February 03 / 16.20 Southwell

16.20

Good To Soft

Play At The Races Stableduel Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 3m 0f 60y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Play At The Races Stableduel Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 696162 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Won over fences at Downpatrick (2m7f, good to yielding) in the autumn and ran big race in defeat behind Jongleur d'Etoiles at Catterick (3m1f, soft) when back over hurdles last month; has to take a 5lb rise on the chin but still needs to be taken very seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

20th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:00 Warwick

Edgewell

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Nick Scholfield

Landed back-to-back wins at Hereford over 3m1f on good this spring; found out in a higher grade twice since but back at his winning level and should run his race.

13/2

3rd

6

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

17:42 Hereford

Edgewell

10st 8lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Nick Scholfield

Record of 3-13 over fences; 2-2 over C&D, namely good-ground wins this spring; below par at Fontwell in hat-trick attempt but has possibilities back here; admittedly yet to score above Class 5.

13/2

4th

6

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:45 Fontwell

Edgewell

10st 12lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Nick Scholfield

8yo who has been resurgent with wins at Hereford (3m1f, good) in his last two starts; 3lb higher than last time but he stayed on strongly to beat a clear second and remains well handicapped on his best form; key player.

100/30

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: F-7843

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
0-14 over hurdles but has not been with Rebecca Menzies that long and kept on well for close third of 16 at Wetherby (3m, good to soft) just after Christmas; obvious each-way claims if in similar form again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

17:00 Perth

Star Vantage

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Only a respectable fourth of five at Sedgefield a fortnight ago, extending his losing run to 33; has a first-time visor added to his regular tongue-tie now.

10/1

4th

4

10th Apr 2026

Good

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

16:13 Sedgefield

Star Vantage

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Rebecca Menzies

Wasn't beaten all that far over 3m at Musselburgh last month but that extended his losing run to 32; others preferred.

13/2

4th

15

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Musselburgh

Star Vantage

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

From out of the handicap he's 2lb higher than when running well in fourth of 15 (good to soft) in this race 12 months ago; however, he hasn't been at the top of his game more recently and is now 0-31.

33/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: -P8511 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Improving 6yo who bids to complete a hat-trick after recent soft-ground wins at Wincanton (3m) and Catterick (3m1f); drew well clear of the others with runner-up Edgewell on latter occasion and might still be well treated after latest 6lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

10th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:38 Sedgefield

Jongleur DEtoiles

11st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Multiple hurdles winner at up to 3m2f, including on a sound surface; 0-6 over fences but went very close having looked the likely winner at Doncaster (3m2f, good to soft) latest; big player from an unchanged mark, if repeating that effort.

13/8

2nd

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 5

15:39 Doncaster

Jongleur DEtoiles

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Two wins over hurdles last season (3m/3m2f, good/good to soft); has failed to finish in three of his five starts over fences, best run when second at Taunton in December (2m7f, good); could go well but a bit risky.

13/2

Form: 8P7P06

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Didn't run badly when sixth of 16 at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) 11 days ago and is probably worth another crack at 3m but has largely been disappointing since returning from a layoff last summer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:49 Huntingdon

Good Bye

11st 1lb

J: James Best

T: Sara Ender

pushed along briefly soon after start, awkward jump 1st, in touch with leaders, lost position and reminders 4th, dropped to rear 5th, struggling 6th, kept on from 3 out, no telling impression

10/1

7th

6

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:49 Huntingdon

Good Bye

11st 1lb

J: James Best

T: Sara Ender

pushed along briefly soon after start, awkward jump 1st, in touch with leaders, lost position and reminders 4th, dropped to rear 5th, struggling 6th

10/1

Form: 45PP06

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Unplaced all seven hurdle runs, most recently when sixth of seven in first-time visor (retained) at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) last month; well beaten over 3m two starts ago; significant improvement required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Warwick

Just Four Fame

10st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: David Dennis

0-10 over hurdles; went down fighting when second here (3m2f, good) last March but we haven't seen him since and this drop back in trip may not be ideal.

10/1

2nd

7

27th Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:57 Warwick

Just Four Fame

10st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

Continues to fall in the weights but he's had a few chances now in handicaps and is not progressing.

20/1

8th

8

21st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Warwick

Just Four Fame

10st 4lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: David Dennis

prominent, lost ground before 4 out, weakened before 2 out

25/1

Form: 05333

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Fair stayer on the Flat (albeit a maiden); third in both handicap hurdles, more recently when upped to 2m7f at Fakenham (good) a fortnight ago, but needs to find something extra here; cheekpieces refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

27th Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:57 Warwick

De Vegas Warrior

10st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Henrietta C Knight

Longstanding maiden under both codes but he was running well when crashing out two from home at Taunton 17 days ago (3m, good); enters the reckoning.

7/1

9

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

De Vegas Warrior

10st 11lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Henrietta C Knight

Didn't fire on latest outing but began handicap hurdle career with encouraging thirds at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) and Fakenham (2m7f, good); 4lb lower now and Philip Armson claims 3lb today; could have a say.

