March 22 / 17.00 Ffos Las

17.00

Soft

Vickers.Bet Independent Family Owned Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5809.1
  • 2m 7f 191y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Vickers.Bet Independent Family Owned Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.30
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 6263

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Unexposed having raced just four times over hurdles; made a promising handicap debut here (2m4f, good to soft; finished third) most recently, shaping as if this longer trip will suit; one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

24th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:12 Uttoxeter

Ballydisco

11st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-11 over fences but he has the form to feature off this mark if ready to rock on his stable debut after a long absence; the market should be informative.

8/1

3

20th Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

15:10 Sedgefield

Ballydisco

11st 7lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent

100/30

3rd

4

24th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 4

14:25 Ayr

Ballydisco

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Ex-Philip Hobbs/Johnson White; dual hurdle winner (including on testing ground) but yet to win over fences, although came close when head second at Wetherby in November (3m, good); fair efforts since; one to consider.

12/1

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.30
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 311121 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Has a strike-rate of 4-6 during a progressive 2022-23 campaign and his form stacks up well; justified favouritism at Wetherby (3m, soft) most recently, beating a subsequent scorer and taking record over 2m7f/3m to 3-3; commands respect despite racing off a triple-digit mark for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

15:15 Haydock

The Imposter

11st 12lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Nigel Hawke

Made it a remarkable nine wins (heavy-good to soft) from his last ten starts when scoring at Chepstow (2m7f) last December; pulled up on his only outing since but that was a tough ask in a hot handicap here four weeks ago, after an absence of nearly a year, and he's not written off.

14/1

2

21st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

15:15 Haydock

The Imposter

11st 12lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Nigel Hawke

Made it a remarkable nine wins (heavy-good to soft) from his last ten starts when scoring at Chepstow (2m7f) last December; pulled up on his only outing since but that was a tough ask in a hot handicap here four weeks ago, after an absence of nearly a year, and he's not written off.

14/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 32-525

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden who has consistent form on the whole, close fifth at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft) most recently; first-time cheekpieces may activate success, as he gives the impression headgear will suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

30th May 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 2

19:35 Stratford

Learntalot

12st 0lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Alan Hill

Held on to land the restricted race on this card last year, and this month's 7l Cheltenham fourth (3m1f, good) was stronger form again; more needed, but oughtn't fail for stamina judged on midwinter 3m4f point win.

25/1

5

30th May 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 2

19:35 Stratford

Learntalot

12st 0lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Alan Hill

Held on to land the restricted race on this card last year, and this month's 7l Cheltenham fourth (3m1f, good) was stronger form again; more needed, but oughtn't fail for stamina judged on midwinter 3m4f point win.

25/1

4th

5

2nd May 2025

Good

3m 1f 56y

Class 4

17:45 Cheltenham

Learntalot

12st 0lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Alan Hill

prominent, briefly led 12th, pressed leader home turn, weakened approaching last

9/1

Form: 2F-746

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Four-time point winner who earned a couple of silver medals (hurdle/chase) last season; not in quite the same form this term but today's first-time cheekpieces may prompt an upturn off a reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

21st Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

13:35 Market Rasen

Concrete King

10st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

held up in rear, raced wide when on turn after 2nd, headway from 3rd, lost position after 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

10/1

5th

6

1st Jun 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

16:55 Hexham

Concrete King

10st 9lb

J: John Kington

T: L J Morgan

Has won four points, but 0-20 under rules (12 over fences); best recent run when second over 2m3f at Fontwell in March (heavy); quite interesting with visor replacing cheekpieces on stable debut.

11/1

7th

8

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

15:30 Fontwell

Concrete King

10st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Neil Mulholland

Has very mixed record this season but ran well and looked the likely winner for a long way before weakening into third over C&D (heavy; just behind Mister Murchan) last month; 2lb lower today; can't rule out.

6/1

Form: 55761 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 5yo who opened his account in C&D contest (on good ground) 17 days ago when having only his second attempt at handicap level and first go at 3m under rules; could well build on that success and improve further; major contender up just 4lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

15:55 Cartmel

Puddlesinthepark

10st 12lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Mrs C Williams

A three-time scorer (including over C&D) last season; hinted at a revival when a never-nearer fifth over 3m4f at Taunton last month so needs considering off a slipping mark.

10/1

5th

4

9th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 85y

Class 4

16:15 Taunton

Puddlesinthepark

11st 4lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Mrs C Williams

Five-time chase winne, the latest at Ffos Las (3m4f, good) off this mark in October; has been below par in three runs since but his usual cheekpieces are back on and he may appreciate this better ground.

6/1

6th

7

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

16:00 Ffos Las

Puddlesinthepark

10st 10lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Readily beat a stablemate in small-field marathon here (3m4f, good) in October and will be fine on today's slower ground but his two runs towards the end of last year were disappointing and he needs to have been refreshed by 101-day break.

14/1

Form: 14-346

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Soft-ground bumper winner who has made the frame twice over hurdles; only midfield here (2m4f, good, beaten 12l; handicap debut) most recently but may improve for this return to a slower surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Copper Cove

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Dominic Elsworth

Bumper/hurdle winner who goes well on slow ground; he returned to fences at Hereford two weeks ago and looked booked for second when falling late on; has a chance off 1lb lower.

