February 18 / 15.18 Haydock

15.18

Good To Soft

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

  • Prize money: £16338
  • 3m 0f 58y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 111416 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Made it six wins for 2022 (three on good ground; made all on last three occasions) when obliging over 3m1f at Catterick in November; the drop back in trip looked against him when sixth of 15 at Fakenham (2m4f) on New Year's Day but this higher grade demands more improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

15:40 Hexham

Johnsons Blue

11st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

On the face of it work on to reverse recent C&D form with Perseus Way and Sunset Hill despite a swing in the weights, but course record prior to that read four wins and (off 8lb higher) a short head second in this race last year ahead of two reopposing rivals; respected.

11/1

3rd

7

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Johnsons Blue

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Has won eight of his 21 races over hurdles; doesn't seem to be the force of old as was pulled up at Haydock last time having finished last of eight on previous hurdle run.

20/1

6

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Johnsons Blue

10st 13lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Tailed off on his final hurdle start in November and three subsequent chase runs leave him with further questions to answer; potentially on a useful mark if he can get back on track, but there are clearly risks attached.

25/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1-1122 D BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Completed a hat-trick in handicaps (first win was on good ground) and better form when runner-up since at Taunton and Huntingdon; last three runs have been at about 3m; respected for that record but further progress may be required to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

The Changing Man

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Unfair to knock his strike-rate of 1-12 over fences as he's run some crackers in defeat, with four seconds last season including a strong C&D handicap and the Ultima at Cheltenham in March; quite likely that he was over the top when last to finish in the 3m1f Grade 1 novice at Aintree; tough, consistent and much respected despite a challenging mark.

100/30

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

The Changing Man

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Unfair to knock his strike-rate of 1-12 over fences as he's run some crackers in defeat, with four seconds last season including a strong C&D handicap and the Ultima at Cheltenham in March; quite likely that he was over the top when last to finish in the 3m1f Grade 1 novice at Aintree; tough, consistent and much respected despite a challenging mark.

100/30

3rd

7

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

The Changing Man

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Only 1-11 over fences, the success in a Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot that essentially fell apart; however, he's proved very consistent in good handicaps otherwise this term, second at the Cheltenham Festival (3m1f, good to soft) most recently; again likely to give his running.

10/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: FU233-

Last run: 315 days

W: 11st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Second in this race (heavy) last year, before his third in the Final at Cheltenham (soft) and 13l third to Party Business at Aintree (good to soft); probably fine on good ground as well; absent 315 days but has been capable of going well after a layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:30 Cartmel

Mill Green

12st 2lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Best known as a very useful 3m handicap hurdler but was very creditable third in Veterans' Final at Warwick (3m, soft) on latest chasing start in January; did not fire in Pertemps Final at Cheltenham Festival in March and has stamina to prove here but will find this considerably easier than the races he normally contests.

6/4

1st

1

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:30 Cartmel

Mill Green

12st 2lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

raced in third, not fluent 5 out, went second 4 out, going best 2 out, pushed along to lead last, soon went clear, ridden and idled run-in, kept on final 110yds

6/4

15th

10

14th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:10 Cheltenham

Mill Green

11st 0lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

Third in the big 3m handicap hurdles at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals in both 2022 and 2023; exposed 12yo but there's every indication that he retains all of that ability, so may well be seriously involved once more.

20/1

Form: 0-54U3

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Wore cheekpieces on last three starts, with tongue tied (he isn't today) on last two; 28-1 and ridden by 7lb claimer, good third of 17 in valuable handicap at Leopardstown (second attempt at 3m, yielding) two weeks ago; his jumping is not always fluent and this British mark looks harder but he brings clear potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(3)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 3

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Hardy Bloke

8st 4lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

8yo former hurdler/chaser who turned his attentions to the Flat last summer; enjoyed a solid spell in soft-ground staying handicaps in the autumn and produced a career best in this code when winning over C&D (Dreams Adozen fourth) on his reappearance in April; found the Northumberland Vase too warm when last seen two months ago but he's not discounted.

8/1

18

(17)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Hardy Bloke

8st 12lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

8yo who is a former hurdler/chaser; enjoyed a solid spell in soft-ground staying handicaps on the Flat last autumn, and produced a career best in this code when winning by 3l on his reappearance at Southwell (2m, Tapeta) two months ago; a 5lb rise isn't harsh and he could be involved.

16/1

1st

7

(3)

30th Apr 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

20:40 Southwell (AW)

Hardy Bloke

9st 2lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

nudged along early, in rear, steady headway and in touch with leaders over 3f out, headway to lead over 1f out, kept on well

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 551-49 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Luckless when fifth in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham (2m4f) last term but made amends at Aintree (3m); reportedly lame after running creditably in May and never dangerous when next seen (20-1) two weeks ago; wore cheekpieces last two starts; may still have potential and the market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

29th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

16:13 Fontwell

Party Business

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Yet to add to his Aintree festival success in 2022 but was only beaten about 7l when fourth of six in stronger race than this at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last month and continues to slip down the weights; might cope better than some of these if the ground softens; must be considered.

