By Tony Calvin - 19 February 2026
1.10pm: Hold The Serve has hardened int 9/4 but the main mover has been Grenadier Jed.
One firm were a stand-out 8s about him on Thursday, even when 6s was the next best price and he was trading unders in an illiquid exchange market. He is now 11/4 tops, which may be coming under pressure soon.
1.45pm: The 14s about Fantasy World and La Luna Artista have been taken. They are 10s and 11s respectively now, with the former strong at 10s (now 8s).
2.25pm: Jax Junior is currently weak at evens, with Jasmine Bliss 5s from [13/2] and Old Cowboy 9s from 14s. Go West has shortened a touch into [11/4], too.
3pm: Mustang Du Breuil was a general 8s on Thursday afternoon. He is now 3s tops. Klub De Reve is strong enough at [7/2], too
3.35pm: Kdeux Saint Fray now heads the betting at prices ranging from [7/2] to [9/2]. Lookaway is also strong into 7s, with Rising Dust clipped into 9s. My fancy in the race, Soul Icon, is out to 33s from 12s.
I can move a market…
2.43pm: Livin On Luco is now the [7/2] favourite, with Fortunate Man at 5s. Last year’s runaway winner Knockanore, 10lb out of the handicap, is very weak at the moment; 8s best on Thursday, he is out to 22s.
1.25pm: Valiant Force is currently the strongest in here at [15/8]. Leovanni is weakish at [9/2].
2pm: Not a great deal of movement here, with Chancellor heading the betting at [13/8].
3.15pm: Three Card Brag and Grangeclare West are joint-favourites at [10/3]. Intense Raffles 18s from 33s.
Jordans is a NR.
This 0-140 handicap hurdle was added to the ITV schedule on Tuesday – followed by Fairyhouse’s Bobbyo Chase on Wednesday – and it has got a fair turn-out of nine, with Dan Skelton, with his huge string, responsible for a third of the field.
It wasn’t priced up at the ante-post stage, so prices were relatively slow to come through on Thursday, but the progressive 6yo Hold The Serve looked a likely favourite and he duly led the market at [7/2] when the first firm went up.
He is now a general [11/4].
However, for all his potential upside, that price doesn’t greatly appeal and nor did any others in here at their current odds, to be honest.
The fact that Harry Skelton is on Royal Infantry sees that one trading as big as [13/2] ahead of stablemates Charlus (having his first start for the stable after joining them from Willie Mullins for just 50,000gns in January) at 22s and Tranquil Sea at 40s.
Tranquil Sea is actually okay at 28s given the expectation of better ground and the step back in trip could suit him, as well as his falling handicap mark, I suppose.
However I couldn’t see an enticing angle into the race – Whatsupwithyou and the solid Bourbali (more of the 7lb claimer that rides him later) could spoil it for each other from the front – so I won’t be behind after the first ITV race, anyway.
Now, this does look a tricky one.
There looks to be pace everywhere you turn in this very strong 5f Listed race which, with the exception of 12s chance Clearpoint (and a mark of 96 could underestimate this progressive sort, who has been cut from 16s on Thursday) is very close-knit on official ratings.
Whoever traps best could provide us with the winner here or at least the leader going into the final furlong before the usual late swoop of the closers.
Leovanni, the sole 4yo in the race with a first-time tongue-tie on, is likely to be settled from off the pace from stall two and then it is just a matter of whether this 5f is too sharp for her to pick up the leaders.
But this Queen Mary winner travels well into her races, and she must be a major player (granted, at least five of the six in here are) getting weight from the older males.
The 4s about her was taken on Tuesday and she is [7/2] now, but she does have a lot of upside after just five starts if she is primed for this, her first outing since a promising fourth at Haydock in May (missed Royal Ascot because of the ground).
But I’ll be sitting this one out too, especially as I have no idea why we haven’t seen her for nine months.
I think the price differential between Precious Man and One Horse Town is too big, but is it big enough to warrant a bet in this six-runner Adonis?
Maybe the market is underestimating La Luna Artista at 16s a fair touch, getting 12lb from the market leaders – it was as she is now 14s -and Fantasy World is a surprise, fascinating runner after his Musselburgh disappointment last Sunday (aunties and uncles and all that but he’d be a close third favourite , at worst, had he come straight here for his hurdling debut as a 103-rated Flat horse), but this does potentially have all the hallmarks of a straight match between [4/5] Precious Man and [10/3] One Horse Town.
One Horse Town has a 3 ¾ length verdict over the favourite at Cheltenham in November and the market clearly believes a 5lb turnaround will see that form reversed, especially after Precious Man was very impressive, after a wind up, here last time. And, hand on wallet, the Skelton horse is the better long-term project, and he is the apple of the trainer’s eye.
