November 20 / 15.54 Warwick

15.54

Good

Welcombe Hills Vineyard Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 3m 1f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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Welcombe Hills Vineyard Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 21168-

Last run: 284 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Two novice hurdle wins over 2m7f (good to soft) and 2m6f (heavy) last winter; lesser efforts back in handicaps for Anthony Charlton in early 2024 but this is easier on debut for new yard; cheekpieces left off; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Ikarak

11st 1lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Regular winner, including at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft) and Ayr (3m, soft) this season; very good third of 24 to Supremely West in the Pertemps at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month but Sean Bowen still deserts him in favour of Hold The Serve.

20/1

3rd

12

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Ikarak

10st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Below form on his only run at this track, albeit two years ago; regular winner, including at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft) and Ayr (3m, soft) in two of three starts this season, with a creditable third to Kikijo at Sandown in between; up another 6lb but if he's in contention he will be staying on.

50/1

4

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Ikarak

11st 1lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Two from two over C&D, both wins gained this season for new stable; nearly made the frame in Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow last time; commands respect back at Warwick.

5/2

14/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 142-65 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Hurdle winner whose latest success was in a Southwell chase (3m, good to soft) in January; jumping let him down in that sphere in May and he needed the run back hurdling last month; looks to have share of weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:46 Haydock

Ernest Gray

10st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Did well in cheekpieces last year, winning at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May and Aintree (3m, good) in October; not so good behind Super Survivor here (good to soft) in December but a return to form today looks possible for in-form yard; place hopes.

8/1

6

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Ernest Gray

11st 7lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Alan King

Won at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May in first-time cheekpieces (retained since); midfield at Market Rasen next time then runner-up back at Worcester (2m7f, good), albeit no match for the unexposed winner; also effective on soft/good to soft ground; might not be far away.

7/1

2nd

2

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:52 Worcester

Ernest Gray

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Sound performances since having wind surgery and wearing cheekpieces, winning over C&D (good) in May then creditable fifth at Market Rasen; solid chance in the retained headgear.

5/1

16/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: -PP6P4

Last run: 57 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won 2m4f maiden hurdle in 2022 but very mixed record in handicap hurdles and chases since back from absence; slightly more encouragement at Warwick last time out but this is competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Sporty Jim

11st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Maiden hurdle winner in 2022 for Olly Murphy; recently beaten in staying handicaps won by I'm A Starman (runs earlier) at Warwick and Worcester and ran respectably in the latter when ahead of Faded Fantasy; every chance.

4/1

3rd

11

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Sporty Jim

10st 5lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Still to add to April 2022's Perth maiden success for Olly Murphy (2m4f, good to soft), and this would be a bit better race than the Warwick 0-100 in which I'm A Starman beat him 31l last time.

20/1

4th

5

5th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:50 Warwick

Sporty Jim

11st 4lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Rediscovered some form and made the frame on consecutive appearances in the autumn (once over C&D) but began this year with two disappointing runs and has it all to prove again now.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3/U3-3

Last run: 32 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Promising in novice hurdles before multiple wins in points; respectable return from a break back over hurdles at Stratford last month and he's an interesting contender now handicapping; first-time headgear on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

3

6th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:18 Worcester

Tigerbythetail

11st 12lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: T Ellis

Prolific point winner who's proven inconsistent over hurdles since returning from seven months off; has been doing his racing over further and is some way down the pecking order.

33/1

14th

3

6th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:18 Worcester

Tigerbythetail

11st 12lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: T Ellis

Prolific point winner who's proven inconsistent over hurdles since returning from seven months off; has been doing his racing over further and is some way down the pecking order.

33/1

5th

1

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

16:02 Carlisle

Tigerbythetail

12st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

towards rear

9/2

Form: 3313-5 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Both handicap wins over 3m1f at Huntingdon (good to soft/good); not a lot between him and Planet Legend on Ludlow form in April but he didn't run well enough at Aintree recently, when back from a break, to fancy here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

14:20 Warwick

Chris Cool

11st 5lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Both handicap wins have come over 3m1f at Huntingdon; no closer than fifth this season but has been getting nearer, last time beaten 11l at Uttoxeter.