8/1

9

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

15:37 Uttoxeter

Party Business

10st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Ian Williams

Very useful in his prime but yet to add to his Aintree festival success in 2022; on a good mark now (even from 1lb out of the weights) and seemed to ran quite well when second of three over C&D (good) last month but others have more appealing profiles.

9/1

4

5th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

14:30 Uttoxeter

Party Business

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Continues to fall in the weights but stuck on a losing run and has ground to make up with Ernest Gray on their recent Worcester clash.

5/1

Form: 21-246 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
More to prove if the ground is not softer than good; progressed last season and second in a hot race over C&D (soft; 4lb higher today) in November on reappearance; rather a disappointing in her two runs since, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Get A Tonic

11st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Posted career-best performance when winning readily from the front at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in December but weakened rather tamely there later that month, and a switch to patient tactics didn't pay dividends at Ascot in March; now has a point to prove.

8/1

10th

2

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Get A Tonic

11st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Posted career-best performance when winning readily from the front at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in December but weakened rather tamely there later that month, and a switch to patient tactics didn't pay dividends at Ascot in March; now has a point to prove.

8/1

6th

1

24th Mar 2024

Good

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

17:05 Ascot

Get A Tonic

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Inconsistent in the last two seasons and well beaten at Newbury in December last time out, but she comfortably made all there (2m4f, good to soft) earlier that month and can make bold bid if back on song after a break.

7/1

Form: 422211 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Form figures of 11422211 since upped to 3m-3m2f, with those last two wins at Musselburgh (on soft/good) under Edward Austin; made all latest; up another 5lb but this steadily progressive stayer keeps pulling out more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

6th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

17:02 Kelso

Brandy McQueen

12st 6lb

J: Miss Lucy Brown

T: Miss Lucy Brown

Won a similar event at Catterick in good style in March (3m1f, good) but pulled up at Hexham last time; needs to bounce back.

6/1

1

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

Brandy McQueen

12st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Brown

T: Miss Lucy Brown

Quite useful in his prime and he won a point in February (3m, good to soft) before easily following up in a hunter chase at Catterick last month (3m1f, good; Lunar Contact second); strong claims.

5/2

1st

6

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

16:10 Catterick

Brandy McQueen

11st 12lb

J: Miss Lucy Brown

T: Miss Lucy Brown

One-time quite useful staying hurdler/chaser who won a point on second start for present connections last month (3m, good to soft); this tougher, but a contender.

13/2

Form: 1310-1 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in the EBF Final last March but resumed his winning ways when he reappeared in handicap at Plumpton (3m1f, good to soft) 19 days ago, produced late on; 5lb higher today but has plenty more to offer as a stayer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Jerrash

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Did at least get round last time but was pretty much tailed off and didn't jump that well; others safer.

12/1

3

21st Jul 2025

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 4

16:20 Cartmel

Jerrash

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Easily reeled in and was pulled up after blasting off in front at Market Rasen a fortnight ago (well backed), and has now failed to complete all four races this year; on a workable mark and suited by this C&D but needs to get career back on track.

9/1

6

6th Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Jerrash

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Last win came in this race 12 months ago when 4lb lower; can struggle to find fluency over his fences and hasn't completed in his last three races; bit risky.

10/1

Form: 250-34 D

Last run: 98 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
0-5 in handicaps, runner-up on first attempt (3m, good); ran respectably for two minor honours at about 2m4f this season; tongue tied on last three starts, also has cheekpieces this time and had wind surgery after latest start (November); player if they bring him back to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:18 Haydock

Onagatheringstorm

11st 2lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

0-5 in handicaps, runner-up on first attempt (3m, good); ran respectably for two minor honours at about 2m4f this season; tongue tied on last three starts, also has cheekpieces this time and had wind surgery after latest start (November); player if they bring him back to his best.

12/1

4th

3

12th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

13:18 Wetherby

Onagatheringstorm

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent on inner, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, outpaced after 2 out, no impression run-in

11/2

3rd

6

21st Oct 2022

Good To Firm

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

15:55 Cheltenham

Onagatheringstorm

11st 3lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

towards rear of midfield, mistake 1st, ridden and good headway on outer 3 out, went second and ridden 2 out, 8 lengths down last, weakened and lost second run-in

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £42.60
Straight Forecast £43.59
Tricast £477.50
Trifecta £434.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jerrash

WEST COUNTRY:

The Changing Man

TOPSPEED:

Mill Green

The Times:

Hardy Bloke

Daily Mail:

Brandy McQueen

RP Ratings:

Jerrash

POSTDATA:

Jerrash

Daily Mirror:

Jerrash

The Sun:

Jerrash

Daily Record:

Jerrash

D Express:

Hardy Bloke

The Guardian:

The Changing Man

The Star:

The Changing Man

LAMBOURN:

Mill Green

Telegraph:

Mill Green