April 06 / 15.35 Kelso

15.35

Heavy

Herring Queen Series Final Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £51440
  • 2m 0f 51y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
ITV
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Herring Queen Series Final Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 53F11B D

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Things clicked with an easy win in a mares' maiden at Catterick (1m7f, soft) in January and she built on that when bolting up in a competitive Listed mares' handicap at Leopardstown (2m2f, soft) in February; brought down at first flight in Grade 2 here last time; could play a leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

12th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 1

14:42 Chepstow

Brucio

10st 12lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Very useful hurdler without being in the same league as some of today's opposition and she wasn't overly convincing in her jumping when comfortably held in two chases earlier this year; left former Irish yard for £28,000.

20/1

4th

2

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 140y

16:12 Down Royal

Brucio

11st 9lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

124-rated hurdler won two mares' events last season on soft, the second a Listed handicap at the DRF; last of three on recent chase debut in 2m Ayr handicap where jumping novicey; may need more time to make her mark chasing.

11/2

3rd

2

24th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

15:25 Ayr

Brucio

11st 9lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

novicey jumping, raced in third and in touch with leaders, outpaced after 4 out, weakened 2 out

3/1

Form: 243P-2 D BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Well-beaten second at 8-15 in Catterick novice (1m7f, soft) last month; however, she may have needed that first run for 11 months and she has potential off her opening mark judged on her Grade 2 mares' bumper win (2m, yielding to soft), as well as her frame efforts in Graded novice hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

6

2nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 2f 0y

12:40 Leopardstown

Lily Du Berlais

10st 13lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Frequent traveller to Britain, winning an Ayr maiden hurdle and a valuable Kelso handicap (Brucio third) last spring; two runs this season have been less than convincing though and others preferred, although she is the choice of JJ Slevin.

40/1

19th

6

2nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 2f 0y

12:40 Leopardstown

Lily Du Berlais

10st 13lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Frequent traveller to Britain, winning an Ayr maiden hurdle and a valuable Kelso handicap (Brucio third) last spring; two runs this season have been less than convincing though and others preferred, although she is the choice of JJ Slevin.

40/1

8th

6

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Lily Du Berlais

11st 8lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: S R B Crawford

awkward start

9/1

Form: 32133 D BF

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Left clear to win Catterick novice (1m7f, soft) in December; fair third of six on handicap debut at Market Rasen (2m4f, soft) last time and, while improvement is needed today, that's possible from this lightly raced 5yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Lavida Adiva

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Ruth Jefferson

Course winner who keeps on improving and was a fine second of 24 in the Pertemps Final (Handicap) at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month; receives 7lb mares' allowance but today's assignment requires a clear career best.

50/1

2nd

11

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Lavida Adiva

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Never better than on her last three starts, winning a Listed mares' hurdle at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) on first occasion; minor honours in Grade 2 events since (hooded last time, not today); reliable and basically progressive but she needs to resume improvement in this hot handicap.

16/1

3rd

6

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:05 Haydock

Lavida Adiva

10st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

7yo who has shown improved form this season and won a Listed mares' hurdle at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December; similar form when held in fourth in mares' Grade 2 there (3m, soft) three weeks ago and it seems likely she'll prove vulnerable today; wears a first-time hood.

25/1

Form: 32-351 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Built upon her previous promise when winning Hereford maiden (2m, soft) in February on third hurdle start, doing it comfortably at 10-11; begins handicap life on a fair mark and could continue to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

15:55 Leicester

Mighty Moth

11st 12lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Noel Williams

A winner over hurdles and off the mark as a chaser at the fourth attempt when breezing clear for a very comfortable win at Lingfield (2m4f, soft), beating Fortunefavorsdbold who runs earlier on the card; hit with an 8lb rise but the cheekpieces were new last time.

