November 09 / 13.30 Aintree

13.30

Good

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 3m 0f 149y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
ITV
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Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: P552-3

Last run: 182 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
In good heart in the spring, finishing second of 14 at Cheltenham (3m, good) then third of 16 at Haydock (3m, good); solid claims if reappearing in similar form; has won when fresh in the past and is effective here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Harbour Lake

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Won by a neck in this race (good) last year off 1lb lower, having been third in it the year before; 33-1 sixth at Aintree last month suggested he's working his way back to that level, so has to be considered seriously.

8/1

6th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Harbour Lake

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Won a good prize at Haydock (3m, good) last May; pulled up on return to action there in November but better when fourth of seven to Ma Shantou at Cheltenham (3m, good) on New Year's Day; being eased another 2lb can only help this C&D scorer but he requires a big career best as a 10yo.

28/1

1st

1

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Harbour Lake

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Pulled up (bled from the nose) at Cheltenham Festival in March but quickly bounced back with creditable second to Long Draw there (3m, good) last month; on a tough mark now but was placed in this race last year and probably won't be far away.

9/1

Form: 322-11

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Two-time bumper winner who won maiden hurdle at Hexham (2m7f, good) in May and followed up on handicap debut at Warwick (2m5f, good) last month; the clear runner-up has franked that latest form and a 6lb rise may not stop this unexposed 6yo, who is a half-brother to useful stayer Potterman.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Guard The Moon

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made a bad mistake at the fourth fence at Newbury in December and soon pulled up; clearcut winner of small-field novice handicaps at Aintree (2m4f, soft) and Windsor (3m, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in his other two chases and he shaped in the latter as if stamina was a strong suit.

20/1

1st

2

16th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 3

13:15 Windsor

Guard The Moon

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made a bad mistake at the fourth fence and soon pulled up at Newbury last month; however, prior to that he won in good style on his chase debut at Aintree (2m4f, soft) and he should be fine now back up in trip; likely player if minimising the blunders in first-time cheekpieces.

11/2

3

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

15:52 Perth

Guard The Moon

11st 10lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Struggled in the Pertemps Final and his previous run was no better; however, he beat recent Cheltenham winner Long Draw at Warwick earlier this season and followed that with two excellent seconds at up to 3m; if back in that sort of form he'd be a live contender.

6/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 53512- BF

Last run: 226 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Showed promise last autumn (here and on good to soft ground) and won Wetherby novice (2m3f, soft) in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) in February; solid second in Wetherby handicap (2m5f, soft) in March and could be in the mix for last year's winning yard if seeing out the trip on return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Magical King

12st 1lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Runner-up off this mark at Newbury (3m, soft) last February but he's not hit the same level since and was beaten 19l back at Newbury (third of nine) last month; overall record is now 1-15 and others are more persuasive.

7/1

3rd

5

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Magical King

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Consistent over hurdles last season, with best effort a C&D second (soft) just over a year ago; disappointing over fences this term (three attempts; blinkers tried last time) and this switch back to hurdling needs to rekindle his enthusiasm; usual cheekpieces back on today.

20/1

3

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:27 Kempton

Magical King

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Consistent over hurdles last season; ran well to a point on chasing debut at Bangor (3m, heavy) in November and may have found the good ground too lively when safely held at Doncaster in December; not out of this if change of headgear gives him a boost.

10/1

Form: 402-03 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Mixed form and lightly raced over the last year and a half; however, he returned from his latest break with a fair third at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago and today's longer trip and forecast good ground could be in his favour; each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

19:28 Market Rasen

Willaston

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Narrow winner at Carlisle in April (2m3.5f, good; second had won two previous races); has not fared quite as well since, including with a visor tried at Uttoxeter last time; regular cheekpieces back on here but he needs to bounce back now back up in trip (stays 3m well).

10/1

5th

5

8th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

19:30 Uttoxeter

Willaston

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

2m3f success at Carlisle in April (good), his fifth career win; not at his best the last twice and a visor replaces cheekpieces.

14/1

6

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

18:28 Hexham

Willaston

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Five-time winner, the latest over 2m3f at Carlisle in April (good); below par when last seen out a month ago and needs to bounce back.

11/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3-11U6 D

Last run: 100 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Promising novice hurdler in 2023 and he won two novice chases this May/June (2m6f/3m, good to firm/good); ran well in the Cesarewitch on the Flat last month and this Irish raider is not discounted now going handicapping for the first time over jumps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

6

(18)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 0y

17:40 Curragh

Reverend Hubert

9st 13lb

J: David Egan

T: C Byrnes

Drew 8l clear in Cesarewitch trial at Newmarket in September (2m2f, good); couldn't follow up in the real thing when sixth of 19; up 10lb compared to his last win and he has never won after an absence before.

