February 23 / 17.00 Fontwell

17.00

Soft

starsportsbet.co.uk Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elimination) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £2450.7
  • 2m 1f 162y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
SKY
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starsportsbet.co.uk Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elimination) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Built upon previous promise in Irish maiden points (including on soft/heavy ground) when winning one in November; bought for £50,000 later that month and he's one to be interested in on his first bumper start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

14:20 Fontwell

Gaelic Pride

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Won the bumper on this card last year; runner-up behind good horses in his first two maidens and again ran well at Ascot where he didn't see out the longer 2m5f as well as the principals; down in trip and long odds-on when he scrambled home at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) last time; he's better than that latest form and is a key player under the penalty.

4/5

1st

3

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

12:42 Wincanton

Gaelic Pride

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Point/bumper winner; runner-up behind good horses in his first two maidens and again ran well at Ascot where he didn't see out the longer 2m5f as well as the principals; his form sets the standard here.

1/4

8

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

15:15 Fontwell

Gaelic Pride

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Point winner who won his bumper here (soft) and was beaten only 11l into midfield in a Grade 2 at Aintree in April (good); entitled to pay his way over hurdles this season.

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in Irish maiden point (3m, heavy) in November 2023 on his second start and sold for £55,000 the following month; absent since but trainer does well in bumpers and is in good form; respected on rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

5th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

General Briar

10st 11lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Chris Gordon

Made all for wins here (2m novice, soft) and at Newbury (handicap, good to soft; 2lb lower) but he couldn't dominate when ultimately tailed off behind Mondo Man in the Imperial Cup (25-1); there are similar reservations as to how this will pan out, but Chris Gordon (doubly represented) has a very good record in this race with three wins since 2016.

10/1

22

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

General Briar

10st 10lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Off the mark at Plumpton (2m, soft) in December on third hurdle start and followed up on handicap debut at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in January, again making the running; 5lb higher in this more competitive race but he did it nicely last time and it remains to be seen where his limitations lie.

14/1

1st

4

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 4

15:50 Newbury

General Briar

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Point and bumper runner-up who readily made all at Plumpton (2m, soft) in December on third hurdle start; had previously shown promise on good ground; brings potential to his handicap debut and could go well.

9/2

Form: 33

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown promise when third at Chepstow and Warwick on his first two outings (both soft) and he holds leading form claims this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:13 Ffos Las

Cinquenta

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Has a consistent record, latterly over 2m4f with win at Market Rasen (good to soft) then respectable sixth in big novice handicap at Sandown; gives the impression he'll be as effective back down in trip; the form pick.

5/6

6th

8

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 178y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Cinquenta

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Represents the same trainer and jockey combination as last year's winner, Laurens Bay; beaten a neck by Precious Metal at Lingfield in December but off the mark at Market Rasen (2m5f, good to soft) seven weeks later, not hard pressed to assert; has to be considered.

12/1

1st

2

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

13:17 Market Rasen

Cinquenta

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Third in all three bumpers last season and close second in two Lingfield hurdles this term (2m3f/2m, good to soft); that hurdling form puts him right in the thick of things here, and he probably still has potential.

2/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
His well-related dam was a bumper winner for connections and he was sent off just 13-2 for his debut here (soft) in December; however, he finished tailed off after unseating his jockey before the start and failing to settle, and may be best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

23rd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

17:00 Fontwell

Chivalrous George

11st 7lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Suzy Smith

held up in rear, struggling 7f out, went fourth final furlong, stayed on

16/1

Form: 03

Last run: 97 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off at big odds in the autumn on his first two runs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:20 Wincanton

Sure To Be Sure

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Helen Nelmes

Well held in his three bumpers and he's been pulled up at big prices in both hurdle runs (saddle slipped on first occasion); can only be watched.

100/1

4

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

18:57 Newton Abbot

Sure To Be Sure

11st 1lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Helen Nelmes

Had excuse when pulled up on hurdling debut in March (saddle slipped) but did not show much in three bumpers beforehand.

100/1

Form:

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to French bumper winner but well beaten at 12-1 on debut at Hereford (2m, good to soft) in December; transformation needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

23rd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

17:00 Fontwell

Khalife Des Obeaux

11st 7lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jack Jones

prominent, dropped to last with one circuit to go, soon lost touch, tailed off

33/1

10th

6

11th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:37 Hereford

Khalife Des Obeaux

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Jack Jones

Fourth foal; half-brother to French 1m4f AQPS Flat winner Hermine Des Obeaux; dam placed in French 2m1f-2m4f hurdles/chases; Flat-geared yard 0-4 in bumpers.

12/1

10th

6

11th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:37 Hereford

Khalife Des Obeaux

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Jack Jones

Fourth foal; half-brother to French 1m4f AQPS Flat winner Hermine Des Obeaux; dam placed in French 2m1f-2m4f hurdles/chases; Flat-geared yard 0-4 in bumpers.

12/1

Form: 7-

Last run: 339 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
40-1 when always behind on debut at Chepstow (2m, soft) last March; wears a tongue-tie on first run since; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

6th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:42 Fontwell

Mistress Fox

10st 7lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Some light at the end of the tunnel after a 13l defeat here in March (2m1f, good to soft) and this longer distance should suit as she's got a stout pedigree; quite interesting with that in mind.

16/1

4th

6

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

17:05 Fontwell

Mistress Fox

10st 8lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Has no obvious form claims; 50-1 for handicap debut last time and ran accordingly.

20/1

8th

6

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

17:18 Exeter

Mistress Fox

11st 2lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Holds very weak claims on form but this switch to handicap level may enable her to post a bigger effort; check the market signals for further guidance.

10/1

Non-runners

Crossgales King

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £6.39

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Cinquenta

Daily Mirror:

Gaelic Pride

SPOTLIGHT:

General Briar

POSTDATA:

Cinquenta

LAMBOURN:

Cinquenta

The Times:

Cinquenta

Telegraph:

Cinquenta

The Sun:

Cinquenta

Daily Record:

Cinquenta

The Star:

Gaelic Pride

D Express:

General Briar