March 01 / 16.15 Newbury

16.15

Heavy

Football Betbuilder Boosts At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £16371.1
  • 2m 4f 118y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Football Betbuilder Boosts At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

15/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 413U21 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Steadily progressive and gained a second win over hurdles at Windsor (2m4f, soft) six weeks ago, coming from last to first; up 6lb but going the right way and should be in the thick of things again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

12

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Guard Duty

11st 1lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Not the greatest jumper and he comes from the back, which risks trouble in running, but competitive in all six of his completed handicaps over this sort of trip; won three of them, in just a four-runner race at Doncaster on latest start, though, and further improvement is needed.

16/1

1st

2

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 2

14:15 Doncaster

Guard Duty

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Progressive last season and has continued the good work this term, finishing second of 15 at Newbury (2m4f, soft) then third of 12 at Windsor (2m4f, good); trainer won this last year and he's a major player.

6/4

9th

5

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Guard Duty

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Emma Lavelle

didn't always jump with fluency, held up in rear

15/2

7/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1-1211 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Major progress since sent handicapping in cheekpieces, posting figures of 11211; again very strong at the finish when scoring by 10l at Sandown (2m4f, soft) five weeks ago; raised another 7lb but it's unlikely he's reached his ceiling just yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:02 Wincanton

Loverdose

11st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Disappointed at Newbury in late November but that was his first blip in handicaps, having previously posted form figures of 1121122 (from 2m to 2m4f; unraced over further); has got himself high in the weights but if back on song he'd have each-way claims if staying the trip.

14/1

2nd

12

1st Mar 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

16:15 Newbury

Loverdose

11st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

prominent

7/2

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 311-28 BF

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Trained last season by Fergal O'Brien, winning two novice hurdles at Ludlow; good second at Huntingdon (2m, soft) on stable debut in December but proved disappointing over this C&D (favourite) last time; sustained an injury that day and could bounce back; bred to be suited by this sort of trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

14:40 Perth

Go To War

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

After a brief stint over fences he got back on track in beating 14 rivals over 3m at Windsor (soft) under a positive ride; however, there was a further reminder of his inconsistency when he dropped away tamely at Haydock in February; what does heighten interest is a pretty good record when fresh.

8/1

7th

9

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:50 Haydock

Go To War

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Nicky Henderson

Back to form with a bang returned to hurdles when fending off Doughmore Bay in a valuable 3m handicap at Windsor (soft) 27 days ago; allowed to bowl along at the head of affairs in that contest and there's possible competition for the lead from the likes of Red Dirt Road, Stone's Throw and Stay Away Fay here; still no surprise were he to progress again, though.

9/1

1st

14

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Go To War

10st 4lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Two chase efforts this season leave a doubt over his current form; disappointing in last hurdles attempt so there are enough reasons to oppose him in this competitive race.

20/1

Form: 2-6027 C

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Went close at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) in December but disappointed at Wincanton the following month and his losing run now stretches back to 2022; the veteran in this field and probably vulnerable to younger legs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:32 Worcester

Fine Casting

12st 1lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Below par when returning to hurdling at Southwell (2m4f, good) in March; has dropped 2lb since finishing fourth at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) on his most recent chase start and has claims if able to reproduce the form of that or his Bangor success (2m4f, soft) last November; acts on a sound surface.

10/1

3rd

1

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Fine Casting

12st 0lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Good and bad since returned to fences (1P4); runs off a lower hurdles mark but he is a 10yo and without a win in this discipline since 2022.

6/1

Form: 531211 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Genuine type who has found plenty under pressure to win three of his last four races; just prevailed at Haydock (2m5f, soft) six weeks ago, and although he'll need another career best to follow up off 6lb higher, he's impossible to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

Solar System

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Four wins (2m1f-2m5f) over hurdles; made an encouraging start over fences when 3l third of six at Southwell (3m, soft) last month; solid claims if building on that run with cheekpieces now fitted.

8/1

3rd

1

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:45 Southwell

Solar System

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Record of 51211 in Class 4 handicap hurdles; has failed to fire in a couple of Class 3 events this term but looks interesting back down in grade on chase debut.

7/2

15th

11

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 123y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Solar System

11st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Three wins from off the pace last season (2m3f-2m5f, good to soft/soft); managed only fifth on last month's return at Haydock (3m, good to soft) but was quite badly hampered by a mid-race faller and made good headway from the rear on the final circuit; might come on for the run; interesting.

8/1

Form: 165 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Point runner-up who won on hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m4f, soft) in November; hasn't built on that, although he wasn't disgraced when fifth of 12 at Newcastle in January and he could take his form to a new level now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

15th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:55 Aintree

Aboutdamntime

11st 5lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Record of 2-6 over fences and when beaten at Kelso last time that was at the hands of an improver (3m2f, good to soft); gets in off the same mark here and could be a factor

15/2

2nd

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:13 Kelso

Aboutdamntime

10st 12lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Has won two of his five chases and reportedly appreciated the drier surface (good to soft) when prevailing narrowly over 3m at Ludlow last time; off only 3lb higher and open to further progress, he's seriously considered.

