February 28 / 14.15 Kelso

14.15

Good To Soft

bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £45560
  • 2m 2f 25y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
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bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

10/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 31-121

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner who made it 2-3 over hurdles with win at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft); others have achieved more but sole defeat in this sphere came behind a classy type; could have more left in the tank.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Kosac DOudairies

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Point, bumper and dual novice hurdle winner who was second in a Grade 2 at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) in February; however, he was just over 6l behind Montemares at Kelso, so has work to do today.

40/1

2nd

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 1

14:15 Kelso

Kosac DOudairies

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Point/bumper winner who made it 2-3 over hurdles with win at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft); others have achieved more but sole defeat in this sphere came behind a classy type; could have more left in the tank.

10/1

1st

1

21st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

13:17 Catterick

Kosac DOudairies

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

3m point and heavy-ground bumper winner who scored on hurdle debut at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) in November; another good run when second of three at Haydock (1m7f, good to soft), when no match for subsequent Grade 1 runner-up; the step up in trip could be a good move; leading claims.

5/4

50/1

  • Place: £4.60

Form: 8-5332

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Placed in maiden hurdles on last three starts (2m-2m5f, soft), most recently runner-up at Doncaster; however, looks up against it today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 2

16:15 Ayr

West Hill Verde

11st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Seamus Mullins

0-8 but placed in three maiden hurdles in a row (2m-2m5f, soft) prior to 12l third Grade 2 novice at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) in February when 33-1; receives weight from his main rivals and is firmly in the picture.

11/2

3rd

10

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 1

14:15 Kelso

West Hill Verde

11st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Seamus Mullins

Placed in maiden hurdles on last three starts (2m-2m5f, soft), most recently runner-up at Doncaster; however, looks up against it today.

50/1

Form: 24

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Ex-Ballydoyle 4yo who built on his hurdle debut second at Exeter (2m, heavy) in December when 4l fourth in Grade 2 Triumph Trial at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft) last month; shaped last time as though he could benefit from today's extra yardage and he's a possible player in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 140y

18:00 Punchestown

Lord Byron

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

British raider; 4yo is 0-5 over hurdles but far from disgraced the last twice when a 3.5l fifth of 20 in the Triumph at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft) and a 6.5l fourth of 12 in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree; gets weight all round and rated 141, so definite place chance on the figures.

14/1

4th

13

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Lord Byron

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Kept on well for 80-1 fifth in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft) and this step up in trip could prompt further improvement; however, two starts ago this 4yo was soundly beaten by Montemares and Kosac d'Oudairies at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) and he needs to back up his latest promise.

20/1

5th

7

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Lord Byron

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Faye Bramley

Ran twice on Flat for Aidan O'Brien; three hurdle races this winter, a never-dangerous 4l fourth to Maestro Conti in Grade 2 Triumph Trial at Cheltenham (soft) on second occasion; first-time cheekpieces in Kelso Grade 2 (good to soft) 13 days ago where a 17l defeat does not augur well for this.

66/1

Form: 7-1444 C

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won on hurdle debut here (2m, good) in October and has continued to run well, most recently fourth on handicap debut at Haydock (1m7f, good to soft) last month; needs something extra today but his stable won this last year and is having a much better February than January; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Ayr

Caballo De Guerra

11st 12lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Kelso novice winner in October (2m, good; effective on soft) and continued to run well until racing too freely in a Grade 2 at Kelso last time out; well held in a bumper when he tried a hood once before but this aid is worth another go.

20/1

5th

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 1

14:15 Kelso

Caballo De Guerra

11st 5lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won on hurdle debut here (2m, good) in October and has continued to run well, most recently fourth on handicap debut at Haydock (1m7f, good to soft) last month; needs something extra today but his stable won this last year and is having a much better February than January; not ruled out.

40/1

4th

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

12:50 Haydock

Caballo De Guerra

11st 0lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won in good style on hurdle debut at Kelso (2m, good) in October and fourth in a couple of warm races subsequently (2m, good/soft); in good hands to progress and he brings potential to this handicap debut.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2-211

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Two-time bumper runner-up who won on hurdle debut at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) in November and followed up there (2m4f, soft) last month, readily beating solid yardsticks; leading claims despite 3lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 2

13:30 Haydock

Le Beau Madrik

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Posted a very eyecatching RPR when making it 2-2 over hurdles at Newcastle in January (2m4f, soft; fine on good) and reportedly ran flat when only 7-2 for a Grade 2 at Kelso the following month; granted a break since then and he returns with his yard firing in winners left, right and centre.

100/30

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 1

14:15 Kelso

Le Beau Madrik

11st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Two-time bumper runner-up who won on hurdle debut at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) in November and followed up there (2m4f, soft) last month, readily beating solid yardsticks; leading claims despite 3lb penalty.

