November 17 / 15.05 Market Rasen

15.05

Good To Soft

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13615
  • 2m 7f 16y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: P1PP-P D

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Reacted positively to blinkers when winning a valuable 3m handicap chase at Doncaster in January but it's fair to say the headgear hasn't worked since, pulling up on all three starts (including last month's reappearance); now back hurdling minus the blinkers; hard to know what to expect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

29th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

20:50 Cartmel

Windsor Avenue

12st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Teal

T: Jack Teal

Smart chaser for Brian Ellison and second in two hunter chases for new yard in recent months; no match for Gaboriot at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in March, though, and has been very inconsistent in recent years.

6/1

2nd

4

8th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

17:25 Kelso

Windsor Avenue

12st 6lb

J: Mr Jack Teal

T: Jack Teal

Smart chaser at his best and he still retains quite a bit of ability; has mixed record this year and was pulled up in Foxhunters' at Aintree last time but he's been in much calmer waters now and was runner-up at Catterick (3m1f, soft) on his penultimate run; dangerous if in the mood.

7/2

2nd

4

8th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

17:25 Kelso

Windsor Avenue

12st 6lb

J: Mr Jack Teal

T: Jack Teal

Smart chaser at his best and he still retains quite a bit of ability; has mixed record this year and was pulled up in Foxhunters' at Aintree last time but he's been in much calmer waters now and was runner-up at Catterick (3m1f, soft) on his penultimate run; dangerous if in the mood.

7/2

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 6354P- C

Last run: 208 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Bar an outing on AW Flat in 2020 he's raced solely over fences since 2019; he has won from a higher mark than this over the larger obstacles but perhaps best to look elsewhere on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

22nd Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Kempton

Fidux

11st 6lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Alan King

midfield, headway 4th, outpaced 2 out, kept on well and went second towards finish

8/1

2nd

10

22nd Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Kempton

Fidux

11st 6lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Alan King

midfield, headway 4th, outpaced 2 out, kept on well and went second towards finish

8/1

1st

10

23rd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

17:00 Newbury

Fidux

11st 1lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Alan King

Hasn't won since the summer of 2021 but he's capable of putting that right and has been close up under Oscar Palmer in his last two races (at about 3m); another with each-way hopes.

9/1

Form: 65-143 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Talented hurdler (won here) who comfortably made all to beat a useful rival in a match on his chase debut at Kempton (2m4f, good) in May; hasn't entirely convinced with his jumping in two subsequent defeats over fences but he does have handicapping scope back hurdling (won off 4lb higher at Ascot in March 2021); respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:40 Perth

Stoners Choice

12st 1lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Course winner whose mark continues to fall and he's not been devoid of spark this season; however, this 11yo is without a win since April 2023 and was disappointing at Ludlow last month.

8/1

6th

4

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:20 Ludlow

Stoners Choice

11st 12lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Second of 12 over 2m5f at Kempton just over a year ago but he hasn't posed a serious threat since, including at about 2m on his last four starts; wasn't disgraced in a valuable event at Windsor (strong handicap form) last time, however, and he's undoubtedly well handicapped these days.

9/1

7th

15

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Stoners Choice

10st 7lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Well handicapped on form as recent as last February but this 11yo has been unable to pose a serious threat on his six starts since May.

50/1

Form: 6747-0

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Smart novice in 2020/21 but last season never got off the ground and he was well behind the reopposing Bridge North on his Aintree reappearance 25 days ago; cheekpieces he wore on final run last term are refitted; too soon to write off but he has a bit to prove for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Wilde About Oscar

11st 6lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Sophie Leech

Lost his way for Dan Skelton after being very smart in his prime; returning from 633 days away when pulled up in last month's Martin Pipe (150-1); can only be watched.

66/1

10

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Wilde About Oscar

11st 6lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Sophie Leech

Lost his way for Dan Skelton after being very smart in his prime; returning from 633 days away when pulled up in last month's Martin Pipe (150-1); can only be watched.

66/1

24

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Wilde About Oscar

10st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sophie Leech

Useful for Dan Skelton early in career but became largely disappointing and has been absent since a heavy defeat in France for Rebecca Menzies in June 2023; sold for £20,000 that August; cheekpieces reapplied; best watched.

