April 13 / 17.35 Aintree

17.35

Soft

Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £28135
  • 2m 0f 209y
  • Class 1
  • 18 runners
RTV
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Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 18 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £19.40
  • Place: £4.90

Form: 1-1

Last run: 154 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Connor Brace aboard for both his wins on good to soft at Wincanton, defying a penalty by a narrow margin in November; that's not strong form by any means and he's been absent a good while.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 1

14:48 Perth

Horaces Pearl

11st 2lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

Performed below expectations in Aintree 2m4f Grade 1 last time but was unbeaten previously and remains of interest; good chance at this level, provided he stays the new trip.

6/1

3rd

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 1

14:48 Perth

Horaces Pearl

11st 2lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

towards rear

6/1

5th

6

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Horaces Pearl

11st 7lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has won all five starts, including the Grade 2 bumper (good to soft) on this card last year; has made an excellent transition to hurdles, jumping confidently when not turning a hair at Newbury (2m4f, soft) on latest start; looks more than ready for a go in Graded company as a hurdler.

11/4

8/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 51 D

Last run: 83 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Left debut effort on turf (good to soft) behind when showing a superior turn of foot to beat a well-regarded Henderson horse on Lingfield's AW in January, and back in third that day was Castle Ivers; AW bumpers are usually best treated with a pinch of salt but this 5yo could be smart.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(3)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:43 Kempton (AW)

Tripoli Flyer

8st 5lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Winner of a bumper and three novice hurdle races, most recently a Grade 2 here in February 2025; chasing didn't work out but he mostly ran with credit in defeat back over hurdles and three Flat races have been thrown in (1m3f here latest) in which he's shown some ability; it's not clear what his ideal Flat trip is but he's now qualified for a Flat handicap mark and it's a highly attractive one compared to his hurdles figure.

3/1

3rd

1

(12)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Tripoli Flyer

9st 9lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bagged a bumper and three hurdles, including Grade 2 Dovecote last February; acquitted himself well in two big spring festivals of late; should have a future on the Flat but will likely get a mark after this third start; no headgear.

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 1 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well related and it's hard not to be impressed with how he drew clear of a previous winner on soft ground at Warwick, with the winning distance 12l; dangerously unexposed and there have been once-raced winners of this race, including last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Good And Clever

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Close third to Horaces Pearl in the Grade 2 bumper here last April; no match for Regent's Stroll on hurdle debut at Newbury and although he's been a creditable third in two Grade 1s since, on this track and at Leopardstown, he has his work cut out here and the drying ground spells danger.

16/1

8th

4

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Good And Clever

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Close third to Horaces Pearl in the Grade 2 bumper here last April; no match for Regent's Stroll on hurdle debut at Newbury and although he's been a creditable third in two Grade 1s since, on this track and at Leopardstown, he has his work cut out here and the drying ground spells danger.

16/1

Form: 2

Last run: 168 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Off since second at Cheltenham in October (good to soft) but came from a long way off the pace there and he was only narrowly beaten in his Irish point; improvement demanded in this company but that's very feasible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:15 Ayr

Valgrand

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Easily made all in Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham (2m, good) last October and he's on a handy mark on that form; it's possible he'll get back on track at some stage but he's finished down the field in all three handicaps, most recently the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, and has something to prove.

7/1

11

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:15 Ayr

Valgrand

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Easily made all in Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham (2m, good) last October and he's on a handy mark on that form; it's possible he'll get back on track at some stage but he's finished down the field in all three handicaps, most recently the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, and has something to prove.

7/1

15th

12

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Valgrand

10st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Easily made all in Grade 2 novice here in October (2m, good; has also won on soft); weakened when 11l second in 2m5f Grade 2 here next time; down the field since in his first two handicaps (2m1f/2m, good to soft) but a break may have helped this lightly raced 6yo and he's the sole representative of Dan Skelton, who has won four of the last nine runnings; not discounted.

8/1

Form: 331 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
One of his thirds came on heavy ground at Cheltenham (1m6f Listed) and he comfortably made the most of a drop in grade at Taunton (soft), making all; promising individual but this race is a tough test for 4yos, with plenty having come up shy in the last decade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

26th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:20 Sandown

Sorceleur

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Two novice wins in November and generally consistent otherwise; ties in with some of these rivals on Sandown (Imperial Cup) and Southwell form the last twice; solid contender who should give his running.

