March 21 / 14.15 Chepstow

14.15

Soft

Ashcroft Services Conditional Jockeys’ Training Series Handicap Hurdle (Racing Excellence Series)

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 0f 11y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Ashcroft Services Conditional Jockeys’ Training Series Handicap Hurdle (Racing Excellence Series)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 139024 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won back-to-back hurdles at Wincanton (1m7f maiden, good to soft) and Ffos Las (2m handicap, soft) last spring; returned to form when second in new cheekpieces at Leicester (heavy) but then never travelled at all at Lingfield; can't be sure what to expect but ability is respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:47 Hereford

Double Click

11st 6lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Proved well suited by the step back up to 3m1f and good ground when keeping on well to score at Ffos Las last month; faces a different question here off 5lb higher but likely to be thereabouts if reproducing the effort.

5/4

1st

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

15:20 Hereford

Double Click

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Inconsistent over the last 12 months or so, but second at Exeter in November showed that he stays 2m7f and his best effort since was on latest outing (a rallying third over 2m4f three weeks ago); much more to prove if the ground is not softer than good, but he has to be considered.

9/2

3rd

2

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ffos Las

Double Click

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Pulled up on chasing debut in January (wore cheekpieces) and did not see out 3m on heavy ground when back over hurdles here (first-time blinkers) last month; current mark is workable and this drop back in trip looks the right move but others in the field have much less to prove.

10/1

OUR TIP

5/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 066792

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 5yo with some size about him and he chased home a well-backed favourite on handicap debut at Wincanton (1m7f, heavy), finishing clear of the rest; has to be of interest off just 1lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

1st Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:30 Ffos Las

Hawk Stone

11st 0lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Harriet Dickin

Rebounded from poor chasing debut when second to progressive rival here (2m, heavy; first-time visor) in January; could plausibly have untapped potential over this longer trip but was back in the doldrums on his latest outing and has become very hard to predict.

7/1

7th

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:15 Leicester

Hawk Stone

11st 8lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Harriet Dickin

Record of 1-11 over hurdles and his win was in April 2024; pulled up on chase debut at Market Rasen last month but he bounced back with a good second at Ffos Las (2m, heavy; first-time visor) 13 days ago; on same mark here and has claims if he can build on that.

4/1

2nd

5

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Ffos Las

Hawk Stone

11st 6lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Harriet Dickin

Blinkered this season, running respectably in hurdles event then poorly on chase debut; bit to prove but is on a workable mark provided the switch to a visor has positive effect.

14/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.00

Form: /147P- D

Last run: 455 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Narrow winner on handicap debut at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in May 2022 only to end that year with some quiet runs; has been off a long time but he's close to his winning mark and his yard won this last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

17th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:15 Uttoxeter

Mac Be Lucky

10st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Won off 1lb lower at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in May 2022 but he's been lightly raced since; returned after a long absence with a close third at Chepstow (2m, soft) in March but he's not kicked on from that and has something to prove again; visor added.

16/1

7th

10

5th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:15 Newton Abbot

Mac Be Lucky

10st 6lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

7yo with just ten runs behind him; won off 2lb lower at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) two years ago; his second run back from an absence wasn't as good as the first (close up over 2m on soft) but he could rebound and fair shout if he does.

12/1

11th

11

16th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

Mac Be Lucky

10st 4lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Sedgefield win off 2lb lower two years ago (2m1f, good) was owed to the sharp track, and this would be the speediest circuit he's encountered since; fine return after 15 months out latest, and a live chance here.

4/1

Form: 2P7352

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Looked a non-stayer at 2m3f in her second handicap but placed in the other two at 2m, last time reversing Ffos Las placings with My Granny Lily when runner-up at Exeter (soft); Isabelle Ryder is again on board and she should be in the thick of it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ffos Las

Queen Of Steel

11st 7lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Stayed on gamely to score at Leicester (2m4f, heavy) in January, her third hurdle win, and probably bettered that performance when close/clear second at Southwell (3m, soft) last month; competes off career-high mark here but still respected in current form.

15/8

2nd

5

18th Feb 2026

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:55 Southwell

Queen Of Steel

11st 3lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Got on a roll last spring having joined this yard, winning at Ffos Las and Wetherby (2m4f/3m, good; cheekpieces) before clinching a Flat-race hat-trick at staying trips; brought her stable record to 6-11 when scoring at Leicester (about 2m4f, heavy) one month ago and holds leading claims once again.

