March 24 / 14.50 Hereford

14.50

Good To Soft

Follow @bresbet On Twitter Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £8660.84
  • 3m 1f 44y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Follow @bresbet On Twitter Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2-6491

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Evidently refreshed by a recent stable switch when justifying heavy market support with clearcut win at Ludlow (3m, good) three weeks ago; still very well handicapped on older form and today's forecast slower ground ought to be very much in her favour; must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

2nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:30 Ludlow

Kestrel Valley

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Has made excellent progress for Kerry Lee and Nigel Twiston-Davies over the last year, winning four times (twice here); predictably found Grade 2 mares' chase too hot at last month's Cheltenham Festival but has her sights lowered today and could still have further improvement to come.

5/2

2nd

1

2nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:30 Ludlow

Kestrel Valley

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Has made excellent progress for Kerry Lee and Nigel Twiston-Davies over the last year, winning four times (twice here); predictably found Grade 2 mares' chase too hot at last month's Cheltenham Festival but has her sights lowered today and could still have further improvement to come.

5/2

8th

7

15th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:50 Cheltenham

Kestrel Valley

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Made the running for all four chase wins, at about 3m1f on ground ranging from good to soft; no match for Carole's Pass at Exeter recently and her most recent runs at about this trip, which are very infrequent anyway, give her lots to find.

66/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: -U3P25

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Ran big race in defeat at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft) in January and is not yet fully exposed over staying trips but was below form at Fontwell last month and is now 0-9 over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

25th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Warwick

Furkash

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Bumped into revitalised opponent when second at Plumpton (3m1f, good) this month and remains on a workable mark but he's now 0-17 over fences and others have more potential; tongue-tie added.

11/2

9th

7

25th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Warwick

Furkash

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Bumped into revitalised opponent when second at Plumpton (3m1f, good) this month and remains on a workable mark but he's now 0-17 over fences and others have more potential; tongue-tie added.

11/2

2nd

3

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 152y

Class 5

15:35 Plumpton

Furkash

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

led, jumped right on occasions, mistake 1st, joined 3rd, raced in second when headed 4 out, kept on but no match for winner

13/2

10/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 7P6372

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Generally very disappointing since switched to current stable but looked suited by the step up to 2m7f when second at Huntingdon (soft) last week and has claims here if able to build on that performance over this even longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(3)

21st Oct 2024

Heavy

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

14:07 Bath

Voice Of Hope

10st 8lb

J: Mr Billy Marshall

T: Max Young

led, prominent after 1f, lost ground from over 8f out

25/1

7th

12

28th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:05 Market Rasen

Voice Of Hope

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Max Young

His sole success came back in 2021 but he showed more than of late when fifth of 11 in 2m6f Stratford handicap chase three weeks ago; more is required from 5lb out of the handicap however.

33/1

5th

12

7th Sep 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

17:20 Stratford

Voice Of Hope

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Max Young

held up in rear, some headway 4 out, weakened from 2 out

100/1

Form: 486P2

Last run: 37 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 6yo; pulled up on handicap chase debut in January but quickly back on track with very respectable second in maiden hurdle here (3m1f, good) last month and could still have a good future over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

17:30 Newton Abbot

Jigginstown King

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

disputed lead, badly hampered and unseated before 1st

7/1

1st

4

30th Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

18:10 Fontwell

Jigginstown King

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

made all, jumped well, stayed on run-in, ridden out

8/1

10

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Worcester

Jigginstown King

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

disputed lead

6/1

20/1

Form: U7443P

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in three consecutive chases this winter, most notably when fourth of 15 over C&D (soft); pulled up in Ludlow race won by Kestrel Valley last time, though, and now 0-8 over fences; 1lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

30th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 4

15:07 Sedgefield

Old Page

10st 3lb

J: William Maggs

T: David Thompson

Won three times over 3m2f here (always on good ground) during productive campaign last season; needs career-best performance to overcome this rise in grade but returns here after respectable fourth over today's trip at Cartmel (good) last month.

9/2

4th

2

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:35 Cartmel

Old Page

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: David Thompson

Ended last season with two hard-fought wins at Sedgefield (3m2f, good) and arguably ran better than bare form suggests when well-held fourth at Bangor (3m, good) in June but current mark demands a career-best performance and today's drop back in trip may not be ideal.

12/1

4th

5

21st Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

17:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Old Page

11st 1lb

J: William Maggs

T: David Thompson

Thriving over Sedgefield's extended 3m2f latterly, needing every yard of it last time (good) in order to complete a double; new career-high mark asks a question, and the return to 3m isn't certain to suit.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: -23152

Last run: 76 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Off the mark over fences with comfortable win from the front at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in November but not in the same form on either start since, albeit he eventually responded to pressure and stayed on for never-dangerous second at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last time; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

7th Mar 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

16:40 Wincanton

Paseo

11st 1lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

2m3f hurdle and 3m chase winner on slow ground; hasn't given us much to recommend him on since last winning at Ludlow 16 months ago.

10/1

0

8

4th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

14:58 Hereford

Paseo

10st 7lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Used to act on soft; 1-11 over hurdles and 1-16 over fences; second off 10lb higher at Wincanton (3m1f) one year ago but disappointing since.

10/1

6th

7

30th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 57y

Class 5

15:20 Taunton

Paseo

11st 3lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Venetia Williams

Strike-rate of 1-15 over fences and hasn't been in much form for a while, with his reappearance particularly disappointing; potentially well handicapped but with a point to prove right now.