11/8

Form: 62PF21 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
She wasn't winning out of turn when getting off the mark at the ninth attempt in Bangor maiden (2m, heavy) in February, when clear with a solid yardstick; has an improving profile and could be a player on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:00 Wincanton

Strong Belle

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

visibility reduced by fog

7/1

3

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:00 Wincanton

Strong Belle

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

visibility reduced by fog

7/1

5th

11

28th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

12:05 Newbury

Strong Belle

10st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Promising novice hurdler last winter and she took a step back in the right direction when 7l second at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last month; however, she's back up in grade today and a bigger performance is required.

14/1

Form: 404B2

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Travelling well when brought down four out in Doncaster novice (2m3f, heavy) last month and good second in Kempton novice (2m, good to soft) since; in top hands and this 5yo may be better than her opening mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:18 Kempton

Shakeyatailfeather

10st 9lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Dan Skelton

Three chase wins at 2m1f and 2m3f (all on good), the latest in October, but she hasn't lived up to that form since and was a long way behind Califet En Vol over C&D recently; needs revival.

33/1

7th

9

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:05 Kempton

Shakeyatailfeather

10st 10lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Has done all her winning on good ground so any rain would be a negative, which counted against her in a Listed chase for mares last time; on a tempting mark with Harry Atkins taking off 7lb if she was on her game (wasn't the case the time before at Ascot).

20/1

6th

6

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 1

14:00 Huntingdon

Shakeyatailfeather

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Fairly useful handicap chaser who scored three times last year, most recently at Kelso in October; always behind at Ascot latest start; place possibilities on these terms but ideally needs drying ground, having done her winning on good.

14/1

Form: 4-4461 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Fourth in Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last April and left her first three hurdle runs behind when winning in first-time tongue-tie (retained) on last month's handicap debut at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft); in view of her bumper form, she could have more left in the tank for last year's winning yard, and a 6lb rise might not prevent a follow-up; wears first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

24th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:37 Uttoxeter

Politacus

11st 10lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Returns to hurdling after going 0-5 over fences, producing only one effort of real note; nothing wrong with her mark if getting back in this discipline floats her boat.

5/1

6th

7

4th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

15:15 Warwick

Politacus

11st 3lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

No match for Irish Chorus here in March but she's got a handy pull in the weights with that rival and she lost a shoe when beaten 12l at Stratford; not discounted.

3/1

3rd

2

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

16:33 Stratford

Politacus

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Yet to add to her two hurdling successes (at about 2m4f) in this sphere but she comes here after a very good second of six in 2m Warwick handicap 20 days ago; that form is working out well so she's a big player eased 1lb for yard back among the winners.

100/30

Form: -2391P D

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner who landed a novice hurdle at Chepstow (2m, heavy) in January in first-time cheekpieces (retained since); however, pulled up on handicap debut at Exeter (2m, heavy) since and has something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:30 Kelso

Chosen Hero

10st 10lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Sole success over hurdles came in January 2024 when trained by Archie Watson; she has offered little in three runs for current yard and it's easy to look elsewhere.

50/1

13

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:11 Hexham

Chosen Hero

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

On a long losing sequence and offered little in two runs for her new handler, pulled up in 2m4f handicap at Leicester in January; now tongue tied first time; easy to look elsewhere.

33/1

5

20th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:02 Leicester

Chosen Hero

11st 7lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Left Archie Watson after string of disappointing runs last season and dropped out very tamely on last month's stable debut at Carlisle (2m1f, soft); needs to turn a corner.

25/1

Form: 3514 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Suited by the drop back in trip when clear with the favourite and winning a maiden at Huntingdon (2m, soft) last month; fair fourth of 15 under penalty in Kempton novice (2m, good to soft) 13 days later and this lightly raced 6yo holds each-way possibilities on her handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

24th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:47 Uttoxeter

Lexies Moon

11st 13lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Laura Horsfall

2-11 over hurdles; built upon satisfactory seasonal debut when creditable second of 14 at Fontwell (2m3f, soft) a fortnight ago and can cope with today's drop back in trip; obvious contender if in similar form again.