But I’d be more inclined to side with One Horse Town at the current odds (he is currently trading at [4.5] on Betfair as this goes live, albeit to the usual pennies). The horse wears cheekpieces for the first time over hurdles here, having worn them to win a 1m4f maiden on the Flat here.
His 2-length second to Precious Man’s stablemate Maestro Conti at Cheltenham last time was an improved effort – he was giving the winner 2lb – and the official marks have him as only 1lb shy of the jolly.
But I can also see the case for La Luna Artista at 16s here (and it sounds like Allure isn’t unfancied either).
She was only 2 ½ lengths behind One Horse Town in that Cheltenham race last time, so she doesn’t have much to find with him on the same terms here and the price differential between that pair is probably too big, too.
I’ll probably end up having a very small bet on the Derham horse on the exchange, but maybe not.
The current official marks suggest Military Academy and Sky Safari face a tough task in this five-runner 100k 1m2f Group 3 (as I noted in my ante-post column, this race was worth more in 2005!), hence they are priced up at 25s and [13/2] respectively, but they are certainly not forlorn hopes, especially with a tactical race in store.
Military Academy was rated 112 (11lb higher than his current mark) less than a year ago and Sky Safari, who is as low as 5s and was [15/2] in a place on Thursday, continued on her upwards trajectory with a narrow second off 99 here last time.
I don’t have a betting opinion, especially as the other three in the race are all closely tied, formwise. In addition, the pace is hard to call (see map below), with Miliary Academy, Boiling Point and Nebras all possible leaders.
This does not hold a lot of punting appeal to me. All-weather racing rarely does.
The best betting angle in this race was to back Old Cowboy each way ¼ the odds 1,2 at a generally available 33s immediately after he was taken out of Newbury on Tuesday because of the testing ground.
It stayed there for 24 hours, too.
But I better not mention that or else the Aftertime Police will come round in eight unmarked cars and escort me to the local nick…
Just the four runners in here then (from seven at the five-day stage) and win-only, and no-one is going to argue with the order of the betting that sees Jax Junior at [4/6], Go West at [10/3], Jasmine Bliss at [13/2] and Old Cowboy at 14s.
Despite carrying a 5lb penalty, I wouldn’t particularly like to lay Jasmine Bliss, and probably Old Cowboy at 14s as well.
Sure, the latter is 16lb shy of Jax Junior on official ratings but his ceiling is very much to be established after winning as he liked at Newbury in December (admittedly off a mark of just 121) and when falling 2 out here last time when coming to win his race (Go West finished a 51-length third in that race).
Old Cowboy was travelling best and had just taken it up when not raising his feet and taking an horrendous-looking fall there (the vet said he had also bled from the nose), so hopefully that hasn’t left a lasting scar.
And someone told me on Friday morning that they thought the horse was beaten when taking that pearler.
The handicapper actually raised him 3lb for that fall to add insult to injury, but even a revised mark of 130 could seriously underplay his potential – presumably they are going down the small-field novices’ chase route, rather than handicaps, for the cash, as the Newbury race was only four runners too – and it would not surprise me at all if he caused an upset here.
I imagine he will be posted last (see pace map) and look to make his move up the straight.
The shape of this race changed a lot at the overnight stage.
Firstly, we lost a few, notably one of the ante-post favourites Aworkinprogress and the nibbled Tanganyika.
Secondly, Mr Vango was confirmed, which means that three of those left are out of the weights, with last year’s 16-length winner Knockamore out of the handicap to the tune of 10lb.
Thirdly, because of Mr Vango being confirmed, two horses were eliminated as they were 15lb or more out of the handicap (see details below).
It will be a kick in the bollocks to connections of that pair if Mr Vango doesn’t run because of the drying ground – it looks like being good to soft now, having been heavy, soft in places, on Sunday – but we shall see.
In fact, it is already good to soft with a dry Friday in prospect, though it is currently set to start raining at 2pm on Saturday.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Knockanore won again, 10lb wrong or not, and he may well do if he returns to the form of that runaway win last season, but he is a mere tops 8s now (set to drift by looks of it) and the 2024 winner Anglers Crag (not to be confused with Crow Crag – if you know, you know, Withnailers) really does have a lot more going for him.
I don’t think 4s is a bad price at all.
He is only 4lb higher than when winning this race in 2024 and he returned to form when winning by 9 lengths at Carlisle in November on his first start for Nicky Richards.
Now, I do have two doubts – his absence since then, and the drying ground – but good to soft really should be fine for him and the break since then may well have been planned.
Indeed, Richards said after Carlisle: “The Eider is the plan and he might have another run before then.”
He looks very much the one to beat to me. Hopefully, that Saturday rain lands a bit earlier than 2pm for him.
