February 28 / 17.05 Newbury

17.05

Soft

One Up On Football Now At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £9241.75
  • 3m 0f 52y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
SKY
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One Up On Football Now At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qualifier)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 48-133

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Probably acts on soft and won a novice on heavy; Flat/hurdle wins last August/September and he ran well in defeat under both codes since; made a mistake at the final flight at Cheltenham 11 weeks ago on latest start but rallied in fine style for third, despite that being his first attempt at 3m; not the best handicapped on the face of it, but still makes appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

28th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

17:05 Newbury

Wonderful Eagle

11st 4lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

took keen hold, towards rear

5/1

3rd

10

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Wonderful Eagle

10st 2lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

held up in midfield, headway and disputing second when mistake and lost ground last, rallied run-in, went fourth towards finish

12/1

3rd

10

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Wonderful Eagle

10st 2lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

held up in midfield, headway and disputing second when mistake and lost ground last, rallied run-in, went fourth towards finish

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 31-215

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won two heavy-ground bumpers last season; 16l winner at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) in December on his second start over hurdles and appeared to improve again when about 13l fifth of seven in Grade 2 novice at Cheltenham (extended 2m4f, soft) five weeks ago; there's also been encouragement for this longer trip on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Gamesters Guy

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Good form when winning a two-runner novice chase at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December on his second run over fences; however, he hasn't kicked on since and needs to raise his game if he's to win this.

20/1

2nd

1

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:45 Haydock

Gamesters Guy

11st 10lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Not fully exposed over fences and has winning form in a match, downing a 1-3 shot at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December; has jumping frailties, however, which again came to the fore when an 18l second of two finishers over this sort of trip at Chepstow (soft) three weeks ago; tongue-tie added and maybe this race won't be a stern examination of his jumping technique.

10/11

2nd

2

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:40 Chepstow

Gamesters Guy

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won a match race at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December, his second chase, and certainly didn't run badly when last of five in Windsor handicap (3m, soft) last month, where a last-fence error magnified his margin of defeat; not sure to benefit from this drop back in trip but still enters calculations.

6/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 511/16 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won twice late in 2022 and reappeared at Fontwell (extended 3m2f, soft) two months ago to complete his hat-trick, with tongue tied first time and drawing 11l clear; however, up 8lb and to this grade when only sixth of 12 over C&D (soft) three weeks ago, fading from before two out despite starting favourite; that dented his credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

28th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

17:05 Newbury

Shutupshirley

10st 10lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

in touch with leaders

7/1

6th

12

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Shutupshirley

10st 5lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won twice late in 2022 and reappeared at Fontwell (extended 3m2f, soft) six weeks ago to complete his hat-trick, with tongue tied first time and drawing 11l clear from two out; up 8lb and in grade, for second run since a long layoff, but there was plenty to like about that latest performance.

6/1

6th

12

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Shutupshirley

10st 5lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won twice late in 2022 and reappeared at Fontwell (extended 3m2f, soft) six weeks ago to complete his hat-trick, with tongue tied first time and drawing 11l clear from two out; up 8lb and in grade, for second run since a long layoff, but there was plenty to like about that latest performance.

6/1

Form: 12-322

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Upped to about 3m this season, showing improved form when second at Haydock (heavy) and Newbury (soft) on last two occasions; up another 4lb but should be set for another big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Magical King

12st 1lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Runner-up off this mark at Newbury (3m, soft) last February but he's not hit the same level since and was beaten 19l back at Newbury (third of nine) last month; overall record is now 1-15 and others are more persuasive.

7/1

3rd

5

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Magical King

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Consistent over hurdles last season, with best effort a C&D second (soft) just over a year ago; disappointing over fences this term (three attempts; blinkers tried last time) and this switch back to hurdling needs to rekindle his enthusiasm; usual cheekpieces back on today.

20/1

3

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:27 Kempton

Magical King

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Consistent over hurdles last season; ran well to a point on chasing debut at Bangor (3m, heavy) in November and may have found the good ground too lively when safely held at Doncaster in December; not out of this if change of headgear gives him a boost.

10/1

Form: 5FP/61 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Smart in his 2021-22 season over fences; lightly raced since and absent 643 days before this term but he rallied in fine style to win a novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (near 3m, soft) on latest outing; needs markedly better in this handicap but perhaps he's on his way back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

16:00 Ffos Las

Saint Palais

11st 12lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

4-7 over fences but ended 2025 with two disappointing hurdle runs and made very underwhelming return to chasing when seventh of eight at Newbury (2m7f, soft) in February; needs to turn things around.

14/1

7th

1

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Saint Palais

12st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Well handicapped on his old chase form but this is a belated return to fences and recent hurdling exploits leave him with much to prove.

25/1

Form: 417-P

Last run: 121 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won 2m4f maiden at Ffos Las (soft) in November 2023; suffered a heavy defeat here that December and pulled up on handicap hurdle debut (2m5f, heavy; tongue tied after wind op) last October on his only start since; very lightly raced but with big questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:44 Exeter

Itseemslikeit

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: David Pipe

Took his form to a new level after being switched to fences following wind surgery, winning his first two races (3m, heavy) before pulling up at Newbury two weeks ago after a bad mistake five out; out-and-out stayer who could resume progress with conditions ideal.

5/2

6

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Itseemslikeit

11st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

2-2 since sent chasing after a wind operation and he was well on top late on at Uttoxeter and Ffos Las (both 3m on heavy); 7lb higher than last time but firmly on the upgrade.

9/2

Form: 32P-68 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Player on hurdles form at this sort of trip on soft last season, albeit well beaten on sole start here; chasing this term has brought two heavy defeats but it's possible he can surge back to his best on return to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:48 Carlisle

Ramo

11st 10lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Hasn't won since Ludlow success in November 2023 (2m5f, good to soft); two fair runs over this sort of trip at Market Rasen and Ffos Las in February and could go well again.

6/1

2nd

3

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:52 Ffos Las

Ramo

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Best effort for two years when under 4l behind Gold In The Rivers at Market Rasen latest (2m7f, soft), passing stopping rivals having lost his pitch; 2lb swing with that rival and yard back among winners in the meantime.

7/2

3rd

4

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:20 Market Rasen

Ramo

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Well handicapped on old form but didn't fire during light campaign last season and was tailed off when reappearing in December; revival needed.

10/1

Form: 14/0-P D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
10yo who is 5-17 over hurdles but with his last win in February 2023; absent 637 days before pulled up over C&D (soft) three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

20th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 3

19:40 Huntingdon

Press Your Luck

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

A five-time winner over hurdles but he's been struggling to recapture that level of form since returning from a long absence; has come a long way down the weights but others make more immediate appeal.

16/1

4th

2

20th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 3

19:40 Huntingdon

Press Your Luck

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

A five-time winner over hurdles but he's been struggling to recapture that level of form since returning from a long absence; has come a long way down the weights but others make more immediate appeal.

16/1

5th

1

21st Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

14:00 Plumpton

Press Your Luck

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

in touch with leaders

50/1

Non-runners

Champagne Twist

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.10
Straight Forecast £17.87
Tricast £59.04
Trifecta £86.80

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Magical King

SPOTLIGHT:

Wonderful Eagle

RP RATINGS:

Gamesters Guy

Daily Mail:

Saint Palais

POSTDATA:

Magical King

The Guardian:

Magical King

Daily Mirror:

Magical King

The Sun:

Magical King

The Star:

Magical King

Daily Record:

Magical King

WEST COUNTRY:

Wonderful Eagle

The Times:

Wonderful Eagle

Telegraph:

Wonderful Eagle

D Express:

Wonderful Eagle