Sky Sports Racing Virgin 512 Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 4m 16.42s

Classical Sting^p1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: L Morgan| OR: 94| BF

9/2

Didn't show a great deal in 3 maiden hurdles last winter but bred to be a chaser and a totally different proposition when making a winning handicap debut over fences at Kelso in November. Held back by mistakes both starts since and he's now back over smaller obstacles in change of headgear.

Form: 388-12P

This Sway²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: M Comley| OR: 87

6/4

First form over hurdles granted run of the race when fourth in a C&D novice but hasn't kicked on from that subsequently, finishing well held ninth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Kempton (21f, soft) a month ago. Now goes back in trip.

Form: 8PP469

Beorma⁴⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| OR: 86

16/1

Just modest form at best in bumpers for Thomas Gallagher and looked a stable lesser light in 2024. Missed all of 2025 but interesting what the market makes of her on handicap debut.

Form: 730589-

Lone Soldier²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: C J Todd| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 77| BF

3/1

Free-going type who is a long-standing maiden. Placed twice over fences during the winter and a player if replicating that over hurdles.

Form: 543P25

Steel Soldier¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽³⁾| T: J R Norton| OR: 76

8/1

Little impact in Irish points and big prices all starts but showed a lot more when third of 9 at Huntingdon 11 days ago. Major player from the same mark if he's in the same form.

Form: 6-99073

Blazing Gaden²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 71

20/1

Cityscape gelding who has offered precious little on each of his 3 starts in maiden hurdles this winter. Hopes rest on switch to handicaps.

Form: P06

Dino Moon²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams| OR: 70

8/1

Limited impact in 4 starts but not a bad sort physically and he's bred to be a lot better than this lowly mark. Likely improver.

Form: 6708

Forecasts

This Sway (6/4), Lone Soldier (3/1), Classical Sting (9/2), Dino Moon (8/1), Steel Soldier (8/1), Beorma (16/1), Blazing Gaden (20/1)

The market will reveal plenty in this modest handicap with DINO MOON given the tentative vote on the basis that he's surely better than this lowly mark given his looks and pedigree. Steel Soldier is a definite threat on his latest effort, while Dan Skelton perseveres with Beorma, which could be significant.