April 09 / 16.50 Plumpton

16.50

Good To Soft

William Hill Epic Value Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 4f 114y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
SKY
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William Hill Epic Value Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 461241 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
2-4 in handicaps, the wins on soft at Warwick (2m3f) and Fakenham (2m4f; by 12l at 6-5); he was also on an upward curve form-wise when taking minor honours on good ground in between; raised another 4lb but he's a steady improver who can go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Bashers Reflection

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Respectable strike-rate over hurdles; record of 0-6 since switched to fences but has place possibilities on most of that form.

11/2

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Bashers Reflection

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Respectable strike-rate over hurdles; record of 0-6 since switched to fences but has place possibilities on most of that form.

11/2

3rd

10

15th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:20 Kempton

Bashers Reflection

10st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Record of 0-5 since switched to fences but turn looks near, having finished second at Wetherby and Newbury the last twice; however, needs some improvement to go one better in this stronger grade.

8/1

25/1

  • Place: £4.00

Form: 398/26 BF

Last run: 172 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
4-29 on Flat; 0-7 over hurdles, best of those efforts when second over C&D (good) in September three starts back; off since October; even best hurdles form requires some improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(9)

18th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 68y

Class 6

14:50 Lingfield

Cherry Cola

9st 1lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Sheena West

Early summer has always tended to be her time of year but she's regressed in recent times, is into the veteran stage and entitled to need this after seven months off; others hold more pressing claims.

12/1

6

(11)

9th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:23 Bath

Cherry Cola

9st 7lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Sheena West

Hasn't won for a while but some fair efforts this year, last time finishing upside Assured here; possibilities, especially should the ground dry out.

14/1

6

(13)

30th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 11y

Class 6

14:52 Bath

Cherry Cola

9st 7lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Sheena West

Last win was over 1m6f here in September 2023 but has posted some fair efforts this campaign; exposed but has each-way claims.

12/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 4315P3 CD

Last run: 58 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Made all over C&D in November and back to form when switched to fences (3m) on latest start; no prizes for consistency over the last 14 months but best efforts put him in the mix; wore cheekpieces on last two starts and now tries a visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

14

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:35 Wincanton

Baddesley

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

towards rear

20/1

13th

14

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:35 Wincanton

Baddesley

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

towards rear

20/1

Form: 1-P11P CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden over C&D and got up on the line in a 2m1f novice at Fontwell; pulled up either side of those two wins but he was only 17-2 for the EBF Final at Sandown on latest, which was run on heavy going and he's probably forgiven that performance; could bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

18:17 Fontwell

Churchills Boy

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Acts on good and soft ground; dual novice winner (2m4f/2m1f) in 2022-23 season and remains lightly raced but he returned after 666 days off with a heavy defeat at Stratford in February; tongue-tie is now added and he needs to bounce back near best.

25/1

10th

7

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

18:17 Fontwell

Churchills Boy

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Acts on good and soft ground; dual novice winner (2m4f/2m1f) in 2022-23 season and remains lightly raced but he returned after 666 days off with a heavy defeat at Stratford in February; tongue-tie is now added and he needs to bounce back near best.

25/1

9th

4

3rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:50 Southwell

Churchills Boy

11st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Dual novice winner (2m4f/2m1f) in 2022-23 season and remains lightly raced but has fitness to prove after 666-day absence; the betting market may point the way.

20/1

Form: 221P41 CD

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Progressive on good ground last summer and she was back on good ground for latest two starts, winning by a short head under Ben Bromley over C&D on latest; raised 5lb and needs to further her improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

9th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 3

16:50 Plumpton

Last Of A Legend

10st 13lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Harry Fry

Progressive on good ground last summer and she was back on good ground for latest two starts, winning by a short head under Ben Bromley over C&D on latest; raised 5lb and needs to further her improvement.

10/1

1st

1

27th Feb 2023

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

15:35 Plumpton

Last Of A Legend

12st 0lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Harry Fry

Progressive on good ground last summer and appreciated the return to similar conditions when fourth of 14 in a 2m3f handicap at Taunton in December; hard to call her well handicapped but Ben Bromley's claim will help in that respect.

7/2

4th

2

21st Dec 2022

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

12:53 Taunton

Last Of A Legend

11st 13lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Pulled up on handicap debut at Hereford four weeks ago when back from a break but the soft ground may not have suited; this lightly raced 5yo was progressive on good ground in May-July and it will be no surprise if she gets back on track with a big performance.

9/1

Form: 21-352

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Point and bumper winner, yet to transfer that promise to hurdles; had wind surgery before latest start, though, and that second at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) was a step back in the right direction; needs another on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

13:30 Doncaster

Bold Reaction

11st 7lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

took keen hold, led, soon went clear, jumped slightly left 5th

5/1

33/1

Form: 3142U0

Last run: 50 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Sole win (nine races) was a maiden last October; last two races have not gone well (unseated early then behind) and he now wears first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

17:05 Kelso

Kaleb

11st 12lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Amy Murphy

Won off a 3lb lower mark at Market Rasen in May (2m4f, good); sound run when fourth in a Galway handicap hurdle last time (2m4f, good to yielding; second and sixth have won since); chance.

