March 28 / 16.55 Fontwell

16.55

Good

Smith And Western Hoedown Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 1f 162y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Smith And Western Hoedown Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

Form: 43-442

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
First start since wind surgery when good second of seven off this mark under Murray Dodd at Warwick (2m, good) 19 days ago, coming from the back and he might be able to build on that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

13th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 95y

Class 4

14:40 Fakenham

Ilitch

12st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Flopped badly when favourite at Warwick last month (bled from the nose) but was one of two to pull clear of the others when second at Doncaster (3m, soft) in January and will be suited by the forecast faster ground here; can feature if back on song.

11/2

8th

8

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Ilitch

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Eventually overhauled in a sustained duel with the winner at Doncaster (3m) most recently but ran well to sustain his solid record since handicapping; may do better still; possibilities back down in distance.

11/2

2nd

6

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

16:00 Doncaster

Ilitch

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Stuart Edmunds

Only 5lb higher than for his Fontwell win last March (2m1f, good) and has returned from a break with competitive runs over 2m4f; whether he'll stay this far remains to be seen but he should have more races in him.

8/1

Form: 341U14

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Came good over hurdles in 15-runner handicap at Taunton (2m3f) in November and readily doubled his tally in another big field at Wincanton (1m7f, again good to soft) on Boxing Day; good fourth of 16 at Taunton (2m3f) in January and has since left Tony Charlton; ridden by 7lb claimer on last three starts; more to give if the ground is okay.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Ugo Bingo

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has slipped to his last winning mark but he's proving difficult to win with and was well held at Wincanton in April last time; cheekpieces return and, while he copes with most ground, he's likely to be playing for minor honours at best.

13/2

7th

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

17:00 Wincanton

Ugo Bingo

11st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has slipped to a good mark but didn't really find any improvement (based on early-season form) for this new headgear combination when a wilting fourth here last month; needs to find extra.

4/1

4th

3

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

15:07 Wincanton

Ugo Bingo

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Needs to rebound quickly from heavy defeat here (2m5f, heavy) a fortnight ago but made the frame over C&D (good to soft/soft) on consecutive outings beforehand and has slipped to a good mark; player if back on song in first-time blinkers.

7/1

Form: -P68P6 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Three wins (from 24 starts) over hurdles, the latest at Worcester in May 2023 (2m4f, good); bits of 2024 form make appeal, given another career-low mark, but others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

20:30 Huntingdon

Sambezi

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Mrs L Pomfret

Fair hurdler in his prime; returned to form when dead-heating with good hunter chaser in two-runner point in March and backed up that performance with very respectable third in Garthorpe open (3m, good; tongue-tie/cheekpieces refitted) last month; one to consider.

14/1

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

18:10 Fontwell

Sambezi

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Dual course winner, including at this trip (good to soft), but without a win since May 2023; inconsistent this year, a respectable run over C&D (good) in March coming in between two lesser efforts, including when favourite last time; tends to go well here but probably not the percentage call.

6/1

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

18:10 Fontwell

Sambezi

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Dual course winner, including at this trip (good to soft), but without a win since May 2023; inconsistent this year, a respectable run over C&D (good) in March coming in between two lesser efforts, including when favourite last time; tends to go well here but probably not the percentage call.

6/1

Form: 24-773 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
1-11 over hurdles, the win delivered at this course last February on heavy going; just 1lb higher today and he took a step back in the right direction when third here (good to soft) on latest start, despite looking stretched by the extended 2m3f, so he needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Copper Cove

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Dominic Elsworth

Bumper/hurdle winner who goes well on slow ground; he returned to fences at Hereford two weeks ago and looked booked for second when falling late on; has a chance off 1lb lower.

11/4

2

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

Copper Cove

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Dominic Elsworth

Mud lover who suffered big defeats both starts over fences for Jonjo O'Neill; couldn't land a gamble on his fourth outing for this yard when second of eight over hurdles at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) last month; suitability for chasing and this trip unproven but weighted to be competitive.

3/1

Form: 515-68 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
French Flat winner who landed a 2m2f juvenile hurdle here on heavy ground last winter; went down by more than 40l in his two handicaps this season, however; wore cheekpieces and tongue-tie for the first time on latest start, while blinkers feature today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

28th Mar 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

16:55 Fontwell

Soigneux Bell

11st 9lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

French Flat winner who landed a 2m2f juvenile hurdle here on heavy ground last winter; went down by more than 40l in his two handicaps this season, however; wore cheekpieces and tongue-tie for the first time on latest start, while blinkers feature today.

14/1

8th

1

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

15:40 Fontwell

Soigneux Bell

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

prominent

13/2

6th

5

13th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

13:20 Sandown

Soigneux Bell

11st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

French Flat winner who showed mixed form during last season's juvenile hurdle campaign, and makes his handicap debut after an absence; however, he did manage a win at Fontwell (2m1f, heavy) in December 2023 and he's one to watch in the betting (one of three for the yard).

