March 04 / 14.25 Kelso

14.25

Good To Soft

bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £28475
  • 2m 2f 25y
  • Class 1
  • 11 runners
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bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 123

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Impressive on hurdle debut at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last November and, after bumping into a useful prospect at Haydock (1m7f, soft) when penalised, he was a fine third in the Grade 1 Tolworth at Sandown (2m, soft; Colonel Harry about 3l back in fourth); useful stayer on the Flat in France and could have more to offer over today's extra yardage; leading claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

15:00 Cheltenham

Nemean Lion

11st 10lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Seemed to run well in a dramatic Fighting Fifth but was only fourth of five, admittedly not entirely disgraced, last week when favourite for a Windsor contest he'd won 12 months earlier; triple Grade 2 scorer but faces a difficult task against two exciting types in this field.

33/1

4th

1

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Nemean Lion

11st 8lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Middle leg of a hat-trick when winning this last year (soft); finished close-up when last of the three finishers on reappearance in Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) in November, which was a positive performance; leading claims despite a 8lb penalty.

7/4

12

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Nemean Lion

11st 10lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Completed a hat-trick (2m3f/2m4f, good to soft/soft) when getting up close home in Grade 2 National Spirit at Fontwell last month; goes up in trip and back up in grade today, with something to find, but he stayed well on the Flat early in his career and has shaped this season as though today's extra distance could prompt further improvement; clearly thriving; interesting.

25/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 2141

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Has comfortably made all on two of his last three starts (2m/2m1f, heavy/soft), with a creditable fourth in the Grade 1 Tolworth (2m, soft) in between; has also shown promise on good/good to soft; could be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Colonel Harry

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

held up in rear, headway 10th, hampered 12th, midfield when fell 4 out

7/2

3

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Colonel Harry

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

held up in rear, headway 10th, hampered 12th, midfield when fell 4 out

7/2

1

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

13:05 Chepstow

Colonel Harry

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

10/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1315 C

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Faded into a well-beaten fifth of seven in a Grade 2 at Warwick (2m5f, heavy) in January last time out; however, he's better than that and impressed when making all here (2m, good to soft) and at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) previously; no surprise if he bounces back with a bold bid today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

19th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Carlisle

Snake Roll

10st 11lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Two wins towards the end of last year from first three hurdle starts (2m/2m4f, good to soft) and went very close on handicap debut at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) in April when last seen; Lucinda Russell excels with chasers and this soft-ground point runner-up could improve now tackling fences.

2/1

2nd

3

27th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:00 Perth

Snake Roll

11st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Highly tried the last twice in Grade 2s and kept digging to finish third at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) most recently and that's strong form, with the front two not disgraced in the Grade 1 Tolworth earlier this season and the fourth winning a Grade 1 novice chase at Punchestown on Tuesday; looks well handicapped and returning to this longer trip is very much in his favour.

11/10

Form: 23

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
10l win on debut in Irish maiden point (3m, soft) last November and has shown strong form when placed in his two bumpers (2m, soft/yielding), most recently a Grade 2 at Leopardstown; thrown in at the deep end for this first hurdle start but he represents a top Irish trainer and has to be respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

3rd Oct 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 210y

15:35 Galway

Feronily

11st 6lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Emmet Mullins

raced in third, switched left after 6th, niggled along briefly after 4 out, pressed leaders when slightly hampered and stumbled 2 out, steadied last, soon outpaced and ridden briefly, kept on and went second towards finish, no match for winner

4/11

1st

3

25th Apr 2023

Yielding

3m 0f 60y

18:35 Punchestown

Feronily

11st 10lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

jumped well, led, headed and raced in second after 2nd, led again after 6th, ridden after 2 out, reduced lead but kept on well run-in

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2-52

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on debut in Fairyhouse bumper (2m, soft) last February and occupied the same position on hurdle debut at Navan (2m, good to yielding) three weeks ago; has lots to find in this line-up but this unexposed Irish raider is from a fine family and is open to plenty of improvement; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:35 Galway

Banjaxed

10st 8lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

Entitled to come on for his recent run at Gowran but so too is Ballybawn Belter who was ahead of him that day; also has others to worry about.

12/1

4th

3

4th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:50 Gowran Park

Banjaxed

11st 7lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

Won a 2m5f beginners' event at Cork last December; produced another solid effort in a rated novice chase at Fairyhouse; has plenty to find with Prince Palace on running at Navan in March; lacks a recent outing.

8/1

7th

5

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 120y

16:30 Navan

Banjaxed

11st 1lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

in touch with leaders

17/2

12/1

Form: 11-34

Last run: 94 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won Grade 2 bumper at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) last April; still early days over hurdles and things may click at some point, but he's failed to threaten on his first two runs in this sphere and has to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Lookaway

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Landed the bumper on this card in 2022; justified market support in major handicap at Kempton (good to soft; first attempt at 3m under rules) most recently, taking chase record to 3-5 and overall strike-rate to 9-20; remains particularly unexposed over this sort of distance and commands respect returned to Aintree, with further progress plausible.

