September 27 / 18.15 Market Rasen

18.15

Good

Hard Graft Pale Ale Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3696.7
  • 2m 2f 140y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Hard Graft Pale Ale Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: F7-145 D

Last run: 76 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
3-12 over hurdles, the latest win gained in small field at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) in May; only 2lb higher here but this summer's hurdle/Flat form was below-par.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:12 Worcester

Ikigai Star

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Won off 10lb higher at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) last May but he's been disappointing since and was beaten 10l back on the Flat (1m6f) two weeks ago; has lots to prove and this is his first run beyond 2m5f.

6/1

5th

4

(2)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Nottingham

Ikigai Star

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Charlie Longsdon

Regressed over hurdles since well held in two Flat starts last August; ran poorly in one previous try in a visor (usually wears cheekpieces), so positives are thin on the ground.

16/1

Form: 272-3

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
No match for comfortable winner when third of five in Bangor novice (2m3f, good; first-time tongue-tie) three weeks ago but has now made the frame on both hurdling starts, and should have improvement to come in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

15:32 Bangor-on-Dee

Start Again

11st 2lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Exeter maiden hurdle winner in October; pulled up on his chase debut at Uttoxeter three weeks ago; best watched.

12/1

8

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:50 Uttoxeter

Start Again

11st 3lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Got off the mark over hurdles in a maiden at Exeter (2m2f, good to firm) in October and ran well when third at Ascot the following month; steps up in trip on his chasing debut and should run well.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: -45866 CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Unable to land a telling blow from off the pace when sixth over C&D six weeks ago but is now 2lb lower than when winning a division of this race on good ground a year ago; must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

13:50 Market Rasen

Bannister

12st 0lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

Without a win since September 2024 and needs to be at full strength to win this back from a break.

8/1

Form: 64-147

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Scored at Huntingdon (2m, good) for Chris Gordon in May but left that stable after a disappointing run in June and was last of seven for new stable at Hexham (2m, good) last month; arrives here with a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

Little Soiree

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Olly Williams

Huntingdon mares' handicap winner (2m, good) on penultimate start for Chris Gordon just over a year ago, but basically regressive since; 3lb out of the weights this time and not hard to pass over.

100/1

6th

7

28th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

19:00 Market Rasen

Little Soiree

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Olly Williams

Now 20lb lower than when winning over 2m for Chris Gordon just over a year ago but has badly lost her way; huge leap of faith is required to support her.

33/1

13

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:45 Uttoxeter

Little Soiree

10st 9lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Olly Williams

Sole success came at Huntingdon (2m, good) last May when trained by Chris Gordon; hasn't shown anywhere near the same form since.

50/1

Form: 53-PP6

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in two chases this season, after a layoff, and soundly beaten when back over hurdles in first-time cheekpieces three weeks ago; very well handicapped on old form but current ability is hard to gauge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

18:15 Market Rasen

Soldat Forte

11st 11lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Charlie Longsdon

Pulled up in two chases this season, after a layoff, and soundly beaten when back over hurdles in first-time cheekpieces three weeks ago; very well handicapped on old form but current ability is hard to gauge.

12/1

6th

4

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Worcester

Soldat Forte

11st 4lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Lightly raced since maiden hurdle win in early 2023 and his pulled-up runs this year, when back from another lengthy layoff, don't recommend for this; cheekpieces added; major turnaround a must.

16/1

2

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

16:23 Stratford

Soldat Forte

11st 12lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Charlie Longsdon

Southwell winner over hurdles in 2023 (2m, good to soft); best of his three chase runs was when third over C&D in July 2024 (good to firm); hung left and was pulled up on return from a 325-day break at Worcester in May; bit to prove now.

16/1

Form: 37-336 BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage mare who kept on for respectable third on stable debut at Stratford (2m, good) in June; didn't get home after racing too freely over 2m4f Uttoxeter this month but has possibilities if she settles better here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Queens Wish

11st 3lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Point/hurdle/chase winner; has her off days but ran pretty well last time at Uttoxeter (3m, good) behind Regal Renaissance who runs in the previous race; respected.

5/1

2nd

4

4th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

15:30 Uttoxeter

Queens Wish

10st 6lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

1-10 for current stable over the last year, the win gained off today's mark at Southwell (3m, good to soft) in November; needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort over that C&D last month but ran quite well in a valuable series final two starts ago and is of interest here.

100/30

4th

1

11th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:42 Southwell

Queens Wish

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Ex-Skelton mare who is 1-9 for current yard; not disgraced in a better race at Warwick (3m1f, good) last time and could have a part to play.

