February 25 / 16.10 Kempton

16.10

Good

Coral Racing Club Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6918.11
  • 2m 5f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Coral Racing Club Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 5-171F

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Greatwood defeat at Cheltenham was flanked by wins over 2m at Plumpton and 2m3f at Lingfield, both on good to soft; 20-1 over C&D (upped in trip) when back in a major handicap for latest start and he fell at the second; 5-11 over hurdles and not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Mark Of Gold

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Last season over hurdles ended on a low note at this meeting; solid for most of this term, switched to fences for last five starts and winning twice in small fields; put firmly in his place in Grade 1 novice events over 2m4f here in February and particularly at Aintree last time, but this return to a handicap will also demand a career best.

14/1

1st

1

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Mark Of Gold

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Last season over hurdles ended on a low note at this meeting; solid for most of this term, switched to fences for last five starts and winning twice in small fields; put firmly in his place in Grade 1 novice events over 2m4f here in February and particularly at Aintree last time, but this return to a handicap will also demand a career best.

14/1

6th

7

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Mark Of Gold

11st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Experienced hurdler who won Grade 2 novice on chase debut at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) in December and made it 2-4 over fences in warm little handicap at Exeter (2m1f, good) last time; ran well behind two of these in Grade 2 at Kempton in February but likely to be vulnerable in this company.

40/1

20/1

  • Place: £5.00

Form: /22-05 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 6lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Ran well both starts here (C&D) but now a 12yo whose best form was in 2020 and May/June 2021; long absence before this season and latest start (2m4f chase) was a step back in the right direction but now he needs another.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

1st May 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Kempton

Ballyhome

12st 0lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent

20/1

5th

1

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

15:15 Market Rasen

Ballyhome

12st 2lb

J: Miss Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Four-time course winner; no longer the force of old as a 12yo but proved he retains a significant chunk of ability and ran well from the front when second at Kempton (2m5f, good) a fortnight ago; ought to handle today's slower ground reasonably well; no surprise if he's in the mix again.

9/2

2nd

6

25th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Kempton

Ballyhome

11st 6lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Ran well both starts here (C&D) but now a 12yo whose best form was in 2020 and May/June 2021; long absence before this season and latest start (2m4f chase) was a step back in the right direction but now he needs another.

20/1

OUR TIP

7/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 32/11- CD

Last run: 629 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner; last four runs were as a novice hurdler with easy odds-on wins in small fields on good ground over C&D and at Perth; tongue tied in the latter and on this first appearance for 629 days; has had ligament problems; market strength needs a close look because he appears to be on a highly competitive mark if he's tuned up for this return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

10th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

15:12 Chepstow

Will Carver

10st 13lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Had wind surgery since a laboured effort at Cartmel in late August (cheekpieces joined regular tongue-tie) but he has become wickedly inconsistent; capable off this mark but others have to rate safer propositions.

12/1

3

25th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

16:05 Cartmel

Will Carver

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Second at Ayr in April (2m4f, good to soft) behind a revitalised rival but ran moderately the following month and he is wickedly inconsistent; cheekpieces are added; mixed record after breaks.

12/1

Form: 1O0-P3

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Had wind surgery soon after final start last term; last six outings have been over 2m7f-3m1f, including a close third (ran on well) at Huntingdon on latest; needs to be back in peak form (impressive Plumpton win last January) and it's not clear whether this drop back in trip will help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

20th Sep 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:15 Listowel

Scarpia

11st 4lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

Three-time hurdle winner for Nicky Henderson including at Worcester over 2m7f when last seen in June; this is more competitive but could run well.

14/1

1st

3

15th Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

19:20 Worcester

Scarpia

11st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Has a patchy record, with sole win in handicaps (ten attempts) coming over 3m1f on good at Plumpton in January 2022; creditable placings in two of his four starts this year, including when front-running at Huntingdon on latest; faces only four rivals and has tongue tied first time.

3/1

Form: 1-42F4

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
2m2f hurdles win last March on sole French start and he's shown promise in Britain; carries his head low and settling him out the back has been the plan on last three starts; came badly unstuck with his early jumping on handicap debut over C&D (10-1) on Boxing Day but he ran on into fourth of 12 behind an impressive winner at Ascot (2m7f) last Saturday, having been a detached last turning for home; not straightforward but he has more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ivaldi

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

in rear

14/1

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ivaldi

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

in rear

14/1

9th

6

30th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 2

13:54 Newbury

Ivaldi

11st 7lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

always behind

16/1

Form: 7-142F

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
His second fall from three attempts over fences came on latest start, so he's back over hurdles; had found some improvement on heavy/soft earlier this term and could easily have more to offer for the champion trainer, but good ground would give him much more to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

25th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Kempton

Halo Des Obeaux

12st 0lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

His second fall from three attempts over fences came on latest start, so he's back over hurdles; had found some improvement on heavy/soft earlier this term and could easily have more to offer for the champion trainer, but good ground would give him much more to prove.

10/1

4

4th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 3

13:28 Musselburgh

Halo Des Obeaux

11st 4lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

in touch with leaders on outer, mistake and fell heavily 3rd

7/2

2nd

3

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 3

15:35 Newbury

Halo Des Obeaux

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Ex-French 5yo who opened British account (fifth attempt) in a conditional jockeys' event at Sandown (2m4f, heavy); fair fourth there over 2m7f four weeks ago off today's mark and needs to prove he's worth it.