12/1

6th

8

3rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:20 Southwell

De Vegas Warrior

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Fair stayer on the Flat (albeit a maiden); third in both handicap hurdles, more recently when upped to 2m7f at Fakenham (good) a fortnight ago, but needs to find something extra here; cheekpieces refitted.

8/1

Form: 79986

Last run: 70 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten when 33-1 for first two handicaps (2m4f/2mf); tries a new trip and sports first-time cheekpieces here; considered only if much stronger in the betting this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

15:57 Stratford

Pooroldmackley

11st 1lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Won off 4lb lower at Worcester (2m7f, good) last August under usual rider Eleanor Williams but out of form since; needs to be back to his peak.

9/1

9

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

15:57 Doncaster

Pooroldmackley

10st 11lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Evan Williams

Won over hurdles at Worcester (2m7f, good) last August and he's versatile ground-wise; however, he hasn't shone over fences/hurdles on his two starts since and needs to get back on track.

33/1

Form: F12232

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Opened account with 5l win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last June and placed on all four starts since (2m3f-2m7f, good-soft); seems very likely to give another good account and be on the premises again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Worcester

Just Chasing May

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

6yo who made it 2-12 over hurdles when winning in good style here in June; up 9lb but it was even more emphatic when disposing of 11 rivals on his chase debut back here (also 2m4f, good) on Sunday; same mark today and he stays this trip; the one to beat.

11/10

7

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Worcester

Just Chasing May

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

6yo who made it 2-12 over hurdles when winning in good style here (2m4f, good) in June; also effective on soft/good to soft; not bred for fences but he's in good hands and is respected on his debut in this sphere.

5/1

1st

10

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

Just Chasing May

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Mark over a stone in excess of that for last June's Uttoxeter win (2m4f, good) is owed to some good runs in defeat since; 142-day absence won't be an issue judged on last October's effort after similar.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0-560

Last run: 85 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; soundly beaten in three maiden hurdles in the autumn (2m4f-2m6f) and not obviously well treated for this handicap debut but is open to improvement and worth a glance in the betting.
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

Form: 574274 C BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Went close over fences at Hereford (3m1f, good) in November but did look look wildly enthusiastic when beaten about 22l on next two outings, latterly when reverting to hurdles in first-time blinkers; goes without headgear here; needs to show a lot more zest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

4th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:00 Uttoxeter

Faded Fantasy

11st 1lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Three good-ground wins at up to 3m2f during a profitable 2025, all off at least 9lb lower; yet to defy a break in excess of 45 days, so absence since January cannot rate a plus.

25/1

7th

13

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Faded Fantasy

11st 2lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Ran creditably at Hereford (3m1f) last time, bouncing back from two poor efforts, but this looks a tougher assignment; still seeking first handicap success above Class 5.

20/1

9th

11

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Faded Fantasy

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Christian Williams

Dual hurdle winner on good ground this summer (2m7f/3m2f); last month's chasing defeat is probably best overlooked (didn't jump well enough) but he has high mileage for his age and might be vulnerable in this grade.

20/1

Form: 71/8-4

Last run: 45 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Won a small-field 3m2f handicap in April 2023 and returned from long absence with very encouraging fourth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in December; back up in trip today; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

4th Jun 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:35 Newton Abbot

Tellairsue

10st 11lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: David Bridgwater

Won over hurdles at Fontwell (3m2f, good) in April 2023 and was a close second at Ludlow (2m5f, good) two months ago; however, he'd dropped to the rear when falling on last week's chase debut here (2m5f, good); Illogical Logic was skipping along merrily in the lead at the time so he probably has work to do.

10/1

5

4th Jun 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:35 Newton Abbot

Tellairsue

10st 11lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: David Bridgwater

Won over hurdles at Fontwell (3m2f, good) in April 2023 and was a close second at Ludlow (2m5f, good) two months ago; however, he'd dropped to the rear when falling on last week's chase debut here (2m5f, good); Illogical Logic was skipping along merrily in the lead at the time so he probably has work to do.

10/1

4

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:18 Newton Abbot

Tellairsue

11st 1lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: David Bridgwater

Lightly raced since sole success in a handicap hurdle more than two years ago; competitive this year over hurdles but rarely impresses with his jumping and this is his chase debut.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.50
Straight Forecast £31.71
Tricast £71.26
Trifecta £112.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jongleur d'Etoiles

RP RATINGS:

Star Vantage

Daily Record:

Edgewell

POSTDATA:

De Vega's Warrior

Telegraph:

Jongleur d'Etoiles

Daily Mail:

Jongleur d'Etoiles

D Express:

Jongleur d'Etoiles

The Star:

Jongleur d'Etoiles

THE NORTH:

Star Vantage

The Times:

Star Vantage

The Guardian:

Star Vantage

Daily Mirror:

Star Vantage