February 22 / 15.00 Kempton

15.00

Good

Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £42712.5
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
ITV
View Course
Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 12-211 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Very talented bumper horse who was beaten first time out over hurdles (by a good one) but made no mistake in his next two, albeit soft races for which he was long odds-on; entitled to jump better as he gains experience and for raw ability he's probably right up there in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(3)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:43 Kempton (AW)

Tripoli Flyer

8st 5lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Winner of a bumper and three novice hurdle races, most recently a Grade 2 here in February 2025; chasing didn't work out but he mostly ran with credit in defeat back over hurdles and three Flat races have been thrown in (1m3f here latest) in which he's shown some ability; it's not clear what his ideal Flat trip is but he's now qualified for a Flat handicap mark and it's a highly attractive one compared to his hurdles figure.

3/1

3rd

1

(12)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Tripoli Flyer

9st 9lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bagged a bumper and three hurdles, including Grade 2 Dovecote last February; acquitted himself well in two big spring festivals of late; should have a future on the Flat but will likely get a mark after this third start; no headgear.

10/1

7/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 2112 CD

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Looked good at Fakenham (good) and even better here in November (good to soft) when making all for a 12l success; gave Potter's Charm something to think about when promoted to a Grade 1 at Aintree (soft) and that sets the standard here; every chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Miami Magic

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Prominent-racer whose flop over hurdles at this meeting last year can be forgiven; scored on his third start over fences when beating Regent's Stroll by 4l at Cheltenham (about 2m4f, good) in January; jumping left plenty to be desired when third in Sandown Grade 1 later that month, however, and the race he won at Newbury (about 3m, good to soft) last time fell apart; he wasn't always fluent that day either but a clear round puts him on the premises.

5/1

1st

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:00 Newbury

Miami Magic

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Fine on good and soft ground; Grade 1 placed over hurdles and this Cheltenham chase winner did well to finish within 7l of the smart Sixmilebridge in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown (2m4f) as he can jump a lot better than he did that day on soft ground; every chance that he'll be able to give weight and a beating to these, provided he stays this longer trip.

4/6

3rd

2

31st Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 1

14:40 Sandown

Miami Magic

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Appears to act on soft ground, unraced on heavy; has steadily found his feet since switched to chasing and registered a 4l success at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) most recently; further improvement is possible but certainly needed; has the worst chance on bare ratings.

14/1

Form: 31-114 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Two-time bumper winner and was unbeaten over hurdles (on good ground) until he found his wheels spinning on soft when fourth in the Grade 1 Formby at Aintree on Boxing Day; has ground to make up with Miami Magic but should give a better account of himself under these conditions (assuming they don't ease overnight).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

15:17 Chepstow

Celtic Dino

11st 12lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

A very useful novice hurdler last season and ran big race when third of 17 on handicap debut at Aintree festival (2m, good) in April, having been badly hampered in early stages and made up considerable ground from the rear; 5lb higher here but still has more to offer.

15/8

3rd

4

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Celtic Dino

10st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

in rear, badly hampered on turn before 1st, towards rear after 3rd, good headway after 4 out, challenging 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, no extra final 110yds

15/2

3rd

4

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Celtic Dino

10st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

in rear, badly hampered on turn before 1st, towards rear after 3rd, good headway after 4 out, challenging 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, no extra final 110yds

15/2

Form: 1-20 C

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
All three runs in bumpers; made is winning debut here last March (good to soft) and then came from last to very nearly win at Ascot (good); reportedly kicked at the start when disappointing back there two months ago; lack of hurdling experience has to be a concern going in at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

14:00 Hexham

Blues Singer

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Bumper winner (good to soft) who had contested some warm races over hurdles prior to winning a big-field maiden at Huntingdon (2m, good) last month with something to spare; Alan King has a 42% strike-rate at Hexham; leading claims under a 7lb penalty.

5/4

1st

2

11th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:58 Huntingdon

Blues Singer

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Bumper winner whose hurdles form comprises a good third in useful race at Newbury (2m, good) flanked by less solid efforts in the last two runnings of the Dovecote at Kempton; major contender on bare figures back down in class.

5/2

9th

3

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Kempton

Blues Singer

11st 5lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Beaten 24l into fourth in this race 12 months ago, and he raced too freely when 13l third of eight at Newbury in December on first outing since; may not be fully exposed but has something to find on the figures.

25/1

Form: 13-U31 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Both wins have been here, on bumper debut (soft) and last time dominating from the front for a wide-margin maiden success; that represented a major spike in his form and he's hard to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

18

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Andashan

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Chris Gordon

Record of 321 switched to handicaps this term and the form has substance; ran well behind a notable rival on penultimate start (2m3f, good to soft) and subsequent Newbury performance (2m4f, good) took his strike-rate to 3-9; improving and remains particularly unexposed beyond 2m.

14/1

5th

4

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Kempton

Andashan

11st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Both wins have been here, on bumper debut (soft) and last time dominating from the front for a wide-margin maiden success; that represented a major spike in his form and he's hard to rule out.

8/1

1st

2

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Kempton

Andashan

11st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

took keen hold, made all

7/2

Form: 2311 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Showed promise in Ireland and has impressed in winning two minor hurdles at Windsor (good to soft) and Hereford (soft); others in here have superior form but he's unquestionably promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

19th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 4

15:20 Haydock

Starcrossed Lover

11st 12lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Won maiden hurdle at Windsor (2m, good to soft) in December on stable debut and easily followed up at Hereford (2m, soft); tailed off in Grade 2 at Kempton (2m, good to soft) since but he's a leading contender if bouncing back to his best now back down in grade.

6/5

6th

8

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Kempton

Starcrossed Lover

11st 5lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Showed promise in Ireland and has impressed in winning two minor hurdles at Windsor (good to soft) and Hereford (soft); others in here have superior form but he's unquestionably promising.

14/1

Form: 41-2F1 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Beat a good horse in his bumper; the final flight cost him dear on two visits to Newbury (a long way clear when falling on the second occasion) and his jumping wasn't foot-perfect when making all at long odds-on at Uttoxeter (good to soft); however, he won that comfortably despite again pulling hard and he deserves his crack at this level; Kempton should suit him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

17th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Roysse

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Chasing didn't go to plan last season (four attempts) and he was easily reeled in after making the running on return to hurdling in March but a return to very patient tactics paid dividends at Bangor (2m, good) last month, where he cut through the field to cause a 33-1 surprise; his tendency to race too freely remains a concern but a recent 7lb rise ought to be manageable.

15/8

1st

8

16th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Roysse

11st 4lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Chasing didn't go to plan last season (four attempts) and he was easily reeled in after making the running on return to hurdling in March; on a tempting mark now but his tendency to race far too freely remains a worry, and others are much less risky.

14/1

6th

4

30th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

16:27 Ludlow

Roysse

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Winner of bumper (soft) and maiden hurdle (2m, good to soft); his free-going tendencies have remained evident over fences (0-4) but he might be happier back hurdling and this track should suit his style if they do go forward with him.

5/1

Non-runners

Roadlesstravelled

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.90
Straight Forecast £7.69
Tricast £13.93
Trifecta £18.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Miami Magic

The Times:

Andashan

WEST COUNTRY:

Tripoli Flyer

Daily Mail:

Roadlesstravelled

The Guardian:

Andashan

The Star:

Andashan

Telegraph:

Tripoli Flyer

D Express:

Tripoli Flyer

RP RATINGS:

Miami Magic

TOPSPEED:

Miami Magic

POSTDATA:

Miami Magic

Daily Mirror:

Miami Magic

The Sun:

Miami Magic

Daily Record:

Miami Magic