May 15 / 14.30 Ffos Las

14.30

Good

AK Bets Home Of Free Bets Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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AK Bets Home Of Free Bets Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 321- D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
0-7 on the Flat but he made it third-time lucky over hurdles when justifying support in Wincanton maiden (1m7f, good) last month; this is tougher on handicap hurdle debut but he did it in good style last time and should have more to offer in this sphere; effective on soft and he's respected for yard that won this last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

15:35 Newton Abbot

Manuelito

11st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Never really got competitive at Aintree festival in April but his front-running win at Newbury (2m, good to soft) two starts ago makes him of interest here and, after only nine hurdle runs, he's not yet fully exposed.

3/1

9th

10

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Manuelito

10st 7lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

didn't always jump with fluency, towards rear

12/1

9th

10

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Manuelito

10st 7lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

didn't always jump with fluency, towards rear

12/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 33812- D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful Flat-racer; mixed record in his eight runs over hurdles but he won a Newbury handicap (2m, heavy) in March and was runner-up at Bangor (2m, soft) last time; a 2lb rise for that clear second looks fair and he still has potential in this sphere; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

3

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Bucephalus

11st 8lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Front-runner who regularly gives his all and was beaten off only on the run-in when third to Dance And Glance over C&D (good) five weeks ago; should make another bold bid but several of these look less exposed.

20/1

3rd

2

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 2

14:12 Haydock

Bucephalus

11st 13lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Front-runner who was second over C&D (good) in December and bounced back from being pulled up in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury (heavy) to make all in four-runner handicap at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft); has a career-high mark in this hotter race but he did it comfortably last time; could make a bold bid.

8/1

1st

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Bucephalus

11st 13lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Poached a nice advantage but unable to hold off a progressive rival at Haydock (2m, good; in added cheekpieces) on penultimate start; pulled up in deep in a Premier Handicap at Newbury (50-1) latest; chance back in calmer waters.

4/1

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 43622- BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Two wins at Fontwell (heavy/good) last spring and he's finished runner-up in his last two starts including a close call back at Fontwell (2m3f, good) 26 days ago; nudged up another 2lb but he was as good as ever last time and is respected back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

17:25 Stratford

Kansas Du Berlais

11st 10lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Christopher Mark Clarke

Made the frame (albeit safely held) in two good-quality hunter chases (2m/2m1f) last May and dug deep to beat useful rival in small-field open point at Charing (3m, good to soft; subsequently disqualified) in January; turned over at short odds in latest point but still enters calculations.

11/1

3rd

4

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Kansas Du Berlais

11st 12lb

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Christopher Mark Clarke

Should have stamina to spare as a dual Fontwell winner at up to 2m3f; fared okay deep into this month's Cheltenham stable debut (2m) but still beaten over 15l, and have to hope that run was simply needed.

12/1

3rd

4

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Kansas Du Berlais

11st 12lb

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Christopher Mark Clarke

Should have stamina to spare as a dual Fontwell winner at up to 2m3f; fared okay deep into this month's Cheltenham stable debut (2m) but still beaten over 15l, and have to hope that run was simply needed.

12/1

Form: 57333- CD BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Front-runner with record of 3-64 but all three wins have been over C&D and he's finished third in big fields at Fontwell (2m1f) and Taunton (2m) in last two runs; handles most ground and he should be in the mix again back at this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

John Betjeman

11st 13lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back.

11/2

9th

3

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

John Betjeman

11st 13lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back.

11/2

8th

2

6th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

17:00 Ffos Las

John Betjeman

11st 10lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Mark Gillard

pressed leader, chased clear leader after 2nd

7/1

Form: 13745- CD

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Surprise winner of C&D novice (heavy; 25-1) in November but he hasn't gone on from that in four runs since including three handicaps; had tough task from out the weights at Haydock last time but he needs to find more back at this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

15th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Ffos Las

Three Cliffs Bay

11st 9lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Surprise winner of C&D novice (heavy; 25-1) in November but he hasn't gone on from that in four runs since including three handicaps; had tough task from out the weights at Haydock last time but he needs to find more back at this track.

6/1

5th

6

15th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Ffos Las

Three Cliffs Bay

11st 9lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Surprise winner of C&D novice (heavy; 25-1) in November but he hasn't gone on from that in four runs since including three handicaps; had tough task from out the weights at Haydock last time but he needs to find more back at this track.

6/1

Form: 02412- CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Quirky customer who is not easy to predict but he won over C&D (soft) last May and has been in good form with a win and second at Chepstow in last two runs; on same mark as for his eyecatching effort last time and he has possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:47 Hereford

Double Click

11st 6lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Proved well suited by the step back up to 3m1f and good ground when keeping on well to score at Ffos Las last month; faces a different question here off 5lb higher but likely to be thereabouts if reproducing the effort.

5/4

1st

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

15:20 Hereford

Double Click

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Inconsistent over the last 12 months or so, but second at Exeter in November showed that he stays 2m7f and his best effort since was on latest outing (a rallying third over 2m4f three weeks ago); much more to prove if the ground is not softer than good, but he has to be considered.

9/2

3rd

2

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ffos Las

Double Click

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Pulled up on chasing debut in January (wore cheekpieces) and did not see out 3m on heavy ground when back over hurdles here (first-time blinkers) last month; current mark is workable and this drop back in trip looks the right move but others in the field have much less to prove.

