15:20 Stratford

Monday 10 March 2025

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50

DragonBet Born From The Betting Ring Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 4m 3.19s

Balhambar^t,p³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 122| D

9/2

Much improved sent handicapping in this sphere last season and returned in similar vein, when excellent third at Cheltenham prior to chasing home a decent sort (Alnilam) at Southwell (15.8f). Not at his best from this mark in a better race latest but he's a player down in grade if back on song.

Form: 112-320

Golden Maverick^b1³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 117| D

3/1

Fairly useful on Flat and three-time winner over hurdles for this yard. Travelled more kindly when fourth in first-time visor on penultimate run, reverted to type when going in snatches last time yet found plenty for pressure to score (Carlisle, 17f). Capable if first-time blinkers do the trick.

Form: 1-20441

Moon Chime¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 116| BF| CD

13/8

Useful dual bumper winner who scored twice in this sphere last season. Shaped well on his return when fourth at Carlisle but failed to justify market support when hanging away his chance when third of 9 in handicap hurdle at Ludlow (15.8f). May be worth keeping the faith off this mark.

Form: 3311-43

Maasai Mara^p²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Benjamin Poste| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 115| D

20/1

Fairly useful on the Flat in 2023 and looked promising when landing a Catterick juvenile last season. Unconvincing on the Level last summer but wasn't disgraced when fifth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Hereford (19.7f, good to soft) 26 days ago and he's fairly handicapped if putting it all together.

Form: 212R-35

Schmilsson²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 114| D

10/1

Second hurdle success when shading a tight finish in 2m Wetherby handicap on seasonal reappearance. Hasn't been able to hit those heights since, again a shade disappointing when fifth of 6 at Taunton (16.5f) 20 days ago, although that was a 0-140 and he's not ruled out off 2 lb in a weaker race.

Form: 23-1345

Mister Wilson^t1⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 110| D

50/1

Inconsistent type whose losing run dates back to June 2023. Previously with Gavin Cromwell and offered little encouragement (in first-time hood) on debut for this yard in December. Others preferred.

Form: 367348

Klic Boum²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 101

6/1

Caught the eye in maiden/novice hurdles and similar story in handicaps, noted finishing with running left when third in 10-runner contest at Hereford (19.7f) last month. While drop back to 2 miles may not be ideal, connections could make use of his stamina in a race without much pace. Chance.

Form: 707753

Non-Runners

Hara Kiri⁹⁹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 8

T: O Murphy J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Moon Chime (13/8), Hara Kiri (5/2), Golden Maverick (3/1), Balhambar (9/2), Klic Boum (6/1), Schmilsson (10/1), Maasai Mara (20/1), Mister Wilson (50/1)

A trappy event made even trickier by the obvious lack of pace. Bumper winner and dual hurdles scorer MOON CHIME doesn't lack for speed at this level, and he could be worth another chance off a fair handicap mark. Hara Kiri arrives with obvious claims chasing a four-timer, while Balhambar has chased home some decent horses this season and despite disappointing on his latest start, is entitled to plenty of respect back down in grade.