February 11 / 15.35 Newbury

15.35

Good

Betfair Hurdle (Handicap) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £87218.5
  • 2m 0f 69y
  • Class 1
  • 18 runners
ITV4
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Betfair Hurdle (Handicap) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 18 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.30
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 41-122 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Stablemate of Highway One O Two; often front-runner; solid record over fences this term, second in Grade 2 novice event at Kempton (2m, soft) most recently; looks well handicapped back over hurdles (chase mark is 7lb higher) and he's 4-6 in this sphere; handles good ground; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

21st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 195y

Class 3

15:50 Plumpton

Aucunrisque

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Not as good as he was but that's reflected in his mark and he knows his way around this place; returning from a break when third in this 12 months ago off a 4lb higher mark; could easily have a role to play.

7/2

3

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 2

15:50 Cartmel

Aucunrisque

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Not quite as good as he was but still a useful performer; placed on final two starts last season (2m hurdle/2m1f chase) and drops back in trip after looking stretched by 2m4f last month; probably best on good/good to soft but has won on soft; enters calculations.

13/2

2

16th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

18:20 Aintree

Aucunrisque

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Not quite as good as he was but still a useful performer; second off today's mark on latest hurdling start at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in March and also ran well when third in Sussex Champion Chase at Plumpton (2m1f, good) last month; well worth another crack at 2m4f; probably won't be far away.

4/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 633-11 D

Last run: 72 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Irish 7yo; maiden for previous yard; 2-2 since joining the very shrewd Emmet Mullins, winning Class 3 handicaps at Doncaster (2m, good; easily) and Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft; had something to spare) to enhance his trainer's good strike-rate at British tracks; change of owner (bought by JP McManus) since last run; goes into deeper waters at this level but looks the type to keep on improving for his new yard; has to be feared.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(23)

12th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 7y

16:20 Naas

Filey Bay

9st 2lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Emmet Mullins

One of two for trainer; dual-hurdles winner got his second Flat win at Galway in July when an easy winner of an amateur contest (2m1f, yielding); struggled off 10lb higher in the Irish Cesarewitch last time and drops 2lb now.

18/1

16

(6)

28th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 170y

16:22 Curragh

Filey Bay

9st 5lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: Emmet Mullins

Plundered a nice pot at Galway (2m1f, yielding) when last seen in July; got hit with a 10lb hike for that so this 9yo will need to produce a career best to follow up but that's not impossible given who trains him; respected.

17/2

17

(3)

28th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 179y

18:40 Galway

Filey Bay

11st 0lb

J: Mr Alan O’Sullivan

T: Emmet Mullins

142-rated hurdler has run only five times on the Flat; odds-on winner of a Tramore maiden on good ground in August 2023, close-up fourth on handicap debut in the 2023 Naas November Handicap; did not appear again until finishing in mid-division at the Curragh last month.

16/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 0-2D131 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Creditable third in the Gerry Feilden over C&D (good) in November, then took advantage of a good opportunity in Lingfield maiden last week; 5lb penalty is offset by Caoilin Quinn's useful claim; not fully exposed and his trainer has won this race three times; Supreme entry; possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Teddy Blue

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has registered a couple of useful handicap wins this season, including at Kempton (2m4f, good) on penultimate start; faces a stiffer task conceding weight all round in this grade, with 4lb penalty incurred.

25/1

23

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Teddy Blue

10st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Can be difficult to settle and he was reluctant to line up at Kempton (2m4f, good) four weeks ago, but that didn't stop him winning; had just a neck to spare but the first two were clear and this 8yo is now 4-10 over fences; further progress is possible and he's not ruled out up just 3lb.

40/1

1st

5

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:18 Kempton

Teddy Blue

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

All three chase wins (good to soft and good) in 2025, including at 2m2f here; creditable shows in his first 2m4f chases on last two starts and perhaps this sharper test than at Newbury recently will suit; not far away.