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 163

Last run: 33 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won a Roscommon maiden hurdle (extended 1m7f, good) on rules debut last June; soundly beaten on both British starts, admittedly at 66-1 over C&D on latest start, so that form may not look too bad, but markedly better is needed on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

Lord Maher

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Karen Jewell

Not beaten far at Market Rasen in July (first-time visor) and he was keeping on in second when brought down at the last here (2m2f, good to soft) in October; heavy defeat when last seen in December but it's still fairly early days and he's not dismissed on this return.

20/1

4

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 165y

Class 5

14:45 Fontwell

Lord Maher

10st 10lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Karen Jewell

0-4 over fences but posted a couple of respectable efforts in new visor this summer (2m1f/2m) and ran considerably better than eventual 31l defeat suggests at Stratford (2m3f, good) this month; drops back in trip here; place claims.

6/1

Form: P-246P

Last run: 120 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Close up in a 2m2f Stratford novice (good) last June but on the slide since and he pulled up in a 2m3f handicap in November when last seen; given wind surgery soon afterwards and not entirely dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:20 Worcester

Call To Duty

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

0-8 over hurdles now but looked suited by the step up in trip when running big race in C&D handicap (good) in May and ought to make his presence felt again in this maiden.

100/30

7

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:57 Worcester

Call To Duty

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Close up in a 2m2f Stratford novice (good) last June but on the slide since and he's been pulled up in the last two of his three handicaps; still lightly raced in this sphere but he's untried beyond 2m4f and has plenty to prove at this new trip.

10/1

7

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:57 Worcester

Call To Duty

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Close up in a 2m2f Stratford novice (good) last June but on the slide since and he's been pulled up in the last two of his three handicaps; still lightly raced in this sphere but he's untried beyond 2m4f and has plenty to prove at this new trip.

10/1

Form: 421538 CD

Last run: 103 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Won by a neck off 1lb lower over C&D (good to soft) last September, hot on the heels of a 2m1f Flat win on good; well held in fifth when he blundered two out at Windsor in December and he's not been seen since, but one to consider if okay for fitness.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:50 Fontwell

Calshot Spit

12st 0lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Sheena West

Acts on fast and heavy ground; dual course winner, more recently when clinging on by a short head in December (2m2f, heavy ground); back on the same mark today but he's struggled in his last two runs and needs to get back on track.

12/1

Form: 3236

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
In the frame in four of 11 Flat runs in France; switched to hurdles by new connections and came second or third in three small fields, but he needs to bounce back from a heavy defeat when tongue tied for handicap hurdle debut (2m, heavy; 12-1) in February.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(5)

24th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

17:00 Brighton

Roi De Baviere

10st 8lb

J: Miss Remie Morgan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Ex-French; placed three times over hurdles late last year, but poor in three more starts over hurdles and two on the AW since then; now 0-19 under rules and has plenty to prove.

10/1

8th

3

(6)

19th May 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Roi De Baviere

9st 8lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

In the frame at 1m2f-1m4f in France last year; initially ran quite promisingly over hurdles in Britain but he's gone walkabout this year, including on AW in April; has it to prove at present.

33/1

8th

3

(6)

19th May 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Roi De Baviere

9st 8lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

In the frame at 1m2f-1m4f in France last year; initially ran quite promisingly over hurdles in Britain but he's gone walkabout this year, including on AW in April; has it to prove at present.

33/1

Form: 4P55PP

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Yet to add to his France chasing win of 2022; mostly disappointing this term and switches to hurdles for first time since November 2023; today's visor is a new form of headgear; 6lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

14th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

16:17 Newton Abbot

I Love You Sivola

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Helen Nelmes

Has had just the one win, gained in a French chase back in 2022, and there's little in recent hurdle form to suggest he's about to add to that; 6lb out of the handicap.

20/1

9th

17

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

I Love You Sivola

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Helen Nelmes

Gained only win (from 43 starts) in a French chase in 2022 and recent hurdling form does not suggest he's poised to add to his tally.

50/1

5th

11

24th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

20:27 Newton Abbot

I Love You Sivola

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Helen Nelmes

Ended a run of non-completions when finishing fifth of seven over C&D last time (Presenting Yeats behind); although that was an improved effort, it did appear to stretch his stamina; much more required again from out of the weights.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £11.70
Tricast £69.55

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Copper Cove

POSTDATA:

Ilitch

SPOTLIGHT:

Ugo Bingo

The Star:

Call To Duty

RP RATINGS:

Sambezi

Telegraph:

Ugo Bingo

Daily Mirror:

Ilitch

The Sun:

Ilitch

Daily Record:

Ilitch

WEST COUNTRY:

Copper Cove

The Times:

Copper Cove

The Guardian:

Copper Cove

Daily Mail:

Copper Cove

D Express:

Copper Cove