March 25 / 13.58 Bangor-on-Dee

13.58

Good To Soft

Broxton Gates Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 7f 7y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Broxton Gates Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 00-230

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Down the field at Ffos Las three weeks ago, after a break, and is now 0-7 over hurdles, but was placed in two Hereford handicaps in the autumn (2m5f/2m3f) and that form brings him into the equation over new trip here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

14th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:00 Hereford

William Ewart

10st 13lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

Just 1-10 over fences but ran well in defeat in first-time blinkers at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in August and was placed (over hurdles) on both previous visits to Hereford; no surprise if he features.

8/1

2nd

9

22nd Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

William Ewart

10st 10lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

prominent, good jump and led 4th, joined 10th, headed 4 out, not fluent 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner from 2 out

7/1

3rd

5

5th Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

William Ewart

10st 13lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

1-8 over fences and mostly running well but he can throw in the odd modest effort and wasn't at his best behind Doctor Foley at Fontwell in May last time out; could well leave that effort behind back today and he needs considering.

7/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 64U

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 7yo who displayed ability in three maiden/novice hurdles (2m-2m3f) in January/February; moves up in trip for today's handicap debut and should have some improvement to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:39 Chepstow

Ffree Pedro

10st 4lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Steph Cameron

Won three points in spring 2024 but, following a long absence, has been pulled up on all three starts under rules for new stable this season; has too much to prove.

50/1

5

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:58 Warwick

Ffree Pedro

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Steph Cameron

Won three points in May/June 2024 but then absent until this winter, and he's been pulled up over fences (50-1) then hurdles (33-1) on his two outings this season; a major turnaround is necessary.

11/1

6

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

13:42 Hereford

Ffree Pedro

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Steph Cameron

Won three points in 2024 but his rules form has been regressive and he ran poorly over fences on his reappearance/stable debut; blinkers on; carries clear risks.

14/1

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 648035 BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Kept on well for good third on handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f, good) last month, but looked rather laboured before eventually running on for fifth over that C&D a few days later; still has low mileage and may benefit from today's step up in trip but will probably need to race with a bit more zest this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 3

16:55 Chepstow

Broomfields Cave

11st 7lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Chasing record reads 3-6 following this month's 5l defeat of Loup De Maulde at Wincanton (3m1f, good; RPR 128), and although taking him to a new career-high mark the 4lb rise for that doesn't look an overreaction; no track or going issues, and case looks solid once more.

13/8

1st

3

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:20 Wincanton

Broomfields Cave

12st 0lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Made it 2-4 over fences when landing a C&D handicap (good to soft) on Boxing Day; flopped at Doncaster (pulled up) last time but that was in the Grimthorpe and he could resume his progress on this drop back in grade; needs a close look.

7/2

11

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Broomfields Cave

10st 11lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Both chase wins have come in small fields over similar trips to this; he's a strong stayer who might have more to give after only four runs over fences, so commands respect on that alone despite this rise in class.

10/1

Form: 8P-88P

Last run: 61 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Yet to show any worthwhile form after seven hurdle runs; unexposed on ground other than soft/heavy but still can't be recommended; 6lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

17th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Tis But A Scratch

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

Pulled up behind Hardy Buck at Fakenham around Christmas, but a solid recent first outing since took his C&D record to 323, including a neck second in this race last year from further out of the weights.

12/1

6

17th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Tis But A Scratch

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

Pulled up behind Hardy Buck at Fakenham around Christmas, but a solid recent first outing since took his C&D record to 323, including a neck second in this race last year from further out of the weights.

12/1

3rd

8

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Tis But A Scratch

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

Went close off a similar mark over C&D just under a year ago but only one effort of note since then; now 0-21 under rules and not the percentage call.

20/1

Form: -5PP87

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Threatened to win over fences on a few occasions last season but in poor form this term, most recently when switched back to hurdling 19 days ago; 5lb wrong here; very difficult to enthuse over at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

27th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

14:45 Cartmel

Passing Secrets

10st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tom Gretton

Maiden; runner-up four times in 2021-22 but not in same form since; not beaten too far at Fontwell this month but still limited appeal.

14/1

4th

10

10th May 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:15 Fontwell

Passing Secrets

10st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tom Gretton

Badly out of form over fences last season; hinted at possible upturn in fortunes when running well for a long way over hurdles in March but still has a lot more to prove than some of these, and is 5lb wrong.

33/1

5th

10

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 7y

Class 5

13:58 Bangor-on-Dee

Passing Secrets

10st 2lb

J: Mitchell Bastyan

T: Tom Gretton

Threatened to win over fences on a few occasions last season but in poor form this term, most recently when switched back to hurdling 19 days ago; 5lb wrong here; very difficult to enthuse over at present.