12/1

11/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: 321-41

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Finished 12l behind stablemate Teddy Blue on similar terms in this season's Gerry Feilden; that effort is flanked by two wins at Fontwell, latest in handicap on Boxing Day (2m1f, good to soft); still fairly unexposed but faces a harder task off 7lb higher back up in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(3)

22nd Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Yorksea

9st 10lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Paddy Butler

slowly away, towards rear

25/1

9th

5

(3)

22nd Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Yorksea

9st 10lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Paddy Butler

slowly away, towards rear

25/1

Form: 6118-1 D

Last run: 85 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Midfield in last season's Imperial Cup on handicap debut; emphatically resumed his progress with a powerful and impressive success at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) when last seen three months ago, taking hurdles record to 3-5; the manner of that win suggests he'll cope with 10lb rise and prove a big force back in a major handicap; strongly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Monviel

10st 10lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

prominent, pressed leaders briefly 3 out, kept on from 2 out

5/2

3rd

6

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Monviel

10st 10lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Finally exploited his much reduced mark when coming clear at Ffos Las a month ago (2m4f, good to soft), where he reportedly appreciated the drying ground; a 5lb rise might not prevent him from following up.

5/2

1st

3

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ffos Las

Monviel

11st 10lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

All three wins in 2022; twice second in the mud at Uttoxeter (2m4f) last spring but well beaten all five starts from November onwards, even when the cheekpieces returned back at Uttoxeter on latest; another career-low mark.

7/1

Form: 4-3F22 BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
The only maiden in the field, though was unlucky (3l clear when final-flight faller) at Ascot in November; turned over at short odds in Plumpton novice event last month but may do better still; trainer won this prize in 2014, 2017 and 2019 (close second in 2022); could go well on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Master Chewy

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Finished a creditable close second of three finishers in a Grade 2 at Kempton (about 2m4f, good) in January but he's an infrequent winner and it's two years since he ran well in a Grade 1 (not far away when falling two out in the Arkle here, then touched off at Aintree); well adrift in this race last year and there's no reason to expect much better today.

100/1

5th

1

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

14:45 Newbury

Master Chewy

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Landed this prize last year but incurs a bigger penalty this time, making him worse off with runner-up Libberty Hunter, and concedes weight to some other notable rivals that include a very promising 5yo; outgunned by 12yo Edwardstone at Kempton most recently; chance of doing the Game Spirit double partly depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.

11/1

2

26th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Master Chewy

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Unproven at this trip but kept on well to win Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, soft) in February and his two subsequent defeats came in Grade 1s; likes it here, with course form figures of 122, and he's fine on good ground; from in-form yard and can play leading role if seeing out the trip.

4/1

Form: 2P-213 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Well-held third in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day (stiff task); made all to comfortably beat Hacker Des Places, who admittedly lacked recent match practice, in Ascot handicap (1m7f, good) the time before; has an 8lb higher mark and deeper field to contend with.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Ayr

Highway One O Two

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Chris Gordon

Won easily at Ascot (1m7f, good) earlier this season and showed that he can live with his new mark when faring best of those in here who contested the County Hurdle at Cheltenham (good to soft); did well to finish sixth after forcing the pace throughout (as is his way) and easy to see him going well.

10/1

6th

11

17th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:10 Cheltenham

Highway One O Two

11st 2lb

J: Mr Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Easily made all in Ascot handicap (1m7f, good) last October then ran as well as could be expected behind Constitution Hill in Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle (2m, soft); however, went up the weights for his Ascot win and was soundly beaten in the Betfair Hurdle last time; needs a career best today.

40/1

7th

3

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Highway One O Two

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Chris Gordon

Well-held third in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day (stiff task); made all to comfortably beat Hacker Des Places, who admittedly lacked recent match practice, in Ascot handicap (1m7f, good) the time before; has an 8lb higher mark and deeper field to contend with.