10/1

Form: 51/34- D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Scored over fences at Huntingdon (2m, good) in February but he's been vulnerable over hurdles and fences since, in his two runs after another wind operation; on lower mark in this sphere but he's 1-9 over hurdles and others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

26th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 4

17:05 Uttoxeter

Charlies Glance

11st 0lb

J: James Martin

T: Andrew J Martin

Reportedly unsuited by the good to soft ground when well beaten over hurdles here last month but his second over hurdles here (2m4f, good) two starts ago was a pretty good effort, and he reverts to chasing on a good mark; dangerous to ignore.

5/1

10th

9

30th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:10 Uttoxeter

Charlies Glance

11st 11lb

J: James Martin

T: Andrew J Martin

Made the frame in three of his four races since returning from long layoff this spring, most recently when keeping-on second over C&D (good) 24 days ago; probably won't be far away but others appeal more.

12/1

2nd

7

6th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:43 Uttoxeter

Charlies Glance

11st 11lb

J: James Martin

T: Andrew J Martin

Has won a bumper, a novice handicap hurdle and a novice handicap chase, all at around 2m on good ground; fair third in a handicap hurdle at Fakenham in April when back from a 403-day break (2m4f, good; first run after win surgery); wouldn't rule out.

12/1

Form: 1113-6 D

Last run: 3 days

W: 10st 5lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row in July-September last year and she ended 2023 with close third at Worcester (2m, good to soft); only 1lb higher than for that run and she had an excuse when badly hampered at Ludlow on her recent return; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

28th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

18:15 Market Rasen

Saddlers Quest

10st 11lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Debra Hamer

Won three on the trot over 2m/2m1f last summer (good/good to soft); may have needed the race after a break and wind surgery when last of five at Newton Abbot (2m1f, soft) last time; better ground should suit as well.

7/1

5th

2

9th Sep 2024

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:25 Newton Abbot

Saddlers Quest

11st 9lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Debra Hamer

Completed a hat-trick when pipping Karannelle in this race a year ago and looked back in good form when close fourth over C&D (good); slightly disappointing later in June on latest outing but seems quite versatile regarding ground and features prominently in calculations; had wind op in July.

3/1

Form: 1P5P-5 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 6yo; won a selling hurdle (2m, good to soft) and a Flat handicap (1m2f) last summer but he's found things tough under both codes in last four runs and is now 1-10 in this sphere; others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

31st Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:35 Stratford

Supposedtobe

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

in rear

14/1

12

31st Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:35 Stratford

Supposedtobe

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

in rear

14/1

2nd

5

13th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Ffos Las

Supposedtobe

11st 5lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

in touch with leaders early, prominent 3rd

7/2

Form: 4/PP4-

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Two hurdle wins (2m1f, heavy/good) in France in 2022 but, after a long absence, he's struggled in three runs for new yard since December; dropped another 5lb but he has plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

14:20 Chepstow

Now Or Never

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Dual hurdle winner in France in 2022; very disappointing over hurdles in Britain (four starts) but had wind surgery during six-month break and may yet come good for Venetia Williams; hooded for British chase debut.

9/1

5th

2

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

14:20 Chepstow

Now Or Never

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Dual hurdle winner in France in 2022; very disappointing over hurdles in Britain (four starts) but had wind surgery during six-month break and may yet come good for Venetia Williams; hooded for British chase debut.

9/1

10th

4

15th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Ffos Las

Now Or Never

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Two hurdle wins (2m1f, heavy/good) in France in 2022 but, after a long absence, he's struggled in three runs for new yard since December; dropped another 5lb but he has plenty to prove.

20/1

Form: /46P1- D

Last run: 59 days

W: 12st 2lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
13yo who bounced back with a front-running win at Huntingdon (2m, soft) in March; back up 5lb in the weights but he forged clear from an odds-on rival last time and remains very well treated on his old form; could make another bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

15th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Ffos Las

Totterdown

12st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

13yo who bounced back with a front-running win at Huntingdon (2m, soft) in March; back up 5lb in the weights but he forged clear from an odds-on rival last time and remains very well treated on his old form; could make another bold bid.

8/1

1

15th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Ffos Las

Totterdown

12st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

13yo who bounced back with a front-running win at Huntingdon (2m, soft) in March; back up 5lb in the weights but he forged clear from an odds-on rival last time and remains very well treated on his old form; could make another bold bid.

8/1

1st

1

17th Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:52 Huntingdon

Totterdown

12st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

Veteran; fair fourth at Sandown in November (2m, soft) but rather disappointing since (hung and jumped right-handed before being pulled up at Chepstow last time); return to this right-handed track should suit; a bit to prove.

16/1

Non-runners

Believe Jack

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.20
Straight Forecast £16.90
Tricast £70.96
Trifecta £76.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Manuelito

RP RATINGS:

Bucephalus

The Guardian:

Kansas Du Berlais

The Star:

Double Click

D Express:

John Betjeman

Telegraph:

Totterdown

Daily Mail:

Kansas Du Berlais

WEST COUNTRY:

Manuelito

Daily Mirror:

Manuelito

The Sun:

Manuelito

Daily Record:

Double Click

TOPSPEED:

Bucephalus

POSTDATA:

Bucephalus

The Times:

Bucephalus