14:10 Catterick 04 Mar 2026
Racing To School Claiming Hurdle
Class 4 | 4YO plus
Winner £4,357 - 8 declared to run
Good to soft-good in places
Draw Advantage: None
Forecast: Sunny spells
Temperature: 5.8° - 12.3°
Rainfall: none
Wind: 8.3 mph S
Last Update: 03/03/2026 17:00x
- Winner
- Top 2 Finish
- Top 3 Finish
- W/O Pigeon House
- W/O Mermaids Cave And Pigeon House
- W/O Mermaids Cave
- Top 4 Finish
Bookies best price percentage = 117.42%
AT THE RACES is not liable for any services or information offered or provided by its bookmaker partners. Please note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure odds and information are up to date and correct, differences between these and actual odds/information available from bookmakers at time of placing a bet may occur.
Went clear and made bit too much use of up in trip back from break when second beaten 4 1/4l in a handicap hurdle here latest; effective at around 2m, acts on soft and good; should come on for latest.
Successful in two hurdle races at 2m and 2m 2f on yielding and yielding - soft ground. Beaten 4 1/2l by Bathgate when second of 8 at 33-1 on his latest outing in a hurdle race here over 2m 3f (soft) last month.
Went clear and made bit too much use of up in trip back from break when second beaten 4 1/4l in a handicap hurdle here latest; effective at around 2m, acts on soft and good; should come on for latest.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 22 | 2 | 12 | 9.1% | |
| Hurdle | 22 | 2 | 12 | 9.1% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| C | Course | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 11 | 1 | 6 | 9.1% |
| G | Similar Going | 26 | 2 | 13 | 7.7% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (P only) | 15 | 2 | 8 | 13.3% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 4 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Sean Quinlan | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| T | J Candlish | 11 | 0 | 7 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Bit below form beaten 6l in a handicap hurdle at Market Rasen last time; off a short-break; effective 2m, suited by sound surface; bit to find with a couple of these at the weights.
Has won eight hurdle races from 2m to 2m 2f on good and good to soft ground. Finished 6l behind Freddy Robinson when last of 6 at 40-1 on his latest outing in a hurdle race at Market Rasen over 2m 1f (good to soft) in December last year. Has won at Uttoxeter and Fakenham this season.
Bit below form beaten 6l in a handicap hurdle at Market Rasen last time; off a short-break; effective 2m, suited by sound surface; bit to find with a couple of these at the weights.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 48 | 8 | 15 | 16.7% | |
| Hurdle | 48 | 8 | 15 | 16.7% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 32 | 6 | 11 | 18.8% |
| G | Similar Going | 52 | 8 | 16 | 15.4% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 26 | 4 | 5 | 15.4% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 4 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 20% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Oscar Palmer | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | F Brennan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Well placed off modest pace when fourth beaten 8l in a handicap hurdle here latest; effective 2m-2m4f on a sound surface; bit to find at the weights.
A winner of a hurdle race at 2m 1f on soft ground. Finished 8l behind Devon Skies when fourth of 7 at 7-2fav on his latest outing in a hurdle race here over 2m 3f (soft) in January.
Well placed off modest pace when fourth beaten 8l in a handicap hurdle here latest; effective 2m-2m4f on a sound surface; bit to find at the weights.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 17 | 1 | 7 | 5.9% | |
| Hurdle | 15 | 1 | 7 | 6.7% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| C | Course | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 20 | 2 | 7 | 10% |
| G | Similar Going | 25 | 2 | 10 | 8% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (T & B) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Blinkers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 4 | 22 | 1 | 7 | 4.6% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | B S Hughes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| T | P Neville | 14 | 1 | 5 | 7.1% |
| BF Was beaten favourite last time out | |||||
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Disappointing effort on handicap debut well beaten at Newcastle latest; off a short-break; yet to show much over hurdles and now dropped in grade.
Yet to place in six NH starts. Well beaten at 7-2 behind Kazar Forez when seventh of 8 on his latest outing in a hurdle race at Newcastle over 2m 1f (good to soft) in December last year.
Disappointing effort on handicap debut well beaten at Newcastle latest; off a short-break; yet to show much over hurdles and now dropped in grade.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Hurdle | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Distance | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Similar Going | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Danny McMenamin | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | B Ellison | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Fell early in a handicap hurdle at Sedgefield latest; effective 2m; up against it at the weights.
Yet to place in eight starts over hurdles. Fell when 16-1 at Sedgefield over 2m 1f (good to soft) in a hurdle race won by Kazar Forez in January on his latest outing.
