Silks & Shenanigans: The “Glue & Glory” Poll: Trainers Ask, Who’s Actually the Yard Favorite?

It was a Saturday of mud, guts, and a surprising amount of social media banter across the UK and Ireland. While the punters were busy emptying their pockets at Fairyhouse and Kempton, the trainers were reportedly having a bit of a mid-season identity crisis.

Rumor has it a WhatsApp group containing the likes of Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins descended into chaos this afternoon. After Henry de Bromhead snagged a tidy win with Rokathir (4/1) at Fairyhouse, and Elliott’s Mode Avion romped home at 6/5, the trainers allegedly launched a cheeky “Fan Favorite” poll.

The question? “Which of today’s winners would you actually invite to Sunday lunch?”

• Henry de Bromhead is backing Rokathir, mostly because the horse doesn’t talk back and handles heavy ground better than Henry handles a slow barista.

• Gordon Elliott is sticking with Mode Avion, though he did joke that the horse has a better social life than he does.

• Willie Mullins, ever the perfectionist, reportedly abstained from the poll until Look Me secured the win in the bumper. “I only vote for winners who look good in the winner’s enclosure photos,” he (probably) didn’t say.

In the UK, Neil King was seen grinning like a Cheshire cat after Lookaway (3/1 fav) outstayed the field in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton. When asked if Lookaway would win the “Yard Sweetheart” poll, King reportedly muttered something about the horse being a “bloody legend” but “terrible at sharing his carrots.”🥕

Rumor has it a WhatsApp group containing the likes of Dan Skelton and Clive Cox descended into chaos this afternoon. After Jamie Snowden snagged a tidy win with Fine Shot (9/1) in the Kempton finale, the trainers allegedly launched a cheeky “Fan Favorite” poll.

The question? “Which of today’s winners would you actually invite to Sunday lunch?”

• Jamie Snowden is backing Fine Shot, mostly because winning a bumper under Gavin Sheehan is the best way to ensure the owners are buying the first round.

• Neil King is sticking with Lookaway (3/1 fav), though he did joke that the horse has a better social life than he does after taking the Ladbrokes Trophy.

• Clive Cox, ever the sprinter specialist, reportedly abstained from the poll until Diligent Harry (15/8) secured the Hever Sprint at Lingfield. “I only vote for winners who can finish their dinner in under 56 seconds,” he (probably) didn’t say.

• James Fanshawe is pushing for Sky Safari (6/1) after she upset the odds in the Winter Derby, proving that sometimes the girls just do it better on the Polytrack.

Today’s Key Results: Kempton & Lingfield

If you missed the action while checking your own poll results, here is how the big ones crossed the line today, Saturday, February 21, 2026:

Kempton Park

• 13:10 Handicap Hurdle: Hold The Serve (15/8f) – Olly Murphy & Sean Bowen.

• 13:45 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle: La Luna Artista (15/2) – Jane Williams & Ciaran Gethings.

• 14:25 Pendil Novices’ Chase: Jax Junior (8/11f) – Lucy Wadham & Tom Cannon.

• 15:35 Ladbrokes Trophy: Lookaway (3/1f) – Neil King & Jack Quinlan.

• 16:40 Open NH Flat: Fine Shot (9/1) – Jamie Snowden & Gavin Sheehan.

Lingfield Park (AW)

• 13:25 Hever Sprint Stakes: Diligent Harry (15/8jfav) – Clive Cox & Rossa Ryan.

• 14:00 Winter Derby Stakes: Sky Safari (6/1) – James Fanshawe & Daniel Muscutt.

• 15:10 Handicap: Paradias (7/2) – Alan King & Rossa Ryan.

• 15:52 Maiden: Sin City (4/5f) – Kevin Philippart de Foy & David Egan.

• 17:00 Handicap: Mister Moet (4/1) – Scott Dixon & Kieran O’Neill.

“On the Radar” – Sunday, February 22

If you’re looking to recoup today’s “investment,” here are the top-rated horses according to Timeform for tomorrow’s action.

Ireland: Naas

• 14:00 – Wildhorserider (IRE): Top-rated in the Maiden Hurdle. A 6-year-old gelding by Order of George, he’s expected to find this company much more to his liking.

• 16:00 – State Pension (IRE): Rated 139. After a wide-margin success at Tipperary, David Harry Kelly’s charge is the clear statistical standout.

• 16:00 – Low Kick (FR): Closely chasing the top spot for Gordon Elliott. Expected to improve significantly on a decent 5th-place finish last time.

UK: Hereford

• 14:10 – Queen Maeve: Timeform’s top pick for the opener. Having joined the Dan Skelton yard from Ireland, she receives a massive weight allowance.

• 14:40 – Madame La Papillon: After a gutsy second at Newcastle, she is top-rated (2/1) to go one better here on similar soft ground.

• 17:10 – Berkshire Woody: The “get out stakes” pick. The Timeform analysts are particularly keen on this one to wrap up the Hereford card.

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