10/1

16

(21)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Reverend Hubert

8st 3lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: C Byrnes

Useful jumper; eighth at 33-1 in last year's Cesarewitch, when never dangerous on soft going and it looks like that surface was not ideal, as he runs far more often on good ground and drew 8l clear over C&D in the Cesarewitch Trial three weeks ago; well handicapped with just a 4lb penalty, for trainer who won this with a 7yo in 2022.

7/1

6

(5)

20th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:55 Newmarket

Reverend Hubert

8st 11lb

J: Harry Davies

T: C Byrnes

Dual-purpose gelding who finished eighth in last October's Cesarewitch (soft) when 5lb higher, since when his most competitive runs have come over hurdles; an assured stayer on this return to Flat action and likes this good ground.

9/1

Form: 0/19-P BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Unraced over hurdles since 2021 and pulled up over fences at Chepstow four weeks ago; however, he may have needed that first run of the year and he's well handicapped on last season's best chase form; won a Grade 2 novice hurdle in 2020 and he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Stolen Silver

12st 2lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Well beaten all five starts last season, the last three times in valuable chases for new stable since February; plummeting down the weights and will appreciate this ease in grade but needs a revival.

33/1

10

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Stolen Silver

11st 2lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Seemingly nothing like the force of old; not proven beyond 3m either, with heavy defeats on his only two attempts at 3m1f or 3m2f; the former was on latest start when beaten 46l at 150-1 in the Ultima at Cheltenham and all this season's form suggests he will be a big outsider again.

100/1

Form: 2640-0

Last run: 182 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Below par for Nicky Henderson on final two starts in the spring but before those he was fourth of 22 in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham and is now 2lb lower; now back with Laura Morgan, with whom he started his rules career, and he's capable of having a big say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

6

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Bold Endeavour

10st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Back with Nicky Henderson last season and showed he retained a chunk of ability on first two starts, latterly when seventh of 24 in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, good); made the running at Aintree (22-1) four weeks ago but ended pulled up; remains well handicapped on old form but there's been no win since January 2023.

20/1

18

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Bold Endeavour

10st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Back with Nicky Henderson after last season with Laura Morgan; had marks in the 140s at his peak and has shown he still retains a good chunk of that ability in his two outings after a year off, latterly finishing seventh of 24 to Supremely West in the Pertemps at Cheltenham (3m, good).

16/1

7th

21

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Bold Endeavour

10st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Back with Nicky Henderson after last season with Laura Morgan; third of six to Ace Of Spades at Huntingdon in January came after a year off and was a partial revival; potentially thrown in if he builds on that, as he was fourth in the 2024 Pertemps Final off 13lb higher; stable going well.

10/1

Form: /59-8P

Last run: 119 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
He won a Listed novice hurdle in February 2022 and reverts to this discipline for the first time since that March; however, his subsequent form over fences has been patchy and he may be best watched on this stable debut (formerly with Padraig Roche).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Worcester

Slip Of The Tongue

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Useful when trained in Ireland but generally very disappointing for current stable since the autumn; ought to have coped much better with the soft ground when pulled up at Cartmel last month; others preferred.

20/1

5

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:12 Cartmel

Slip Of The Tongue

11st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Useful when trained in Ireland but generally very disappointing for current stable since the autumn; arrested decline with respectable fifth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) three weeks ago but needs to build on that run.

20/1

13

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:40 Uttoxeter

Slip Of The Tongue

10st 12lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Useful performer in Ireland back in the day but has regressed sharply and very opposable on exploits for current yard.

66/1

Non-runners

Della Casa Lunga

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.70
Straight Forecast £8.02
Tricast £20.04
Trifecta £29.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Guard The Moon

D Express:

Magical King

Daily Mirror:

Della Casa Lunga

TOPSPEED:

Bold Endeavour

Telegraph:

Reverend Hubert

RP RATINGS:

Guard The Moon

POSTDATA:

Guard The Moon

WEST COUNTRY:

Guard The Moon

The Times:

Guard The Moon

The Guardian:

Guard The Moon

Daily Mail:

Guard The Moon

The Sun:

Guard The Moon

The Star:

Guard The Moon

Daily Record:

Guard The Moon