March 01 / 16.31 Doncaster

16.31

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4330.42
  • 2m 0f 128y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

33/1 (Won)

  • Win: £42.00
  • Place: £8.80

Form: 1536 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Won hurdle debut at Hereford (2m, good) in October; unable to hold position on recent handicap debut at Huntingdon; similar outcome possible again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

21st Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

18:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Aotano

11st 1lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Tiny-margin victories last season at Hereford (for Stuart Crawford) and Doncaster, but step back up to Class 4 handicap company has appeared beyond him the last twice; seemingly stable second string on bookings.

12/1

9

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 103y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Aotano

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Low-mileage 4yo; caused 28-1 surprise at Doncaster (2m, good to soft; flights in home straight omitted) in March, his second hurdling success, but was well beaten last month and is not an easy one to predict.

16/1

9

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 103y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Aotano

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Low-mileage 4yo; caused 28-1 surprise at Doncaster (2m, good to soft; flights in home straight omitted) in March, his second hurdling success, but was well beaten last month and is not an easy one to predict.

16/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 943-4

Last run: 275 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Non-stayer upped to 2m3f on final start for Sir Mark Todd last May but previously a keeping-on third at Wincanton (1m7f, good) to a good subsequent winner; interesting switched to a handicap for in-form new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(6)

21st May 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

17:23 Southwell (AW)

St Just In Time

10st 13lb

J: Mr Lucas Murphy

T: Harry Derham

Off for more than a year since narrowly beaten over hurdles on his debut for his new jumps-oriented yard last March; that came after almost a year off, so he can go well fresh; market useful under a jockey who's ridden two winners over hurdles this year.

6/1

2nd

4

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

16:31 Doncaster

St Just In Time

11st 13lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Harry Derham

Non-stayer upped to 2m3f on final start for Sir Mark Todd last May but previously a keeping-on third at Wincanton (1m7f, good) to a good subsequent winner; interesting switched to a handicap for in-form new yard.

9/2

4th

13

30th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Warwick

St Just In Time

10st 13lb

J: James Davies

T: Sir Mark Todd

Best form over hurdles when third at Wincanton last time (1m7f, good); needs to improve on this first run at further than 2m.

14/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 563713 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; in good form with C&D win (good to soft) after Christmas and close up over 2m3f here since but after 12 hurdle runs the handicapper has had a much better look at him than others; may be vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 4

16:30 Market Rasen

Cuban Court

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

3-4 over fences, the last two wins gained by wide margins in small fields at Doncaster (2m3f, good/good to soft); shooting up the weights but evidently in very good nick.

2/1

1st

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 31y

Class 4

14:22 Doncaster

Cuban Court

11st 7lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Got right back on the up when making it 2-3 over fences in C&D handicap two weeks ago; hiked up 8lb but well on top at the finish there so he's a big player for stable well among the winners.

7/4

1st

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 4

14:20 Doncaster

Cuban Court

10st 9lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Disappointing at Taunton (2m, good to soft) last month but reportedly unsuited by that tight track; prior to that he won here (2m, good to soft) on his chase debut, and his last two hurdle wins came over 2m3f; has a strong record at this course and could play a leading role now back here.

3/1

Form: 47P-P2

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Two promising bumper runs; mixed over hurdles and was pulled up in her first two handicaps but she showed truer colours when persevering into a close second to an idling winner at Hereford (2m, good to soft) before Christmas; back up 6lb; likely good contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

14:48 Market Rasen

By The Grace

11st 11lb

J: Mr Daniel Williams

T: Nicky Henderson

Came good over hurdles at ninth attempt, keeping on well for Daniel Williams at Hereford (2m3f, good) last month; only 3lb higher here and further progress is possible; respected.

2/1

1st

2

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

15:25 Hereford

By The Grace

11st 8lb

J: Mr Daniel Williams

T: Nicky Henderson

Went close in a 2m course handicap (good to soft) off just 1lb lower last winter; weakened approaching the last as if probably just needing her first outing for 11 months when fourth over an extended 2m4f at Southwell 33 days ago; should be spot on now.

5/2

4th

1

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:17 Southwell

By The Grace

11st 12lb

J: Mr Daniel Williams

T: Nicky Henderson

0-7 over hurdles; returned to form with close/clear second at Hereford (2m, good to soft) in December 2024, after a break, but not quite at same level at Doncaster last March and absent for another 11 months since.