3/1

1st

6

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Aboutdamntime

11st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won three-runner contest at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November and probably bettered that form when close third at Wetherby (3m, soft; cheekpieces refitted) the following month; needs to rebound from last month's duff effort but remains lightly raced and enters calculations.

7/1

11/2

Form: 322411

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Getting better with virtually every run; came from the clouds to win at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve and followed up far more decisively at Lingfield (2m3f, heavy) four weeks ago; he's up 11lb in the weights here, but such is his rate of progress that he's high on the list again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:30 Hexham

Eaton Anne

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Yet to win over fences, but creditable second at Wetherby in March (3m, good to soft; cheekpieces tried); has had wind surgery since fair fourth at Carlisle last month (3m, good; blinkers on); tongue-tie plus cheekpieces this time; chance.

5/2

4th

4

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

13:13 Carlisle

Eaton Anne

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Improved on first chase run when second of four at Wetherby last time (3m, good to soft; cheekpieces first time, wasn't fluent); blinkers now tried; quite interesting.

9/2

2nd

2

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

15:47 Wetherby

Eaton Anne

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Beaten 13l when fifth of 11 on last month's chase debut at Chepstow (2m7f, soft); however, that performance gives this two-time hurdle winner something to build on and perhaps the first-time cheekpieces will help.

7/2

Form: P47143

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Gained his French hurdles wins at 2m2f on testing ground; has shaped nicely in two British runs at around 2m, hindered by a bad mistake three out when third at Taunton on latest; runs as if this step up in distance will suit and he may well be unexposed; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:15 Wetherby

Ninth Loch

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won over hurdles at Chepstow (2m, good) in April and runner-up at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) 11 days later on final run for Harry Derham; takes on proven chasers on first outing over fences but he's only six and it will be interesting to see how he goes in the market on stable debut; tongue-tie goes on.

10/1

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:15 Wetherby

Ninth Loch

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won over hurdles at Chepstow (2m, good) in April and runner-up at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) 11 days later on final run for Harry Derham; takes on proven chasers on first outing over fences but he's only six and it will be interesting to see how he goes in the market on stable debut; tongue-tie goes on.

10/1

2nd

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:45 Ffos Las

Ninth Loch

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

led, 3 lengths ahead last, kept on but headed towards finish

7/1

Form: 4/6231 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo who improved markedly when scoring on handicap debut at Sandown (2m4f, soft) 16 days ago, strong at the finish; may still be unexposed and a 4lb rise does not look insurmountable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

15:45 Uttoxeter

Taita Hills

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Point and hurdle winner who has shown promise at different trips (2m-2m7f) in his three chase runs since December; finished last of three at Leicester last time but he wasn't beaten far and he should have more to offer in this sphere; not ruled out with cheekpieces added.

9/1

3rd

3

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

14:30 Leicester

Taita Hills

10st 12lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

2m4f handicap hurdle (soft) winner who shaped encouragingly on chase debut at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) in December when set a stiff task at the weights, and would have been placed returned to a more suitable trip at Newbury (2m7f) latest but for falling late; on a fair mark and remains open to progress in this sphere, so worth considering.

4/1

Form: 1-P425

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
French hurdle/chase winner; 0-4 in Britain, running creditably when second to Nemean Lion at Hereford in December but poorly (pulled hard) over the same C&D six weeks ago; needs to settle better for the fitting of a hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

1st Mar 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

16:15 Newbury

Lemoncello

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

led

9/1

Form: P-7025

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
French hurdle winner (2m1f, soft) who was well held in fifth (of six finishers) at Sandown on his debut for Nicky Henderson; the tongue-strap he usually wore in France returns but Nico de Boinville prefers Go To War.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

15:10 Huntingdon

Raffles Nobu

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Nick Scholfield

Only win in 19 came in 2023 when based in France; had plenty of chances since and he went out like a light at Uttoxeter three weeks ago.

8/1

9

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:45 Uttoxeter

Raffles Nobu

11st 6lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Nick Scholfield

Sole success came when trained in France in 2023; has had plenty of chances since and his mark continues to drop; blinkers replace cheekpieces and not one to have faith in.

16/1

4th

3

15th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

17:17 Market Rasen

Raffles Nobu

11st 8lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Nick Scholfield

Only win was in a juvenile event in France in 2023; some fair form in UK, first for Nicky Henderson and then for present yard, with this combination of headgear on for last three starts; on a career-low mark.

11/2

Non-runners

Balboa

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.50
Straight Forecast £16.98
Tricast £67.68
Trifecta £136.60

Selections

POSTDATA:

Loverdose

SPOTLIGHT:

Ninth Loch

RP RATINGS:

Eaton Anne

TOPSPEED:

Fine Casting

WEST COUNTRY:

Solar System

D Express:

Loverdose

The Star:

Loverdose

Daily Record:

Loverdose

Telegraph:

Eaton Anne

Daily Mirror:

Eaton Anne

The Times:

Ninth Loch

The Guardian:

Ninth Loch

The Sun:

Ninth Loch

Daily Mail:

Fine Casting