March 11 / 15.20 Ayr

15.20

Good

Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Hurdle (For The Craigie Cup)

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Hurdle (For The Craigie Cup)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.20

Form: -24121 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Progressive since wind operation, making it two wins in three starts at Kelso under Patrick Wadge with all-the-way success in a novice (2m, heavy) in January; seems versatile from ground perspective and obvious chance if translating Kelso form to this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:10 Ayr

Traprain Law

10st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Running well in the main this season, winning at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in December and good third at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in January last time; this two-time course winner was runner-up in this race two years ago and could again have a part to play.

4/1

3rd

6

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

Traprain Law

10st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Runner-up to progressive winner at Kelso (2m1f, soft) last month then went one better at Wetherby (1m7f, soft; by 3l); he remains 3lb lower than when third in this last year (good to soft) and could be firmly involved.

11/2

4th

8

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Traprain Law

10st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Behind a couple of these when seventh in last season's Grand Annual here but this dual chase winner has the benefit of a positive recent run at Kelso on good ground that would have been lively enough for him; should run well.

6/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 1-1352 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won handicap hurdle on seasonal reappearance over C&D (good to soft) in October; disappointed on next two starts but much more like it when second of five at Kelso (2m, good) last month; only 1lb higher than for last success so fair claims if taking step forward from latest run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Ayr

Ginger Mail

11st 4lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Exposed 10yo whose powers would appear to be on the wane judged on this season's performances; opposable.

33/1

11th

6

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 2

15:22 Musselburgh

Ginger Mail

11st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

10yo whose mark continues to fall and he took a step back in the right direction when third of seven at Ayr a fortnight ago; it's possible he'll be able to build on that latest run but he was beaten just over 7l and certainly needs a bigger performance this afternoon.

14/1

3rd

3

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Ayr

Ginger Mail

11st 8lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Boasts two wins around here, one over this distance, but has been below his best this term and was pulled up at Kelso (2m, heavy) last month in race won by Triple Crown Ted; hard to fancy.

16/1

Form: 63F428

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on handicap debut at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in November; too free back from a break when down the field over same C&D last month; could be a different proposition with the freshness knocked out of him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

14:15 Kelso

Kilbrainy

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

towards rear throughout

6/1

8th

4

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

14:15 Kelso

Kilbrainy

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

towards rear throughout

6/1

Form: 547580

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Irish import; little impact in three runs for current stable but falling down the weights and no surprise to see a revival at some stage; only success so far achieved on good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

16th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

15:30 Musselburgh

Minella Youngy

11st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

pressed leader, led 4 out, ridden and faced challenge from 2 out, clear with one other inside final 110yds, kept on well

6/1

4th

6

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:05 Sedgefield

Minella Youngy

11st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

midfield

8/1

4th

6

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:05 Sedgefield

Minella Youngy

11st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

midfield

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: FU2950

Last run: 12 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a Kelso chase in October but heavy defeats on last three starts over fences and hurdles, on latest of them beaten out of sight in a 2m4f handicap hurdle here; of little appeal until showing considerably more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 50y

12:15 Navan

Gladiatorial

11st 1lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Noel C Kelly

Looked booked for second when presented with victory by the faller of the leader at the last in a handicap chase at Sligo last month; well beaten in a handicap hurdle at the same venue last time; a long time since he won over hurdles.

25/1

Form: 1267PP D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Big prices when pulled up in both starts following wind surgery; handicapper has relented but he can only be watched until showing signs of a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

11th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

20:10 Uttoxeter

Faron

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Stuart Coltherd

Won a maiden (2m2f) and a novice hurdle (2m2f) on good to yielding in Ireland last season; has been disappointing for current yard, and although well handicapped, has plenty to prove.

8/1

3rd

7

25th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

15:20 Hexham

Faron

11st 1lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Stuart Coltherd

raced in second, went third after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, soon outpaced, not fluent last, no match for first two

20/1

11th

6

11th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:25 Perth

Faron

11st 9lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Stuart Coltherd

always behind

25/1

Form: 504200

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden over hurdles; creditable second of 16 on handicap debut at Down Royal on Boxing Day but two subsequent runs have been underwhelming; first-time tongue tie needs to galvanise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 120y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Cave Court

11st 5lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Two-time chase winner; fine effort when runner-up in a Cartmel handicap chase in June 2025 but only seen three times since and well beaten both starts in 2026, over hurdles at Haydock and in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham; needs to rediscover best.

25/1

14th

18

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Cave Court

11st 0lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Runner-up at Cartmel (2m5f, good to soft) last June and he's run well at up to 3m in the past; however, he was tailed off at 50-1 over hurdles at Haydock last month when back from a break and looks up against it today.

66/1

Form: 900511 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

11th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 5

15:05 Carlisle

Maimies Magic

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: S R B Crawford

Two hurdle wins, at 2m2f and 2m1f, and has form over 2m6f; below best under conditions that should have suited in March and rather hard to know what to expect now sent over fences with tongue-tie left off.

9/2

Form: 4-5396 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Regressive 10yo; not disgraced but didn't show enough when sixth of 13 at Carlisle last month to suggest he will be winning this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

18th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Wetherby

Serious Ego

11st 13lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Nicky Richards

held up in rear, no impression from 4 out

14/1

Non-runners

Maimie's Magic, Serious Ego

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.60
Straight Forecast £3.86
Tricast £8.12
Trifecta £4.40

Selections

RP Ratings:

Ginger Mail

SPOTLIGHT:

Traprain Law

D Express:

Maimie's Magic

TOPSPEED:

Faron

The Sun:

Maimie's Magic

The Star:

Maimie's Magic

POSTDATA:

Ginger Mail

The Times:

Ginger Mail

Daily Mail:

Ginger Mail

Daily Mirror:

Ginger Mail

Telegraph:

Traprain Law

The Guardian:

Traprain Law

Daily Record:

Traprain Law