smith

0-18 over fences and hasn't been shaping of late as though a win is imminent; 10lb out of the handicap today and hard to fancy.

50/1

7th

11

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

Euchan Falls

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: R Mike Smith

0-19 over fences; ended a sequence failing to finish when a well-beaten fourth on first run back after a wind op at Ayr last time (3m, soft); 9lb out of the handicap and plenty to prove.

25/1

4th

6

6th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:53 Ayr

Euchan Falls

10st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: R Mike Smith

Scored over hurdles here back in 2023 but he remains winless over fences and was tongue tied when pulled up over C&D in January; needs a subsequent wind operation to spark major improvement.

25/1

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 371225 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won maiden hurdle at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) in February then runner-up under William Maggs last month in first two handicaps (2m1f/2m3f, soft); rallied too late when fifth at speedy Musselburgh (2m1f, soft) last time and this step back up in trip could bear fruit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

4th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

19:00 Sedgefield

Final Edgar

10st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Should be well handicapped but doesn't arrive here in much form and has shown some quirks.

25/1

3

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Final Edgar

11st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Now 7lb lower than when placed at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft; wore cheekpieces) in March but looked very unenthusiastic before eventually keeping on for fourth there (2m, good to soft) last month and was pulled up in first-time visor (retained) on latest outing.

12/1

Form: 326898 C

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Runner-up over C&D last September, which continued a consistent spell, and he's 11lb lower today; soundly beaten on his four starts this year and needs to turn things around, but he's back in a tongue-tie this afternoon and it had a positive effect when last applied in 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:55 Cartmel

City Derby

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won four on the bounce here last summer (2m6f-3m1f; soft/good) but has looked a little out of sorts this season, for all that he shaped a bit better last time after further wind surgery.

14/1

5th

11

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:22 Cartmel

City Derby

10st 7lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Four-time course winner (2m6f-3m1f, good-soft); lurks on a good mark but looked out of sorts here on both appearances this season and needs recent wind op to have made a difference; tongue-tie refitted.

16/1

9

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:40 Cartmel

City Derby

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Four-time course winner (2m6f-3m1f, good-soft), including this race a year ago; needs to rebound from a disappointing run here (3m1f) last month but is back on a workable mark and can't be ruled out.

12/1

Form: 5-2564

Last run: 250 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Two-time hurdle winner (in 2020) who won two point-to-points last spring; on a reduced mark but he didn't really threaten over fences last summer and may be best watched now back hurdling on first run since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

9th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:55 Perth

Western Run

12st 0lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

Arrives on a long losing run but he wasn't disgraced when seventh of 15 over C&D 23 days ago; he's one to consider off an easing mark.

14/1

7th

1

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

19:05 Perth

Western Run

12st 0lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

No rules win since October 2020; took a firm step back in the right direction when keeping on into fourth over 2m4f here (good) last month; 2lb lower dropping into a 0-105; tempting back at 3m.

7/1

4th

6

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:15 Perth

Western Run

11st 2lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

Won a couple of points in March/April 2023; below form at Perth and Carlisle since returning from eight-month break and best watched.

20/1

16/1

Form: P-5116 D BF

Last run: 241 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Tailed off over fences at Cartmel last August and absent since; however, he won two chases there earlier last summer (3m1f/2m5f, good/heavy) and runs off his last winning mark this afternoon; has won four times over hurdles and trainer's horses often go well fresh; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:35 Cartmel

Jelski

11st 6lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

No longer the force of old and very inconsistent nowadays but battled well for narrow C&D (soft) win over Judicial Review last month, his fifth course success; also suited by good ground and recent 4lb rise is manageable if he's in the right mood again.

7/2

7

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:50 Cartmel

Jelski

11st 5lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Four course wins, the latest over C&D in summer 2023; very much on the downgrade now, though, and never really looked dangerous when plugging on for modest third here (3m1f, good) on Saturday.

7/1

Form: 331347 C BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won here (2m, good to soft) last April and back on the scoresheet at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in January; needs to raise his game after two lesser performances but that's possible, and he's not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:25 Perth

Duyfken

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: N W Alexander

in touch with leaders

15/2

7th

6

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:25 Perth

Duyfken

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: N W Alexander

in touch with leaders

15/2

Form: 5U/1-P D

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won twice in spring 2022 (2m3f/2m6f, very soft/good) and a market check is advised on this second start back from a long absence; however, he showed very little on last month's stable debut at Exeter (2m, soft; 50-1).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

4th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:48 Perth

Vernon Subutex

11st 11lb

J: Miss Roisin Leech

T: Sophie Leech

A one-time fairly useful 2m7f chase winner but he's been pulled up on two of his last three starts over hurdles, most recently at Newton Abbot (2m5f) last month; he's hard to make a case for.

25/1

3

29th May 2024

Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

15:58 Newton Abbot

Vernon Subutex

11st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Sophie Leech

Won twice in 2022 (2m3f/2m6f, very soft/good) but he's shown very little in two runs since returning from an absence, over 2m and 2m4f (again on soft).

5/1

Form: 21P37F C

Last run: 111 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent this term but was making headway when falling at fourth-last fence at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in January last time; won over hurdles here (2m, good) last June and is probably fine at this trip; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Garde Des Champs

11st 5lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Hasn't the best of strike-rates but both his wins have been here, the latest over C&D last July (good) when wearing cheekpieces for the first time; disappointing up in trip here last time (didn't jump well); may have to race run to suit him but will need to jump better.

14/1

8th

5

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Garde Des Champs

11st 7lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Largely consistent 10yo who belatedly opened his chasing account at Perth (2m, good; first-time cheekpieces) last summer; absent since below-par effort in October but ran well when fresh here (2m4f, good) last spring and returns from latest break on a workable mark.

9/1

5

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

16:30 Kelso

Garde Des Champs

10st 8lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Reasonably consistent and ran respectably on the bare figures over C&D most recently; however, still has a modest strike-rate, which includes a record of just 1-19 in the chase sphere.

6/1

Form: 876-5P CD

Last run: 111 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who has tumbled down the weights and it's possible a change of stables will prompt an upturn in fortunes (ex-Nicky Richards; remains in same ownership); however, it's a long time since he's been competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:32 Perth

Big Bad Bear

11st 6lb

J: Mr William Easterby

T: Sam England

Lightly raced in the last two years and form has deteriorated badly; big revival is required on debut for new yard.

14/1

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:32 Perth

Big Bad Bear

11st 6lb

J: Mr William Easterby

T: Sam England

led narrowly, headed 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out

14/1

9

6th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:43 Uttoxeter

Big Bad Bear

11st 6lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Five-time hurdle winner from 2m-2m4f on good/soft ground for Nicky Richards; has lost his form since a good second in October 2022; makes no particular appeal on second run for new yard (pulled up first time); now tried blinkered

50/1

Form: 457213 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Has done well in these blinkers, winning at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) in February before another good run in third at Musselburgh (2m1f, soft); he could have more to offer now back up in trip and he's firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:25 Perth

Beaumesnil

11st 3lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

towards rear

9/2

Non-runners

Maillot Blanc

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £33.50
Straight Forecast £29.62
Tricast £127.80
Trifecta £160.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

What A Johnny

POSTDATA:

Final Edgar

The Guardian:

Maillot Blanc

TOPSPEED:

Garde Des Champs

RP RATINGS:

City Derby

Telegraph:

Final Edgar

Daily Mail:

Final Edgar

The Times:

What A Johnny

The Sun:

What A Johnny

The Star:

What A Johnny

Daily Record:

What A Johnny

D Express:

Maillot Blanc

Daily Mirror:

Maillot Blanc