February 07 / 15.15 Bangor-on-Dee

15.15

Soft

RW Hough & Son Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 0f 145y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
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RW Hough & Son Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

Form: 271-87 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Career highlight when finishing well from a long way off the pace to cause 40-1 surprise at last season's Aintree festival (2m, soft); probably flattered by the way that race panned out, though, and returned from layoff with two disappointing 2m4f runs this winter; usual hood left off.
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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Verdict Starting price
No Results Found
OUR TIP

Form: 4-3422

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 6yo who came second in his first two handicaps, latterly at Haydock (1m7f, soft) just after Christmas; open to improvement if last month's wind op proves successful; one to consider.
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No / Draw
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Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
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Verdict Starting price

4

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:20 Ayr

The Grafter

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sam England

Built upon his hurdling promise to win on chase/seasonal debut at Newcastle (2m, heavy) in January and he followed up there (2m, good to soft) in February; climbing the weights but this unexposed 7yo had something to spare for both wins and may well have more left in the tank.

100/30

1st

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:10 Newcastle

The Grafter

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Runner-up in four handicap hurdles last season; heavy ground could have been a factor in him showing improved form on his successful chase debut over C&D last month, though was well backed prior to comfortably repelling Spadestep; 9lb worse off with the runner-up but clearly open to further improvement.

11/4

1st

4

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

13:50 Newcastle

The Grafter

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Maiden; runner-up in four handicap hurdles last season; has no easy task on chase debut having been off for 278 days.

8/1

Form: 5546F4 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Nine jumps wins (three over C&D); not firing on all cylinders since returning from a break in October but last month's modest fourth behind The Grey Man at Leicester (1m7f, heavy) was a step back in the right direction and he's too well handicapped to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:55 Newton Abbot

Feel The Pinch

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

No longer the force of old but returned from break with C&D (good) win off much reduced mark in June and subsequently ran well over fences here; still well handicapped over hurdles and seems versatile regarding ground; no surprise if he features.

6/1

2nd

4

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:43 Newton Abbot

Feel The Pinch

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Capitalised on a reduced mark over hurdles here (2m1f, good) ten days ago when back from a break; he wasn't running well over fences towards the end of last year but he's a three-time chase winner who is able to run off the same mark as for that recent hurdle win, so is entitled to respect.

9/4

1st

1

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:57 Newton Abbot

Feel The Pinch

12st 0lb

J: Mr James King

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Nine-time winner over jumps, including over C&D last July; out of form over hurdles and fences afterwards but the booking of James King catches the eye and, having dropped to a career-low mark, this 11yo could be a player back from a break.

10/1

Form: -P4214 C BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Kept on well to win in first-time cheekpieces here (2m3f, soft) in December but was a disappointing joint-favourite at Uttoxeter (2m4f) last month and it's hard to tell whether combination of drop back in trip and first-time blinkers will get the best out of him today.
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No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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Verdict Starting price

5

5th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

21:00 Ffos Las

New Found Fame

11st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Bangor winner (2m3f, soft) in December and, after a lesser effort the following month, won back there (2m, soft) in February; however he's not the easiest to predict and was comfortably held at Chepstow in April; he comes with risk.

6/1

5

5th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

21:00 Ffos Las

New Found Fame

11st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Bangor winner (2m3f, soft) in December and, after a lesser effort the following month, won back there (2m, soft) in February; however he's not the easiest to predict and was comfortably held at Chepstow in April; he comes with risk.

6/1

7th

4

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

New Found Fame

11st 8lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Kerry Lee

Scored in first-time cheekpieces at Bangor (2m3f, soft) in December and put a lesser run behind him when winning in first-time blinkers there (2m1f, soft) in February; it's hard to predict how well he'll perform in refitted cheekpieces but the forecast good ground won't be a problem.

6/1

Form: 223-71

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 6yo who held on to make winning handicap debut at Leicester (1m7f, heavy) last month; recent 4lb rise does not look excessive and Bradley Harris claims a useful 3lb; open to further progress; respected.
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No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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Verdict Starting price

11

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

The Grey Man

10st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

None too consistent this season but he did win in small fields at Ffos Las (3m, heavy; made all) and Wetherby (3m, good to soft) last month; this field is much more demanding company on his first venture beyond 3m.

8/1

1st

4

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

15:47 Wetherby

The Grey Man

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

Inconsistent but easily got off the mark over fences at the third attempt in three-runner handicap at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) recently; this is a stronger race but he could have more to offer in this sphere; not ruled out.

7/2

Form: -5P13F D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
2-14 over hurdles, the latter win gained in Plumpton novice (2m, good to soft) in October; not obviously well treated off current mark, though, and far too inconsistent to rely upon.
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No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

25th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

16:08 Fontwell

Clinton Lane

10st 13lb

J: James Davies

T: Mark Gillard

2-20 over hurdles; put in good front-running shift before weakening into fifth at Ffos Las (2m4f, good) this month and may benefit from today's drop back in trip but others in the line-up have more appealing profiles.

8/1

1st

5

25th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

16:08 Fontwell

Clinton Lane

10st 13lb

J: James Davies

T: Mark Gillard

2-20 over hurdles; put in good front-running shift before weakening into fifth at Ffos Las (2m4f, good) this month and may benefit from today's drop back in trip but others in the line-up have more appealing profiles.

