Dovecote Novices Hurdle Results at Kempton Park — 21 February 2026

Saturday, 21 February 2026

There are lots of viable contenders for the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle, with a big field expected to compete over a distance of two miles. Kempton Park hosts a Grade 2 encounter where Hamlet's Night might go off as the betting favourite. James Owen's five-year-old is nearly always in the frame but there are others at a similar price.

Double Measure won last time out and the Dan Skelton-trained five-year-old has serious claims, with Klub De Reve also landing a success in a previous showing for Harry Derham. Another six-year-old with strong credentials is Storming George, with Mustang Du Breuil and Onlyforfrankie also trading at single figure prices.

PosHorseJockeyTrainerSP
1stFirebladeFirebladeSuraj NarreduDylan Cunha13/2
2ndAlmuhitAlmuhitK TeetanFaye Bramley8/1
3rdArtisan DancerArtisan DancerPer-Anders GrabergC Johnston7/1
4thScottish AnthemScottish AnthemMirai IwataMichael Keady22/1
5thSpirit MixerSpirit MixerJoanna MasonA M Balding4/1
6thEnemyEnemyDelphine SantiagoIan Williams40/1
7thMaghlaakMaghlaakR D DolanA Keatley11/1
8thLa Vita NovaLa Vita NovaHollie DoyleMrs J Harrington7/4F
9thWild WavesWild WavesH BowmanA M Balding11/1
1stFirebladeFireblade13/2
J: Suraj NarreduT: Dylan Cunha
2ndAlmuhitAlmuhit8/1
J: K TeetanT: Faye Bramley
3rdArtisan DancerArtisan Dancer7/1
J: Per-Anders GrabergT: C Johnston
4thScottish AnthemScottish Anthem22/1
J: Mirai IwataT: Michael Keady
5thSpirit MixerSpirit Mixer4/1
J: Joanna MasonT: A M Balding
6thEnemyEnemy40/1
J: Delphine SantiagoT: Ian Williams
7thMaghlaakMaghlaak11/1
J: R D DolanT: A Keatley
8thLa Vita NovaLa Vita Nova7/4F
J: Hollie DoyleT: Mrs J Harrington
9thWild WavesWild Waves11/1
J: H BowmanT: A M Balding

2026 Dovecote Novices' Hurdle Betting Tips

Hamlet's Night is a good starting point when trying to work out the winner of the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle. James Owen saddles a horse who ran well at Wincanton back in November when finishing second. That came after a solid effort at Cheltenham where the horse nearly surprised everyone by beating 4/9 favourite Give It To Me Oj.

Double Measure is operating at a similar price and Dan Skelton saddles a five-year-old who is carrying the same weight as the above. There was plenty to like about a performance at Huntingdon where the runner was able to fend off fifteen other runners and achieve a victory by over ten lengths.

Then we have Klub De Reve and the horse's performances have been gradually improving this season. After landing fourth spot out of eleven at Newbury, there was a runner-up effort at Exeter in December and then came a Boxing Day success at Kempton. The 7/4 favourite was able to oblige by ten lengths and there could be more to come.

Storming George is trained by Neil King and was last seen finishing second at Doncaster in early February, with that effort coming on soft ground. It might mean the horse runs well in similar conditions, with the runner having achieved a notable success at the Yorkshire track at the end of November before a disappointing showing at Aintree.


2025 Dovecote Novices' Hurdle Tips

Miami Magic has been producing some star performances this season and he could be the one to beat in the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices' Hurdle. The six-year-old was last seen running at Aintree on Boxing Day, with a solid display in the Formby Novices’ Hurdle when finishing two lengths behind even money favourite Potters Charm.

That came after a success at Kempton Park when registering a twelve-length success in a novices’ hurdle, with Stuart Edmunds saddling a quality runner although Tripoli Flyer has similar credentials and some would argue he’s a better value price. Fergal O’Brien saw his horse secure a victory in a race at Musselburgh after winning at Market Rasen in November.

Celtic Dino runs for Sam Thomas and the six-year-old has been backed in the past few days, with the horse featuring in that Boxing Day encounter at Aintree when finishing fourth and eleven and a half lengths off the pace. That came after a success at Ascot and there was also a comprehensive triumph at Wincanton, with the horse worthy of each-way consideration.

Starcrossed Lover could be the one to back and we’re surprised that the horse racing betting sites offer such a big price when it comes to this runner. The latest effort was a seventeen-length success at Hereford in mid-January, with this coming after a win at Windsor in December. Although further improvement is needed for a win, this horse looks capable.