May 10 / 17.40 Warwick

17.40

Good

The Valley Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 3m 1f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 3 runners
RTV
View Course
The Valley Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 3 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75

Form: P5634-

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Ran well for a long way when fourth at Newton Abbot (3m2f, heavy) three weeks ago and ought to handle today's much faster ground fairly well but he's nothing like the force of old.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

26th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

19:39 Plumpton

Striking A Pose

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Recorded his sixth hurdle win when making all off a reduced mark at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in April, and his follow-up bid off this mark was respectable back there 20 days ago; capable off this mark but not without risk.

9/2

4th

1

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:20 Newton Abbot

Striking A Pose

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Recorded his sixth hurdle win when making all off a reduced mark over C&D (good; 4-1) three weeks ago; back up 4lb but remains well treated on old form and is versatile ground-wise; key player.

5/2

1st

2

14th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

16:17 Newton Abbot

Striking A Pose

11st 13lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Five-time hurdle winner who hasn't looked like adding to that on recent efforts, although latest was more encouraging over C&D; well treated on past form but needs to step up.

10/1

Form: 61231-

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Seemed to have a bit left in the tank when winning Bangor handicap (2m7f, good) last month and is now 2-5 over hurdles; won't mind if he has to make the running here and has very good chance to add to his tally.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Serious Chat

11st 1lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Regular winner, including of ten-runner C&D race (good) last month when he travelled up smoothly to lead two out before answering some serious questions; raised another 5lb but highly respected after that career best.

10/1

1st

5

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Serious Chat

10st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

The winner of three handicaps, at 2m7f, 2m6f and 2m3f; probably ran as well as he ever has when beaten half a length at Doncaster last time (3m, soft); thereabouts.

14/1

2nd

6

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Serious Chat

11st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Has won three (2m7f, 2m6f and 2m3f) of his seven handicaps, including here on penultimate start; he didn't fire in quite the same way at Musselburgh on latest and needs a career best.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 74276-

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Seemingly perked up by change of headgear when second at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) in February but ended last season with two lesser efforts, latterly when about 26l behind Serious Chat at Bangor (2m7f, good); needs to bounce back again and proved he's effective on good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

6th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:42 Fontwell

Royal Rhythm

11st 4lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Winless since 2023 and he's been off the track since pulled up in 3m handicap in November; on a useful mark if resurgent after a break.

11/1

5th

2

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:58 Worcester

Royal Rhythm

11st 11lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Lost out only by a nose to Orange Diamond over C&D (good) in August but was not quite in same form when fifth behind same rival here last month and has become far too inconsistent to rely upon.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.70
Straight Forecast £4.68
Trifecta £4.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Serious Chat

POSTDATA:

Striking A Pose

RP RATINGS:

Serious Chat

The Times:

Serious Chat

Daily Mail:

Serious Chat

D Express:

Serious Chat

Daily Mirror:

Serious Chat

The Sun:

Serious Chat

The Star:

Serious Chat

Daily Record:

Serious Chat

WEST COUNTRY:

Striking A Pose

Telegraph:

Striking A Pose

The Guardian:

Striking A Pose