August 22 / 17.00 Newton Abbot

17.00

Good

William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5096.16
  • 3m 2f 105y
  • Class 5
  • 15 runners
SKY
View Course
William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £9.00
  • Place: £3.20

Form: 3-7332

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Triple hurdle winner who is beneath last summer's winning mark and he would have been closer at Uttoxeter but for a late mistake; solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Lelantos

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Five-time hurdle winner, most recently off today's mark at Huntingdon (3m1f, good to soft) in November; has become inconsistent, though, and dropped out quite tamely after making the running at Fontwell in May.

10/1

4th

2

24th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

16:20 Fontwell

Lelantos

11st 10lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Nicky Henderson

Now only 1lb higher than when winning at Huntingdon (3m1f, good to soft; also suited by good) in November but has become inconsistent and was pulled up on latest outing seven weeks ago; not easy to predict.

8/1

6

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

15:20 Hereford

Lelantos

11st 1lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

5-27 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Huntingdon (extended 3m1f, good to soft; 2lb higher today) in November; has a shout on that showing but there have been backward steps in his two starts since.

5/1

6/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 50/212 CD BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Bang there in all three handicaps (3m-3m2f) since returning from an absence, with the win coming here (beating Rubys Reward and Danzini); didn't look straightforward when going down narrowly at Stratford and she's 4lb higher for this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

13

20th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

12:50 Ffos Las

Saxon Queen

10st 5lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Good second on chasing debut at Worcester (2m7f, good; first-time cheekpieces) in September 2023 but has not fired on her three hurdle/chase starts this year; needs today's headgear switch to give her a boost.

20/1

9th

13

20th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

12:50 Ffos Las

Saxon Queen

10st 5lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Good second on chasing debut at Worcester (2m7f, good; first-time cheekpieces) in September 2023 but has not fired on her three hurdle/chase starts this year; needs today's headgear switch to give her a boost.

20/1

6th

9

5th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

16:10 Warwick

Saxon Queen

10st 6lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Strong stayer having won over 3m2f as a hurdler; two quiet runs after nearly a year out, the latest her chase debut when she didn't jump that well and was well behind Jony Max.

20/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 17P-73

Last run: 76 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
In good form last year but that campaign ended on a low note and wouldn't get too excited about his close third behind Saxon Queen and Rubys Reward in a field of three over C&D in June when he needed cajoling along in new headgear (tongue-tie/cheekpieces); now turns to a visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

21st Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

16:00 Exeter

Danzini

10st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Keiran Burke

Has won good-ground handicaps at 3m and 3m2f; hard to dismiss off this mark despite being below par the last twice.

10/1

7th

9

21st Aug 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Danzini

10st 9lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Keiran Burke

Safely held over C&D in June but that was her first start for seven months and she's now back on the same mark as when winning at Fontwell (3m2f, good) last spring; contender if she comes on from that reappearance run.

12/1

Form: 3-6323 BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Placed plenty of times but remains a maiden and has been no threat to the principals in his last three outings, namely a handicap chase and two maiden hurdles; beginning to frustrate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

30th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 5

13:10 Lingfield

Fortunate Fred

11st 10lb

J: Will Featherstone

T: Jamie Snowden

not fluent 4th, mistake 5th, not fluent last

8/1

6th

5

30th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

13:15 Huntingdon

Fortunate Fred

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

14-race maiden but often thereabouts and seemed to try hard enough when going down by only 2l at Newton Abbot the final time (3m2f, soft); versatile tactically and unlikely to be far away.

7/2

Form: 232212

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Won comfortably at Worcester (2m7f, good) and, after an 8lb rise, was only 2l away over C&D despite being hampered more than once; developing into a reliable stayer at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

6th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 5

18:05 Warwick

Jack The Farmer

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nigel Hawke

mounted in chute, taken down early, in rear

9/1

3rd

7

6th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 5

18:05 Warwick

Jack The Farmer

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nigel Hawke

mounted in chute, taken down early, in rear

9/1

0

3

15th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:55 Ffos Las

Jack The Farmer

11st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

Won readily by 11l at Worcester (2m7f, good) in July and has remained in good form since, losing out only by a nose at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last month; needs to prove he's effective on soft ground, though.