13/2

1st

6

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Lookaway

11st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

A front-runner and not the only one; however, he was a Grade 2-winning hurdler and very much heading the right way over fences, as his third at Newbury (2m, good to soft) has worked out well and he then won by 24l over 2m4f here last month (left clear two out) despite being taken on by Leader In The Park; looks well in off only 4lb higher and, although unraced over this far, he's always looked a strong stayer at 2m4f.

10/1

Form: 31122

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Made all at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) on first two hurdle starts and has run well to finish second at Catterick/Musselburgh the last twice; however, his limitations may again be exposed here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Ayr

General Officer

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Progressive novice who was suited by the return to a left-handed track when winning at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) last month; also effective on soft/heavy; this is a tougher test of his credentials than last time but he's up just 2lb and could continue to improve for last year's winning yard.

9/1

9

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Ayr

General Officer

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Progressive novice who was suited by the return to a left-handed track when winning at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) last month; also effective on soft/heavy; this is a tougher test of his credentials than last time but he's up just 2lb and could continue to improve for last year's winning yard.

9/1

1st

3

2nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

16:00 Kelso

General Officer

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

in touch with leaders, raced in second from 2nd, led just before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on, always doing enough

4/1

Form: -11121

Last run: 148 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
9yo who has thrived since joining this yard, with four good-ground wins, the latest a Grade 2 2m3f novice at Chepstow last October; could still have more to offer and the 5lb penalty won't necessarily be his downfall, but he has to prove he's fully effective on this forecast slower ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

17:35 Perth

Accidental Rebel

11st 5lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Leonard Kerr

towards rear

50/1

7th

2

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 4

16:15 Perth

Accidental Rebel

11st 7lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Leonard Kerr

in touch with leaders

50/1

12th

3

30th Jun 2024

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:00 Cartmel

Accidental Rebel

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Leonard Kerr

Four hurdles wins on good in 2022 for Fergal O'Brien; back for new yard in April after 418 days off and latest start was a step back in the right direction; unraced beyond 2m5f but 7lb below his last winning mark.

25/1

Form: 61-11 C

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish bumper (2m1f, good) in 2021 and, after a long absence, he's 2-2 for this yard following 2m hurdle wins here (good to soft/heavy) in December; others have stronger form but his latest race has worked out well and he could continue to improve; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

15:43 Ayr

Carcaci Castle

11st 1lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Sandy Thomson

10yo who isn't the force of old but has dropped down the weights accordingly and finished second to an improving winner at Musselburgh last month; could be a contender if backing up that performance.

15/2

5th

2

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

16:05 Hexham

Carcaci Castle

11st 8lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

Fair third at Kelso in December (2m1f, good to soft) but has failed to complete on both outings since, latest over 2m4f at Perth (fell four out); on a fair mark at present but a bit to prove.

14/1

5th

2

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

16:05 Hexham

Carcaci Castle

11st 8lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

Fair third at Kelso in December (2m1f, good to soft) but has failed to complete on both outings since, latest over 2m4f at Perth (fell four out); on a fair mark at present but a bit to prove.

14/1

Form: 23

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
2m4f point winner who was runner-up to a subsequent Grade 2 winner on hurdle debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last October, and stayed on well for third there (2m, good to soft) last month; improvement required here but he's in top hands and the step back up in trip is a plus; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

19:30 Newton Abbot

Hoe Joly Smoke

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Ran really well in defeat in some strong Cheltenham handicaps (2m4f-3m1f) during the first half of last season and his Kempton effort in February wasn't too shoddy; what needs forgiving is his Ayr run after a wind operation as that was underwhelming; still looks dangerous.

11/8

6th

7

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Hoe Joly Smoke

10st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

He hasn't quite been at the top of his game on his last two starts; however, he's had wind surgery since and is certainly of interest on his two third-place finishes at Cheltenham in the autumn (3m1f/2m4f, good/soft); top trainer has won five of the last eight runnings of this race.

7/2

6th

9

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Hoe Joly Smoke

10st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won twice as a novice chaser over 3m at Sandown (soft/good); has been running well in some strong Cheltenham handicaps this season without looking that well handicapped, but returning to a right-handed track might benefit him, as might the first-time cheekpieces; could also have this run to suit if he's held up as usual; effective from 2m4f to 3m1f, he's a big player.

7/1

Form: 31128

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Failed to settle and tailed off when back up to 3m in Grade 2 at Doncaster in January; however, this two-time winner (2m/3m, good/soft) was a good second at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last October in a novice that has worked out well, and he might not be far away if rediscovering that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

14:42 Wetherby

The Wounded Knee

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Looked very promising in autumn 2022 but ran just three times last year and struggled; lots to prove on first start since last June.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.20
Straight Forecast £17.97
Tricast £59.55
Trifecta £82.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Nemean Lion

The Times:

Feronily

TOPSPEED:

Snake Roll

THE NORTH:

Carcaci Castle

LAMBOURN:

Colonel Harry

Daily Mail:

Accidental Rebel

Telegraph:

Feronily

D Express:

Feronily

The Star:

Snake Roll

RP Ratings:

Nemean Lion

POSTDATA:

Nemean Lion

The Guardian:

Nemean Lion

Daily Mirror:

Nemean Lion

The Sun:

Nemean Lion

Daily Record:

Nemean Lion