March 24 / 14.40 Newbury

14.40

Good To Soft

BetVictor Gamble Responsibly Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7736.66
  • 2m 0f 69y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
RTV
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BetVictor Gamble Responsibly Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 35-3PF D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Front-runs; useful Grade 2 novice form last February (2m, good to soft); return to 2m suited over C&D last month, close up but held by useful recruit off the Flat when taking luckless late fall (first run after second wind surgery; first-time tongue-tie retained); solid chance now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

18:43 Hereford

Russian Ruler

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

Ex-Nicky Henderson 8yo whose form hit the buffers last season under both codes; three non-completions in four starts for current yard and reservations remain.

10/1

6th

2

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

18:43 Hereford

Russian Ruler

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

Ex-Nicky Henderson 8yo whose form hit the buffers last season under both codes; three non-completions in four starts for current yard and reservations remain.

10/1

4

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

16:15 Stratford

Russian Ruler

11st 5lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Progressive hurdler in 2023 when with Nicky Henderson but he couldn't get it together over fences or hurdles last season and no sign of a revival for new yard; best watched with cheekpieces returning in place of a hood.

16/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 241 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Useful at 1m2f on the Flat (best RPR 99), suited by good or quicker ground; has shown aptitude for hurdling and although a weak finisher over C&D on penultimate start he had something up his sleeve when winning 2m Huntingdon maiden 19 days ago (second of similar ability on the Flat); has handicapping potential but wouldn't want rain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(8)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Arqoob

9st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Lucy Wadham

Exposed 8yo but he's still capable of useful form and scored at Kempton (1m4f, AW) last March; also won over 1m6f on the July course (good to firm; first-time blinkers) in August; returns on a stiff-enough mark with no headgear but they might go a solid gallop which can help.

14/1

4

1st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 3

16:28 Warwick

Arqoob

11st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Recently won on the Flat in first-time blinkers and then ran respectably in a valuable handicap at Doncaster; returns to hurdling in fair form and he's on a handy mark.

7/2

6th

9

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Arqoob

8st 13lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Lucy Wadham

53 races already (17 over hurdles) and six wins before he made his first appearance over 1m6f three weeks ago, winning it in good style in first-time blinkers at Newmarket (good to firm; acts on soft); only five ran in that race and he's gone back up 5lb but it could be argued that he's not fully exposed either in blinkers or at this sort of trip.

16/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 118-24 D

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Has C&D form; stepped up on two hurdle wins last winter when runner-up to Totterdown at Leicester in November (1m7f, good to soft) then a useful fourth at Sandown in January; left on the same mark and this less testing finish can suit; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

14

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Runs off a mark 10lb lower than when fifth of 14 in this last year, beaten just over 13l; he's run a couple of reasonable races this season but hasn't shown enough to suggest he's the one to be on today.

33/1

3rd

5

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 9lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Led close home to win this race off 5lb higher a year ago (soft ground) and was seemingly perked up by cheekpieces when third on both outings last month; made up considerable ground from the rear at Sandown (1m7f, soft) on latter occasion and has strong claims here if the headgear continues to aid him.

15/8

3rd

9

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 3lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Acts on any ground; half-length second off 4lb higher in this contest 12 months ago; out of sorts this term until posting a resurgent effort, behind solid rivals, in first-time cheekpieces at Windsor most recently; enters calculations in the retained headgear.

11/2

Form: 2-1145 D

Last run: 112 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Minor form on heavy but both hurdle wins on good and combination of soft ground and Sandown's stiff finish proved too much in December; needs extra off current mark and the threat of rain is not obviously helpful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

31st Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 3

17:25 Plumpton

Mothill

11st 11lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Neil Mulholland

Has won three of his last four hurdles, latterly edging home in the new cheekpieces at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) after Joe Anderson had lost his whip (still a fine ride; always ideally positioned up with the pace); mark continues to rise (up another 5lb) but he's not easily knocked.

4/1

1st

13

17th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 58y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Mothill

10st 5lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Neil Mulholland

Wins in 2023 came in Class 4 events at Uttoxeter and Sedgefield (both 2m4f, good to soft) and the rise in class seemed to find him out when he was only eighth in the Lanzarote at Kempton last time; needs first-time cheekpieces to spark a career-best effort.

16/1

8th

17

13th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton

Mothill

10st 9lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Neil Mulholland

Solid record in Class 4 this term, winning at Sedgefield (2m4f, good to soft) most recently; 5lb claimer Joe Anderson (won on him last June) returns, in bid to offset 5lb rise; 4-12 over hurdles; upped sharply in grade but arrives in top form; shortlisted.

16/1

Form: 955/15 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 0lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Smart front-runner earlier in career; took advantage of a relatively modest mark back from absence at Leicester in November (1m7f, good to soft; has won on heavy) but more to prove on subsequent Chepstow defeat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

15th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Ffos Las

Totterdown

12st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

13yo who bounced back with a front-running win at Huntingdon (2m, soft) in March; back up 5lb in the weights but he forged clear from an odds-on rival last time and remains very well treated on his old form; could make another bold bid.

8/1

1

15th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Ffos Las

Totterdown

12st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

13yo who bounced back with a front-running win at Huntingdon (2m, soft) in March; back up 5lb in the weights but he forged clear from an odds-on rival last time and remains very well treated on his old form; could make another bold bid.

8/1

1st

1

17th Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:52 Huntingdon

Totterdown

12st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

Veteran; fair fourth at Sandown in November (2m, soft) but rather disappointing since (hung and jumped right-handed before being pulled up at Chepstow last time); return to this right-handed track should suit; a bit to prove.