6/1

9th

9

26th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:20 Sandown

Sorceleur

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Two novice wins in November and generally consistent otherwise; ties in with some of these rivals on Sandown (Imperial Cup) and Southwell form the last twice; solid contender who should give his running.

6/1

3rd

2

15th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:15 Southwell

Sorceleur

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, lost ground when not fluent last, weakened and lost position run-in

7/2

Form: 1 D

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £50,000 after winning a three-runner British point two years ago; his rules debut was a while coming but he was strong in the betting at Market Rasen in February (soft) and beat a small field with ease; that form is no real advertisement for his chance at this level but he's clearly open to improvement for a yard that's strong in this division.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

No Questions Asked

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Useful over hurdles and even better over fences; found a bit more improvement when coming from behind to beat Be Aware 1l in three-runner Grade 2 novice at Windsor (2m, soft; handles good) in January; well beaten next time in 2m4f handicap at the Cheltenham Festival, lack of stamina probably a factor; this drop back in trip looks a plus and he wears cheekpieces for the first time (has won when hooded); not ruled out.

12/1

17th

3

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

No Questions Asked

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Three hurdle wins at up to 2m1f last season but he was the last to finish in the Martin Pipe here (about 2m4f) last March; has proved his worth in small-field chases since, winning two from four starts, over 2m3f (good) and 2m (soft); he can raise his game further but a strongly run race on a track with a steep uphill finish raises a question.

14/1

1st

4

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 37y

Class 1

13:50 Windsor

No Questions Asked

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Won a handicap at Ascot (2m3f, good) in November on chase debut and has continued in good form in Grade 2 chases on next two starts (2m4f/2m3f, good to soft/soft), shaping as though this drop back in trip is well worth a go; could have a big part to play.

11/4

Form: 51

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nice prospect on the evidence of his Huntingdon win (soft) but this is a different ball game altogether and he's bred to come into his own over longer trips.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

18:40 Exeter

Got A Dream

11st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Nicky Martin

Bagged a pair of handicaps (around 2m4f) at Chepstow and Warwick before Christmas and wasn't disgraced after five months off when sixth in 2m7f handicap here 26 days ago; considered.

7/2

6th

5

22nd Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

16:47 Exeter

Got A Dream

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Signed off last season in a Graded race and has gone 2-2 switched to handicaps this term, with good-ground wins in the autumn; good value for the narrow winning margin last time (2m5f) and only went up 5lb; goes well fresh so the break is of no concern.

3/1

Form: 362

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Twice placed in bumpers (good to soft/soft) so his turn will come; looks outclassed here, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 2-263

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown a reasonable level of form this season but he smacks of a horse crying out for further and two horses he finished close to in a Listed race at Newbury last time (heavy) failed to make any impression in Cheltenham's Champion Bumper; looks vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Im A Lumberjack

11st 6lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Alan King

Won twice over hurdles last term and has been placed in handicaps on his last two starts; is knocking on the door and has place claims at least.

10/1

3rd

2

5th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

14:25 Doncaster

Im A Lumberjack

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Maiden/novice hurdle winner (2m5f/2m3f, good to soft) who was runner-up at Newbury (2m4f, good) in December on his second handicap start; could continue to improve and he's one to consider.

7/4

1st

2

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

17:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Im A Lumberjack

11st 12lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

in touch with leaders, not fluent 6th, went second before 4 out, led before 2 out, shaken up and went clear approaching last, readily

9/4

Form: 312 D BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third at Ascot in November; won at Kempton next time (soft) but disappointing to see him come up short when penalised at Fontwell; he wouldn't be the obvious answer on the back of that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Electric Mason

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Soundly beaten here in the Martin Pipe 12 months ago but second of 17 to today's Grade 1 Stayers' hopeful Ma Shantou back here (3m, good) in October; improved to win valuable race in another big field at Haydock (3m, good to soft) in November and should be raring to go today, with major chance.

