December 27 / 13.20 Kempton

13.20

Good

Ladbrokes Play “1-2-Free” On Football Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 3m 0f 121y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
ITV
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Ladbrokes Play “1-2-Free” On Football Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 11-P62 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who won two handicaps in a row at Ludlow (2m5f/3m, soft) in February and was a good Listed second here (2m5f, good to soft) last month; wind op since; firmly in calculations now back in a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Della Casa Lunga

11st 1lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Mainly in fair form this season and can be forgiven a below-par run on testing ground at Exeter last time; these conditions suit; each-way chance with cheekpieces back on.

13/2

3rd

3

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 1

15:14 Exeter

Della Casa Lunga

11st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Three front-running hurdle wins in 2024 (2m5f/3m, soft/good to soft) and she was running pretty well in defeat towards the end of 2025; 10l second of four at Carlisle 17 days ago on chase debut, showing she has some way to go before she's matching today's rivals over fences.

5/1

2nd

4

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 198y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Della Casa Lunga

10st 12lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Three front-running hurdle wins in 2024 (2m5f/3m, soft/good to soft) and she was running pretty well in defeat against fellow mares towards the end of 2025; receives 7lb from the males today and holds leading claims if taking to fences at the first attempt.

13/8

Form: P-5513

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Lost three places close home when fifth in this last year (good to soft; beaten about 5l) but could last home this time around if settling better; in good form at Chepstow this autumn (2m3f, soft/good to soft), shaping as though this step back up in trip is worth a go; from out of the handicap she runs off the same mark as 12 months ago and she's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 2

14:55 Ayr

Holly Hartingo

10st 12lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Front-runner who went close twice in a row at Kempton (3m, good) towards the end of last year following an absence; tailed off at Chepstow since on soft ground she should have handled; needs to bounce back, but not ruled out with first-time blinkers replacing cheekpieces.

10/1

3rd

1

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

15:10 Chepstow

Holly Hartingo

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

20lb higher than for her last win (gained on soft) after going up a collective 8lb for near misses over 3m on good at Kempton; however, has returned from a lengthy break in top form and another bold show looks on the cards.

9/4

2nd

10

27th Dec 2024

Good

3m 0f 121y

Class 2

13:20 Kempton

Holly Hartingo

9st 12lb

T: Alastair Ralph

prominent, outpaced approaching last, kept on run-in, went second again final 110yds, no impression towards finish

10/1

Form: 3-4724

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Mixed results over fences last season but running well in defeat since returned to hurdles, finishing second at Ascot (2m7f, good) last month and staying on for fourth of 12 at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) last time; this step back up in trip looks the right move and she has strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 8lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

A bit out of her depth in the Grade 2 Mares' Chase here in March but she's a consistent hurdler who ran up to her best the time before in winning a Listed race (2m5f, soft); should go well, but perhaps vulnerable to rivals on kinder marks.

10/1

5th

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 8lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

A bit out of her depth in the Grade 2 Mares' Chase here in March but she's a consistent hurdler who ran up to her best the time before in winning a Listed race (2m5f, soft); should go well, but perhaps vulnerable to rivals on kinder marks.

10/1

6th

8

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

held up in rear

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 63-453 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Course winner who was third of 21 in a competitive handicap at Aintree (3m, good to soft) in April and a good case can be made on that form; things didn't work out over fences in the autumn but she was also well below her best when back over hurdles a fortnight ago; needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

15th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:45 Kempton

West Balboa

12st 0lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders, mistake 2nd, prominent 3rd, slow jump and lost ground 6th

12/1

4th

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Warwick

West Balboa

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

C&D winner for whom a good case can be made on last season's peak efforts; hasn't hit the same heights on her four runs this term but Kempton last time was a step back in the right direction and she could take another today in first-time cheekpieces; chance.

9/4

4th

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Warwick

West Balboa

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

C&D winner for whom a good case can be made on last season's peak efforts; hasn't hit the same heights on her four runs this term but Kempton last time was a step back in the right direction and she could take another today in first-time cheekpieces; chance.

9/4

Form: 3113-6

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) in February on second hurdle start and followed up in Plumpton novice (2m4f, soft); remains lightly raced but she hasn't been at her best the last twice, most recently on handicap/seasonal debut at Warwick, and she's 3lb wrong at the weights today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:35 Uttoxeter

Looking As You Are

11st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Triple hurdle winner who scored off 3lb higher at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) last February; some creditable efforts since but she didn't fire in a mares' handicap at Market Rasen (tenth of 12) last month; needs to step up again after that and others are more persuasive.

12/1

10th

7

17th Feb 2026

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

15:02 Market Rasen

Looking As You Are

11st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Won a similar event off this mark at Ludlow last season (2m5f, good to soft); fair form this term, last time finishing a creditable 7l second at Fakenham (2m4f, good to soft; Mermaids Cave behind when falling at the last).

14/1

2nd

3

18th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

14:05 Fakenham

Looking As You Are

11st 7lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Alex Hales

Three-time hurdle winner, most recently off 2lb lower at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) last February; slightly disappointing when fifth at Windsor this month but began this season with two good efforts and has a fighting chance.