14/1

8th

4

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

14:20 Warwick

Chris Cool

11st 5lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Both handicap wins have come over 3m1f at Huntingdon; no closer than fifth this season but has been getting nearer, last time beaten 11l at Uttoxeter.

14/1

6

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

12:12 Uttoxeter

Chris Cool

11st 4lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Both handicap wins have come over 3m1f at Huntingdon; hard to be confident on this season's two showings but not badly handicapped if staging a revival.

10/1

Form: 18146- D

Last run: 249 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Out-and-out stayer who won twice over fences last midwinter; bled from the nose when last seen in March; has a much lower hurdle mark but she hasn't been able to capitalise on even lower ones in the past.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:30 Hexham

Gold Clermont

11st 12lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Andy Irvine

Ex-Olly Murphy; off the mark for present yard when winning five-runner handicap chase by a short head at Fontwell last time (3m2f, good); up 3lb; interesting.

9/2

1st

2

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:45 Fontwell

Gold Clermont

11st 12lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Andy Irvine

All four wins have came over fences Andy Irvine; her last success was in January 2024 but that was at this track (3m3f) and she returned to form with a creditable third over hurdles here (3m2f, soft) last month; that was only her second start since rejoining her former stable and she's in the mix back over fences.

7/1

3rd

4

14th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:45 Fontwell

Gold Clermont

11st 10lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Andy Irvine

All four wins have came over fences for Andy Irvine; had no joy in three starts for Olly Murphy and rejoined former stable before pulling up at Exeter (3m6f, heavy) last month; bids to exploit 10lb lower mark over hurdles; needs to show more.

5/1

Form: 1F-783 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Hunter chase winner (3m, heavy) in March; minor form over inadequate trips back hurdling for this yard but he was dropped quickly in the weights and did shape nicely over 2m4f at Carlisle recently; should be capable of exploiting a lowly mark soon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

2nd May 2025

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:30 Cheltenham

Drop Flight

12st 1lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: S Loxton

Ran well in only one of six hurdling starts for Dan Skelton last season and, having rejoined Sam Loxton, was pulled up in a hunter chase in February; last of three finishers in 4m point last month; revival needed.

25/1

4

2nd May 2025

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:30 Cheltenham

Drop Flight

12st 1lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: S Loxton

Ran well in only one of six hurdling starts for Dan Skelton last season and, having rejoined Sam Loxton, was pulled up in a hunter chase in February; last of three finishers in 4m point last month; revival needed.

25/1

Form: 6P6731 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner; has put his woes behind him of late, confirming revival with narrow Bangor win (2m7f, soft) 22 days ago; back up in the weights but still 7lb lower than a Kelso win last November; in the thick of it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:48 Worcester

Butlers Brief

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Successful in a division of this race in 2021 but that was the middle leg of a hat-trick; not in same form at present, having performed poorly in two runs since Bangor win in October.

20/1

7th

8

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:48 Worcester

Butlers Brief

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Successful in a division of this race in 2021 but that was the middle leg of a hat-trick; not in same form at present, having performed poorly in two runs since Bangor win in October.

20/1

Non-runners

Planet Legend

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.80
Straight Forecast £12.66
Tricast £66.35
Trifecta £64.10

Selections

POSTDATA:

Butler's Brief

TOPSPEED:

Ikarak

SPOTLIGHT:

Drop Flight

Telegraph:

Tigerbythetail

The Star:

Ernest Gray

The Times:

Ikarak

D Express:

Ikarak

Daily Mail:

Tigerbythetail

RP RATINGS:

Drop Flight

Daily Mirror:

Drop Flight

The Guardian:

Butler's Brief

The Sun:

Butler's Brief

Daily Record:

Butler's Brief