3/1

1st

3

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:20 Newcastle

Le Beau Madrik

11st 12lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Runner-up in two bumpers before getting off the mark on hurdles debut here in November (2m1f, good to soft; second has won since); this longer trip should suit (from a staying family) and he is respected.

6/5

Form: 321

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
1l second to Le Beau Madrik at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) in November on second hurdle start and easily justified 30-100 odds there (2m1f, good to soft) last month; open to further improvement for stable that won this in 2017 and 2020; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

15:48 Kelso

Gaelic Rover

11st 9lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ruth Jefferson

Towards the rear when clipping heels and falling in Grade 2 at Kelso (2m2f) most recently; won easily at Newcastle (2m1f) the time before and enters calculations back down in class; dam stayed 3m1f.

7/4

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 1

14:15 Kelso

Gaelic Rover

11st 5lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Ruth Jefferson

1l second to Le Beau Madrik at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) in November on second hurdle start and easily justified 30-100 odds there (2m1f, good to soft) last month; open to further improvement for stable that won this in 2017 and 2020; not discounted.

9/1

1st

3

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

11:45 Newcastle

Gaelic Rover

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Third on hurdle debut at Ayr (2m, soft) in November and again showed promise when runner-up over C&D (good to soft) later that month; sets a good standard for the rest to aim at.

Evs

Form: 114

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 722212

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won four-runner maiden at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in December on second hurdle start and solid second to Kosac d'Oudairies at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) last time; however, he's down today's pecking order on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

14:00 Hexham

Red Oak

11st 9lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Musselburgh maiden hurdle winner (2m4f, soft) who bounced back from being pulled up in a Grade 2 at Kelso when a respectable fourth of nine on handicap debut at Newbury (2m3f, good to soft) last month; it's possible this drop back in trip will be a positive and he's a key player.

11/8

4th

3

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 183y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Red Oak

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Won maiden at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in December and good second at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) next time; pulled up at Kelso three weeks ago but he was 28-1 in that Grade 2 and retains some interest for this handicap debut.

12/1

6

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 1

14:15 Kelso

Red Oak

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Won four-runner maiden at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in December on second hurdle start and solid second to Kosac d'Oudairies at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) last time; however, he's down today's pecking order on form.

16/1

Form: 141

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
3m point winner who has twice easily made all in novice hurdles at Wetherby (2m, soft), with a 20l fourth of six in the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) in between; he's a leading form contender today for a trainer who won this in 2024.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 1

14:15 Kelso

Starmount

11st 5lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

3m point winner who has twice easily made all in novice hurdles at Wetherby (2m, soft), with a 20l fourth of six in the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) in between; he's a leading form contender today for a trainer who won this in 2024.

3/1

1st

2

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

12:50 Wetherby

Starmount

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Point winner who made all by 5l on hurdle debut over C&D (soft) last month; found the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle too much at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) last time but he's a leading candidate now back down in grade.

4/9

Form: 111433 BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row at Perth last May-September (2m, good; two of them handicaps) and has run with credit in defeat in Graded races on last three starts, the first two over 2m/2m1f (good to soft) and the latest at 3m (soft); he might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 1

14:15 Kelso

The Last Cloud

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

Won three in a row at Perth last May-September (2m, good; two of them handicaps) and has run with credit in defeat in Graded races on last three starts, the first two over 2m/2m1f (good to soft) and the latest at 3m (soft); he might not be far away.

9/2

3rd

11

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 1

12:55 Doncaster

The Last Cloud

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

Has steadily progressive form, albeit mostly at about 2m and his latest effort (in Aintree Grade 1) is open to question as several hurdles were omitted; something to prove back up markedly in trip.

14/1

4th

6

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

15:00 Cheltenham

The Last Cloud

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

Progressive 5yo judged on his hat-trick of wins on good ground at Perth, doing it readily in handicaps on his last two starts; has considerably more on his plate at this loftier level and softer ground could be an issue for him.

12/1

Non-runners

The Blue Room

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £56.90
Straight Forecast £62.26
Tricast £1822.31
Trifecta £769.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Le Beau Madrik

RP RATINGS:

Starmount

The Times:

Lord Byron

TOPSPEED:

The Last Cloud

LAMBOURN:

Kosac d'Oudairies

Daily Mail:

Le Beau Madrik

The Sun:

Le Beau Madrik

Daily Record:

Le Beau Madrik

POSTDATA:

The Last Cloud

Telegraph:

Starmount

Daily Mirror:

Starmount

The Star:

Starmount

The Guardian:

Lord Byron

D Express:

Lord Byron