March 01 / 17.07 Doncaster

17.07

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £6337.2
  • 2m 0f 128y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 12427 D

Last run: 78 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Useful Flat form and he's 1-5 over hurdles; excellent second to the talented Wreckless Eric in a Cheltenham handicap in November (2m, good; fine on soft) and it was a deep handicap in which he struggled back there last time; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

17:45 Market Rasen

Cavern Club

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: James Owen

Posted career-best performance when leading close home in valuable Summer Hurdle over C&D (good) in July; 6lb higher today but confirmed his wellbeing with a good Flat run last month; probably won't be far away.

7/2

3rd

3

(6)

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

17:35 Chester

Cavern Club

10st 0lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: James Owen

Never better on Flat than when winning over C&D (soft) in June, coming from the rear with the first two finishing 6l clear; 4lb higher today but that was followed by a hurdling career best, when winning a good prize on good ground six weeks ago, so he's on a roll.

5/2

12/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 0-611P D BF

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
First defeat in the cheekpieces when running no race at Fakenham, but his previous comfortable Huntingdon win off 6lb lower needs respecting; beaten too far out last time to blame the 2m4f but dropping back in trip is probably a good move.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

15:50 Uttoxeter

Bluegrass

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

All five wins over hurdles have been at 2m; hasn't won since his return to action in October and ran poorly when eighth of nine finishers at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last month; handicapper is at last relenting but his best chance of success in the short-term may be back at 2m.

8/1

8th

1

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Bluegrass

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Record of 5-23 over hurdles and placed a few times as well; a bit up and down this season but ran respectably in the new blinkers at Fakenham last time and now regular cheekpieces return over a longer trip that may suit him better.

10/1

Form: 1583 D BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Last year was a good one on the Flat, winning four times at up to 1m5f; contested two Graded races after winning his juvenile hurdle and was all the rage for his handicap debut at Musselburgh (first run over 2m4f) only to finish a well-held third; drops back in trip here with cheekpieces added and needs a close look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

15th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

My Noble Lord

11st 5lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Back down in grade with blinkers tried he registered a second chase win when 6l to the good at Bangor (2m4f, good); 6lb rise has elevated him to a career-high mark but it was comfortable last time.

6/1

1st

3

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

My Noble Lord

11st 11lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in January when wearing first-time cheekpieces (retained) and subsequent defeats have come in better races than this; didn't run at all badly in the latest at Kelso (2m5f); back down in grade and with blinkers given a go, he's feared.

9/2

6th

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 2

14:40 Kelso

My Noble Lord

11st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in January when wearing first-time cheekpieces (retained) on his third chase start; disappointing since but this 5yo isn't written off today; won on good to soft ground on the Flat.

7/1

Form: 43/22 BF

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Twice runner-up since returning from a long absence and he went close at Newbury on his handicap debut behind one who has since followed up (by a long way); 7lb rise annoying but he has to be of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

15

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

17:25 Punchestown

Norn Iron

11st 1lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

British runner; hurdles winner is now rated 22lb higher over fences after back-to-back wins on soft ground over 2m4f at Sandown; decisive victor of five-runner contest in January and justified 4-6 odds last month when seeing off two rivals; this big field is new for him, but he's in fine form.

14/1

1st

2

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

16:45 Sandown

Norn Iron

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Things clicked when he went up in trip over C&D (soft) in January in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) on his third chase start, and he won in decisive fashion from one who scored next time; 8lb rise might not stop him.

11/10

1st

4

31st Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

13:25 Sandown

Norn Iron

11st 1lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Harry Derham

Has proved expensive to follow, aside from one win (over hurdles); however, campaigned mostly at 2m and may improve for this step back up in distance, combined with fitting of tongue-tie, in third chase attempt.

3/1

Form: 7-3425

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Seemed in good form over fences before the turn of the year and reportedly suffered an overreach on his return to hurdling at Musselburgh; on a competitive mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

15:00 Wincanton

Mr Mackay

11st 8lb

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Pretty consistent over fences and hurdles on good/good to soft ground this season and has slipped to a good mark; campaigned mainly at around 2m but has won over an extended 2m3f; probably won't be far away.

5/2

5th

8

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

17:07 Doncaster

Mr Mackay

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Seemed in good form over fences before the turn of the year and reportedly suffered an overreach on his return to hurdling at Musselburgh; on a competitive mark.

12/1

5th

2

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Mr Mackay

11st 13lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Fair efforts in the autumn across first three chase starts, finishing second last time (2m, good) despite not jumping well; on a handy mark on last season's best hurdle form; could be a contender now back in this sphere.

