April 21 / 15.45 Plumpton

15.45

Good

Southern Cranes Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £23764.5
  • 2m 4f 114y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Southern Cranes Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.00
  • Place: £3.30

Form: 920575

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Has mostly struggled since winning twice last summer and yet remains 7lb higher than his last winning mark; the returning cheekpieces haven't done wonders for him in the past.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 3

16:28 Warwick

Mostly Sunny

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Consistent gelding who ran up to his best when third in a Class 2 handicap over this trip at Newton Abbot in August (2m5f); unlikely to be far away.

4/1

6

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 2

16:30 Newton Abbot

Mostly Sunny

10st 9lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Collected a good prize at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in April and has made the frame on all fourth subsequent appearances; can cope if the ground softens here and will probably be on the premises again.

8/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 6413P1 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
The only real blip in his career was when pulled up in the EBF Final at Sandown and that's always a tough race; redeemed himself when making light work of Authentic Legacy in a Fontwell novice (2m5f, good) and he's better off at the weights with that rival; there are others to worry about but he's respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:45 Newton Abbot

Elysian Knight

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

0-4 over fences this term but far from disgraced on a couple of starts and ran respectably when fourth back over hurdles at Plumpton (3m1f, good) last month; yet to win in handicap company but drops in class returned to fences and warrants respect.

7/2

4th

8

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

Elysian Knight

10st 12lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Record of 0-4 switched to fences this term, albeit far from disgraced on two occasions; 2-6 over hurdles and finished a creditable second at Plumpton (2m4f) last April in most recent attempt; each-way possibilities.

9/1

3rd

6

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Elysian Knight

11st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

Younger than most of these and posted a career best when second at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in February; stiffer task in C&D non-handicap next time; unexposed over this trip and beyond, and drying ground may suit (last win came on good); definitely of interest in first-time headgear.

3/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 5O21

Last run: 146 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Useful stayer on the Flat; odds-on winner of a Sedgefield novice hurdle (2m1f, good) but had no excuses when second here yesterday after enjoying an easy lead.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(2)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:10 Chester

Mr Escobar

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: W P Mullins

Beaten a nose here (2m, soft) in September 2024 off 1lb lower and gave further encouragement that year, but that promise has not been fulfilled and his jumps career (latest start two months ago) has gone badly the wrong way; first-time blinkers replace his usual hood.

11/1

13th

8

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 10y

15:30 Naas

Mr Escobar

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Useful 85-rated Flat stayer; odds-on winner of a Sedgefield novice hurdle (2m1f, good) last season; placed twice at Plumpton off 126 in final starts last season; reverts to hurdles now after two poor chasing starts this term

14/1

5

6th Aug 2025

Good

2m 3f 130y

18:07 Wexford

Mr Escobar

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Useful stayer on the Flat; odds-on winner of a Sedgefield novice hurdle (2m1f, good) last November; placed twice at Plumpton in the final weeks of last season; not as good as several of these over hurdles; makes chase debut with tongue-tie added to hood.

6/1

Form: 743122 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Twice runner-up in novices since winning a Fakenham maiden in January (2m4f, good); his latest conqueror is progressive but this mark still looks challenging.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

26th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

19:39 Plumpton

Escapologist

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nick Scholfield

Dual hurdle winner for James Owen, most recently at Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft) in March; backed that up with a solid effort next time but was beaten 22l when favourite back there 18 days ago, which leaves him with a bit to prove; makes stable debut with the booking of Sean Bowen catching the eye.

9/2

6th

7

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Escapologist

11st 9lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

C&D scorer in March (good to soft) on his first realistic staying assignment, and 3lb badly in when not quite up to defying a penalty next time; of renewed interest after a break, and a winner on good also.

6/1

4th

6

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:20 Wetherby

Escapologist

10st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Seems badly in under a penalty for recent 2m7f success at Market Rasen, with future mark 3lb lower; however, remains unexposed at this sort of distance and may show the progress that's needed to follow up.

11/4

Form: 123113 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
It could have been the soft ground but more than likely a raised handicap mark that contributed to his 16l third at Newbury last time (2m4f); likeably consistent but others may be better treated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:20 Stratford

Star Of Affinity

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Won three times over hurdles and got off the mark in this sphere in a match at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) four weeks ago; up 4lb and difficult to evaluate but on an upward curve and one to be interested in.

11/4

1st

1

9th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 166y

Class 4

13:45 Plumpton

Star Of Affinity

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Three-time hurdle winner (2m-2m5f; all on right-handed tracks); respectable efforts in both runs over fences, last time runner-up at Wincanton; won't mind returning to further or getting back on softer ground.

11/4

OUR TIP

Form: 1-3911

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on his handicap debut but that was a strong race at Newbury and he's since won novices at Bangor (2m, soft) and Exeter (2m2f, good to soft), both by narrow margins having made all; needs further progress to defy this high a mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 3

14:40 Exeter

Excelero

11st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Has a record of 1-1 at Exeter (hurdles win) but needs to rebound, having performed below market expectations in two starts since Warwick chase success, failing to back up that form.

7/2

4th

2

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:05 Warwick

Excelero

11st 8lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Three-time hurdle winner who built on encouraging seasonal/chase debut when readily winning three-runner C&D (soft) contest in November; raced too freely and was disappointing favourite at Ascot last month but remains one to be interested in.

