May 16 / 17.40 Fontwell

17.40

Good

Star Sports Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4647.28
  • 3m 1f 166y
  • Class 4
  • 5 runners
SKY
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Star Sports Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 535PP-

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Small-field 2m2f hurdle winner (good) last year; inconsistent since, mostly over fences; returns to this sphere on a very handy mark if cheekpieces are able to help with a revival; has that to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

26th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

19:39 Plumpton

Earth King

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Five-time winner over hurdles who had looked to be in the grip of the handicapper since winning at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in July; however, having come back down in the weights, he stayed on well to regain the winning thread at Hereford (3m1f, good) this month; going back up 4lb is a slight concern, but this looks an inviting opportunity if he repeats that effort.

9/4

1st

3

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:47 Hereford

Earth King

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Neil Mulholland

Four-time winner over hurdles who had looked to be in the grip of the handicapper since wining at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in July; however, he's now back on that winning mark and his latest fourth of four at Taunton (3m, good) in a Class 3 was encouraging; respected.

6/1

4th

2

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

16:50 Taunton

Earth King

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Has four wins over hurdles but is 2lb above his last winning mark; returns from a break and probably needs to come down a few pounds.

9/2

Form: 5843-2 BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
1m7f and 3m winner on slow ground; stayed on to be 4l second in a 0-120 at Kempton (3m, good) latest; cheekpieces go on; should be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Kempton

Island Run

11st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Both wins at Wincanton, the latest in a 3m handicap in 2023, but he's dropped to a handy mark and the latest run at Newbury (3m, good to soft), his third since returning from an absence, suggested he could be interesting with this lesser stamina test; can figure.

8/1

6th

14

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Island Run

10st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Gained his only wins at Wincanton in 2022 and 2023; not disgraced when runner-up in Class 5 at Lingfield (2m7f) most recently but looks unlikely to go one better in this stronger contest.

16/1

Form: 2/114- D

Last run: 32 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Bumper and dual 3m1f hurdle winner (both good); returned from a break to be a creditable fourth at Plumpton (3m1f, good) last month, when on this mark; this doesn't look as competitive; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

17

2nd May 2025

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:30 Cheltenham

Norton Hill

11st 12lb

J: Mr William Biddick

T: H Ryall

Signed off for Anthony Honeyball with a disappointing hurdle run last spring but seemingly back in good form in points for Harry Ryall this year, most notably when beating Assassins Lullaby by 7l in Cothelstone open (3m4f, good) in March; has cheekpieces refitted here; could have a say.

9/1

4th

17

2nd May 2025

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:30 Cheltenham

Norton Hill

11st 12lb

J: Mr William Biddick

T: H Ryall

Signed off for Anthony Honeyball with a disappointing hurdle run last spring but seemingly back in good form in points for Harry Ryall this year, most notably when beating Assassins Lullaby by 7l in Cothelstone open (3m4f, good) in March; has cheekpieces refitted here; could have a say.

9/1

8th

8

13th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

19:25 Worcester

Norton Hill

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Ended last year with two good-ground wins at Hereford (3m1f) and returned from break with good fourth at Plumpton (3m1f, good) in April; slightly disappointing on good to soft last month but may still have a bit more to offer; swaps blinkers for first-time visor today.

9/2

Form: 575P4-

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Second in all three bumper starts on slow ground; has shown glimpses of ability over hurdles but is inconsistent; has slipped to a more competitive mark; first-time visor replaces first-time blinkers; more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

1st Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Uttoxeter

Blue Ridge Hill

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Runner-up in all three bumpers but has mixed record over hurdles and was tailed off at Fontwell (3m2f) in his final run in the spring; on reduced mark for this chase debut but he's now 0-10 and comes with risks attached after a break; new headgear.

16/1

12th

3

1st Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Uttoxeter

Blue Ridge Hill

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Runner-up in all three bumpers but has mixed record over hurdles and was tailed off at Fontwell (3m2f) in his final run in the spring; on reduced mark for this chase debut but he's now 0-10 and comes with risks attached after a break; new headgear.

16/1

4th

4

16th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 4

17:40 Fontwell

Blue Ridge Hill

10st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Samuel Drinkwater

raced in last but in touch with leaders, headway 10th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off

10/1

Form: 82P3P-

Last run: 74 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Placed in 3-8 hurdles at up to 2m7f, on good or slower; didn't jump well and bled from the nose when pulled up on chase debut at Huntingdon latest; bit to prove back over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

16th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 4

17:40 Fontwell

Emotional Memories

10st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: D J Jeffreys

jumped left on occasions, prominent, pressed leader after 1st, lost position before 10th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

14/1

5

16th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 4

17:40 Fontwell

Emotional Memories

10st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: D J Jeffreys

jumped left on occasions, prominent, pressed leader after 1st, lost position before 10th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

14/1

1

3rd Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

13:55 Huntingdon

Emotional Memories

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: D J Jeffreys

0-8 over hurdles and not very consistent but his second of eight off today's mark at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) In November was a good effort, and he was only beaten about 3l when third of four in tactical race over that C&D ten days ago; contender if he takes well to fences at first attempt.

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.40
Straight Forecast £13.29
Trifecta £20.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Island Run

SPOTLIGHT:

Norton Hill

TOPSPEED:

Earth King

The Times:

Island Run

The Guardian:

Island Run

D Express:

Island Run

Daily Mirror:

Island Run

The Star:

Island Run

Daily Mail:

Earth King

POSTDATA:

Norton Hill

WEST COUNTRY:

Norton Hill

Telegraph:

Norton Hill

The Sun:

Norton Hill

Daily Record:

Norton Hill