100/1

Form: 70-141 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
C&D scorer on good in May and returned from a break to land hurdle win number four in Uttoxeter handicap (2m7f, good) under Robbie Dunne five weeks ago; ought to remain very competitive after a 3lb nudge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Pounding Poet

10st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Close third over hurdles at this meeting 12 months ago (3m, good to soft) and won in that sphere at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last July; ran pretty well in 5l third at Newbury (2m6f, good) in December when back chasing for the first time since 2023, but this 10yo needs a bigger performance today.

25/1

3

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Pounding Poet

11st 12lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

Won with this visor back on at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in July and went close at Cartmel (3m1f, good) the following month; versatile ground-wise and can be in the mix if continuing the good work after a two-month break.

6/1

Form: 1P15-5

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
His maiden/novice wins last season came at up to 2m5f but there's a lot of stamina in his pedigree and he left the impression he'll be suited by this step back up in trip when sticking on for fifth on his 2m4f Aintree reappearance 25 days ago; big player for an in-form stable which won this race in 2019.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:20 Market Rasen

Bridge North

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: James Owen

Bounced back from disappointing stable debut when second in first-time cheekpieces at Southwell (3m, good to soft) in December but was quickly back in the doldrums on next outing and has become hard to predict.

8/1

1

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Bridge North

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Completing the course has not come easily since he won a handicap chase at Newbury in March 2023 and has been very flat over hurdles this season; has a good bit to prove.

14/1

6th

1

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Bridge North

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Completing the course has not come easily since he won a handicap chase at Newbury in March 2023 and has been very flat over hurdles this season; has a good bit to prove.

14/1

Form: 13-136

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Joined this yard last year and thrived, making it three wins for the stable (all under Thomas Willmott) when making all at Haydock (3m, good to soft) in May; returned with close third at Wetherby (2m, good) and possibly unsuited by very testing ground when down the field at Carlisle since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

7

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Musselburgh

Romeo Brown

11st 3lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

12yo who exploited a career-low mark in reapplied cheekpieces (retained since) at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in November and followed up there (3m, good to soft) in December, making all under Oscar Palmer each time; he's a player if resuming where he left off.

6/1

5

15th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:20 Wetherby

Romeo Brown

11st 8lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Not the force of old but, following a wind operation, arrested decline and was placed twice at Hexham (2m4f; stays 3m) in the spring; absent since falling quite heavily there in May but has a fighting chance if ready to roll.

7/1

Form: 832131 C

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Not the force of old but he's been in good form this season, winning two small-field 3m handicap hurdles on good ground, the latter at Wetherby five weeks ago; it's hard to discount this dual course scorer for a yard which continues in form but this is a deeper race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

26th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 3

15:02 Perth

Caius Marcius

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Nicky Richards

led narrowly, not fluent 5th, headed 3 out, weakened before 2 out

8/1

6th

7

28th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

15:25 Uttoxeter

Caius Marcius

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Nicky Richards

Admirable veteran with 17 wins to his name, the latest off today's mark at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) only last summer; may have needed his comeback run and wouldn't put it past him running well.

12/1

Form: 231123 BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Has already enjoyed a good season, winning three times; creditable placed efforts the last twice but they suggest the handicapper may finally have him about right.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Worcester

Mr Yeats

11st 10lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Stuck on a lengthy losing run and was well behind Boskill Borden here 12 days ago; the first-time tongue-tie needs to make a difference.

16/1

7th

2

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

Mr Yeats

11st 13lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Struggling before minor late gains at Market Rasen latest (2m5f, good) extended his losing run to 20; first drop into a 0-105 since July 2022 isn't sufficient on its own to persuade this is the day.

8/1

Non-runners

Windsor Avenue, Caius Marcius, Mr Yeats

Verdict

Henry Daly won this race in 2019 and might have the answer to it again in the shape of BRIDGE NORTH (nap), who made quite an encouraging return to action at Aintree last month and ought to benefit from the step back up in distance. This trip is a maximum for Stoner’s Choice but he might get it around here and is on a workable mark back hurdling so he may fill the forecast spot ahead of Pounding Poet. [Andrew Sheret]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bridge North

POSTDATA:

Caius Marcius

Telegraph:

Pounding Poet

The Sun:

Mr Yeats

WEST COUNTRY:

Stoner's Choice

TOPSPEED:

Romeo Brown

RP Ratings:

Bridge North

The Times:

Bridge North

The Guardian:

Bridge North

Daily Mail:

Bridge North

The Star:

Bridge North

D Express:

Pounding Poet

Daily Mirror:

Caius Marcius

Daily Record:

Caius Marcius