March 12 / 15.42 Hexham

15.42

Heavy

Davey Liddle 80th Birthday Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5756.29
  • 2m 4f 28y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
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Davey Liddle 80th Birthday Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

Form: 12333- D

Last run: 326 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
8lb lower over hurdles compared to fences but she returns from an absence of 326 days; probably best watched unless the market speaks in her favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

16:05 Carlisle

Micks Jet

11st 11lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Bumper/hurdle winner who completed the set in a 2m3f Wetherby handicap chase (good to soft) last winter; not seen since a below-par third over fences at Market Rasen last April; lower mark back hurdling but got to be a chance she'll need this after nearly a year off.

14/1

3rd

1

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

14:35 Market Rasen

Micks Jet

12st 0lb

J: Mr Shay Halton

T: Philip Kirby

In the frame five consecutive times since switched to chasing this year, most notably when winning by 18l in first-time cheekpieces at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) in January; should also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; likely contender again.

7/2

Form: 4-5513 BF

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Has taken well to hurdles this term, getting off the mark at Ayr (3m, heavy) on his handicap debut in December; ran well again when third of ten over the same C&D the following month off 6lb higher; drop back in trip here and holds decent claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

25th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

15:20 Hexham

Kelvin Forlonge

11st 5lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Showed some ability, albeit was well held, in his two bumpers; lots of improvement is needed if he's to make a winning hurdle debut but he's in good hands and could run into a place.

12/1

5th

7

6th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Ayr

Kelvin Forlonge

11st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent, went second over 5f out

6/1

Form: -24443

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Has made the frame on all five starts over hurdles but yet to get his head in front; ran his best race when third of seven finishers at Kelso (2m6f, heavy) last month and has place prospects at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:30 Newcastle

Milan Park

11st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Chris Grant

Soundly beaten trying 3m on penultimate outing; best form on starts either side when taking minor handicap honours at Wetherby (2m4f, soft) and Kelso (extended 2m6f, heavy) and those give him place claims.

5/1

3rd

7

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

13:30 Kelso

Milan Park

10st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Chris Grant

Weakened into well-beaten fourth at Doncaster (3m, soft) three weeks ago; however, prior to that he kept on well for a much closer fourth on handicap debut at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) and today's in-between trip could suit.

9/1

Form: -U0333

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles for Alex Hales in 2022 and twice over fences for Olly Murphy in 2023-24; not the force of old but has finished third on his last three starts for his current trainer and drops down in grade; has place claims once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Gardener

10st 6lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Bidding for a C&D hat-trick having won here on last two starts (soft/good); has gone up 9lb but has run well off much higher marks in the past; could go well.

6/1

1st

3

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Gardener

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Five races for his new trainer and back on track, following three third places with a tenacious C&D win (soft) under Charlie Maggs in 14-runner race 19 days ago; back up 4lb but one to consider seriously.

100/30

1st

4

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:11 Hexham

Gardener

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Ended his time with Olly Murphy under a cloud but back on track for his new handler and he posted a solid third of eight in 2m3f handicap at Catterick last month; considered from an easing mark.

9/1

Form: 5P72P

Last run: 125 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Outran her odds when runner-up to a long odds-on favourite here (2m; 80-1) in October; however, she stopped quickly back over C&D latest; non-runner due to unsuitable ground (soft) in latest intended start and has had wind surgery since; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th May 2026

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:47 Hexham

Mornington Beach

11st 12lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

Displayed huge improvement when 80-1 second in C&D (good) novice in October, her third start over hurdles; raced too freely and was pulled up after weakening quickly in handicap here (2m4f, good to soft) the following month but significant positives can sill be taken from that run; drops back in trip today, having had wind surgery; a possible if fully tuned up.

20/1

Form: 7-667

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Has shown little in three runs over hurdles; sports a first-time tongue-tie and steps up in trip on handicap debut; needs to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

Redeeming Love

11st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Took a step forward in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) when third at Southwell (3m, good) three weeks ago on her handicap hurdle debut; finished third in her sole point and her dam was a useful chaser, so this very lightly raced 6yo could have more to offer now switched to fences.

6/1

3rd

3

24th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:30 Southwell

Redeeming Love

11st 11lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Mark Walford

It's been a struggle in novice races but she now goes into a handicap with a tongue-tie fitted and over a much longer trip that could benefit according to her pedigree; would merit greater attention if at all strong in the betting.

5/1

Form: 5785

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 95

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

8th

2

(8)

6th May 2023

Good To Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 5

17:00 Goodwood

Berwick Law

9st 10lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Charlie Johnston

Dual AW scorer during the winter and a possible non-stayer over 1m4f last time; return to 1m2f is a plus but she faces some likely improvers back on turf.

13/2

4th

2

(2)

8th Apr 2023

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Berwick Law

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Charlie Johnston

Two wins over shorter trip, creating a favourable impression over 1m2f at Lingfield seven weeks ago; 5lb rise asks a stiffer question of her but the new trip could unlock further progress and she can't be ignored.

7/4

1st

4

(3)

18th Feb 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

16:33 Lingfield (AW)

Berwick Law

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Charlie Johnston

in touch with leaders, pushed along under 2f out, ridden and ran on well towards near side from over 1f out, led final 110yds, won going away

9/1

Non-runners

Rock Hurley

Verdict

The only one of these with winning form this season is KELVIN FORLONGE and he can go in again. He has most to fear from Milan Park who has yet to get his head in front but ran his best race when third last time. Gardener is not the force of old but is knocking on the door. The others are harder to fancy unless the market speaks in their favour. [Andrew Bladen]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kelvin Forlonge

Telegraph:

Milan Park

TOPSPEED:

Gardener

The Times:

Mornington Beach

Daily Mirror:

Micks Jet

RP RATINGS:

Kelvin Forlonge

POSTDATA:

Kelvin Forlonge

Daily Mail:

Kelvin Forlonge

The Star:

Kelvin Forlonge

Daily Record:

Kelvin Forlonge

D Express:

Milan Park

The Sun:

Milan Park

The Guardian:

Gardener