I should point out he is nearly a point bigger than 4s, to minimal sums, win-only.
And he has now drifted to 11/2 as at 3.45pm. One firm offering that price are going four places, too.
Livin On Luco is now the fav at 4s best.
You only have to look at the official ratings to see this race is one competitive 12-runner Dovecote, and certainly one lacking a stand-out from a form perspective.
Indeed, the penalised Onlyforfrankie is top-rated on a mere 130 in this Grade 2.
Still, Double Measure has worked his way to [7/2] favouritism. I can see the case for him, but not at that price in a race this deep, in terms of competitiveness if not class.
Matiwo looks a fair price at 12s, getting all the allowances and 15lb from Klub De Reve and Onlyforfrankie.
Jane Williams’ youngsters learn on the job and, after falling when in the lead in the exceptionally strong race won by Minella Study at Cheltenham (Winston Junior and One Horse Town followed the winner home), her 4yo filly won as she pleased from the front at Newbury last time.
This is clearly a much tougher assignment and she has yet to do it on the clock but, if she settles on the front end (granted there are four pace rivals), then she could be hard to catch around this track.
I’ve backed her win-only.
Good on ITV for getting this race on their schedule, as this is as strong a Grade 3 race as I can recall, with a ratings range of between 148 and 165.
And the good news is that, with the Grand National weights out earlier in the week, the handbrake is now off a few of these as regards Aintree.
However, the ground here promises to be very testing – it was already heavy on Thursday morning, with plenty more rain to come – so I’m happy to watch them slogging it out over 3m2f.
This could be survival of the fittest stuff. Jordans is a NR.
Fairyhouse has passed their morning inspection.
This is another cracker of a race and, while this stating the bleedin’ obvious, a case can be made for all 13 at their respective odds.
However, the one that interests me most at the moment – and I have changed my mind several times since Tuesday – is Soul Icon.
He is on a very fair mark off 143, and is unexposed at the trip, with seemingly a very able 7lb claimer on board in Rian Corcoran, who has ridden 13 winners from 68 rides this season (and the same numbers have finished second or third).
He rides a horse in Soul Icon, who has only raced twice at and around this trip.
On the first occasion, he went off as the [5/2] favourite for the Badgers Beers in November, and was making ground from the rear when departing 3 out.
Inconclusive as regards stamina then.
And on the second, after a two-month break over course and distance last month, he shaped as if there was more in the tank when a 2-length fourth to The Doyen Chief, coming back for more at the end.
He clearly needs to brush up his jumping to be winning this, and he could do with the ground not deteriorating, but I like his chances here (he is 12s across the board but currently a fair few points bigger win-only).
I’d be pretty sure his stamina will hold out (he won the Desert Orchid over 2m at this track but there are stayers in his pedigree and he has since shown that 3m form last time), if his fencing does.
His small stable have been going well of late, including with a winner on the all-weather here on Wednesday night and a 25-1 poke beaten a nose.
I imagine he is set to drift from the general 12s, though so hold on for now (now 14s and set to get much bigger looking at the exchange price).
He is now 33s. I’ve backed him each-way at 33s and 28s, and win-only at 38.0.
Anglers Crag at 11/2 in 2.43pm Newcastle (as at 3.45pm Friday, and one firm were going 11/2 each way, four places)
Matiwo at 12/1 win-only in 3pm Kempton (generally available -best bet on Saturday) (has drifted to 16s and may get bigger)
No Mustang Du Breuil in the Adonis (runs in Dovecote) – only six in here. Please don’t back double entered horses, ante-post.
No Blueking D’Oroux, Kdeux Saint Fray or Mirabad in the Pendil – only four go.
The ante-post favourite Hamlet’s Night (won last night on Kempton’s all-weather, so I really hope no-one backed that one) was not confirmed, as expected, for the Dovecote – 12 go.
There are 13 go in Ladbrokes Trophy – Kdeux Saint Fray was put in very late, well after stablemate Gustavian.
In the Eider Chase – we have a 10-runner field, as Breeze Of Wind and Gold Clermont have been eliminated as they are 15lb and more out of the handicap. Big no-shows here were Aworkinprogress, who was vying for favouritism ante-post, Tanganyika (backed from 16s on Tuesday to 10s, and as low as 7s in places, yesterday) , and a few others too, including Guard The Moon.
All-weather contests – five and six runner races on ITV from Lingfield.
Over in Ireland, 10 have been confirmed for the Bobbyjo Chase. Champ Kiely is the only one not to have confirmed for the best Grade 3 you could wish to see.
A very good race in very bad ground, though (see all latest going and weather below).
GOING – Good to soft, soft in places
Going Ratio: 70:30
Going Stick – Chase: 6.4; Hurdles: 6.1; Saturday. 6.45am
Rails: Rails The Chase Course is 1 yard out from its inner configuration and the Winter Hurdle Course is on its inner configuration, with the effect on distances added to race distance details.
