March 27 / 16.10 Hereford

16.10

Soft

Read Harry Cobden’s Blog At PlanetSportBet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 0f 53y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Read Harry Cobden’s Blog At PlanetSportBet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 8-2365

Last run: 42 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
0-9; started this season with a couple of placed efforts on heavy ground; has failed to progress in two starts since handicapping but this drop to Class 5 may do the trick; similar type to Evenwood Sonofagun.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Uttoxeter

Intimate

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Bounced back to form when second of six in 2m3f Hereford handicap chase 20 days ago; he must enter calculations nudged up 1lb in his bid for a breakthrough chasing victory.

3/1

2nd

1

23rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

14:40 Hereford

Intimate

12st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Ended last season with emphatic hurdle win here (2m, soft) and was creditable second on seasonal/chase debut at Sandown (1m7f, soft) in December; two lesser efforts have followed but it would be dangerous to write him off at this stage.

100/30

4th

4

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 4

13:45 Hereford

Intimate

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won a 2m soft-ground handicap hurdle by 10l here last March; his jumping lacked fluency so did well to go so close on chase debut at Sandown (1m7f, soft) and conditions were extremely testing when fourth at Haydock; massive shout on that penultimate effort.

3/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: -26534

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Has made the frame in four of her six outings (bumpers/hurdles), latest at Doncaster (2m3f, heavy) where she shaped as if this drop back in trip will suit; open to progress now handicapping; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:10 Cartmel

Tour Ovalie

11st 7lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Resumed winning ways at Ludlow (2m) in December and in good form until finishing last of ten in 2m4f Sandown handicap four weeks ago; the sort who might bounce back though.

11/1

10th

16

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Tour Ovalie

10st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mrs C Williams

Gained all six hurdle wins at around 2m but ran quite well when fourth at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) last month; current mark is workable (even from 1lb out of the weights) and Sean Bowen takes over today; could have a say.

16/1

4th

5

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

15:55 Chepstow

Tour Ovalie

11st 6lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Campaigned mostly at about 2m; record is 6-21, the most recent win at Ludlow in December; placed twice since, including at Newbury when ahead of Rula Bula; gives the impression this return to further is worth exploring.

6/1

Form: 27-085

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Handicap debutant; opening mark is roughly in line with his hurdles form but looks very attractive judged on some of his bumper efforts, including a respectable third to talented Dysart Enos; headgear applied; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Cawthorne Banker

10st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won twice in the space of three starts last year but has soon returned to the doldrums; can't be supported with any confidence.

25/1

4

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:33 Market Rasen

Cawthorne Banker

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Needed considerable help from the handicapper before winning twice last year and has looked badly out of sorts on both appearances this year; usual cheekpieces (left off last time) are refitted; can't be supported with any confidence.

10/1

10th

6

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Wetherby

Cawthorne Banker

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Disappointing on last two starts but he won twice in the second half of last year (2m, good to soft/good) and the fact his stable is enjoying a very productive month suggests he is well worth a second look.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 44-06

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
0-5; has switched to handicaps this term, better effort when sixth at Huntingdon latest (2m4f; debut for new yard); another step forward is far from impossible; has form here; market support should be noted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

18:30 Huntingdon

Kapamazov

11st 6lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Tony Carroll

Well beaten after racing too freely over 3m at Bangor last month and now 0-14 over fences but ran quite well when third on stable debut at Hereford (2m5f, good) in March and is suited by this track; sports refitted cheekpieces and has slipped to a good mark; dangerous to ignore.

6/1

8th

9

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Kapamazov

11st 1lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Tony Carroll

21 defeats under rules include 13 over fences but he's been running well, latterly finishing third on yard debut at Hereford (2m5f, good); stays this far.

8/1

3rd

5

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:00 Hereford

Kapamazov

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Tony Carroll

20 defeats under rules include 12 over fences; has placed form that entitles him to consideration and a change of stables may perk him up; trip/ground should be fine.

9/2

8/1

Form: 24127U

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Sole win over hurdles came at Wincanton (1m7f, heavy) in January; still going okay up front when unseating three out there last time; has the form to go well but is more exposed than some of these rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

14th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Daany

10st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

Turned his attention to chasing fairly late in life but made a solid start when second of six at Wincanton in April; didn't back that up when never travelling at Hereford (also 2m, good) nine days ago and has a question to answer after that.

16/1

4

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

20:17 Hereford

Daany

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joe Tickle

Four-time hurdle winner, all at around 2m; made a belated switch to fences last month and shaped with plenty of encouragement when runner-up at Wincanton (2m, good), which also represented a return to some form; needs to back that up but he remains well treated and is one to consider.

6/1

2nd

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 149y

Class 5

15:27 Wincanton

Daany

10st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Three-time Flat winner and successful four times over hurdles; however, hasn't been running all that well under either code following a year on the sidelines and this is a belated first attempt at chasing.

16/1

Form: 7856

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Stablemate of Tour Ovalie; showed bits of promise at novice level; soundly beaten in Class 4 handicap here (2m3f, soft) last month but may do better in this lower grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

19th Feb 2026

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

13:41 Huntingdon

Owl Of Athens

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Won by 8l over hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) last January and on that evidence this 4lb higher mark shouldn't be beyond him; however, he's been well beaten this season on his first three chase starts.

7/1

Form: P66P2

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Showed signs of improvement at Huntingdon (2m, soft) two weeks ago, finishing 6l second of five; however, needs a bigger effort to go one better in this deeper field; 2lb out of weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

14th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:40 Warwick

Orbys River

11st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sam Allwood

chased clear leader, mistake 1st, soon dropped to midfield, not fluent 4 out, not fluent 3 out, some headway on turn before 2 out, weakened approaching last

9/4

5th

3

14th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:40 Warwick

Orbys River

11st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sam Allwood

chased clear leader, mistake 1st, soon dropped to midfield, not fluent 4 out, not fluent 3 out, some headway on turn before 2 out, weakened approaching last

9/4

1st

7

22nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

14:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Orbys River

10st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sam Allwood

Caused 22-1 surprise at Market Rasen (2m1f, good to soft) in January and backed up that performance with keeping-on second at Market Rasen (2m1f, good to soft) soon afterwards but her form dipped last month and she needs to rebound.

7/1

Non-runners

Evenwood Sonofagun, State Of Bliss, Deadlock

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.20
Straight Forecast £19.80
Tricast £36.39
Trifecta £49.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cawthorne Banker

The Times:

Tour Ovalie

POSTDATA:

Intimate

The Guardian:

Deadlock

Daily Mirror:

Daany

RP RATINGS:

Evenwood Sonofagun

Telegraph:

Intimate

WEST COUNTRY:

Cawthorne Banker

Daily Mail:

Cawthorne Banker

The Star:

Cawthorne Banker

D Express:

Tour Ovalie

The Sun:

Tour Ovalie

Daily Record:

Tour Ovalie