Fell early in a handicap hurdle at Sedgefield latest; effective 2m; up against it at the weights.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Hurdle | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Distance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| G | Similar Going | 21 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (T only) | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Peter Kavanagh | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | M E Sowersby | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Again below form beaten 10l in a handicap hurdle at Market Rasen last time; trainer in form; effective 2m-2m4f on a sound surface; good chance at these weights dropping in grade.
Winner of seven hurdle races from 2m to 2m 4f on ground varying from good to soft. Beaten 10l behind Pretending at 33-1 when eighth of 12 on her latest outing in a hurdle race at Market Rasen over 2m 5f (soft) last month. Has won twice at Huntingdon this season.
Again below form beaten 10l in a handicap hurdle at Market Rasen last time; trainer in form; effective 2m-2m4f on a sound surface; good chance at these weights dropping in grade.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 26 | 7 | 2 | 26.9% | |
| Hurdle | 24 | 7 | 2 | 29.2% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| G | Similar Going | 24 | 7 | 2 | 29.2% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (V only) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 4 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 33.3% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Alex Chadwick | 8 | 4 | 0 | 50% |
| T | James Owen | 19 | 7 | 1 | 36.8% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Step back in right direction comfortably held in a handicap hurdle at Carlisle last time; effective around 2m, acts on soft and good; others better at the weights dropping in grade.
Winner of six hurdle races from 2m to 2m 1f on good to soft and soft ground, but last win was over two years ago. Finished 15l behind He's Bresilian when sixth of 14 at 50-1 on his latest outing in a hurdle race at Carlisle over 2m 1f (soft) last month.
Step back in right direction comfortably held in a handicap hurdle at Carlisle last time; effective around 2m, acts on soft and good; others better at the weights dropping in grade.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 24 | 6 | 3 | 25% | |
| Hurdle | 24 | 6 | 3 | 25% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 12 | 3 | 3 | 25% |
| G | Similar Going | 37 | 6 | 5 | 16.2% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (P only) | 11 | 2 | 0 | 18.2% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 4 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 10% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Joshua Thompson | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| T | D Thompson | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Minor promise on first run over hurdles well beaten in a maiden event at Market Rasen latest; top course trainer; not proven beyond 8f on Flat; bit to prove and soon dropping in grade.
Well beaten at 150-1 behind Senator when seventh of 8 on his NH debut in a maiden hurdle race at Market Rasen over 2m 1f (soft) last month.
Minor promise on first run over hurdles well beaten in a maiden event at Market Rasen latest; top course trainer; not proven beyond 8f on Flat; bit to prove and soon dropping in grade.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Hurdle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| C | Course | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 21 | 2 | 5 | 9.5% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Tom Midgley | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| T | T D Easterby | 32 | 2 | 7 | 6.3% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Verdict
Although Mermaids Cave has proved uncompetitive in handicaps since landing a claimer at Huntingdon in early November, she must enter calculations reverting to this company. The seven-year-old shouldn't be far away, but PIGEON HOUSE is slightly more compelling. Jennie Candlish's inmate arrives on the back of a decent second over an extended 2m3f here and he ticks plenty of the right boxes dropping back to 2m. Tara Iti may fare best of the remainder.
Expert View Verdict
Mermaids Cave comes out best at the weights but she's been let down by her jumping of late, falling at Fakenham two starts back and then making a bad blunder en route to finishing well held at Market Rasen last time. PIGEON HOUSE looks a more sensible play. He's run twice at this course before, finishing runner-up on each occasion, including in a handicap from a mark of 117 just over three weeks ago. That was over further and he should prove ideally suited by the drop in trip. Tara Iti is third choice but has a bit to find at the weights with the pair already mentioned.
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Previous Winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good | 7 | Collingham | 7 | 12 0 | - | 800-11F | 270 days | A Watson (234 miles) | Miss Brodie Hampson | 10/ 3 | 3:48.65 | |
| 2024 | Soft | 6 | Believe Jack | 7 | 11 7 | - | 4-P4155 | 10 days | O Murphy (178 miles) | Lewis Stones | 13/ 2 | 3:57.00 | |
| 2022 | Good to Soft | 4 | Eskendash | 9 | 11 9 | - | 522-523 | 188 days | Miss J E Foster (48 miles) | Brian Hughes | 17/ 2 | 3:46.70 |
Race Favourite Stats
| Year | Favourite Finish Position | Winner Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 | 4 |
Race Record
| Distance | Record Time |
|---|---|
| 1m 7f 156y | 3:38.20 |