4/1

4th

10

2nd Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 11y

17:00 Galway

Kaleb

11st 3lb

J: J M Quinlan

T: Amy Murphy

prominent

12/1

3rd

2

28th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 3

19:23 Bangor-on-Dee

Kaleb

11st 10lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Amy Murphy

Returned to form with a near miss at Southwell in April and he got back on the scoresheet at Market Rasen (2m4f, good) the following month; up another 3lb but he was as good as ever last time and should be in the thick of things again.

4/1

Form: 131

Last run: 15 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Quite useful on Flat up to 1m4f for the Johnstons; may well turn out to be better in this sphere, having twice won easily in 2m novice races at Newbury either side of a close third at Doncaster; 4-11 when he won by a street last time; tries an extra half mile but respected as a good prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

9th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 3

16:50 Plumpton

Love Is Golden

12st 0lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary Moore

Quite useful on Flat up to 1m4f for the Johnstons; may well turn out to be better in this sphere, having twice won easily in 2m novice races at Newbury either side of a close third at Doncaster; 4-11 when he won by a street last time; tries an extra half mile but respected as a good prospect.

7/4

1st

1

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 4

15:15 Newbury

Love Is Golden

11st 7lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary Moore

Quite a useful Flat performer at up to 1m4f for Mark and Charlie Johnston; beat a dual previous winner with a nice bit in hand on his hurdling debut here (good; under Niall Houlihan) and looked as though he would follow up at Doncaster before running out of puff late on; sets the standard.

4/7

OUR TIP

Form: 4221 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Runner-up to Nicholls-trained winners in two novice hurdles on good to soft this winter, before easily making all when long odds-on in a maiden at Ludlow (2m5f, soft); brings potential to this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Tightenourbelts

11st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Emma Lavelle

towards rear

10/1

5th

3

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Tightenourbelts

11st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Emma Lavelle

towards rear

10/1

1st

4

18th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

12:50 Ludlow

Tightenourbelts

11st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Emma Lavelle

Became rather disappointing after winning over 2m4f here 13 months ago but got himself firmly back on track when making most of the running at Exeter (3m, good) and battling on best; a 3lb rise is no hardship; chance.

2/1

Form: 211203 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Started off in handicaps with two wins in January, here on first occasion; two good places from his three starts since, the latest when upped to 2m3f at Bangor; needs to find extra and a 7lb claimer is recruited.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

18:30 Market Rasen

El Muchacho

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Won twice on good ground (2m5f/2m3f) for this new stable last season and has been placed on last three appearances, most recently when second over C&D (good) three weeks ago; 1lb lower today and seems very likely to be in the thick of things again.

7/4

2nd

3

8th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

El Muchacho

11st 7lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Holding form well since January's Catterick success (2m3f, good), actually achieving more on RPRs when a close third at Newcastle latest; still well treated on his 2023-24 peak form, and no ground concerns.

9/2

3rd

1

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

El Muchacho

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Won at Catterick in January (2m3f, good) and best form since when 0.5l second at Sedgefield last time (2m5f, good); conditions suit; chance.

11/2

Form: 5-186 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won at Wetherby (2m3f, good to soft) in October on hurdling debut; tailed off at Huntingdon next time and although his sixth in a warm race at Warwick was creditable, he needs a good deal better on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

10th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:27 Ludlow

Hall Lane

11st 4lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Only 1-13 over fences but is threatening to double his tally, having stayed on for second in the last two of three starts for new yard, latest at Taunton (2m7f, good); possibilities off same mark.

2/1

2nd

1

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

17:20 Taunton

Hall Lane

12st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Both wins when trained by Alan King; showed little on return from 404-day layoff at Leicester in January for new yard but much better when runner-up at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) last month; runs off the same mark and holds place claims at least.

3/1

2nd

1

11th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:55 Huntingdon

Hall Lane

12st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won a four-runner chase at Market Rasen (3m, good; all out) for Alan King in 2024 but didn't match that in three subsequent starts, including over this C&D; suffered a big defeat on his stable debut in January, when coming back from a 404-day absence, but was a little weak in the market that day so maybe better can be expected this time; career-low mark.

13/2

Form: -33783

Last run: 54 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 4

16:15 Fontwell

Godot

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Andy Irvine

Didn't run badly when fifth of seven here (2m5f, good to soft; usual headgear removed) 12 days ago and has become well handicapped but this season has been largely disappointing and he's not yet proven over this far.

16/1

5th

1

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Fontwell

Godot

12st 0lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Andy Irvine

Three-time winner but arrives here in no sort of form and the new blinkers (replacing usual cheekpieces) did nothing for him two weeks ago; now goes in no headgear; risky.

12/1

5th

1

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

14:00 Fontwell

Godot

12st 0lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Andy Irvine

Always tended to be all or nothing but has often run well on soft; risks involved now, having been pulled up on his last two starts, but he's capable of popping up, switched from cheekpieces to first-time blinkers under in-form Rian Corcoran.

8/1

Non-runners

Tightenourbelts, El Muchacho, Godot

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £111.40
Straight Forecast £91.56
Tricast £1288.95
Trifecta £959.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Love Is Golden

RP Ratings:

El Muchacho

TOPSPEED:

Bashers Reflection

D Express:

Tightenourbelts

WEST COUNTRY:

Last Of A Legend

LAMBOURN:

Bold Reaction

POSTDATA:

El Muchacho

The Star:

Bashers Reflection

Daily Mirror:

Tightenourbelts

Daily Record:

Last Of A Legend

The Sun:

Bold Reaction

The Times:

Love Is Golden

Telegraph:

Love Is Golden