March 27 / 16.00 Wincanton

16.00

Soft

CRS & IBMG Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 1m 7f 50y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
RTV
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CRS & IBMG Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: -P5841 CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Successful in maiden hurdle over C&D (good) last month, opening his account at the 11th attempt and taking Wincanton form figures to 241; it wasn't a strong race but he may build on that win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

16th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Universal Secret

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Helen Nelmes

In excellent form over fences since undergoing a second breathing operation, scoring at Wincanton (2m4f) in February before a clear second of seven over that C&D last month; up 2lb but that form is working out well so he's a big player.

5/2

2nd

6

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:20 Wincanton

Universal Secret

10st 6lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Helen Nelmes

Pulled up in his first two starts this season but he returned after another wind operation with a win over C&D (good to soft; tongue-tie added; Hatos second) in February; up 6lb but he remains feasibly treated and has claims if he can back up that last run.

100/30

1st

6

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:50 Wincanton

Universal Secret

10st 6lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Helen Nelmes

Went close here (about 2m, good to soft) in December 2024 but he's 0-9 over fences and his two runs this term have been troubling; has his first start following wind surgery, with a tongue-tie joining the cheekpieces of latest start; needs a revival.

25/1

Form: 597231 D

Last run: 5 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Rallied gamely at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) five days ago, enhancing his great record at that venue; escapes a penalty for that win and should put up another big fight; has form figures of 222 here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

John Betjeman

11st 13lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back.

11/2

9th

3

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

John Betjeman

11st 13lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back.

11/2

8th

2

6th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

17:00 Ffos Las

John Betjeman

11st 10lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Mark Gillard

pressed leader, chased clear leader after 2nd

7/1

Form: 852321 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
In a consistent vein of form since December and scored comfortably at Fontwell (2m3f, soft; made all) most recently; drops back 4f in trip but has form over C&D (placed on Boxing Day); hard to dismiss.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

20:30 Huntingdon

Sambezi

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Mrs L Pomfret

Fair hurdler in his prime; returned to form when dead-heating with good hunter chaser in two-runner point in March and backed up that performance with very respectable third in Garthorpe open (3m, good; tongue-tie/cheekpieces refitted) last month; one to consider.

14/1

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

18:10 Fontwell

Sambezi

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Dual course winner, including at this trip (good to soft), but without a win since May 2023; inconsistent this year, a respectable run over C&D (good) in March coming in between two lesser efforts, including when favourite last time; tends to go well here but probably not the percentage call.

6/1

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

18:10 Fontwell

Sambezi

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Dual course winner, including at this trip (good to soft), but without a win since May 2023; inconsistent this year, a respectable run over C&D (good) in March coming in between two lesser efforts, including when favourite last time; tends to go well here but probably not the percentage call.

6/1

Form: 312221 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Consistent sort who has form figures of 312221 this term, the two wins gained on good ground at Huntingdon; seems to handle soft going; nudged up only another 2lb; again looks a solid contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

25th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:58 Kelso

Rewired

11st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Has come good off his much reduced mark and a 4lb rise for Hereford last time is more than fair (2m, good); one of his career-best runs was on soft so rain won't bother him.

11/8

3rd

2

25th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:58 Kelso

Rewired

11st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Has come good off his much reduced mark and a 4lb rise for Hereford last time is more than fair (2m, good); one of his career-best runs was on soft so rain won't bother him.

11/8

Form: F-PPPP

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Consistent in defeat in 2021; has totally lost his way, having failed to complete in five subsequent starts (fences/hurdles); the least appealing contestant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

26th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

14:38 Exeter

Flamenco De Kerser

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Richenda Ford

mounted in chute, visibility reduced by fog, midfield, badly hampered by faller 4th

40/1

11th

12

13th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Kempton

Flamenco De Kerser

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

Pulled up on four of five appearances during very disappointing campaign last season, but some positives can be drawn from last month's reappearance run and he's very well handicapped now; not ruled out.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 242

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Consistent in four races (including point) and his form stacks up well; very solid effort in Taunton handicap (2m, good to soft) most recently, finishing clear second behind a progressive rival who was on the middle leg of hat-trick; strongly respected and could well go one better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Newton Abbot

Western General

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Back to form after a second wind op, posting career-best RPRs when scoring at Chepstow in February and when runner-up at Hereford the following month (both at 2m); has his best form over shorter but shapes as though this trip should suit and he commands respect on that recent form.

2/1

2nd

1

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 3

14:52 Hereford

Western General

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Last year's winner on good ground; bounced back to form after wind surgery to beat four rivals at Chepstow (2m, soft) two weeks ago, making virtually all; back up 5lb but has leading claims again.

6/4

1st

4

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Western General

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Made excellent progress over fences last season, winning three times (1m7f-2m, good-heavy), but ended that campaign with a poor run and has not been at his best this term (three starts); needs last month's wind op to have made a difference.

2/1

Non-runners

Western General

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £15.72

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Western General

TOPSPEED:

Rewired

RP Ratings:

John Betjeman

LAMBOURN:

Sambezi

WEST COUNTRY:

Western General

Telegraph:

Western General

Daily Mail:

Western General

The Sun:

Western General

Daily Record:

Western General

The Times:

Rewired

The Guardian:

Rewired

D Express:

Rewired

Daily Mirror:

Rewired

POSTDATA:

John Betjeman

The Star:

John Betjeman