6/1

Form: 368

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Hooded all starts after bolting to post and withdrawn on intended debut but he found plenty when a close third at Thurles (2m, good) in November; less effective on good to soft since, including on recent British debut at Kempton, but this new level opens some doors.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:15 Newton Abbot

Busy Being Busy

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Made excellent progress towards end of last season, winning three consecutive 2m4f handicaps (good/good to soft); not seen to quite the same effect when reappearing over 2m last month but may kick on again now he's back up in trip and with that run behind him.

11/2

8th

6

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

17:45 Market Rasen

Busy Being Busy

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Made excellent progress towards end of last season, winning three consecutive 2m4f handicaps (good/good to soft); may still have significant further improvement to come but has fitness to prove after 160-day absence and is not sure to be suited by this drop back to 2m.

8/1

1st

7

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 3

17:15 Plumpton

Busy Being Busy

10st 7lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Stuart Edmunds

Lightly raced and fast-improving 5yo who comes here after two emphatic wins at Fakenham (both 2m4f, good to soft); contests a deeper race today but latest 4lb rise does not look excessive; must be considered.

3/1

Form: 4254

Last run: 64 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Bits of promise at 1m and 1m2f on the Flat in Ireland; in the frame in three of his four juvenile hurdles, shaping quite nicely at Newcastle in October, and he's not dismissed now trying this level for first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:50 Hexham

Fine Point

11st 11lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Built upon satisfactory stable debut and ran big race before weakening into third at Kelso (2m2f, good; first-time cheekpieces) last month; remains on a good mark and should cope with the forecast slower ground here; likely contender.

11/4

3rd

6

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:30 Kelso

Fine Point

11st 4lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Got off the mark over hurdles at Kempton last April off 2lb higher when trained by Nigel Hawke; ran as if he needed the run when fourth of six finishers at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) 19 days ago on his stable debut after eight months off; sports first-time cheekpieces and has to be of interest.

7/2

4th

6

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

14:40 Sedgefield

Fine Point

11st 2lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Gained a breakthrough victory at Kempton (2m) last April but he was largely below par after for Nigel Hawke, only tenth in 2m Uttoxeter handicap hurdle last July; returns after eight months off for a yard well among the winners, though, so no surprise to see him play a more prominent role.

12/1

Form: 5652 BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to high-class stayer Cloth Cap; steadily improving over hurdles and although no match for the winner at Southwell (2m, good to soft) last month he still looked green and it was another step forward; interesting claims on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

13:35 Newcastle

Unleash The Beast

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

0-6; well held in two handicaps and the writing was on the wall a long way out on his return at Chepstow; what could help is this longer trip with him a half-brother to smart staying chaser Cloth Cap.

3/1

7th

1

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

16:31 Doncaster

Unleash The Beast

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Half-brother to high-class stayer Cloth Cap; steadily improving over hurdles and although no match for the winner at Southwell (2m, good to soft) last month he still looked green and it was another step forward; interesting claims on handicap debut.

9/2

Form: 3-37

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Two Flat wins at 1m3f/1m6f in 2023; missed most of 2024 and has needed two recent runs; open to improvement in his second handicap with Brian Hughes replacing a 10lb claimer; cheekpieces added latest, now discarded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

16:31 Doncaster

Muzaffar

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Two Flat wins at 1m3f/1m6f in 2023; missed most of 2024 and has needed two recent runs; open to improvement in his second handicap with Brian Hughes replacing a 10lb claimer; cheekpieces added latest, now discarded.

9/1

7th

12

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Muzaffar

11st 7lb

J: James Robottom

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Two-time Flat winner who has been an encouraging third on his two hurdle starts a year apart, the latest at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) in December; open to improvement in this code and is in with a chance on handicap hurdle debut; cheekpieces return (no positive impact on the Flat).

7/1

7th

12

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Muzaffar

11st 7lb

J: James Robottom

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Two-time Flat winner who has been an encouraging third on his two hurdle starts a year apart, the latest at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) in December; open to improvement in this code and is in with a chance on handicap hurdle debut; cheekpieces return (no positive impact on the Flat).

7/1

Form: 7-7628

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Bumper and hurdle promise, doing best when runner-up at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in December, but he was beaten before the 2m4f trip became an issue in his first handicap, at Sandown (soft) in January; this trip and ground will suit better but he's not the only unexposed one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:49 Huntingdon

Seek Him There

11st 12lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

prominent, lost position 3 out, weakened 2 out, pulled up approaching last

5/1

3

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:49 Huntingdon

Seek Him There

11st 12lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

prominent

5/1

3rd

1

16th Mar 2025

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

15:22 Market Rasen

Seek Him There

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

raced in second, not fluent and lost position 6th, weakened after 3 out

3/1

Form: 663746

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Her Flat win came over 5f and her stamina has been sadly lacking in three handicap hurdles this winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Warwick

Granny B

10st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Michael Mullineaux

Flat winner but 0-17 over hurdles and her third two runs ago was remote; opposable.