16/1

OUR TIP

16/1

Form: -13049 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Has mixed Flat and hurdles quite successfully and back on the same mark as Plumpton win last spring (2m4f, good; has won on heavy); wasn't up to the task set at Ascot last month and this might turn out competitive, too.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

1st Sep 2023

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

15:38 Fontwell

Thibault

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: Adam West

set steady pace, increased tempo after 3 out, ridden when faced challenge after 2 out, kept on well final 110yds

5/1

5th

3

10th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 6f 44y

Class 6

20:23 Salisbury

Thibault

10st 2lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Adam West

Versatile ground-wise; multiple wins for yard include a 2m handicap on the Flat at Chepstow in April 2022 but his latest win was over hurdles that May and he hasn't shone so far this year; others more obvious.

12/1

Form: 8-1124 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won consecutive 2m hurdles on good in the middle months of 2022 but soundly beaten on return from a break 19 days ago and hasn't raced on a slower surface for nearly two years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

21st Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

17:10 Market Rasen

Denable

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Anthony Carson

Flat maiden who has won twice over hurdles, back-to-back good-ground 2m handicaps in 2022; needed to run better back over jumps at Worcester (2m4f, good) to be backed with any confidence here.

14/1

8th

8

1st Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Worcester

Denable

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Anthony Carson

Struck twice over hurdles (2m, good) in the second half of 2022 and he showed he stays this far when second of 13 at Kempton last spring; might have needed a run on the Flat two months ago after nearly a year off; not ruled out but others have more obvious claims.

12/1

9th

5

(8)

4th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Denable

9st 0lb

J: William Carson

T: Anthony Carson

Lowly rated maiden on the Flat in 2022 but struck twice over hurdles later that year and in reasonable form when last seen in that sphere just under a year ago; betting perhaps the best guide after his lay-off.

10/1

Form: 23216 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 5yo who showed plenty on first two hurdle starts, narrowly winning at Plumpton in January (2m, good to soft), but soon shot his bolt when favourite for handicap debut over C&D 20 days ago; questions after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(1)

12th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:52 Goodwood

Poncho

11st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Minor honours in his last four AW races (1m5f/2m) but well beaten in his only two turf starts this term and absent since June; he has won twice but is not straightforward and does not look the percentage call; yard runs four.

12/1

10

(7)

13th Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Goodwood

Poncho

9st 1lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Strong traveller who's far from easy and has hung both ways (normally to the left); arrives in good form for a yard among the winners, though, and is on a mark off which he can win when things fall right.

7/1

2

(2)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

14:20 Lingfield (AW)

Poncho

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Hurdle winner who got off the mark on the Flat over C&D in December; couple of creditable thirds here since then but he flopped at Ascot (last of eight) last month and needs to bounce back after that 13l defeat; stablemate of Donald Llewellyn.

5/1

Form: 132-55 D

Last run: 245 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Promising at 2m for Oliver Sherwood last winter, winning a Wincanton mares maiden and useful third from out of the weights on handicap debut at Ludlow (good to soft); didn't go on over 2m4f last summer and sold £10,000 since but is 10lb lower than at Ludlow; first-time tongue-tie; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

6th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

14:50 Hereford

Puffin Bay

11st 8lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Bumper/maiden winner for Oliver Sherwood; never better than when comfortably winning a 1m7f handicap at Wincanton (good) on her debut for this yard and first run in a tongue-tie; up 5lb in a deeper race but by no means ruled out.

7/2

1st

6

5th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 3

17:35 Wincanton

Puffin Bay

10st 10lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

travelled strongly, in touch with leaders, good headway to challenge 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, ran on well and went clear run-in, readily

7/2

8

24th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

14:40 Newbury

Puffin Bay

10st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Promising at 2m for Oliver Sherwood last winter, winning a Wincanton mares maiden and useful third from out of the weights on handicap debut at Ludlow (good to soft); didn't go on over 2m4f last summer and sold £10,000 since but is 10lb lower than at Ludlow; first-time tongue-tie; interesting.

Form: 716 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Flat winner at 1m (turf) and 1m2f (AW; RPR 93); did not face a daunting task when Flat-race speed prevailed over C&D on second hurdle start but the bar was set much higher in a Grade 2 at Kempton last month (2m, good to firm) and was left behind; this handicap debut is more realistic.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(4)

29th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 2

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Postmark

8st 12lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Anthony Charlton

led, headed and raced in second after 2f

14/1

3rd

3

(2)

14th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Postmark

9st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Anthony Charlton

The handicapper was in command on the Flat this summer and although his latest hurdle second (October) was respectable, he will need to raise his game to win here.

14/1

2nd

4

17th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

17:00 Huntingdon

Postmark

11st 9lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Milton Harris

in touch with leaders, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in, no match for winner

15/2

Non-runners

Puffin Bay, Postmark

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.40
Straight Forecast £18.95
Tricast £48.55
Trifecta £47.40

Selections

The Times:

Arqoob

Telegraph:

Russian Ruler

RP Ratings:

Puffin Bay

SPOTLIGHT:

Dr T J Eckleburg

POSTDATA:

Poncho

TOPSPEED:

Thibault

WEST COUNTRY:

Totterdown

D Express:

Russian Ruler

LAMBOURN:

Puffin Bay

Daily Mirror:

Dr T J Eckleburg

The Guardian:

Arqoob

Daily Mail:

Arqoob

The Sun:

Arqoob

The Star:

Arqoob

Daily Record:

Arqoob