6/1

Form: 90P-15

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Back from a break to win over 2m4f at Worcester (good) but then well held when fifth at Southwell; has stamina to prove over this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:25 Worcester

Bensini

10st 3lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Back with previous trainer for whom he made his debut in a bumper; won a C&D handicap two years ago for Robbie Llewellyn but signed off for that yard in modest form; bit risky.

9/1

7th

15

31st May 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

21:00 Stratford

Bensini

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Yet to add to his win in July 2023 and returned from layoff with a disappointing run this month; goes without headgear again today; revival needed.

25/1

7th

15

31st May 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

21:00 Stratford

Bensini

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Yet to add to his win in July 2023 and returned from layoff with a disappointing run this month; goes without headgear again today; revival needed.

25/1

Form: 44-212 D BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Pipped by Saxon Queen here in June before finishing first and second in 2m7f handicaps at Worcester (in this headgear latterly); fully entitled to be involved once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

25th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

15:25 Ludlow

Rubys Reward

10st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Debra Hamer

held up in rear

12/1

7th

8

25th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

15:25 Ludlow

Rubys Reward

10st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Debra Hamer

held up in rear, some headway 2 out, never near to challenge

12/1

15

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

14:55 Chepstow

Rubys Reward

10st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Debra Hamer

Scored at Worcester (2m7f, good) in July last year off 1lb lower mark; generally consistent since but relatively exposed and others look to have more scope.

11/1

Form: 37-544

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
11-race maiden who didn't entirely convince with his stamina for this far when fourth at Stratford, finishing behind Saxon Queen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

19th Jul 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:22 Newton Abbot

Testflight

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sue Gardner

Sole career success came in this race 12 months ago and a recent close fourth here behind Edgewell should have teed him up for his defence; nothing wrong with his mark for all that he's 1lb wrong.

4/1

4th

8

23rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:50 Newton Abbot

Testflight

10st 12lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sue Gardner

Has modest 1-29 strike-rate under rules but the win was gained over C&D (last summer) and last month's reappearance run was much more encouraging than his eventual 78l defeat suggests; each-way claims at least.

8/1

3rd

6

20th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:00 Warwick

Testflight

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

1-28 under rules, his win coming over fences off this mark at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) last July; has been off since October and needs to hit the ground running.

8/1

66/1

Form: 3PP3-P

Last run: 93 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Maiden over hurdles and his three thirds don't amount to much; pulled up on chase debut when last seen in May; 4lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

30th Nov 2023

Good

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

14:35 Taunton

Foillmore

10st 2lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

0-16 under rules and 0-20 overall; struggled from early stage on chasing debut in May and well beaten on both subsequent hurdling starts; 1lb wrong here; difficult to enthuse over.

20/1

10th

16

8th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:50 Chepstow

Foillmore

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jimmy Frost

towards rear, outpaced and struggling before 3 out

33/1

9th

15

22nd Aug 2023

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Foillmore

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jimmy Frost

prominent

66/1

Form: PP-447 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Potentially on a good mark but his struggles continued at Bangor last time with the cheekpieces back on; unconvincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

22nd Aug 2023

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Ernesto

11st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Ian Williams

midfield

16/1

7th

5

4th Aug 2023

Good

2m 7f 7y

Class 5

13:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Ernesto

11st 5lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Ian Williams

Lurks on a very dangerous mark even before Daire McConville's useful 8lb claim is considered but has been out of form this year and needs to turn a corner; visor replaced by cheekpieces; tongue-tie removed.

8/1

Form: 5P94-3

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle for Willie Mullins; 0-11 for current yard but returned from three months off to finish close up over C&D last month (just behind Jack The Farmer) and that was only his second run in blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

11th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

17:38 Huntingdon

Wearapinkribbon

10st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Max Comley

In a first-time visor and making stable debut when edging home over C&D in March (good to soft) but then finished tailed off at Exeter (good to firm); hard to be confident about how he'll run here with cheekpieces back on but the ability is there.

11/2

5th

6

11th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

17:38 Huntingdon

Wearapinkribbon

10st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Max Comley

In a first-time visor and making stable debut when edging home over C&D in March (good to soft) but then finished tailed off at Exeter (good to firm); hard to be confident about how he'll run here with cheekpieces back on but the ability is there.