3/1

4th

2

19th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:39 Huntingdon

Lexies Moon

11st 10lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Laura Horsfall

in touch with leaders, outpaced when hampered by faller 2 out, weakened last

25/1

4th

2

19th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:39 Huntingdon

Lexies Moon

11st 10lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Laura Horsfall

in touch with leaders, outpaced when hampered by faller 2 out, weakened last

25/1

Form: 4116P5 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won two mares' novice hurdles last September (2m4f/2m1f, good to soft/heavy) but has failed to go on from those and she was well beaten in handicap hurdle at Warwick (2m5f, soft) last month; has to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

6th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ffos Las

Presenting Nelly

11st 2lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Alison Thorpe

Triple hurdle winner on ground slower than good for Dan Skelton in 2023-24 season but badly out of form for new stable this year, most recently when pulled up over C&D (good) in March.

33/1

6

6th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ffos Las

Presenting Nelly

11st 2lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Alison Thorpe

held up in rear, slow jump 5th

33/1

3

21st Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:08 Ffos Las

Presenting Nelly

11st 12lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Alison Thorpe

Bumper and three-time hurdle winner when trained by Dan Skelton but has not shown much for new stable this year (three runs), and can't really blame the slow ground; sports refitted cheekpieces today; needs to turn a corner.

20/1

Form: 13223 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner for whom it's still very early days; went close in two novice hurdles early this year but beaten 13l when third of six on recent handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy), and improvement is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

1st Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:30 Ffos Las

Followango

12st 0lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Evan Williams

Came good over fences at sixth attempt, with 3m success here (heavy) in January, and ran as well as could have been expected when fourth of five in Wincanton Listed race (1m7f, heavy) a fortnight ago; still on a good mark; good chance.

15/8

4th

2

14th Feb 2026

1m 7f 149y

Class 1

13:05 Wincanton

Followango

11st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Point/bumper winner, who made the breakthrough over fences at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) two weeks ago but that was a minor handicap and she has lots to find back at 2m in this Listed race.

20/1

1st

5

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

14:20 Ffos Las

Followango

11st 9lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Commenced her career with point/bumper wins; 0-17 since (0-5 in chases) but has a largely consistent record at Ffos Las and looks a solid contender in that respect; on a reduced mark and drops back in grade.

7/1

Form: 142712 D BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
4yo who won on handicap debut at Plumpton (2m, soft) in February, before good second to the unexposed Politacus at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft); further improvement is possible but she faces a tough task from 8lb out of the handicap; also declared 2:45 Uttoxeter today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:40 Limerick

Majestic Jameela

11st 13lb

J: Mr D Allen

T: E McNamara

Three-time hurdles winner whose form slumped in Britain last winter; low-key stable debut at Listowel in June was followed by a fall at Killarney; never in the hunt at Listowel festival; trainer appears to have a better chance with Meehall.

16/1

13th

12

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 2f 0y

13:58 Listowel

Majestic Jameela

11st 7lb

J: Ms E C Costello

T: E McNamara

Form took a nosedive for Stuart Edmonds last winter; low low-key stable debut at this track was followed by a fall when last seen at Killarney; can only be watched.

40/1

17

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 85y

18:37 Killarney

Majestic Jameela

10st 13lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: E McNamara

First reserve; struggled for form in Britain over the winter and low-key yard debut since.

Verdict

Fergal O’Brien won this last year and holds appealing claims with POLITACUS, who won on her handicap debut at Huntingdon last month and may well have more to offer in this sphere in view of her bumper exploits (Grade 2 fourth). Lily Du Berlais was a Grade 2 bumper winner and this very interesting handicap newcomer is feared most. The Dan Skelton-trained Shakeyatailfeather is next on the list, while topweight Brucio is entitled to respect despite conceding plenty of weight all round.[Ben Hutton]