10/1

2nd

12

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Electric Mason

10st 8lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Dual winner at Fontwell (2m1f/2m3f) as a novice hurdler last season; unable to land any sort of blow when making handicap debut at the Festival here (2m4f) in March and raced rather lazily when seventh (not beaten that far) at Sandown in April but this step up to 3m may unlock improvement; not ruled out.

20/1

7th

5

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 173y

Class 2

16:45 Sandown

Electric Mason

11st 6lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

raced lazily, in touch with leaders

12/1

Form: 134 D

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Twice beaten under a penalty since his debut win at Worcester in October and it's unlikely that Jonjo O'Neill Jr had to think twice before preferring stablemate Mister Meggit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Wellington Arch

11st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Justified favouritism in 2m4f event at Uttoxeter (soft) on Midlands National day, going one better than 12 months earlier and setting himself up perfectly for an attempt to win this prize for the second year running; current mark reflects his advancement; again a big player.

9/1

1st

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Wellington Arch

12st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Second in this race last year off 12lb lower, he went on to win at the Aintree Festival last April; confirmed his wellbeing when second in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury five weeks ago and should run well.

4/1

26

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Wellington Arch

10st 4lb

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Reserve; won 2m4f handicap at last season's Aintree Grand National meeting (good to soft) before third at Punchestown; disappointing when favourite on Windsor reappearance but back on his game when best of the rest behind Tutti Quanti in valuable 2m Newbury handicap (heavy) last month.

28/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £75,000 soon after winning a four-runner Irish point over 2m4f (soft) in February; the front two came clear, but the second was a newcomer who hasn't been seen since so the form is hard to weigh up; in at the deep end for rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

24

2nd Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 19y

14:25 Leopardstown

Small Town Hero

10st 0lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Won first four races for this stable at around this trip and ran well again here at Christmas when third to Duke Silver, having made most; blinkers now replace cheekpieces but has it to do from 5lb out of handicap, and ideally may want better ground.

20/1

50/1

Form: 0-42

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Could have bumped into a good horse at Ayr latest (first-time tongue-tie) and previous 12l fourth to Romeo Coolio doesn't look too shoddy with the runner-up finishing second at Cheltenham; not dismissed at lengthy odds.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

5th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Step Out

11st 12lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

took keen hold, disputing third

6/1

3rd

5

5th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Step Out

11st 12lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

took keen hold, disputing third

6/1

6th

2

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 50y

16:35 Down Royal

Step Out

11st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Winning hurdler is 0-5 in chases but has run well in defeat, including at this venue over 16.5f (good to yielding) back in January; won at 2m6f over hurdles but has stamina to prove for this trip; doesn't look a certain stayer on breeding and others appeal more.

100/30

Form: 11 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unextended to win bumpers at Carlisle (soft; subsequent winners adrift) and Doncaster (heavy), latterly defying a penalty in a canter; connections were tempted by Cheltenham but waited for this and he could be anything.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 1

14:48 Perth

Mister Meggit

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Brings substandard Sefton form but might have won that Aintree prize with a better jump at the final flight and it was only his second attempt in this sphere; still of interest.

11/4

11

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 1

14:48 Perth

Mister Meggit

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

towards rear

11/4

4th

12

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Mister Meggit

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Very unexposed 7yo who collected two bumpers on soft and heavy ground last season and created a very good impression when winning easily here (2m4f, good) on hurdling debut in November; not seen since but his form has been well advertised by the placed horses in the meantime and connections are evidently keen to move him up in trip again; tongue-tie fitted.

7/2

Form: 12 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Narrow Fontwell winner who conceded weight to a promising winner (stablemate of No Questions Asked) when narrowly beaten at Doncaster (soft) in February; really needed to win that day to be a strong fancy for this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:42 Uttoxeter

Tom Doniphon

10st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Won twice over hurdles at Taunton over 2m3f for previous yard; after a promising chase debut at Aintree in October he took a backward step at Exeter the following month; returns from a seven-month break with new trainer but may need to go back up in trip to find a winning opportunity.

7/1

4th

3

26th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 176y

Class 3

13:15 Aintree

Tom Doniphon

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Low-mileage 6yo who came good over hurdles with two 2m3f wins at Taunton (good to soft/soft) last winter; absent since 2m4f second at Sandown in February but should cope with the drop back in trip on this chasing debut and has some Irish pointing experience to call upon.

