March 17 / 13.20 Doncaster

13.20

Good

At The Races App Expert Tips Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
At The Races App Expert Tips Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1324 D BF

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Easy winner of a four-runner novice at Aintree in May (2m4f, good) and fair efforts next twice; well below par when long odds on at Newcastle last time (2m4f, soft); tongue-tie now on; needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Henrys Friend

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Seems best making the running or racing prominently; his six races in the last 14 months have been a mixed bag, with an Ascot win (3m, good) in November the highlight; just 1lb higher today and ran respectably on penultimate start, but his two earlier attempts at 3m6f/4m did not work out; a tongue-tie (worn twice in 2023, with a win on first occasion) returns.

16/1

9th

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Henrys Friend

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Back to form when 5l behind Deep Cave last time at Ascot (3m, good to soft) but he does look vulnerable to better-treated opposition, for all that he's just 2lb higher than for November's win at Ascot; likely to race on the front end.

14/1

2

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Henrys Friend

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Record of 4-9 over fences, his best form when winning by 6l at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft; 5lb higher today); disadvantaged when slowly away (from a standing start) in the Ultima at Cheltenham and yet still made a challenge three out before fading; never got competitive in the Scottish National but he wasn't alone; a stiff 3m around here looks up his street; shortlisted.

15/2

2/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 11P CD

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer who has shown quite useful novice form with wins on good ground over this trip here and at Wetherby; unsuited by the testing ground when pulled up in a Grade 2 last time; has to give weight away all round, but a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Moon Hunter

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Gambin

T: Sarah Humphrey

Useful in his prime for Henry Daly but left that yard on a low note; soundly beaten in chases on his first two starts for this stable but took a step back in the right direction returned to hurdles in first-time blinkers when rallying third of eight over the extended 2m4f at Plumpton (good to soft) 23 days ago; needs to prove he can build on that with the blinkers left off in favour of refitted cheekpieces.

25/1

3rd

5

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 4

16:30 Plumpton

Moon Hunter

11st 8lb

J: Jamie Gambin

T: Sarah Humphrey

Useful in his prime but left Henry Daly after a poor run over fences in February 2025 and was soundly beaten in two chases for this stable towards end of last year; needs combination of new headgear and return to hurdling to rekindle his enthusiasm.

16/1

6

18th Nov 2025

Good

2m 6f 10y

Class 4

14:45 Lingfield

Moon Hunter

11st 9lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Ex-Henry Daly; quite a useful novice hurdler but didn't progress; sound run on chase debut in October 2023 but rather disappointing since; bit to prove after a break on stable debut.

20/1

11/8

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 34-243

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Quite a useful bumper performer (winner over 1m4f in France in August 2021) who has shown decent form over hurdles, his best effort being last time when third on good ground at Warwick on his first try at 2m3f; sound chance on that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

31st May 2023

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

18:20 Cartmel

Idealdes Villerets

11st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

French bumper winner; confirmed previous promise when making all to win at 4-9 on stable debut at Worcester earlier this month (2m, good; first run after a wind operation); obvious contender.

4/5

1st

3

8th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Worcester

Idealdes Villerets

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Made the frame in a Listed bumper in early 2022 and on all four hurdling starts for Mel Rowley last season, most notably when third behind two useful rivals at Warwick (2m3f, good) in February; ought to be a tough nut to crack on today's stable debut.

10/11

3rd

6

17th Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

13:20 Doncaster

Idealdes Villerets

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Mel Rowley

Quite a useful bumper performer (winner over 1m4f in France in August 2021) who has shown decent form over hurdles, his best effort being last time when third on good ground at Warwick on his first try at 2m3f; sound chance on that form.

11/8

Form: 076

Last run: 78 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest form so far and would be a surprise winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

26th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:40 Worcester

Bear A Hand

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Richard Price

Lightly raced mare who made pretty good start to handicap career when third of ten at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) three weeks ago; should be okay on today's faster ground and may still have a bigger run in her; respected.

11/4

3rd

5

6th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

18:15 Uttoxeter

Bear A Hand

11st 11lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Richard Price

Best of three runs when fourth in a Doncaster novice last time (2m3f, good); weakened late on so shouldn't be inconvenienced by the drop in trip on handicap debut; a possible

20/1

6

22nd Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Bear A Hand

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Richard Price

Form: 9

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to two hurdle winners but no particular promise on hurdles debut when a 150-1 shot at Plumpton in January (2m4f, good to soft); best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

10th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:10 Warwick

Fromposttopillar

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tom Gretton

Lowly rated maiden who was beaten about 25l in handicap chases (2m4f/2m5f) on his last two starts under rules and was safely held when last of three in a minor point last month.

16/1

3rd

3

10th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:10 Warwick

Fromposttopillar

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tom Gretton

Lowly rated maiden who was beaten about 25l in handicap chases (2m4f/2m5f) on his last two starts under rules and was safely held when last of three in a minor point last month.

16/1

5th

6

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

14:00 Fakenham

Fromposttopillar

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Tom Gretton

towards rear throughout, mistake 12th

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest form over a variety of trips on the Flat; probably best watched on stable/hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

4

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:10 Navan

Ernest Loring

11st 12lb

J: E Walsh

T: W J Austin

in rear

50/1

7th

2

20th Apr 2023

Yielding

1m 7f 0y

16:50 Kilbeggan

Ernest Loring

11st 12lb

J: Dylan Browne

T: J Larkin

Low-grade Flat maiden and tailed off only previous attempt hurdling.

33/1

Form: 06P

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest form in a bumper and two hurdles; others have much stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Worcester

Hey Mister Dj

10st 11lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Barry Brennan

0-8 under rules, but was returning from over a year off when second of nine on stable debut at Fontwell (2m2f, good) last month; the longer trip looks to be in his favour and a contender if taking a step forward.

4/1

5th

7

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Worcester

Hey Mister Dj

10st 11lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Barry Brennan

0-8 under rules, but was returning from over a year off when second of nine on stable debut at Fontwell (2m2f, good) last month; the longer trip looks to be in his favour and a contender if taking a step forward.

4/1

2nd

7

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

14:50 Fontwell

Hey Mister Dj

10st 3lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Barry Brennan

held up in rear

25/1

Form: P-0

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown little in two runs over hurdles, the first when trained in France; watching brief advised.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

13:23 Bangor-on-Dee

Import Export

11st 7lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Pulled up on hurdle debut in France last April and also struggled on both British starts this year (2m/2m3f); can only be watched at present.

100/1

7

17th Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

13:20 Doncaster

Import Export

11st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Has shown little in two runs over hurdles, the first when trained in France; watching brief advised.

100/1

11th

5

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

13:27 Uttoxeter

Import Export

11st 8lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

prominent, hampered 1st

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.40
Straight Forecast £6.48
Trifecta £7.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Idealdes Villerets

RP Ratings:

Henry's Friend

TOPSPEED:

Moon Hunter

The Times:

Henry's Friend

Telegraph:

Henry's Friend

Daily Mirror:

Henry's Friend

Daily Mail:

Moon Hunter

D Express:

Moon Hunter

Daily Record:

Moon Hunter

POSTDATA:

Idealdes Villerets

The Guardian:

Idealdes Villerets

The Star:

Idealdes Villerets