11/4

2

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

12:55 Warwick

Excelero

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Three-time winner over hurdles from eight attempts; made his chasing debut in a warm affair at Worcester (2m4f, good; winner won a Listed race at Cheltenham on Friday) last month and shaped well in fourth, only giving best at the last; should benefit from that outing and this is easier.

11/4

Form: U1234 C

Last run: 92 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won a 2m maiden on good ground here last May and ran another good race to be fourth on handicap debut at Windsor three months ago (2m4f, soft); he doesn't look ahead of his mark but he's not had a lot of racing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 3

13:30 Fontwell

Illegal dAinay

10st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Won a maiden hurdle (2m, good) in May 2024 but was well held in a Plumpton handicap (2m4f) in his final run last season; still lightly raced but this looks a tough starting point over fences and he has stamina to prove at this new trip.

11/2

7th

8

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 2

15:45 Plumpton

Illegal dAinay

11st 4lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Won a 2m maiden on good ground here last May and ran another good race to be fourth on handicap debut at Windsor three months ago (2m4f, soft); he doesn't look ahead of his mark but he's not had a lot of racing.

33/1

7th

8

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 2

15:45 Plumpton

Illegal dAinay

11st 4lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Won a 2m maiden on good ground here last May and ran another good race to be fourth on handicap debut at Windsor three months ago (2m4f, soft); he doesn't look ahead of his mark but he's not had a lot of racing.

33/1

Form: 3-1F23 BF

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Exeter 2m2f maiden winner (good to soft) who has held his own under a penalty and wouldn't have been far away but for a bad late mistake back there last time; he does have a blunder in him but brings potential into handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 3

16:57 Wincanton

Ambion View

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Yet to make any significant progress since winning hurdle debut in autumn 2024 but still has fairly low mileage and gave good account when keeping-on third in first-time tongue-tie at Chepstow (2m7f, soft; first run after wind op) last month; should be okay over this shorter trip; each-way claims.

5/1

3rd

8

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Ambion View

10st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Runner-up at Newton Abbot (extended 2m6f) and Exeter (extended 2m2f) on his first two runs this term; weakened right out of it when upped in trip for King Of The Lake's C&D race at Christmas and had wind surgery soon afterwards; also now tongue tied first time and needs to resume progress.

10/1

2nd

5

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 3

14:53 Newton Abbot

Ambion View

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Exeter maiden winner (2m2f, good to soft) but he struggled on handicap debut at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in April; has good pedigree and is still unexposed in this sphere but he needs to resume his progress after a break.

16/1

Form: 2-2F21

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner; he wasn't progressing as hoped over hurdles but was very professional all round when making all in a four-runner maiden at Ascot (2m3f, good) three weeks ago; it's questionable what he achieved but hopefully onwards and upwards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Wicked Thoughts

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Evidently well suited by the new trip when scoring at Taunton (3m4f, good) last month, and is now 2-4 over fences; open to further improvement if not inconvenienced by this switch to a left-handed track; respected.

7/2

1st

2

9th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 85y

Class 4

16:15 Taunton

Wicked Thoughts

11st 13lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Made a winning chase debut at this track (2m7f, good to firm) in November off 1lb lower mark; put a poor run behind him when third of six back here (2m7f, good) last month and must come into consideration if he adapts to the step up in distance.

3/1

3rd

2

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:45 Taunton

Wicked Thoughts

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Point/hurdles scorer who jumped well when making a winning start in this sphere over C&D in November but he's been off since coming in a remote fourth of six in 3m Exeter handicap 74 days ago; possibly worth another chance after a break.

7/2

Form: 224 BF

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won in his third Irish point; a beaten favourite in all his qualifying races over hurdles (2m-2m5f), the latest when 14l behind Excelero at Exeter (2m2f, good to soft); it will be interesting to gauge the confidence behind him on handicap debut after wind surgery.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

As The Fella Says

10st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Nicky Henderson

Improved for going chasing this season, winning 3m Newbury handicap and better again when clear second at Uttoxeter over same trip, both on soft ground; potentially still well-handicapped and could go well if handling better ground.

7/1

2nd

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:35 Uttoxeter

As The Fella Says

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Broadly in good form since switched to chasing and comfortably justified favouritism at Newbury (2m7f, soft) most recently, opening his rules account; may build on that success and show further improvement.

11/4

1st

9

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

As The Fella Says

10st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

A little below his best when a 14l fourth at Windsor (2m6f, soft) but still ran fine and commands considerable respect on his previous runs, over 2m4f at Southwell (soft) and 3m1f at Cheltenham (good to soft); only a 7yo and still early days over fences.

15/2

Non-runners

Authentic Legacy, Confinentic

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £92.20
Straight Forecast £77.64
Tricast £367.57
Trifecta £487.00

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Excelero

RP RATINGS:

Confinentic

SPOTLIGHT:

As The Fella Says

The Star:

Escapologist

POSTDATA:

Elysian Knight

D Express:

Illegal d'Ainay

The Times:

Confinentic

Telegraph:

Confinentic

The Guardian:

Confinentic

LAMBOURN:

As The Fella Says

WEST COUNTRY:

Excelero

Daily Mail:

Excelero

Daily Mirror:

Excelero

The Sun:

Excelero

Daily Record:

Excelero