20/1

25/1

Form: 1400-9 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Useful on Flat and over hurdles; soundly beaten in the Relkeel (upped to 2m4f) most recently; nicely treated back down in trip, as he defied this mark at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) in late 2021; however, came up well short in this contest last year; headgear enlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(2)

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:40 Goodwood

Tritonic

9st 10lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Alan King

Capable of useful form on Flat and over jumps; however, hasn't scored under this code since 2022 and needs to improve on his 2025 AW efforts; admittedly this 8yo may benefit from today's drop back in class.

20/1

4

(2)

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:40 Goodwood

Tritonic

9st 10lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Alan King

Capable of useful form on Flat and over jumps; however, hasn't scored under this code since 2022 and needs to improve on his 2025 AW efforts; admittedly this 8yo may benefit from today's drop back in class.

20/1

5

(12)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Tritonic

8st 12lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Fine servant to his team but hasn't got his head in front since winning a four-runner chase in late 2023; 33-1 and never dangerous back on the Flat three weeks ago at Kempton (2m).

16/1

Form: 113P-1 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Justified favouritism with a game success in Kempton handicap (2m, soft; back from 12-month absence) at Christmas; now 3-6 over hurdles and looks open to further improvement for top connections; ran well on good ground in the 2021 Greatwood; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

24th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 2

15:28 Uttoxeter

No Ordinary Joe

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Faye Bramley

Off a reduced mark he won over 2m4f on good ground at Sandown and some interference didn't help matters when well beaten off this 5lb higher mark in the Swinton; still well treated on old form.

14/1

13th

12

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

No Ordinary Joe

10st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Faye Bramley

Finally took advantage of some leniency from the handicapper when winning at Sandown (2m4f, good) two weeks ago, always in the firing line; still well treated on old form but he's not sure to be so effective back over this shorter trip.

18/1

1st

11

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

No Ordinary Joe

10st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Faye Bramley

Kept on for sixth of 21 in first-time visor at Aintree (2m, good to soft) a fortnight ago and will be suited by this move back up in trip, but his last win came in 2022 and he's patently not the force of old.

12/1

6/1

Form: 8-112 D BF

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Had wind surgery after a heavy defeat in last season's Adonis on British/hurdles debut; progressive this term, scoring twice in emphatic style at Taunton (2m, good) then runner-up in Class 2 novice event at Kempton; Supreme entry who should have more to offer; major contender for Paul Nicholls, who won this race in 2012 and 2020.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

16:02 Sandown

Rubaud

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Form dipped in Cheltenham Festival handicap returned to fences last time; multiple Grade 2 winner but has raced mostly at about 2m and isn't crying out for this step back up in trip; first go beyond a sharp 2m4f.

14/1

3

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Rubaud

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Listed/Grade 2 wins over hurdles this term; goes back over fences for the first time since last May and he's 1-5 in this sphere, the win coming in a Grade 2 novice last February; sixth of 15 off this mark in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April 2024 when he last tackled a handicap; may be vulnerable.

16/1

2nd

1

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 50y

Class 1

13:35 Wincanton

Rubaud

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Front-runner who is 2-3 since returned to hurdles from fences, winning races at Kempton (Listed) and Wincanton (Elite Hurdle) that he also took in 2023 and 2024; held in a 9l third at Kempton on Boxing Day but that was behind Sir Gino in a Grade 1 and he's strongly respected on this drop back in class; most of his wins have been on good ground but he's effective on soft.

7/4

Form: 243-48 CD BF

Last run: 85 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Disappointing when last seen but is normally consistent and could well bounce back; made all over C&D (off this mark in small field) in November 2021 then made the frame in three major handicaps; however, he's more exposed than many of these opponents.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 3

16:20 Newton Abbot

Onemorefortheroad

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Front-runner who posted some good efforts over hurdles and fences for Neil King in second half of last year, including a second in this race; makes debut for Ben Pauling after eight-month break but will be a danger to all off current mark if fully tuned up.

4/1

9

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:25 Market Rasen

Onemorefortheroad

11st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Front-runner; looked a non-stayer over 3m at Doncaster last month but his close second there (2m3f, good) two starts ago was a good effort and he'll be fine on this right-handed track; no surprise if he give this a good shot.