50/1

Form: 0-8942

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner last year; made slow start to her hurdling career but kept on well for creditable second of 16 on recent handicap debut at Ffos Las (2m4f, good) and is open to further improvement over today's longer trip; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

10th Jul 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Worcester

Walk In The Storm

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

held up in rear, headway after 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, ridden before 2 out

10/1

6th

3

16th Jun 2023

Good

2m 3f 49y

Class 5

21:00 Fontwell

Walk In The Storm

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

pressed leaders, prominent from 3rd, ridden after 3 out, weakening when jumped badly left 2 out

11/2

6th

5

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 7y

Class 5

13:58 Bangor-on-Dee

Walk In The Storm

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Bumper winner last year; made slow start to her hurdling career but kept on well for creditable second of 16 on recent handicap debut at Ffos Las (2m4f, good) and is open to further improvement over today's longer trip; major player.

5/2

Form: 906764

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Over 5l behind Walk In The Storm when keeping-on fourth on handicap debut at Ffos Las (2m4f, good) three weeks ago but that still goes down as an encouraging run and, like her old rival, she has scope for progress over today's longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

9th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

14:17 Hereford

Lady Berlais

11st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Made all at Fakenham (2m, soft) in December when 5lb lower; nothing since and the trip is a worry.

12/1

2

12th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

16:45 Plumpton

Lady Berlais

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, led, headed 5 out, weakened quickly after 4 out, pulled up after 3 out

5/1

25/1

Form: 556-76 D

Last run: 84 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Returned to racing under rules with two disappointing chase runs on slow ground towards end of last year; drying ground and refitted cheekpieces provide two possible causes for optimism today, but he still has a lot to prove on this first hurdling start since 2020.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

2nd Nov 2023

Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:30 Stratford

Unai

10st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Sole win under rules (20 races) was in a 3m chase at Warwick in April 2021; has dropped a long way in the weights but he's been out of sorts in the last 12 months and needs new headgear to make a big difference.

33/1

5th

8

8th Oct 2023

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Uttoxeter

Unai

10st 9lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Sole win under rules (19 races) was in a 3m chase at Warwick in April 2021; way down the weights, as his return to racing under rules (last five starts) has not gone well; off since May.

20/1

6

22nd May 2023

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

16:20 Ffos Las

Unai

11st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: John Groucott

Well beaten on all four starts since returned to racing under rules in the autumn; ran well to a point at Stratford (3m3f, good to soft) last month and this return to good ground will suit, but claims are not compelling.

12/1

Form: 68P68

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Came second in a point bumper last May, but well beaten at huge odds in three maiden/novice hurdles this year (2m-2m7f) and needs to take a good step forward on today's handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 7y

Class 5

13:58 Bangor-on-Dee

Bury Walls

10st 12lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Simon Edwards

Came second in a point bumper last May, but well beaten at huge odds in three maiden/novice hurdles this year (2m-2m7f) and needs to take a good step forward on today's handicap debut.

33/1

8th

1

6th Mar 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:35 Southwell

Bury Walls

11st 7lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Simon Edwards

held up in rear

200/1

6th

2

11th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

13:00 Uttoxeter

Bury Walls

11st 6lb

J: Alex Edwards

T: Simon Edwards

Runner-up in a point bumper last spring but struggled in two subsequent rules bumpers and was pulled up when 300-1 for recent hurdle debut (2m); moves up in trip today.

100/1

Form: P06543

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
0-6 over hurdles and not bred to benefit from today's step up in trip, but made the frame in two 2m5f handicaps last month and has each-way claims if his stamina holds out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 7y

Class 5

13:58 Bangor-on-Dee

Hunsbury

10st 2lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Tracey Leeson

0-6 over hurdles and not bred to benefit from today's step up in trip, but made the frame in two 2m5f handicaps last month and has each-way claims if his stamina holds out.

8/1

3rd

5

26th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

16:20 Hereford

Hunsbury

10st 4lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Tracey Leeson

Yet to be placed after eight runs but kept on for very respectable fourth (about 12l behind Mole Court) at Warwick (2m5f, good) two weeks ago and remains unexposed over this sort of trip.

7/1

4th

11

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:23 Warwick

Hunsbury

10st 3lb

J: Mr James Turner

T: Tracey Leeson

held up in rear, some headway when mistake 3 out, went fourth before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on but not pace to challenge

25/1

Form: 300032

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
0-5 over hurdles but has made the frame in both handicaps, more recently when second of nine (no match for clear winner) at Exeter (2m5f, good) a fortnight ago; can go well again if suited by the longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

17th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

14:10 Southwell

Invincible De Mee

10st 5lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Tim Vaughan

Runner-up at Exeter (2m5f, good) last March on second handicap start but beaten 15l; pulled up on both runs since and others preferred.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.10
Straight Forecast £20.86
Tricast £61.94
Trifecta £136.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Walk In The Storm

RP Ratings:

Broomfields Cave

D Express:

Unai

POSTDATA:

Broomfields Cave

Telegraph:

Broomfields Cave

The Guardian:

Broomfields Cave

Daily Mail:

Broomfields Cave

The Times:

Walk In The Storm

Daily Mirror:

Walk In The Storm

The Star:

Walk In The Storm

Daily Record:

Walk In The Storm