February 18 / 17.02 Market Rasen

17.02

Good To Soft

Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elim’) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £2112.4
  • 2m 0f 125y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elim’) (GBB)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 4 BF

Last run: 75 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
85,000euros 3yo; shaped encouragingly when fourth of eight on C&D debut (good to soft; favourite) in December; that form isn't the strongest on offer but he's in safe hands with Fergal O'Brien and open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 190y

16:15 Punchestown

Espresso Milan

11st 10lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Beaten in three bumpers for Fergal O'Brien but successful on opening two hurdle runs for Willie Mullins, in 2m maiden here and ready winner of 2m6f Thurles novice (yielding); didn't seem to get home in 3m Albert Bartlett, but worth this second chance at the trip and remains a potential improver.

10/1

12th

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Espresso Milan

11st 7lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Beaten in three bumpers for Fergal O'Brien; unbeaten in two hurdles for Willie Mullins and the horse he made light work of at Thurles last time (2m6f, yielding) has since finished second in a big-field Class 2 handicap at Haydock; Paul Townend was highly complimentary about him last time but he still rides Doctor Steinberg; still, this future chaser remains an unknown quantity.

25/1

1st

3

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 6f 0y

13:10 Thurles

Espresso Milan

11st 5lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Three bumper runs for Fergal O'Brien; fourth and second in two Market Rasen appearances before finishing a respectable seventh of 22 in a good 2m3f contest at the Punchestown festival; untidy jumping at times on hurdling/stable debut in a 2m Punchestown maiden; won quite snugly, and can prosper over staying distances.

7/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
20,000GBP 3yo; first foal; unraced dam closely related to useful winners Whisperinthebreeze (2m hurdle/2m5f chase) and Silver Kayf (2m3f/2m5f hurdle); trainer is 0-10 in bumpers over the last five years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

14:13 Market Rasen

Exiguus

11st 7lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Nick Kent

Not disgraced in two course bumpers last year or when sixth of eight over C&D on hurdling debut three weeks ago but remains best watched.

33/1

6th

2

15th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

14:22 Market Rasen

Exiguus

11st 7lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Nick Kent

Had the run of the race when creditable 4.25l fifth of seven in a bumper here in December (2m, good to soft; 14-1); quite interesting now going hurdling.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4

Last run: 68 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
32,000euros 3yo; half-brother to a 2m4f/3m chase winner; did best work late when fourth of 12 on Warwick debut two months ago; that form remains largely untested but trainer has a 27% bumper strike-rate here (8-30) over the last five years; of clear interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

18th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

17:02 Market Rasen

Forward Thinking

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

32,000euros 3yo; half-brother to a 2m4f/3m chase winner; did best work late when fourth of 12 on Warwick debut two months ago; that form remains largely untested but trainer has a 27% bumper strike-rate here (8-30) over the last five years; of clear interest.

2/1

4th

5

12th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Warwick

Forward Thinking

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

32,000euros 3yo; third foal; half-brother to 2m4f/3m chase winner A Definite Getaway; dam unraced half-sister to smart 2m-2m3f hurdle/chase winner Wenyerreadyfreddie and useful bumper/2m-3m hurdle winner Shewearsitwell; likely contender.

5/1

4th

5

12th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Warwick

Forward Thinking

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

32,000euros 3yo; third foal; half-brother to 2m4f/3m chase winner A Definite Getaway; dam unraced half-sister to smart 2m-2m3f hurdle/chase winner Wenyerreadyfreddie and useful bumper/2m-3m hurdle winner Shewearsitwell; likely contender.

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fifth foal; half-brother to bumper/2m hurdle winner Kayf Legend; out of half-sister to bumper/useful 2m3f-2m7f hurdle winner Toubeera; represents a trainer more commonly known for Flat winners; best watched on belated debut unless market vibes are positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

3rd Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:00 Newcastle

Take Him Tom

11st 5lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Paul Midgley

Put a line through his recent non-completion at Market Rasen as the saddle slipped but he did go off at 80-1.

66/1

4

18th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

17:02 Market Rasen

Take Him Tom

11st 7lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Paul Midgley

Fifth foal; half-brother to bumper/2m hurdle winner Kayf Legend; out of half-sister to bumper/useful 2m3f-2m7f hurdle winner Toubeera; represents a trainer more commonly known for Flat winners; best watched on belated debut unless market vibes are positive.

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of 2m hurdle winner; fetched £180,000 after winning 3m Irish point in October (yielding; third has won since); shouldn't be unduly troubled by dropping back to 2m for this bumper; intriguing rules newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

22nd Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:30 Ludlow

Un Sens A La Vie

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Record of 2-5 over hurdles and he was runner-up behind subsequent Supreme winner Old Park Star at Kempton (2m, good) in November; finished a well-held fourth of 15 at Newbury in February but that was a major handicap and not many got involved in the testing conditions; sets a clear standard back in much calmer waters and his last win was over C&D; strong contender.

4/6

4th

6

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

Un Sens A La Vie

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Unexposed novice hurdler who posted a good effort behind the Supreme favourite on penultimate start; comfortably justified favouritism at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) latest, taking overall record to 4-7; this handicap debutant could be well treated and his stable has landed this race three times; interesting.

6/1

7th

7

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

15:00 Cheltenham

Un Sens A La Vie

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Recruited for £180,000 after his point win in Ireland; has looked good on his two visits to Market Rasen, totally untroubled in winning a bumper (good to soft) and a maiden hurdle (good); in a lot deeper here but Team Twiston-Davies appear to rate him very highly.

7/4

Form:

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
200-1 and finished last of 12 on Warwick debut on New Year's Eve; highly unlikely to be the solution.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

27th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:35 Southwell

Scarlett Glance

11st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

held up in rear, no impression from over 3f out

200/1

6

18th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

17:02 Market Rasen

Scarlett Glance

11st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Andy Irvine

200-1 and finished last of 12 on Warwick debut on New Year's Eve; highly unlikely to be the solution.

200/1

12th

12

31st Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Warwick

Scarlett Glance

10st 9lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Andy Irvine

always behind, tailed off

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; out of useful 2m-3m1f hurdle/chase winner Actinpieces, half-sister to Xcitations and Haafapiece; receives all the weight allowances as a 4yo filly for trainer who is 2-8 in course bumpers in the last five years; consult the market for guidance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

24th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:00 Southwell

Telepieces

10st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

Easy to back and tailed off in her first two bumpers, on good to soft and good.

33/1

14

28th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:50 Wetherby

Telepieces

10st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Pam Sly

Yard gets its share of bumper winners but this 4yo was fairly easy to back and dropped out on Market Rasen debut last month.

33/1

7

18th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

17:02 Market Rasen

Telepieces

10st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Pam Sly

Second foal; out of useful 2m-3m1f hurdle/chase winner Actinpieces, half-sister to Xcitations and Haafapiece; receives all the weight allowances as a 4yo filly for trainer who is 2-8 in course bumpers in the last five years; consult the market for guidance.

15/2

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Forward Thinking

The Times:

Un Sens A La Vie

RP RATINGS:

Espresso Milan

Telegraph:

Forward Thinking

The Guardian:

Forward Thinking

Daily Mail:

Forward Thinking

D Express:

Forward Thinking

POSTDATA:

Espresso Milan

Daily Mirror:

Un Sens A La Vie

The Sun:

Un Sens A La Vie

The Star:

Un Sens A La Vie

Daily Record:

Un Sens A La Vie