8/1

9

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:25 Market Rasen

Onemorefortheroad

11st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

pressed leader, struggling when lost position after 7th, dropped to last 9th, soon pulled up

8/1

Form: 4-2171 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Record of 3-8 over hurdles, most recently winning a Class 4 handicap at Doncaster (2m, good) by 12l; raised 11lb but Alexander Thorne's 5lb claim is some help and again has suitable conditions; however, faces much stiffer competition upped sharply in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

1st Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 3

19:10 Market Rasen

Restitution

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

took keen hold, prominent, pressed leader after 5th, hit 7th

11/1

6th

4

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

19:25 Warwick

Restitution

11st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Displayed huge improvement when sauntering to 12l win at Doncaster (2m, good) in December and put two lesser efforts behind him when staying-on third at Wincanton (2m5f, good to soft) last month; still unexposed over this trip and may benefit from the addition of cheekpieces.

6/1

3rd

3

16th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

14:25 Wincanton

Restitution

11st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Alan King

Appeared to display huge improvement when sauntering to 12l win at Doncaster (2m, good) in December; subsequent defeat in major handicap is not viewed harshly but he looked out of sorts at Stratford last month and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 44-4U3 CD

Last run: 46 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Returned to chasing the last twice (unseated rider then well held); very useful hurdler who has bits of Grade 1 form and won this major handicap (narrowly on good to soft) last year; however, lumbered with a 5lb higher mark and top weight this time round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Worcester

Glory And Fortune

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Smart in his prime but needed considerable help from the handicapper before driven-out win at Chepstow (2m, good) in April; subsequent defeat in valuable Haydock race is not viewed harshly but he's not yet proven over this far and others in the field have more appealing profiles; cheekpices removed after one use.

11/2

11th

5

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Glory And Fortune

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Tom Lacey

Winning for the first time since the 2022 Betfair Hurdle when digging deep to edge out Helnwein at Chepstow two weeks ago (2m, good); will do well to defy a 4lb rise in this deeper race but he'll give it his best shot; cheekpieces added.

14/1

11th

5

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Glory And Fortune

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Tom Lacey

Winning for the first time since the 2022 Betfair Hurdle when digging deep to edge out Helnwein at Chepstow two weeks ago (2m, good); will do well to defy a 4lb rise in this deeper race but he'll give it his best shot; cheekpieces added.

14/1

Form: 5143-3 D BF

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Creditable fourth in last season's Triumph Hurdle (good to soft); beaten favourite in two subsequent starts, though ran well on the figures in warm handicap at Fairyhouse (2m, soft) ten weeks ago latest; there may still be more to come from this Willie Mullins-trained 5yo; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Icare Allen

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent but he won at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last July and returned from a break with a close third here (2m5f, soft) on Boxing Day, staying on nicely; he's fine at this trip; not his fault when unseating mid-race at Haydock last month; could be involved.

12/1

6

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

14:35 Haydock

Icare Allen

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent but he won at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last July and returned from a break with a close third at Wetherby (2m5f, soft) on Boxing Day, staying on nicely; he'll be fine now back up in trip and could be involved.

11/1

4

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Icare Allen

11st 12lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Returned to form to win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in July and again ran well when fourth there (2m4f, good) last month; stays this far and is effective on soft ground; goes well for Benjamin Macey, with form figures of 29214, and he could have a part to play.

6/1

Form: 131-21 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Held on for neck win under regular rider Angus Cheleda at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft) two weeks ago, building on his Ascot reappearance effort (behind Highway One O Two) and taking record to 5-11; appears to handle good ground; progressive sort who enters calculations under 5lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Hacker Des Places

11st 8lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Paul Nicholls

Held on for neck win under regular rider Angus Cheleda at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft) two weeks ago, building on his Ascot reappearance effort (behind Highway One O Two) and taking record to 5-11; appears to handle good ground; progressive sort who enters calculations under 5lb penalty.