7/1

Form: P-8PUF

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles for Gordon Elliott in Ireland last summer but in poor form over hurdles and on the Flat for Tracy Leeson this year; makes debut for latest new stable with huge amount to prove; blinkers removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:05 Stratford

Leading Lion

10st 13lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Max Comley

Won over hurdles for Gordon Elliott; lost his way for his next yard and struggles continued on debut for this one.

50/1

7

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

18:15 Market Rasen

Leading Lion

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Max Comley

Won over hurdles for Gordon Elliott in Ireland last summer but in poor form over hurdles and on the Flat for Tracy Leeson this year; makes debut for latest new stable with huge amount to prove; blinkers removed.

33/1

8

(10)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 190y

Class 6

17:33 Ripon

Leading Lion

10st 8lb

J: Mr Joseph Stevenson

T: Tracey Leeson

Has been poor under both codes since his sole success over hurdles in Ireland a year ago; blinkers will need to have a dramatic effect.

66/1

Form: /252P-

Last run: 303 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
0-6 over hurdles; came second in Huntingdon handicap (2m3f, good) last October and has claims here if judged on that performance but we haven't seen her since a poor run the following month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

17:15 Market Rasen

Vivid Pink

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Had a lengthy break after her breakthrough win but better than ever a month ago when breezing home off 9lb lower over C&D; something seems to have clicked.

100/30

1st

2

19th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

16:30 Market Rasen

Vivid Pink

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

No match for Gms Prince here in September, but Huntingdon victory on sole start after (also 2m3f, good; placed horses both won next time) rates a major personal best; respected.

9/1

1st

6

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

15:30 Huntingdon

Vivid Pink

11st 5lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

0-10 under rules, but has finished runner-up in both starts over hurdles here (2m/2m4f) and was returning from ten months off when fourth of ten at Market Rasen (2m3f, good) in September, finishing around 2l behind Queens Wish; one for the shortlist.

13/2

Form: 5-373P

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Ran well when third (albeit well held in the end) at Stratford (2m2f, good) in July and had excuse for subsequent poor performance (irregular heartbeat) but he's 0-20 over hurdles now; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

16:30 Market Rasen

Gms Prince

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Sarah Hollinshead

Just 1-26 over hurdles, and consistency since last September's 2m3f success here (good) has kept him 7lb above that winning mark; vulnerable to improvers but stronger podium claims than most.

10/1

2nd

6

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

14:48 Market Rasen

Gms Prince

11st 5lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Sarah Hollinshead

11yo who belatedly opened his account here (2m2f, good) in September, his 21st start over hurdles, and has remained in good form since; probably won't be far away but younger rivals have more potential.

7/1

4th

4

15th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

15:32 Market Rasen

Gms Prince

11st 5lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Sarah Hollinshead

Course regular who is 1-27 under rules, though the win came over C&D (good) in September; still 8lb higher and more exposed than most, but should still run his race back from a short break.

4/1

Form: P0-330 CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Caused 33-1 surprise off today's mark in a division of this race a year ago (good ground) but generally very disappointing on the Flat/over hurdles since; headgear switched again today; too hard to predict.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

16

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Lord Warburton

10st 6lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Mike Sowersby

Rarely seen over hurdles away from Market Rasen, his last win coming there (2m3f, good) from well out of the handicap in September last year; unexposed over this far, but his form has an uneven look to it; others stronger; stable also runs Fox's Socks.

25/1

12th

16

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Lord Warburton

10st 6lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Mike Sowersby

Rarely seen over hurdles away from Market Rasen, his last win coming there (2m3f, good) from well out of the handicap in September last year; unexposed over this far, but his form has an uneven look to it; others stronger; stable also runs Fox's Socks.

25/1

12th

16

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Lord Warburton

10st 6lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Mike Sowersby

Rarely seen over hurdles away from Market Rasen, his last win coming there (2m3f, good) from well out of the handicap in September last year; unexposed over this far, but his form has an uneven look to it; others stronger; stable also runs Fox's Socks.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £53.50
Straight Forecast £46.17
Tricast £140.04
Trifecta £242.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bannister

WEST COUNTRY:

Start Again

The Times:

Queens Wish

The Sun:

Ikigai Star

D Express:

Vivid Pink

The Star:

Start Again

Daily Record:

Start Again

Telegraph:

Queens Wish

The Guardian:

Queens Wish

RP RATINGS:

Bannister

POSTDATA:

Bannister

Daily Mail:

Bannister

Daily Mirror:

Bannister