15:50 Stratford

Monday 9 March 2026

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:20

DragonBet The Roar Before Cheltenham Dragonboosts Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 5m 58.42s

Ballyhiho^t⁹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 95| BF

5/2

Showed improved form under an enterprising front-running ride when seeing off 9 rivals at Worcester (2½m, good) at the end of August. Backed that up when going close over the same C&D next time before another good effort at Southwell. Yard form bit of a concern returning from 3-month break, though.

Form: 2-84123

Harbour Light²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 92

10/3

Shaped as if in need of time and distance in bumpers and novice/maiden hurdles but was much improved switched to handicap company when runner-up in a 11-runner race at Chepstow (19.4f, soft) 24 days ago, despite a sketchy round of jumping. Longer trip here will suit and he makes lots of appeal.

Form: 8-77792

Noble Grace⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 86

9/2

Encouraging start to career when second of 18 in bumper at Cheltenham last spring but yet to offer much over hurdles and was pulled up on handicap bow last time.

Form: 2-066P

Colby Mayfield²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁵⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 84

10/1

Beaten a long way in maiden/novice hurdles in recent months. Significantly up in trip for handicap debut.

Form: 589

Galactic Princess^h³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Robbie David⁽⁵⁾| T: Daisy Hitchins| OR: 78

13/2

Second in 3-runner event sole start in Irish points and failed to make an impact in 3 starts over hurdles across just 4 weeks, though she was on the bridle for longer than most of the also-rans at Wincanton last time. Could do better now handicapping over further.

Form: 2-P60

Eaststone Buck's⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Ned Fox⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 77

9/2

No promise in 3 starts over hurdles but yard are going a little bit better now and he at least starts out in handicaps over longer trip from lowly mark.

Form: P-69

Miss Jaffa Cake¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: P Gundry| OR: 74

40/1

Failed to complete both starts in points and has finished tailed off on her completed outings over hurdles. Makes handicap debut.

Form: P-F59U5

Lily Grace¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 74

33/1

No sign of ability in 2023 and no more encouragement in recent weeks back from near 3-year absence.

Form: 680/05

Don't Cheddar Tear¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 72

80/1

Little form over hurdles so far, albeit finishing a bit closer than previously when sixth of 9 in novice hurdle at Huntingdon (20.7f, heavy) 18 days ago. Makes handicap hurdle debut from 2 lb out of weights.

Form: PP/P0-96

Non-Runners

Cher Monsieur⁵³

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: N P Mulholland J: C O'Farrell

Forecasts

Cher Monsieur (9/4), Ballyhiho (5/2), Harbour Light (10/3), Eaststone Buck's (9/2), Noble Grace (9/2), Galactic Princess (13/2), Colby Mayfield (10/1), Lily Grace (33/1), Miss Jaffa Cake (40/1), Don't Cheddar Tear (80/1)

HARBOUR LIGHT ran well despite a mixed round of jumping when second on handicap debut at Chepstow last month and he can go one better here. Cher Monsieur showed a good attitude when scoring at Newcastle and should be in the mix again, whilst Ballyhiho was in top form when last seen prior to Christmas.