8/1

Form: 1-341

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won Wetherby bumper (sole run on good) last season; progressive form over hurdles this term, winning a 13-runner maiden at Catterick (2m3f, soft) last time despite some sketchy jumping late on; now tongue tied; looks a work in progress, likely to do fair bit better in due course and considered on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:00 Uttoxeter

Don Hollow

11st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, not fluent 3rd, pressed leader 4 out, led narrowly 3 out

10/1

1st

5

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:00 Uttoxeter

Don Hollow

11st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, not fluent 3rd, pressed leader 4 out, led narrowly 3 out

10/1

6th

5

5th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

14:05 Wincanton

Don Hollow

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced bumper and maiden hurdle winner who caught the eye when fifth at Carlisle in October following a long absence; well beaten at Sandown since but he's in top hands and is not written off.

14/1

Form: 122-20

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Won good-ground handicaps last term at Plumpton (2m) and Fontwell (2m3f); respectable second at Plumpton (2m4f) in October was far better than his run here (28-1) at Christmas but the latter was on soft; ground conditions today promise to be more suitable but he needs to resume improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(4)

13th Oct 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:50 Goodwood

Royaume Uni

11st 10lb

J: David Noonan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Unraced since a hurdles win in May 2023; looked a good-ground specialist in that sphere and his Flat win on soft was in 2020 in his French days.

20/1

1st

1

14th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 3

15:50 Plumpton

Royaume Uni

12st 1lb

J: Rob Hargreaves

T: Gary Moore

Recent form figures make grim reading but he's very much a good ground specialist and has plenty of form which gives him decent claims; not written off in a hurry and Rob Hargreaves taking off 8lb no hardship either.

8/1

8

(4)

12th May 2023

Soft

1m 7f 209y

Class 3

14:25 Ascot

Royaume Uni

9st 4lb

J: Anna Gibson

T: Gary Moore

Dual winning hurdler on good ground (2m/2m3f) but tailed off when trying 2m5f on soft at Christmas and non-completions on both starts this spring; now reverts to Flat, in which sphere he has appeared in three 2m handicaps but not achieved much; down the weights.

7/1

Form: 232115 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won here as a chaser; resurgent back over hurdles in November and December, including wins at Catterick and Ayr; similar form when back up to 3m1f at Huntingdon on latest start; clearly needs better than that but his peak efforts (2020 and May 2021) do give some hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

19th Aug 2023

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

19:30 Market Rasen

Locks Corner

11st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won twice on slow ground over hurdles (2m3f/2m4f) towards the end of last year but he has a mixed record since; perked up with a fair third over C&D (good) in June but he failed to back that up at Worcester and others are preferred; cheekpieces reapplied.

12/1

6th

2

20th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Worcester

Locks Corner

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

At least ran to his mark when 7l third at Market Rasen last time (3m, good), and the winner has completed a hat-trick since; cheekpieces deployed on all eight rules victories are still absent, however.

8/1

3rd

2

9th Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:20 Market Rasen

Locks Corner

11st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Back in the groove with two wins at the end of last year but seems to have returned to the doldrums since; well handicapped now but something to prove and cheekpieces worn in all wins under rules are missing.

9/1

Form: 1-1842 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won over about 2m4f at Bangor and Hexham last spring; back-to-form second at Doncaster (good) on latest outing but he needs extra to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Vintage Fizz

10st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Ran quite well to be fourth in this last year when 7lb higher; however, he hasn't won since 2023 and the questions are mounting up.

12/1

7th

7

15th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Worcester

Vintage Fizz

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Went close at Market Rasen (2m5f) in June but behind Courtland back there next time and has since disappointed at Stratford; losing run is mounting up.

10/1

2

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:57 Stratford

Vintage Fizz

11st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

On a losing run but went close at Market Rasen (2m5f) in June and was not beaten far in valuable Summer Plate over that C&D (again on good) last month; will be fine on this left-handed track; no surprise if he features.

11/2

Form: F/2U3- C

Last run: 339 days

W: 10st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 10yo whose only win under rules came on good ground here in October 2020 in a 3m chase for Oliver Sherwood; with new trainer last term after a year off and he shaped as if all his ability remained over fences on last two starts; those were preceded by a lesser run over hurdles, so whether he's primed for this is a concern; well handicapped if he is.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:05 Taunton

Pontresina

11st 1lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Ben Lund

411 days off before pulled up at 125-1 over fences four weeks ago; also hard to support on 2023 evidence (including twice in cheekpieces) but he was pretty useful before that.

50/1

7

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:05 Taunton

Pontresina

11st 1lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Ben Lund

411 days off before pulled up at 125-1 over fences four weeks ago; also hard to support on 2023 evidence (including twice in cheekpieces) but he was pretty useful before that.

50/1

7

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

13:03 Hereford

Pontresina

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Ben Lund

An 11yo returning from 411 days away and wasn't looking the force of old when last seen; too much to prove.

33/1

Non-runners

Royaume Uni, Lock's Corner

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £80.20
Straight Forecast £85.07
Tricast £673.74
Trifecta £751.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ivaldi

Telegraph:

Don Hollow

RP Ratings:

Scarpia

The Sun:

Vintage Fizz

Daily Mirror:

Will Carver

TOPSPEED:

Ivaldi

WEST COUNTRY:

Ivaldi

The Times:

Ivaldi

Daily Mail:

Ivaldi

D Express:

Ivaldi

The Star:

Ivaldi

The Guardian:

Don Hollow

Daily Record:

Don Hollow

POSTDATA:

Scarpia