2/1

1st

9

20th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:02 Leicester

Queen Of Steel

10st 13lb

J: Mr Lucas Murphy

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won two good-ground hurdles (2m4f/3m) and three consecutive Flat races during highly productive spell last spring/summer and bettered low-key reappearance run when respectable third at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) last month; may yet have a bigger performance in her.

7/1

Form: 3-4F13 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Perhaps coped best with the heavy ground when off the mark over hurdles at Ffos Las (2m) and then, off this 5lb higher mark, she finished a well-held third at Exeter, behind Queen Of Steel whom she had behind at Ffos Las; should give her running but perhaps vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

7th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

16:50 Exeter

My Granny Lily

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Won on heavy ground at Ffos Las (2m; wore cheekpieces) last season but has been out of form this term (three runs) and needs to respond very positively to a change of headgear today.

12/1

11

21st Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

13:20 Leicester

My Granny Lily

10st 2lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Nigel Hawke

Won on heavy ground at Ffos Las (2m) last February but struggled on her two outings in the autumn and needs to get back on track.

14/1

11

21st Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

13:20 Leicester

My Granny Lily

10st 2lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Nigel Hawke

Won on heavy ground at Ffos Las (2m) last February but struggled on her two outings in the autumn and needs to get back on track.

14/1

Form: P-6135 D

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Forced a dead-heat at Fontwell on Boxing Day (2m3f, good to soft) but well held the next time, finishing tailed off in new cheekpieces on his last run for Gary Moore; on a fair mark for new yard and handles soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

14th Apr 2024

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

16:25 Plumpton

Naturally High

11st 6lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Paddy Butler

held up in rear

16/1

6

14th Apr 2024

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

16:25 Plumpton

Naturally High

11st 6lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Paddy Butler

held up in rear

16/1

Form: 44

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Dual AW winner over 1m2f in late 2022; some respectable AW form this winter but has been beaten about 20l in his two hurdles (heavy/soft) and this mark is not obviously lenient for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(8)

17th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Come To Pass

9st 9lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Winless since his 3yo days but has gone close a few times over C&D; patchy since returning from an absence, cracking late in first-time cheekpieces latest having made a lot of the running.

16/1

8th

2

(10)

12th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

15:43 Lingfield (AW)

Come To Pass

9st 9lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Won two C&D handicaps at the end of 2022, but 0-25 since; fourth in a couple of similar contest last month including over C&D and holds frame possibiltities again with cheekpieces given a go.

7/1

3

8th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

15:05 Chelmsford (AW)

Come To Pass

9st 9lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Form: 434

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Two Flat wins for another yard, at 1m1f (good to soft) and 1m6f (good to firm); also showed some promise in two hurdles for Alice Haynes but left that yard for 6,500gns and, having raced freely, she dropped out on recent handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f, soft); this shorter trip looks a good move but would prefer drier ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:15 Taunton

Dance Havana

10st 4lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

Flat wins in 2022 and 2023; has had only four races over hurdles but soundly beaten in two soft-ground handicaps when last seen early in 2024.

20/1

Form: 1/7-F

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won sole French start (hurdle; good); well-beaten outsider at Ascot in November 2022 after 796 days away and had another 473 days on the sidelines prior to struggling on handicap debut at Lingfield (beaten when falling); still early days but a good bit of guesswork involved to make a case.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

21st Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

14:15 Chepstow

Schelem

11st 11lb

J: Rob Hargreaves

T: Gary Moore

Won sole French start (hurdle; good); well-beaten outsider at Ascot in November 2022 after 796 days away and had another 473 days on the sidelines prior to struggling on handicap debut at Lingfield (beaten when falling); still early days but a good bit of guesswork involved to make a case.

13/2

3

5th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:32 Lingfield

Schelem

11st 6lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary Moore

took keen hold, held up in last, went third after 3rd

13/2

7th

3

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 2

13:30 Ascot

Schelem

11st 7lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary Moore

Won his only French hurdle start by 9l (on good) but not easy to gauge what he achieved and he looks the stable second string on this return from a long absence; probably best watched.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £33.70
Straight Forecast £29.98
Tricast £320.50
Trifecta £330.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hawk Stone

RP RATINGS:

Queen Of Steel

Telegraph:

My Granny Lily

WEST COUNTRY:

Hawk Stone

The Times:

Hawk Stone

The Guardian:

Hawk Stone

Daily Mail:

Hawk Stone

D Express:

Hawk Stone

Daily Mirror:

Hawk Stone

The Sun:

Hawk Stone

The Star:

Hawk Stone

POSTDATA:

Queen Of Steel

LAMBOURN:

Queen Of Steel

Daily Record:

Queen Of Steel