March 18 / 14.30 Hereford

14.30

Good To Soft

Hereford Bull Trail Launch 2026 Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 3m 1f 119y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Hereford Bull Trail Launch 2026 Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 6-3133 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Fortunate to register a second 2m3f win here in November but has held his form since and he clearly likes it here; the concern is this trip as he's unraced beyond an extended 2m5f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Don Rafael

11st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Fortunate to register a second 2m3f win here in November but has held his form since and he clearly likes it here; the concern is this trip as he's unraced beyond an extended 2m5f.

4/1

3rd

8

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

16:33 Hereford

Don Rafael

10st 13lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Won over C&D (good to soft) in late 2024 but was lucky to score when repeating that feat on stable debut (good) in November; respectable third at Southwell (about 2m4f, good to soft) in December on his only subsequent start; unproven on heavy but can't be dismissed.

12/1

9/4

  • Place: £2.30

Form: -3F432

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
No match for an in-form winner last time at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft; second run in cheekpieces) but he's consistent and won't mind this drier surface; considered for his in-form stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Dwight K Schrute

11st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Record of 1-9 over hurdles but he found more improvement with a near-miss in a Hereford handicap (3m2f, good) last month; nudged up 2lb but he's building up a solid profile in staying handicaps and is a key player.

5/2

2nd

1

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Dwight K Schrute

11st 11lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

No match for an in-form winner last time at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft; second run in cheekpieces) but he's consistent and won't mind this drier surface; considered for his in-form stable.

9/4

2nd

2

19th Feb 2026

3m 3f 9y

Class 4

14:33 Sedgefield

Dwight K Schrute

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

British point winner in 2023 (2m5f, good); won Fontwell maiden hurdle last March (2m3f, good); fair form in handicaps this term, last time finishing third at Warwick (3m1f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces, second has won since); cheekpieces retained and a contender, although unproven on soft ground.

13/2

Form: U5P-5P

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Ex-Nicky Henderson inmate who struggles with consistency; disappointing in his two runs for this yard but he's on a good mark should blinkers trigger something (he ran one good race when cheekpieces were tried).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Kintail

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Mel Rowley

Ex-Nicky Henderson; just 1-10 over hurdles and has struggled with consistency but he ran well to finish third at Hereford (3m2f; first-time blinkers) last month; ties in with Dwight K Schrute on that form and has claims if he can back that up.

9/2

3rd

3

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Kintail

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Mel Rowley

Ex-Nicky Henderson inmate who struggles with consistency; disappointing in his two runs for this yard but he's on a good mark should blinkers trigger something (he ran one good race when cheekpieces were tried).

12/1

10

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Kintail

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Proved unable to sustain early progress for previous yard but ran creditably over C&D last spring; dropped away on stable/seasonal debut, perhaps needing the run; check the market signals.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: -P05P7

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Hasn't run a race of note since winning last season's 4m1f Eider Chase at Newcastle, in which his struggles continued last time out (tailed off or pulled up over hurdles prior to that); too well handicapped to rule out and blinkers go on for cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

Knockanore

11st 9lb

J: Mr Lucas Murphy

T: Ryan Potter

Generally very disappointing since winning last season's Eider Chase at Newcastle (4m1f, good to soft) by 16l but took small step back in right direction when fourth over hurdles last month (wore first-time blinkers) and is too well handicapped to rule out on this return to chasing; usual cheekpieces back on.

7/1

4th

2

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Knockanore

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Ryan Potter

Hasn't run a race of note since winning last season's 4m1f Eider Chase at Newcastle, in which his struggles continued last time out (tailed off or pulled up over hurdles prior to that); too well handicapped to rule out and blinkers go on for cheekpieces.

12/1

7th

10

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Knockanore

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Ryan Potter

Stormed clear for a 16l win under Freddie Mitchell in this race last year, form which has not been seen from him before or since but his last three outings were over hurdles; 11lb higher (10lb out of the handicap) than 12 months ago but well treated if he returns to that peak form and stranger things have happened.