11/2

5th

7

23rd Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

15:02 Exeter

Wearapinkribbon

10st 10lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

9yo who snapped a long losing sequence on this month's stable debut at Huntingdon (3m2f, good to soft) when wearing a first-time visor (retained) on his first outing since wind surgery; 4lb higher today but could have more to offer for this yard; should be major player.

100/30

OUR TIP

Form: 27-52P

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Chasing hasn't gone to plan and when second here in June only three finished; has brighter prospects on his hurdling exploits, having finished runner-up in three successive handicaps (1m7f-3m2f) earlier this year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

5th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:10 Newton Abbot

Seymour Promise

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Joe Tizzard

Only 1-24; won at Taunton (2m7f, soft) in April but none too consistent and finished well back in Lightonthewing's race here recently; 1lb wrong.

25/1

5th

7

20th May 2024

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:43 Newton Abbot

Seymour Promise

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Joe Tizzard

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 6th, lost ground before 12th

9/1

5th

7

20th May 2024

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:43 Newton Abbot

Seymour Promise

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Joe Tizzard

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 6th, lost ground before 12th

9/1

Form: 5U47-4 D

Last run: 93 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Seven-time winner over hurdles but has been out of form in this sphere for a while now and was no better on a return to fences in May; too much to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

12th Sep 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:05 Worcester

Ratfacemcdougall

10st 9lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: D J Jeffreys

Prolific winner but seems in no form at the minute and was 40-1 when pulled up at Newton Abbot.

25/1

0

2

22nd Aug 2023

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Ratfacemcdougall

12st 0lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: D J Jeffreys

held up in rear, reminder 4th

20/1

4th

7

21st May 2023

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:35 Stratford

Ratfacemcdougall

11st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: D J Jeffreys

Seven-time winner over hurdles but has been out of form in that sphere for a while now and his record over fences in 2019 (four attempts) was not convincing; very well handicapped, but needs to turn a corner.

12/1

Form: P6-144 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won over 3m2f on the chase course here in May when only 2lb lower but hasn't backed that up and now returns to hurdling (1-10); others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

5th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:10 Newton Abbot

Shortcross Storm

10st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Both chase wins have come on good ground here, over 2m and 3m2f; however, doesn't return in much form and his second two runs back amounts to precious little; 4lb out of the weights.

33/1

9

24th Apr 2024

Good

3m 2f 57y

Class 4

17:50 Taunton

Shortcross Storm

10st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Both chase wins have come on good ground at Newton Abbot, over 2m and 3m2f; 4lb out of the weights here but he was even worse off when a remote second on his return from a break at Fakenham; difficult to know what form he's in at the minute.

8/1

9

24th Apr 2024

Good

3m 2f 57y

Class 4

17:50 Taunton

Shortcross Storm

10st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Both chase wins have come on good ground at Newton Abbot, over 2m and 3m2f; 4lb out of the weights here but he was even worse off when a remote second on his return from a break at Fakenham; difficult to know what form he's in at the minute.

8/1

Form: 60-459

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Uncompetitive in three bumpers and as many hurdles; goes handicapping with much to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(11)

2nd Aug 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 14y

Class 5

14:35 Southwell (AW)

Etoile Brillante

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael Wigham

Won over hurdles on stable debut at Warwick in May and reportedly made a respiratory noise at Market Rasen the following month; little to suggest this different discipline is likely to suit, though.

25/1

6th

6

14th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

20:05 Market Rasen

Etoile Brillante

10st 7lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Michael Wigham

Poor form in bumpers and over hurdles for Alexandra Dunn, but finished off strongly to score from 5lb out of the handicap on first start for this trainer at Warwick (2m5f, good; 16-1) a fortnight ago; that was a solid building block; up to 3m, with prospect of further rain the risk-factor.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £76.50
Straight Forecast £65.96
Tricast £626.71
Trifecta £787.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Saxon Queen

The Times:

Rubys Reward

SPOTLIGHT:

Jack The Farmer

RP RATINGS:

Fortunate Fred

The Guardian:

Bensini

The Star:

Testflight

LAMBOURN:

Lelantos

Daily Mail:

Saxon Queen

D Express:

Saxon Queen

The Sun:

Rubys Reward

Daily Record:

Rubys Reward

WEST COUNTRY:

Jack The Farmer

Telegraph:

Jack The Farmer

Daily Mirror:

Fortunate Fred