15:00 Kempton

Saturday 21 February 2026

All13:1013:4514:2515:0015:3516:0516:40

Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:04 | Winning time: 3m 49.31s

Klub De Reve⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 127| CD

7/2

Point winner who was placed in a Newbury bumper and has progressed well over hurdles this season, off the mark in good style in C&D maiden on Boxing Day. More to come and looks ready for this higher level.

Form: 173-421

Onlyforfrankie²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A Ralph| OR: 130| D

17/2

Fairly useful bumper winner in Ireland who confirmed the promise of his hurdling debut when running away with a maiden at Taunton. Improved again when following up at Musselburgh 3 weeks ago, though that race took less winning than might have been expected.

Form: 41-7311

Blues Singer⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 115| CD

40/1

Bumper winner who has been highly tried both starts over hurdles 10 months apart. This another task ask.

Form: 1/204-3

Desertmore News¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Andrews| T: T Ellis| D

28/1

€10,000 3-y-o, Elusive Pimpernel gelding who made short work of his rivals on hurdling debut when making all in Southwell maiden 19 days ago. Promising sort but others have a lot more experience.

Form: 3-1

Double Measure³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129| D

9/2

€105,000 purchase who looked a good prospect when winning a Uttoxeter bumper in March. Progressive over hurdles this season, landing the odds in a decent time in Huntingdon maiden last month. Worth another chance in this grade (not seen to best effect at Haydock on penultimate start).

Form: 1-241

Kocktail Bleu⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Freddie Gordon| T: C Gordon| OR: 122| BF

11/1

Made winning start over timber at Fontwell in November. Back on the up when very good second in C&D novice at Kempton before let down by jumping at Kelso (jumped right). Return to right-handed track should suit.

Form: 23-1522

Lexington Wood¹¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

28/1

Progressive form in bumpers for Philip Fenton, going close at Down Royal in November. Thrown into the deep end by new connections for this hurdles debut, however.

Form: 7-42

Loaded And Locked⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: H Cobden| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 123| D

20/1

£80,000 Irish point winner who also bagged a bumper at Worcester in October. Made the most of what became a good opportunity when off the mark over hurdles in novice at Hereford but needs to step up again at this level.

Form: 21-1431

Storming George¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 126| BF

9/1

Useful in bumpers. Won novice hurdle impressively at Doncaster in November but proved a let down in Grade 1 at Aintree. Quickly back on track when close second on handicap bow at Doncaster 16 days ago he's capable of making his presence felt at this level.

Form: 15-3162

Anariza^h³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: T Ellis| OR: 113| D

150/1

Free-going sort who got off the mark in 5-runner novice at Wetherby on return. Failed to build on that when third under a penalty at Windsor next time and will find this more demanding.

Form: 432P-13

Mustang Du Breuil¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 126

2/1

Promising individual who landed juvenile hurdle at Auteuil and maintained unbeaten record for new connections when following up in novice at Doncaster 16 days ago. Useful prospect who has earnt a shot at this higher level.

Form: 11

Matiwo³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 119| D

18/1

Took advantage of a good opportunity when making all at Newbury last month, producing a superior round of jumping and having the race won a long way out. This obviously a lot tougher but he has potential.

Form: 3F1

Forecasts

Mustang Du Breuil (2/1), Klub De Reve (7/2), Double Measure (9/2), Onlyforfrankie (17/2), Storming George (9/1), Kocktail Bleu (11/1), Matiwo (18/1), Loaded And Locked (20/1), Lexington Wood (28/1), Desertmore News (28/1), Blues Singer (40/1), Anariza (150/1)

A deep race with plenty open to improvement but KLUB DE REVE looked ready for this sort of level when winning a C&D novice with plenty in hand so could be the answer. Double Measure clocked a good time when winning his novice at Huntingdon so is another to consider, while the unbeaten Mustang du Breuil must be respected for a yard that has won this a record 8 times.