11/1

Form: 659321 CD

Last run: 98 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Had been struggling but has steadily got himself back on track and prevailed narrowly over C&D in December on latest appearance; 6lb higher for this and connections claimed another 7lb last time through Isabelle Ryder, but he had dropped to a fair mark anyway.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:20 Newton Abbot

Despereaux

11st 9lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Five-time hurdle winner who ended last year with a brave success at Hereford (3m2f, good to soft); well held there in both runs this spring but he got involved in a battle up front last time; a player if he can get back near his best.

13/2

5th

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

15:20 Hereford

Despereaux

11st 10lb

J: James Best

T: Jane Williams

Steadily worked his way back to form this season, culminating in a narrow win over C&D (good to soft; 5lb higher today) in December under 7lb claimer; reverted to a lesser show 19 days ago but perhaps he needed that run after more than three months off.

3/1

5th

4

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Despereaux

11st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Had been struggling but has steadily got himself back on track and prevailed narrowly over C&D in December on latest appearance; 6lb higher for this and connections claimed another 7lb last time through Isabelle Ryder, but he had dropped to a fair mark anyway.

2/1

Form: 551155 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won a 3m handicap hurdle at Ffos Las (good) before returning to fences at Ludlow (3m, good) where he finished alone; form has dipped since, over fences and hurdles; on a perfectly good mark if he can bounce back to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:27 Ludlow

Djo Dela Barriere

11st 10lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Won 3m handicap hurdle at Ffos Las (good) in October and followed up in a chase here over the same trip later that month when finishing alone; form has dipped since, over fences and hurdles; needs to bounce back.

12/1

6th

6

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Djo Dela Barriere

11st 3lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Won a 3m handicap hurdle at Ffos Las (good) before returning to fences at Ludlow (3m, good) where he finished alone; form has dipped since, over fences and hurdles; on a perfectly good mark if he can bounce back to form.

9/1

5th

6

18th Feb 2026

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

Djo Dela Barriere

11st 5lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Evan Williams

Won a 3m handicap hurdle at Ffos Las (good) before returning to fences at Ludlow (3m, good) later in October where he finished alone after being left in isolation three out; tailed off in a Hereford chase on latest start and absent 107 days since; back hurdling on a competitive mark but with more to prove on worse than good to soft.

6/1

Form: /P-PPP CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
An 11yo now and has pulled up in two hurdle races and a chase since returning from a lengthy break; what could help is getting away from soft ground, as good seems his preference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Vee Dancer

11st 4lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Ryan Potter

An 11yo now and has pulled up in two hurdle races and a chase since returning from a lengthy break; what could help is getting away from soft ground, as good seems his preference.

14/1

6

18th Feb 2026

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:35 Ludlow

Vee Dancer

11st 1lb

J: Mr James King

T: Ryan Potter

Point runner-up who is one to watch in the market in first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) on his chase debut; however, this 11yo has been pulled up over hurdles on his last two runs and a major turnaround is needed.

20/1

1

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

16:00 Doncaster

Vee Dancer

12st 1lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Ryan Potter

Uncompetitive in four starts divided between hurdling and the Flat since returning from a long absence and difficult to envisage a sudden resurgence at the age of 11.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.60
Straight Forecast £14.41
Trifecta £58.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dwight K Schrute

The Times:

Despereaux

RP RATINGS:

D'Jo Dela Barriere

Daily Mail:

Kintail

TOPSPEED:

Dwight K Schrute

POSTDATA:

Dwight K Schrute

LAMBOURN:

Dwight K Schrute

Telegraph:

Dwight K Schrute

D Express:

Dwight K Schrute

Daily Mirror:

Dwight K Schrute

The Star:

Dwight K Schrute

The Guardian:

Despereaux

The Sun:

Despereaux

Daily Record:

Despereaux