7/2

1

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 4

16:45 Sandown

Tom Doniphon

12st 0lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won readily on handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) and again had something to spare there (2m3f, soft) nine days later, when unpenalised; hit with 8lb rise but this unexposed 6yo could still be well treated.

2/1

OUR TIP

Form: 131 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner whose only defeat in bumpers came behind Tripoli Flyer on the AW at Lingfield in January; it could be that that unique test didn't play to his strengths and he then looked useful on soft ground at Wetherby, beating one who had run well in a good Ascot bumper (finished just behind Electric Mason); has a bright future no matter what happens here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:50 Worcester

Castle Ivers

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Bumper winner who made it two out of three over hurdles at Perth (2m, good to soft) when making all; looks sure to be suited by this step up in trip and holds good claims.

7/4

1st

2

14th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 3

16:18 Perth

Castle Ivers

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Looked useful when winning a Wetherby bumper by 7l in March 2024; hurdles career off to a perfect start at Warwick (2m, good to soft) the following season, but absent for 18-plus months thereafter until reappearing at Ayr (4-1 favourite; tailed off) recently; now sits 2lb lower.

4/1

11th

1

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Ayr

Castle Ivers

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Point and dual bumper winner who was a shade of odds-on when leading late on in a big-field maiden at Warwick in November 2024 (good to soft; won on soft); has a long absence to overcome and a hefty weight for his handicap debut, but trainer has spoken well of him.

6/1

33/1

Form: 31 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
There won't be many bigger horses in this line-up and he won nicely on heavy ground at Chepstow despite still looking disorganised; it's a struggle to envisage him being quick enough to win this but he's one with a future.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:15 Leicester

Leech

11st 1lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Bumper winner who is 0-10 over hurdles, but he made a promising start over fences when third of six at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) last month; that was eyecatching from an unpromising position and he wasn't far behind the runner-up Hawk Stone; interesting contender with cheekpieces added.

9/2

3rd

6

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Ffos Las

Leech

11st 0lb

J: James Turner

T: Evan Williams

Chepstow bumper winner who has made the frame several times over hurdles at Ffos Las; could go well off a reduced mark, provided he takes to fences.

12/1

3rd

3

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:45 Ffos Las

Leech

11st 7lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Evan Williams

0-8 over hurdles and very inconsistent but kept on for respectable fourth here (2m, soft) on seasonal debut three weeks ago and is probably worth another crack at 2m4f.

4/1

Form: 31

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £120,000 after third in an Irish bumper and that looked money well spent when justifying favouritism with ease at Huntingdon last month (soft); posted an RPR that suggested he could hold his own in stronger company and he's one of many in this race with the potential to feature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Ma Shantou

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Two handicap wins here this season (3m, good) and he took the rise in grade in his stride to win the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle over C&D (soft) in January; the 7l runner-up Impose Toi was giving him 6lb and perhaps wasn't at his best, but this highly progressive 7yo was impressive nevertheless; his profile is not dissimilar to that of Paisley Park, who won the Cleeve for this yard in 2019 before landing this race; very much one to be interested in.

6/1

1st

6

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Ma Shantou

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Won big-field handicap here (3m, good) in October and bounced back from lesser run at Haydock to win handicap over this C&D (good) on New Year's Day; won a bumper on soft ground; further improvement needed now up in grade but trainer enjoyed lots of success in this race with Paisley Park and this progressive 7yo is an each-way possible at a track he obviously relishes.

5/1

Non-runners

Tailorman

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £139.30
Straight Forecast £102.47
Tricast £1343.84
Trifecta £1865.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Mister Meggit

TOPSPEED:

Castle Ivers

WEST COUNTRY:

Tripoli Flyer

POSTDATA:

Good And Clever

The Times:

Ma Shantou

The Star:

Sorceleur

Daily Mail:

No Questions Asked

RP RATINGS:

Mister Meggit

D Express:

Mister Meggit

Daily Mirror:

Mister Meggit

Daily Record:

Mister Meggit

Telegraph:

Castle Ivers

The Guardian:

Castle Ivers

The Sun:

Tripoli Flyer