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

6th

2

23rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

20:20 Newton Abbot

Striking A Pose

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Made all to exploit much-reduced mark over C&D in April and is only 3lb higher today but he's unreliable nowadays and was last of five at Plumpton (3m1f, good) on latest outing four weeks ago.

8/1

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

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

3rd

1

25th Sep 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Worcester

Serious Chat

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

5-13 over hurdles, the latest win gained in Class 2 handicap at Haydock (3m, good) in April; not seen since a lesser effort over that C&D in May but still an interesting recruit to chasing.

5/1

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

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

4th

12

15th Sep 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:30 Uttoxeter

Royal Rhythm

11st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

2.75l third to Phantom Gold (who is now 4lb better off) three runs back before good-ground wins at Worcester (2m4f) and Fontwell (2m5f); should go well again.

6/1

1st

1

6th Sep 2026

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:20 Fontwell

Royal Rhythm

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Emerged from slump in form on last couple of outings, most recently when winning comfortably by over 9l at Worcester (2m4f, good) last month; it's hard to predict whether he'll be in the right mood again here but a 9lb rise ought to be manageable if he is.

4/6

1st

4

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:38 Worcester

Royal Rhythm

11st 7lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Arrested decline when third over C&D (good) on last month's hurdle return and has possibilities if in the right mood again but has become far too inconsistent to rely upon.

7/1

+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