1st

6

28th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 2

16:10 Cheltenham

Hacker Des Places

10st 11lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Paul Nicholls

Ended last season with some very good efforts under Angus Cheleda, including one win on heavy and another in 16-runner handicap at Aintree festival (2m, good to soft) in April; good second to an easy winner at Ascot in October on return and may well be able to build on that; player.

9/2

Form: 3305-4 C

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Well treated on best form over hurdles/fences; not disgraced in races won by Hacker Des Places (Aintree) and No Ordinary Joe (Kempton) on last two appearances; however, he's much more exposed than those progressive younger rivals and is unlikely to turn the tables.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

14

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Faivoir

11st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Has lots of form in major handicaps, generally at about 2m, but losing spell goes back three years and he looks unlikely to land this hot contest at the age of 11; remote third at Newbury most recently.

40/1

3rd

5

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

Faivoir

11st 8lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Missed last term; useful on his day (County winner) but is into the veteran stage and not particularly solid on this season's form, for all that he was placed in the Greatwood; beaten twice in this contest (pulled up in 2023, fifth in 2024).

33/1

Form: 0/034-

Last run: 509 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Career started in Britain, then scored on Flat and over hurdles during a spell in Ireland; only ninth in Class 5 handicap on the Flat last month when back from lengthy layoff and making debut for new yard; faces a stiff assignment back under this code.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

16th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

14:40 Doncaster

Glorious Zoff

10st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

He's 8lb higher than when winning at Warwick (2m, good) in May but posted some good efforts in defeat in handicaps subsequently and ran as well as could be expected in a Grade 2 last time; each-way claims.

12/1

3rd

2

11th Nov 2023

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 1

15:00 Wincanton

Glorious Zoff

11st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

took keen hold, held up in rear, not fluent 5 out, headway after 3 out, no impression from 2 out

50/1

0

8

27th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

13:35 Cheltenham

Glorious Zoff

10st 13lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Seemingly revitalised by a wind op in early part of this season (unlucky not to complete a double) and has held his form well since but will probably find others in this field better handicapped.

20/1

Form: 1-2811 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Seeking a hat-trick having won Hereford novice event and Kempton handicap (driven out) the last twice, both over 2m on soft going; bumper winner on good ground; gets into this better race off a low weight; generally progressive; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

19:00 Chepstow

Deere Mark

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Promising novice who doubled his hurdling tally on handicap debut at Kempton (2m, soft) in January; weakened tamely after briefly looking dangerous in valuable event at Kelso (2m, good to soft) last month but is back in calmer waters here and still has potential.

3/1

12th

13

4th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

13:50 Kelso

Deere Mark

10st 10lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Sam Thomas

Good-ground bumper winner who scored at Hereford (2m, soft) in December on his third hurdle start and followed up on handicap debut at Kempton (2m, soft); today's assignment is much tougher but he travelled really well last time and could have plenty more left in the tank.

7/1

17

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Deere Mark

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Sam Thomas

Seeking a hat-trick having won Hereford novice event and Kempton handicap (driven out) the last twice, both over 2m on soft going; bumper winner on good ground; gets into this better race off a low weight; generally progressive; interesting contender.

16/1

Non-runners

Hacker Des Places, Deere Mark

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £71.20
Straight Forecast £41.71
Tricast £378.65
Trifecta £706.30

Selections

POSTDATA:

Rubaud

SPOTLIGHT:

Monviel

The Guardian:

Deere Mark

Daily Mail:

Aucunrisque

TOPSPEED:

Tritonic

Telegraph:

Filey Bay

LAMBOURN:

No Ordinary Joe

RP Ratings:

Glory And Fortune

WEST COUNTRY:

Monviel

The Star:

Deere Mark

Daily Mirror:

Rubaud

The Sun:

Rubaud

Daily Record:

Rubaud

D Express:

Aucunrisque

The Times:

Tritonic