Saturday morning course update: Partly Cloudy. We had 1.5mm of rain on Friday afternoon and we had 5mm of rain on Wednesday night. Forecast: Staying unsettled but milder, with a slight risk of a shower.
Weather (yr.no latest – 7.55am Saturday) : Dry
Going: Good to soft
Soil Moisture 50.3%
Going stick: 6.3, Saturday 8am
Saturday morning course update: 1mm rain Friday. 14mm in the past week. Mild and overcast through Saturday with the chance of a shower from mid-afternoon. Temperatures of around 11C on a south-westerly breeze.
Weather (yr.no latest – 7.55am Saturday) : 2.6mm Saturday (starting 4pm)
GOING: Heavy
19 February 8.02am – Following 11mm of rain since entries, Fairyhouse is heavy. Possibility of a further 6-9mm (approx) prior to racing according to Met Éireann. 6 yards of fresh ground on Hurdle track
Weather (yr.no latest – 7.55am Saturday) : 2.8mm Saturday
GOING: Standard
Stalls: 5f & 1m – outside Remainder – inside
Saturday morning course update: 1mm rain yesterday. Forecast: Overcast today, 13C. Chance of showers this evening.
2.43pm Newcastle: Breeze Of Wind and Gold Clermont (both 15lb out of handicap, so not eligible)
Dan Skelton cheekpieces; Hoe Joly Smoke, 3.35pm Kempton; 38-247; 15%; -6pts SP
Gordon Elliott, blinkers; Stellar Story, 3.15pm Fairyhouse; 28-273; 10%; -50pts SP
NB: One Horse Town wears cheekpieces for the first time over hurdles having won in them on the Flat, and this is the first time Whistle Stop Tour has run in the first-time tongue-tie, cheekpieces combo
1.10pm Kempton: Whatsupwithyou, Bourbali
1.25pm Lingfield (all of them): Diligent Harry, Clearpoint, Democracy Dilemma, Valiant Force (prom), Golden Sickle (prom), Leovanni (prom)
1.45pm Kempton: One Horse Town, Fantasy World? (made it on Flat once)
2pm Lingfield : Boiling Point, Military Academy, Nebras
2.25pm Kempton: Go West, Jax Junior (prom), Jasmine Bliss
2.43pm Newcastle : Mr Vango, Anglers Crag, Val Dancer (prom), Livin On Luco?, Fortunate Man (prom), Knockanore (prom)
3pm Kempton: Klub De Reve, Desertmore News, Kocktail Bleu (prom), Storming George (prom), Matiwo
3.15pm Fairyhouse: Lecky Watson?, Answer To Kayf, Spanish Harlem
3.35pm Kempton : Henry’s Friend, Soul Icon?, Lookaway, Gustavian, Leader In The Park, Rising Dust
Good: Alan King, Ben Pauling, Robert Walford (another 11-2 winner on Friday), Nicky Henderson, Harry Derham, George and Zetterholm (very small sample), Jane Williams, Lucy Wadham, Jamie Snowden, Robert Cowell, George Boughey, Karl Burke, James Fanshawe (very small sample but another winner on Friday), Keiran Burke (very small sample), Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Terence O’Brien (small sample)
Fair: Dan Skelton (another two winners on Friday), Paul Nicholls (fair/good), Joe Tizzard (fair/good), Olly Murphy (fair/good after another two winners on Friday), Anthony Honeyball (fair/moderate), Alastair Ralph, James Owen (double on Wednesday and another winner on Thursday, so fair/good), Emmet Mullins (fair/good), Nicky Richards (fair/good), Mel Rowley (fair/good), Hobbs and White, Jonjo and AJ O’Neill (winner on Friday), Russell and Scudamore, Clive Cox, Robson De Aguiar (winner on Friday), Richard Hannon, Jane Chapple-Hyam, Joseph O’Brien (fair/good- double at Dundalk on Friday), Neil King (13-2 winner on Thursday)
Moderate: Emma Lavelle, Chris Gordon, Gary and Josh Moore, Christian Williams (smallish sample)
Don’t know: Sam Thomas (one winner from three runners, but usually good or better), Tom Ellis , Sara Bradstock, Thomas Gibney, Fiona Needham, Ryan Potter, Simon Hodgson (two runners, one winner), John and The Real Slim Thady Gosden (one winner, two runners)
1.10pm Ayr – Cromwell adds a big question mark to the Ayr opener Firstly, Ayr…
1.50pm Newmarket – 14-runner 3yo 6f handicap sets the ITV ball rolling Reciprocated, Enricher and…
Horse Racing
Greyhounds
Darts
Football
Home