11/4

2

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

Copper Cove

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Dominic Elsworth

Mud lover who suffered big defeats both starts over fences for Jonjo O'Neill; couldn't land a gamble on his fourth outing for this yard when second of eight over hurdles at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) last month; suitability for chasing and this trip unproven but weighted to be competitive.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: P-F5P0 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 1lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Defied a 4lb higher mark in mares' event at Ascot last term; not in anything like the same form (over hurdles/fences) this season and failed to beat a rival on latest outing; major revival is required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:32 Chepstow

Tequila Blaze

12st 1lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Retains plenty of ability aged ten and won well under Tom Broughton at Southwell (3m, good to soft) in February; however, held off this mark since and faces some unexposed types in this field; vulnerable.

10/1

4th

2

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:32 Chepstow

Tequila Blaze

12st 1lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Retains plenty of ability aged ten and won well under Tom Broughton at Southwell (3m, good to soft) in February; however, held off this mark since and faces some unexposed types in this field; vulnerable.

10/1

5th

4

27th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:00 Wincanton

Tequila Blaze

11st 0lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Hadn't been firing at all but she fairly bolted up over this far at Southwell (good to soft) 54 days ago; back up 7lb but had got herself well handicapped.

8/1

Form: -655F6

Last run: 90 days

W: 10st 10lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Very well handicapped on peak form having gained last three wins off 24lb higher; however, declined badly in 2022 and needs to turn things around markedly on this first 2023 outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

22nd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

17:00 Ffos Las

Runasimi River

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Peter Bowen

always towards rear

25/1

6th

6

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:10 Ffos Las

Runasimi River

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter Bowen

Multiple hurdle winner (various ground) when trained by Neil Mulholland but badly out of form over fences/hurdles for Peter Bowen this autumn; refitted cheekpieces didn't do much for her two starts ago; sports first-time visor today; has a lot to prove but lurks on a dangerous mark and is worth a glance in the betting.

33/1

Form: P6-125 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Ran creditably on soft going in October but may ideally need a sound surface having gained both wins on good; disappointing back on that ground last time; cheeekpieces added in bounce-back mission.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

24th Oct 2023

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 3

16:00 Exeter

Gentleman Valley

11st 12lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Won three in a row in early part of this season (2m7f-3m1f) and was set to finish second off today's mark before last-flight fall at Warwick (2m5f, good) this month; respected.

7/1

0

5

5th Oct 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:35 Warwick

Gentleman Valley

11st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

In fine form in the summer and completed his hat-trick in 2m7f Worcester handicap hurdle; posted another solid effort off a 6lb higher mark when fourth at Stratford (3m2f) last time so he's shortlisted.

5/1

4th

4

3rd Aug 2023

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 3

17:25 Stratford

Gentleman Valley

11st 9lb

J: Dylan Whelan

T: Ben Pauling

Has his quirks but going great guns this summer and completed a hat-trick with a career-best effort at Worcester last month; has form on soft ground and no surprise if he proves up to this 6lb higher mark.

9/4

Form: 1561-4 D

Last run: 127 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Successful in a couple of Class 5 handicaps on soft ground last term; however, posted a modest effort in this grade on sole run this season (November) and has a bit to prove in this similar event.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

19th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

14:00 Exeter

My Last Oscar

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Ploughed through the heavy ground when winning at Hexham in December (3m; from an 8lb lower mark); arguably that wasn't the strongest of races though, and he was never travelling when pulled up at Taunton subsequently; some work to do in these newly applied cheekpieces.

8/1

3

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

16:25 Taunton

My Last Oscar

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

C&D winner who is prone to the odd lesser effort but he has a healthy strike-rate in handicaps at 2m7f+ and made light of heavy ground at Hexham in December (2m7f); up 8lb but still respected.

8/1

1st

1

13th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

15:20 Hexham

My Last Oscar

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Taunton winner in March 2022 (3m, soft); has not run as well since, although fair effort after a break when 20l third at Warwick last time (3m2f, soft); a possible.

7/2

Form: 225/P8

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 8lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 10yo; point winner in 2018 and runner-up twice over hurdles in 2020; has achieved little in two starts since returning from long absence, however; cheekpieces applied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

7th Jun 2023

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

16:10 Newton Abbot

Gios Girl

11st 1lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Polly Gundry

Twice runner-up at the end of 2020 but little in four starts this year, after a very long absence; cheekpieces back in place of blinkers.

25/1

9th

4

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:45 Chepstow

Gios Girl

11st 6lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Polly Gundry

Runner-up twice over 2m7f in the mud late in 2020 and she'd be a player on that form, but she has returned from a long absence with three disappointing runs this year (2m5f-3m; cheekpieces added last time); now tries blinkers.

20/1

4

4th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

15:00 Fontwell

Gios Girl

10st 8lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Polly Gundry

Runner-up twice over 2m7f on slow ground towards end of 2020 but has returned from a long absence with three disappointing runs this year (2m5f-3m; cheekpieces added last time) and it's questionable whether today's drop in trip will suit.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.40
Straight Forecast £10.71
Tricast £47.06
Trifecta £55.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Imposter

The Guardian:

Puddlesinthepark

WEST COUNTRY:

Ballydisco

Daily Mirror:

Learntalot

D Express:

Puddlesinthepark

The Sun:

Puddlesinthepark

The Star:

Puddlesinthepark

Daily Record:

Ballydisco

RP Ratings:

The Imposter

TOPSPEED:

The Imposter

POSTDATA:

The Imposter

The Times:

The Imposter

Telegraph:

The Imposter

Daily Mail:

The Imposter