33/1

8

8th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

14:45 Market Rasen

Granny B

10st 6lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Michael Mullineaux

0-16 over hurdles with limitations well exposed, but last month's 25l third at Hereford can be marked up as she'd tried to make all (not her usual run style) off the back of a 170-day absence; place claims.

12/1

3rd

9

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

14:45 Hereford

Granny B

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Michael Mullineaux

Yet to win in 15 starts over hurdles, having shown some promising placed efforts last summer before her form dipped in the autumn, and she was last seen finishing lame (well held) at Stratford in October; returns on a competitive mark, but with a bit to prove.

16/1

Form: 2257-8 D

Last run: 255 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Good-ground bumper winner for Nicky Henderson in 2022; should be well treated on the pick of his hurdle form but he hasn't done particularly well in three handicaps, including for new yard last June.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:45 Uttoxeter

Iolaos Du Mou

11st 10lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Got off the mark over hurdles at Warwick (2m, good) last May off 6lb lower; may need the run following 11 months off.

16/1

4th

1

9th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:45 Southwell

Iolaos Du Mou

12st 0lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Stella Barclay

Ex-Nicky Henderson; has rediscovered his form since the hood went on and fended off one having its first run for James Owen with the two clear at Warwick (2m, good); 6lb rise is fair.

15/8

Form: F668

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Minor promise in qualifying but found 2m4f beyond him on recent handicap debut at Musselburgh; early days and the return to 2m should suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

16:31 Doncaster

Good Company

10st 12lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Minor promise in qualifying but found 2m4f beyond him on recent handicap debut at Musselburgh; early days and the return to 2m should suit.

25/1

2

16th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

15:00 Musselburgh

Good Company

11st 12lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

He's not obviously well treated off his opening mark but there was a small hint of promise on his debut at Bangor (2m, good to soft) in November, when he was well beaten but keeping on when stumbling/falling two out, and the step up in trip could suit in his first handicap; watch the betting.

4/1

21

27th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:00 Wetherby

Good Company

11st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

OUR TIP

7/1

Form: 5-3833

Last run: 37 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Has shown promise in a bumper and over hurdles, finishing tired on heavy ground at Leicester two starts ago before lacking the pace to challenge at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) in January; likely to progress now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:46 Haydock

Walden

10st 11lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Won a good-ground maiden last April and two of his three handicaps this winter; latest was in 18-runner race at Ascot (2m7f, good to soft) seven weeks ago in which he travelled well and asserted on the run-in to score by just over 6l; 8lb higher today but more in the tank; major player.

6/1

1st

13

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 123y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Walden

11st 4lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Two hurdle wins last year, the latter from the front in Huntingdon handicap (2m4f, soft) in December; not in same form when well-held third off same mark at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) ten days later, though, and now 5lb higher; upped in trip again.

12/1

1st

8

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Walden

11st 6lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

travelled strongly, in touch with leaders

10/1

Form: 7-P606

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Four Flat wins at about 1m2f in Ireland; had hurdle form there but 2m4f stretched her on British debut; down in grade but against potential improvers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

20:42 Market Rasen

Red Trail

11st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Belied 80-1 odds when placed off today's mark in this race last year but was well beaten on next hurdling start and has been absent since some disappointing Flat runs in the autumn; too risky.

20/1

1

(14)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

17:05 Nottingham

Red Trail

9st 11lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Mike Sowersby

Four-time winner in Ireland (1m1f/1m2f) but the latest of those wins came over two years ago; didn't run badly at Beverley on her Flat debut for this yard but she was beaten a long way at Catterick three weeks ago; down in class but others look stronger.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £381.30
Straight Forecast £204.09
Tricast £728.70
Trifecta £2058.40

Selections

LAMBOURN:

By The Grace

RP RATINGS:

Cuban Court

The Times:

Muzaffar

POSTDATA:

Unleash The Beast

SPOTLIGHT:

St Just In Time

The Star:

Unleash The Beast

D Express:

St Just In Time

The Sun:

By The Grace

Daily Record:

By The Grace

Telegraph:

Cuban Court

Daily Mirror:

Cuban Court

The Guardian:

Muzaffar

Daily Mail:

Muzaffar