5/1

Form: 529454

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Safely held in her first two chases (2m3f/2m5f) but not without displaying some promise; now 5lb lower than when going close over hurdles in October and could plausibly have untapped potential over 3m+; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

24th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

14:50 Hereford

Emorelle

11st 8lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Safely held in her first two chases (2m3f/2m5f) but not without displaying some promise; now 5lb lower than when going close over hurdles in October and could plausibly have untapped potential over 3m+; not ruled out.

14/1

4th

4

5th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 199y

Class 5

15:20 Ffos Las

Emorelle

11st 10lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Ten-race maiden; close second over hurdles here (2m4f, good to soft) last October; creditable fourth here (3m) was easily the best of her three starts since; latest was chase debut, so she has more to prove in this sphere.

14/1

5th

1

7th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

16:45 Market Rasen

Emorelle

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

prominent, not fluent and dropped to last 9th, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened

5/2

Form: 121P32

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner this season (2m7f/3m2f) and placed on his last two appearances, latterly when second to Kestrel Valley at Ludlow (3m good) three weeks ago; today's slower ground may not be in his favour, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

13th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:45 Hereford

Born At Midnight

12st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Kathy Turner

Lost his way last season but his Fontwell return was a lot more like it (behind two of these); could build on that run which came after 211 days off.

7/1

4th

2

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

16:50 Fontwell

Born At Midnight

11st 11lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Kathy Turner

Four staying chase wins but lost his form last season and arrives here with plenty to prove.

16/1

7

23rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:40 Hereford

Born At Midnight

11st 4lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Bill Turner

Won twice at Plumpton (3m1f, soft) last March but returned from a break with two very disappointing runs there in December (cheekpieces added last time) and arrives here with quite a bit to prove.

20/1

Form: -P794F

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Battled on for fourth at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft; first-time visor) in January and was still in touch before falling at fourth-last fence at Chepstow last month but he's yet to add to his Irish hurdle win in 2020 and has a tendency to race lazily.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

Gibberwell

10st 8lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

His last two wins have come here (including this race in 2023) and he was 8lb out of the handicap when back here last time; however, this 10yo has been pulled up on his last three starts and needs to turn things around.

33/1

11

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:41 Hexham

Gibberwell

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

His last two wins have come here but this 10yo has been pulled up on his last two starts and is 8lb wrong at the weights.

50/1

Form: 28P33P

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Seems best when able to race prominently; back in good form with recent thirds at Taunton (2m2f, good) and Wincanton (2m4f, good) but ran no race at Taunton last week and has stamina to prove here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

School For Scandal

10st 9lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Joe Tickle

Two more chase wins in 2025, the latest at Windsor (3m, good to soft; suited by good) in November; often battled with unsuitable ground over the winter but 4lb lower than at Windsor so has a weights chance.

10/1

3rd

7

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

17:20 Taunton

School For Scandal

10st 8lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

Has five wins over fences including one over C&D; below form on his last two starts but may show improvement on this better ground.

12/1

5

16th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

16:15 Plumpton

School For Scandal

10st 10lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

2lb below his Windsor success in November but he's not matched that level since, latest when well held at Taunton (2m7f, heavy) last month; needs the return to better ground to spark a revival.

25/1

Form: 55-4P4

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced for his age and has become well handicapped on some of last season's form but was just a respectable fourth at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) last week and needs a boost from the first-time cheekpieces here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

14th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:32 Hereford

Earcomesbob

10st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Peter Pritchard

Hard to fancy, being a modest sort whose recent form figures are dominated by the letter P and who is 11lb out of the weights; first-time blinkers need to have major effect.

40/1

7

14th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:32 Hereford

Earcomesbob

10st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Peter Pritchard

Hard to fancy, being a modest sort whose recent form figures are dominated by the letter P and who is 11lb out of the weights; first-time blinkers need to have major effect.

40/1

8

21st Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:25 Chepstow

Earcomesbob

10st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Peter Pritchard

Point winner but 0-15 under rules and has pulled up in his last four runs; too much to prove.

50/1

Form: PP-PP7

Last run: 79 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Out of form this season and 4lb wrong for today's stable debut but is effectively 19lb lower than when placed at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) in early 2022; swaps visor for refitted blinkers; worth a glance in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

24th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

14:50 Hereford

Son Of Oz

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Adrian Wintle

Out of form this season and 4lb wrong for today's stable debut but is effectively 19lb lower than when placed at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) in early 2022; swaps visor for refitted blinkers; worth a glance in the betting.

14/1

7th

14

4th Jan 2023

Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

14:00 Hereford

Son Of Oz

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

Maiden; good third at Ffos Las a year ago but has been pulled up in all four starts since; 5lb out of the handicap.

40/1

6

2nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

3m 2f 202y

Class 5

13:35 Sedgefield

Son Of Oz

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

Has been pulled up on his last three outings, struggling a long way out in 3m Ffos Las handicap on his recent return; visor replaces usual blinkers now but he's still hard to warm to.

20/1

Non-runners

Born At Midnight

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.30
Straight Forecast £14.36
Tricast £72.48
Trifecta £94.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kestrel Valley

The Guardian:

Voice Of Hope

LAMBOURN:

Jigginstown King

RP Ratings:

Paseo

D Express:

Gibberwell

WEST COUNTRY:

Born At Midnight

The Times:

Jigginstown King

Daily Mirror:

Voice Of Hope

The Sun:

Voice Of Hope

Daily Mail:

Paseo

POSTDATA:

Kestrel Valley

Telegraph:

Kestrel Valley

The Star:

Kestrel Valley

Daily Record:

Kestrel Valley