November 13 / 14.23 Market Rasen

14.23

Good To Soft

NFU Mutual Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 4f 139y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
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NFU Mutual Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 2123-4

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who displayed clear promise in first two hurdle runs, more recently when fourth on last month's seasonal debut at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft); ought to have improvement to come in handicaps; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:30 Southwell

Nazare

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Lost his way after winning twice over hurdles in November (2m4f, good to soft; once here) and was a disappointing favourite when well-held third of four on last month's chasing debut at Ludlow (3m, good); may yet turn things around but comes here with quite a bit to prove.

5/2

3rd

2

10th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:27 Ludlow

Nazare

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Bumper winner who completed a 2m4f double over hurdles in November for a good start to his handicap career; not in same form in two completed starts since; chance of revival largely hinges on the switch to fences.

7/2

6th

4

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Nazare

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: James Owen

Back-to-back wins at this sort of trip in November on good to soft; fell early when favourite next time and it was his first run on soft when tailed off at Huntingdon; on this ground and with cheekpieces added, he's one to consider.

7/1

Form: 77/42-

Last run: 377 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
1-8 over hurdles; absent since going close at Wetherby (2m5f, good) just over a year ago but should be okay on the slower ground here and has obvious claims if fully tuned up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Fakenham

Bitsnbuckles

12st 1lb

J: Tom Hutsby

T: Olly Murphy

Slightly disappointing when only fourth on his latest outing, but posted career-best form when winning readily by over 6l at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) two starts ago and has an obvious claims if back at that level.

9/2

4th

4

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 181y

Class 4

16:20 Doncaster

Bitsnbuckles

11st 6lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Won for the second time over hurdles at Southwell last month (2m4f, good to soft); has a 7lb higher mark; each-way contender.

7/2

1st

8

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:52 Southwell

Bitsnbuckles

10st 13lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

Only win in 11 starts over hurdles was a Huntingdon handicap in January 2024 (2m3f, good to soft); three fair efforts when returning from over a year off in the autumn; each-way chance.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: -34557

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish maiden who failed to build upon a satisfactory stable debut when well beaten in 2m Uttoxeter novice last month; ought to be suited by the step back up in trip on this handicap debut, though, and it won't be a surprise if he comes good for Fergal O'Brien soon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Warwick

Times A Wastin

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tony Carroll

This sort of trip looked worth another go when he kept on for fifth of 15 on stable debut at Hereford (2m, soft) in December; however, he was tailed off at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) recently on his sole start since.

14/1

Form: 586628 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Course regular who gave good account when second here (2m2f, good) in September; not quite in same form at Wetherby a fortnight ago, though, and this steadily regressive 8yo probably won't be favoured by the recent rain (particularly over this trip).
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: /P-747

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on hurdle debut in February and showed only minor promise in three 2m novice/maiden hurdles this autumn (good/good to soft) but is open to improvement on handicap debut if suited by the stiffer stamina test.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Heart Over Head

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won at Uttoxeter (2m6f, heavy) in December on second handicap start and followed up at Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft); tailed off at Ascot (2m7f, good to soft) since but made a bad early mistake; retains potential.

6/1

18th

6

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 123y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Heart Over Head

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Improving 7yo who bids for a hat-trick after emphatic wins at Uttoxeter (2m6f, heavy) and Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft); moves up in grade here but still needs to be taken very seriously.

9/2

1st

1

16th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

13:28 Market Rasen

Heart Over Head

12st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Well suited by combination of heavy ground and step up to 2m6f when comfortably beating three rivals at Uttoxeter last month, his sixth start over hurdles; could have more improvement to come but is 10lb higher here and may not be seen to quite the same effect on the forecast faster ground.

7/2

Form: /3412- CD

Last run: 453 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Scored over C&D (good) in June 2024 and ran well in defeat on chasing debut here (2m5f, good) a few weeks later but encounters slower ground and has fitness to prove on this first start for 453 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:12 Worcester

Warners Cross

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sophie Leech

Won at Market Rasen (2m4f, good) in June 2024 but he's not seen much action since and has struggled over hurdles and fences in last five runs; now 14lb lower than for his win but he needs a major revival back in this sphere.

11/2

5th

6

11th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:42 Southwell

Warners Cross

10st 11lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Clare Hobson

Has won over hurdles and finished second as a chaser; however, pretty poor in both disciplines since returning from a long absence.

40/1

5

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 5

15:10 Uttoxeter

Warners Cross

11st 3lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Clare Hobson

Runner-up on chase debut in summer 2024 but returned from long absence with two disappointing hurdle runs towards end of last year and was also well beaten when back over fences in March (2m5f; first run after wind op); upped to 3m for first time under rules; needs to prove his ability remains.

16/1

Form: P5398-

Last run: 273 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
0-6 over hurdles; not beaten far in three handicaps in January/February (1m7f-2m3f) and may still have some potential but this is his first run for nine months and others in the line-up have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

14:15 Newcastle

Walk In The Valley

11st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

midfield

20/1

Form: 313843 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Finished well to snatch third at Wetherby (2m5f, good) a fortnight ago and remains only 2lb higher than for clearcut C&D (good) win in June but is not one to rely upon heavily and has poor record on ground slower than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:25 Market Rasen

Matoury

10st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Both wins here, the latest 16 days ago when holding on grimly off a 6lb lower mark; can be inconsistent.

7/1

1st

8

19th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

14:05 Market Rasen

Matoury

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Occasionally inclined to put his head in the air, but recorded a 2m5f win here off 1lb lower this time a year ago (good) and last month's comeback third was among his better runs since; does stay this far.

10/1

Betting Forcast

2/1 Nazare, 9/2 Bitsnbuckles, 8/1 Times A Wastin, 8/1 Bannister, 11/2 Heart Over Head, 14/1 Warners Cross, 10/1 Walk In The Valley, 8/1 Matoury