12/1

Form: 41-243

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Strong stayer who ran well when fourth in this last year (good to soft) and won at Perth (3m2f, soft) in April; kept on for fair third at Ascot (2m7f, good) last month but has work to do with Royale Margaux on that form and has the disadvantage of being 6lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

27th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:20 Plumpton

Fortuna Ligna

11st 13lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

Only the two wins to her name but she's consistent and finished a respectable 11l sixth of eight in a class 2 at Kempton from out of the weights over Christmas, ridden by Chad Bament who couldn't make use of his full claim; strong stayer who's worth considering, back in class.

9/2

Form: 145-13 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Reappeared with a win at Wincanton (2m5f, good) last month; no match for the first two when third at Sandown (2m4f, heavy) since but she didn't jump well and today's return to better ground may help; showed promise over 3m on final start last season and she's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

24th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

14:30 Wincanton

Larchmont Lass

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

raced in second, led 4th, not fluent 8th, increased tempo before 2 out, headed when hit last, stayed on

7/4

7th

7

27th Dec 2024

Good

3m 0f 121y

Class 2

13:20 Kempton

Larchmont Lass

10st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, hit 8th, lost position 3 out, weakened approaching last

7/2

7th

7

27th Dec 2024

Good

3m 0f 121y

Class 2

13:20 Kempton

Larchmont Lass

10st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, hit 8th, lost position 3 out, weakened approaching last

7/2

Form: /116-3

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
A long way behind runner-up Della Casa Lunga when third of five in a 2m5f Listed race here last month; however, she may have needed that first run since May and she won a Listed mares' novice hurdle at Haydock (2m3f) last December; today's trip could be within range and she's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:45 Cheltenham

Pawapuri

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

in rear

10/1

11th

2

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:45 Cheltenham

Pawapuri

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

in rear

10/1

4th

1

16th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

15:37 Chepstow

Pawapuri

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Quite useful on the Flat and won a Listed hurdle two seasons ago for Nicky Henderson; hasn't been herself this season but was highly tried the last time and interesting to see what Dan Skelton can do with her.

8/1

Form: P6-29P CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 4

16:37 Newbury

Glimpse Of Gala

11st 12lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Charlie Longsdon

Last won in January 2023 and mostly disappointing in the meantime; attracted support last time at Chepstow where the tongue-tie was removed but not a lot happened.

14/1

3

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

14:20 Chepstow

Glimpse Of Gala

11st 3lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Charlie Longsdon

Used to go well over staying trips in the mud but last won in January 2023 and has shown only bits of form since; big shout with even a partial revival and the recent tongue-tie is removed.

12/1

3

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

14:20 Chepstow

Glimpse Of Gala

11st 3lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Charlie Longsdon

Used to go well over staying trips in the mud but last won in January 2023 and has shown only bits of form since; big shout with even a partial revival and the recent tongue-tie is removed.

12/1

Form: 7-P846 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 13lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

27th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:20 Plumpton

Midnightreflection

12st 1lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Ben Case

10yo whose form had been in steady decline since winning an Ascot handicap off 11lb higher in November 2023, although recent efforts have been slightly more encouraging, including most recently when tried in blinkers (retained); undoubtedly on a good mark but still needs to find a little more.

6/1

1st

1

27th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:20 Plumpton

Midnightreflection

12st 1lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Ben Case

10yo whose form had been in steady decline since winning an Ascot handicap off 11lb higher in November 2023, although recent efforts have been slightly more encouraging, including most recently when tried in blinkers (retained); undoubtedly on a good mark but still needs to find a little more.

6/1

4th

1

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:00 Market Rasen

Midnightreflection

12st 1lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Ben Case

towards rear, headway and in touch with leaders 8th

9/1

Form: 43-518 D

Last run: 181 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

14:52 Taunton

Fautinette

11st 6lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

raced in last, outpaced early, switched left and headway from 4th, pressed leader after 5th, led 7th, 2 lengths ahead last, stayed on when headed towards finish

6/1

2nd

4

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

14:52 Taunton

Fautinette

11st 6lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Absent since below-par effort in French event (2m3f) six months ago; made all at Cartmel (3m1f) the time before, opening her British account on sole attempt beyond 2m5f; unexposed at this sort of distance.

6/1

11

27th Dec 2024

Good

3m 0f 121y

Class 2

13:20 Kempton

Fautinette

9st 11lb

T: Venetia Williams

Non-runners

The Lord Maid

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £39.34
Tricast £158.82

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Larchmont Lass

SPOTLIGHT:

Royale Margaux

Daily Mail:

Della Casa Lunga

LAMBOURN:

Pawapuri

POSTDATA:

Fortuna Ligna

RP RATINGS:

West Balboa

Telegraph:

Larchmont Lass

D Express:

Larchmont Lass

The Sun:

Larchmont Lass

The Star:

Larchmont Lass

Daily Mirror:

Della Casa Lunga

Daily Record:

Della Casa Lunga

TOPSPEED:

Royale Margaux

The Times:

Royale Margaux

The Guardian:

Royale Margaux