8/1

4

6th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ffos Las

Clinton Lane

11st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Mark Gillard

Stuck to his task pretty well when fifth of 12 in Fontwell handicap (2m3f, good) 11 days ago but has rather mixed record since winning 2m Plumpton maiden in October and others appeal more.

12/1

Form: 245P-3 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Just 1-13 over hurdles but was arguably second best on merit when third behind short-odds winner over C&D (soft) on seasonal debut in December and remains on a good mark; might be the answer.
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No / Draw
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Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

19:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Risk DArgent

12st 0lb

J: Mr Frederick Philipson-Stow

T: Alastair Ralph

prominent, lost ground after 2nd, towards rear when fell 7th

25/1

1

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

19:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Risk DArgent

12st 0lb

J: Mr Frederick Philipson-Stow

T: Alastair Ralph

prominent, lost ground after 2nd, towards rear when fell 7th

25/1

11

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

17:05 Uttoxeter

Risk DArgent

10st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

mistake 8th

16/1

Form: 50-335

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Unexposed mare who displayed promise in bumpers last season and in her three qualifying races over hurdles towards the end of 2024 (2m-2m5f); no surprise if she features on this handicap debut.
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No / Draw
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Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

The Secret Pearl

11st 6lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Won a mares' maiden at Market Rasen (2m, good) last April; runner-up in first two handicaps during the winter but she's been disappointing in last two runs; bit to prove but mark is sliding and she's had wind surgery since her latest effort at Fontwell last month; not ruled out.

14/1

4th

5

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

15:05 Fontwell

The Secret Pearl

11st 9lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Alex Hales

Absent since slightly disappointing run at Aintree on Boxing Day but returned from break with two good seconds over 2m4f in the autumn (good/soft) and has good claims if back at that level here.

6/1

1

15th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

17:35 Fontwell

The Secret Pearl

11st 7lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

Creditable sixth of 15 in Grade 2 novices' handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good) in March and rallied well to snatch narrow win in Market Rasen maiden (2m, good) last month; leading contender.

13/8

Form: 13/060 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Won 3m hurdle off much higher mark in 2022 but has looked out of sorts since returned to racing under rules in November (three runs; 2m3f-3m1f); drops back to 2m here; considered only if lively in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

19:15 Ffos Las

Imperial Storm

11st 1lb

J: Mr James Shaw

T: Sue Gardner

Badly out of form over hurdles this season and there didn't seem to be any positives from his switch to chasing for last three outings; wore tongue-tie (dispensed with now) and cheekpieces for latest; way down the weights.

40/1

9

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

19:15 Ffos Las

Imperial Storm

11st 1lb

J: Mr James Shaw

T: Sue Gardner

Badly out of form over hurdles this season and there didn't seem to be any positives from his switch to chasing for last three outings; wore tongue-tie (dispensed with now) and cheekpieces for latest; way down the weights.

40/1

4th

4

2nd Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

16:25 Exeter

Imperial Storm

10st 10lb

J: Mr James Shaw

T: Sue Gardner

prominent, not fluent 1st, lost ground 7th, not fluent 11th, soon lost ground

8/1

Form: 62-P88

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Ex-French maiden; soundly beaten in three British handicap hurdles this season (2m-2m5f) but there is still hope Venetia Williams will find the key to him soon.
Place /
No / Draw
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Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 1f 165y

Class 4

16:20 Fontwell

Falco Des Pins

11st 7lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Ex-French gelding who's got it together since undergoing wind surgery, backing up a Ludlow win (2m, soft) when easily seeing off three others at Leicester last week; every chance of the hat-trick upped another 6lb.

5/4

1st

1

6th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

16:30 Leicester

Falco Des Pins

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Ex-French recruit who gained a first success on just his third run over fences in 2m Ludlow handicap 16 days ago; up 6lb but he scored cosily there and looks the one to beat.

11/10

Form: 728226 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Below form at Kelso in December but came second on three of her four previous outings (once over C&D) and can pose a potent threat if the addition of cheekpieces has a positive effect today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

16:25 Market Rasen

Bellbird

11st 7lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Exposed mare who was winning her first handicap when a clearcut winner at Bangor (2m, good); effectively off the same mark with William Maggs' claim erasing the 5lb rise and shouldn't be too inconvenienced should it get wet.

11/2

6

21st Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

18:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Bellbird

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Still just a Ludlow novice win on her CV (2m, good); cheekpieces haven't provoked any major improvement but she continues in fair heart, finding only one completing a hat-trick too good for her at Cartmel latest.

7/4

6

24th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

16:00 Cartmel

Bellbird

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Fairly consistent in handicaps since her Ludlow novice win (2m, good) just over a year ago; drops back in trip after perfectly respectable second at Bangor (2m3f, good to soft) last month and probably won't be far away.

9/2

Non-runners

Serious Ego

Selections

POSTDATA:

The Grafter

The Times:

The Grey Man

SPOTLIGHT:

Risk d'Argent

Telegraph:

Bellbird

RP RATINGS:

Feel The Pinch

Daily Mail:

The Grafter

D Express:

The Grafter

Daily Mirror:

The Grafter

Daily Record:

The Grafter

The Guardian:

The Grey Man

The Sun:

The Grey Man

TOPSPEED:

Risk d'Argent

The Star:

Risk d'Argent