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KEMPTON
23 March 2026
Virgin Bet "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4) Racecard
- Channel:
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Good
- Runners
- 5
- Type
- Hurdle
- Surface
- Turf
- Weather
- Mostly cloudy
Selection
Selection
Selected At
Fountains Blenhein
Selected at:
6/4
Landed a bumper on debut and the dual hurdles winner arrives here on the back of a good second in a 2m3f novice at Taunton. Should be hard to beat in a softer contest up in trip.
Bookmaker
Offer
Best Odds
Bet Here
6/4
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Racecard
No.(Draw)
Runner
Best Odds
Dual hurdles winner who ran well last time; one of the main players
-131P2
Age: 7
Weight: 12-0
OR: 125
Days: 25
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Feb 26 | Tau Taunton | 19f GS | 4NvH | 11-7 | 2/7 | Khafre (3L) | 100/30 | 124 | 126 |
| 24 Jan 26 | Don Doncaster | 24.5f Sft | NvHG2 | 11-0 | PU/12 | Thedeviluno () | 12/1 | 124 | - |
| 1 Jan 26 | Wdr Windsor | 22f Gd | 3NvH | 11-6 | 1/4 | Assertive Walk (3L) | 5/6F | 120 | 120 |
| 17 Nov 25 | Plu Plumpton | 20.5f Gd | 4NvH | 11-7 | 3/4 | El Galactico (4¾L) | 4/11F | - | 115 |
| 23 Oct 25 | Fon Fontwell | 19f GS | 4MdH | 11-4 | 1/11 | Legal Weapon (34L) | 5/1 | - | 115 |
| 5 Apr 25 | Ain Aintree | 17f Gd | NHFG2 | 11-4 | 14/15 | Green Splendour (86L) | 66/1 | 110 | 41 |
Twice-raced 5yo who is likely to build on Huntingdon win and improve further
01
Age: 5
Weight: 11-9
OR: -
Days: 22
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Mar 26 | Hun Huntingdon | 16f GS | 4MdH | 11-5 | 1/7 | Maskarvel (2½L) | 15/2 | - | 107 |
| 17 Dec 25 | Lud Ludlow | 16f GS | 4NvH | 11-0 | 14/15 | Un Sens A La Vie (36L) | 4/1 | - | 75 |
D
Distance Winner - Won before at this distance
BF
Beaten Favourite - Losing favourite last time out
Disappointing over C&D last time but may rebound; has solid form otherwise
23-215
Age: 6
Weight: 11-9
OR: 122
Days: 49
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Feb 26 | Kem Kempton | 21f GS | 4NvH | 11-12 t | 5/15 | Reckless Spending (54L) | 9/4F | 124 | 88 |
| 1 Jan 26 | Chl Cheltenham | 20.5f Gd | 2MdH | 11-7 t | 1/7 | Just Golden (nk) | 3/1 | - | 121 |
| 11 Dec 25 | War Warwick | 21f GS | 4MdH | 11-4 t1 | 2/11 | Moneygarrow (7L) | 100/30 | - | 118 |
| 20 Dec 24 | Asc Ascot | 15.5f GS | NHFL | 11-2 | 3/14 | Windbeneathmywings (16L) | 10/1 | - | 112 |
| 11 May 24 | Hay Haydock | 15.5f Gd | 34yNHF | 11-0 | 2/11 | French Ship (8L) | 9/2 | - | 112 |
0-5 in Irish points; not a particularly promising type
Form:
Age: 6
Weight: 11-2
OR: -
Days: -
Pedigree suggests he'll improve for the step up in trip on hurdles debut
83
Age: 6
Weight: 11-2
OR: -
Days: 29
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Feb 26 | Fon Fontwell | 17.5f Hy | 5MdNHF | 11-7 | 3/4 | Minella Premier (21L) | 40/1 | - | 102 |
| 2 Feb 26 | Kem Kempton | 16f GS | 5MdNHF | 10-11 | 8/14 | Lover Desbois (34L) | 40/1 | - | 77 |
Verdict
It may be worth keeping the faith in STEP AHEAD. The other main contenders are Caspari and Fountains Blenhein.
Step Ahead
Betting Forecast:
6/4 Fountains Blenhein,
15/8 Step Ahead,
2/1 Caspari,
33/1 Testing Patience,
40/1 Hello Tom
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