8/1

Form: 37-235 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Did well for his former yard when winning twice on the Flat and three hurdles; will need to run better than at Catterick last time to add another here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

13:43 Musselburgh

Saligo Bay

10st 7lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won three in a row (1m7f/2m, good-soft) prior to heavy defeat at Windsor a fortnight ago; however, the ground was soft, heavy in places last time which may have been too demanding, and he's not written off today.

16/1

11th

12

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Saligo Bay

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Sam England

Won on the Flat in September and also successful on four of his five hurdle starts since, including on soft ground and in good style at Haydock (1m7f, good to soft) last time; he's 7lb higher than last time and in a hotter race today, but he's clearly thriving and could go well once more.

11/1

10

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Wetherby

Saligo Bay

10st 6lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Beaten favourite when third to Max Of Stars over C&D 17 days ago but still ran creditably and that followed Flat and hurdles wins in September; tough, reliable and unlikely to be far away.

11/4

Form: 0-4921 D

Last run: 75 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Heads into handicaps on the back of a comfortable maiden win at Southwell (2m, good to soft) and he has the scope to keep progressing; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

5th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

14:40 Warwick

Land Of Moon

11st 5lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Delivered on earlier promise when comfortably making all in Southwell maiden hurdle (2m, good to soft) in December; both subsequent handicap hurdle runs were underwhelming but connections are evidently keen to switch him fences.

7/1

1st

3

5th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

14:40 Warwick

Land Of Moon

11st 5lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Delivered on earlier promise when comfortably making all in Southwell maiden hurdle (2m, good to soft) in December; both subsequent handicap hurdle runs were underwhelming but connections are evidently keen to switch him fences.

7/1

Form: -41542 D BF

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Hexham winner in October (2m, good); well held afterwards but settled better in the hood when a front-running second at Wetherby (good to soft; clear of the third); now into handicaps and open to further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Ayr

Kingston James

11st 8lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

disputed lead, led with one circuit to go, faced challenge after 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on but no extra towards finish

7/1

2nd

4

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Ayr

Kingston James

11st 8lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

disputed lead, led with one circuit to go, faced challenge after 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on but no extra towards finish

7/1

1st

2

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 2

17:00 Musselburgh

Kingston James

11st 12lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

Point/bumper winner who landed a Hexham novice (2m, good) in October but has a mixed record since and was only eighth of ten on handicap debut at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago; edging down the weights and is still unexposed in this sphere but others are more convincing.

15/2

Form: 35-P16 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Beat a well-backed Skelton handicap debutant with a subsequent winner in third when off the mark in a Uttoxeter maiden (2m, soft) but he finished a weary last at Sandown in a handicap for military amateur riders; perhaps best to turn a blind eye to that and he can be given another chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

21st Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:15 Ffos Las

Give Me A Boom

12st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

took keen hold, prominent, pressed leader 3 out

11/1

9th

3

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

17:07 Doncaster

Give Me A Boom

11st 9lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Beat a well-backed Skelton handicap debutant with a subsequent winner in third when off the mark in a Uttoxeter maiden (2m, soft) but he finished a weary last at Sandown in a handicap for military amateur riders; perhaps best to turn a blind eye to that and he can be given another chance.

12/1

6th

1

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

13:50 Sandown

Give Me A Boom

12st 0lb

J: Maj Will Kellard

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

in touch with leaders, headway and disputed lead before 3rd, not fluent 3rd, soon pressed leader, hit 4th

3/1

12/1

Form: 1622 D BF

Last run: 79 days

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Beat just two rivals on Stratford debut; better form in defeat the last twice behind the same unexposed horse of Emma Lavelle's; can race keenly but he's an interesting handicap debutant with his age allowance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 1f 164y

Class 4

14:55 Plumpton

Denzil

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened approaching last

12/1

8th

7

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 1f 164y

Class 4

14:55 Plumpton

Denzil

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened approaching last

12/1

2nd

4

2nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

14:25 Exeter

Denzil

10st 12lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, lost ground after 3rd, headway before 4 out, went second 3 out, carried right run-in, kept on

15/8

Non-runners

All In You

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £64.10
Straight Forecast £67.95
Tricast £415.73
Trifecta £470.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Norn Iron

Daily Mail:

Denzil

SPOTLIGHT:

My Noble Lord

TOPSPEED:

Saligo Bay

Daily Record:

Denzil

The Times:

My Noble Lord

POSTDATA:

Norn Iron

LAMBOURN:

Norn Iron

Telegraph:

Norn Iron

The Guardian:

Norn Iron

D Express:

Norn Iron

Daily Mirror:

Norn Iron

The Sun:

Norn Iron

The Star:

Norn Iron