December 11 / 14.05 Hereford

14.05

Good To Soft

Green Dragon Hotel Hereford Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 3m 1f 119y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Green Dragon Hotel Hereford Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 913-86

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Last season's win/placed form brings him into this; his current campaign has yet to ignite but there's time yet; worth chancing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:52 Worcester

Gustoso

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Won well at Hereford (3m1f) last December; absent since creditable second at Huntingdon in February; has a modest record when fresh but market support should be noted.

7/1

5

20th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Gustoso

11st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Won here last April and registered his second handicap win when comfortably in front at Hereford (3m2f, good to soft) in December; the latter was his first attempt at this sort of trip but he flopped when 7-4 favourite at Wincanton five weeks ago; major player if bouncing straight back.

7/2

12

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:10 Wincanton

Gustoso

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

visibility reduced by fog

6/1

8/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 8314-6 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won a bit too well at Plumpton in February (3m1f, soft) as he's still 10lb higher than that day; needed to run better at Lingfield.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:22 Ffos Las

Weavers Answer

11st 1lb

J: James Bowen

T: Tim Vaughan

Placed on final three outings last season, most recently when third of ten at Taunton (3m, good) in March; remains on career-high mark for this reappearance but won't be far away if fully tuned up.

5/1

3rd

1

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

Weavers Answer

12st 0lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Back on track with two good seconds this winter, the latter at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) last month, and ought to handle the faster ground here; can make his presence felt again.

4/1

2nd

3

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Lingfield

Weavers Answer

11st 10lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Dual hurdle winner who got back on track with a second at Hereford (3m2f, good to soft) in December and the first three pulled well clear in that race; looks interesting off unchanged mark and he's still unexposed as a stayer.

7/2

9/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 1314-5 D BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Consistent in handicaps (2m4f-3m) for previous yard but it was hard work from some way out when beaten 6l on stable debut at Bangor (2m7f, soft); however, the return of cheekpieces should be beneficial.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

20th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:05 Warwick

Pipers Cross

11st 9lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

Three-time winner, the latest at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) last May, and she hasn't been running badly this season (good to soft/soft); edging back down the weights and might not be far away.

5/1

4th

5

26th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:20 Plumpton

Pipers Cross

11st 2lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

Has won on soft but best form on good to soft or quicker; yard continues in fine form but Either Or had her measure at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) last month and she has no strong turnaround claims.

13/2

3rd

2

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:50 Southwell

Pipers Cross

11st 13lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

towards rear, headway before 3rd

7/1

Form: -94P11 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
2-4 for this yard and unbeaten since the visor went on, winning at 3m2f and 3m1f; 7lb higher than for the latest (by just under 2l) but has been rated much higher in the past; likely to be involved once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

25th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 71y

Class 4

17:00 Catterick

Grove Road

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: James Owen

Seemingly boosted by changed of headgear when winning twice over hurdles last year (3m2f/3m1f, good to soft) but his two runs this year (chase/hurdle) have been below par and he needs to bounce back again.

14/1

6th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

13:45 Plumpton

Grove Road

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: James Owen

in rear but in touch with leaders, headway after 10th, outpaced before 3 out

4/1

6th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

13:45 Plumpton

Grove Road

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: James Owen

in rear but in touch with leaders, headway after 10th, outpaced before 3 out, soon struggling

4/1

Form: 2/7146 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 12st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
All three hurdle wins have come at around 2m5f, including here; 2m was perhaps too sharp last time but there has to be a chance that 3m1f will be too far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

15:32 Bangor-on-Dee

Gris Majeur

11st 6lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Got off the mark over fences at Ludlow (2m4f, good to firm) last October and has been placed on all five starts since; drops back in trip which may not be in his favour.

7/2

3rd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Gris Majeur

11st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Triple hurdle winner who made the breakthrough over fences in a Ludlow handicap (2m4f, good to firm) in October; that was a four-runner race but he's been placed in four runs since including when runner-up at Chepstow (2m7f) 11 days ago; should go well again and all of his wins have been on good/good to firm.

9/2

2nd

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Gris Majeur

11st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Triple hurdle winner who made the breakthrough over fences in a Ludlow handicap (2m4f, good to firm) in October; that was a four-runner race but he's been placed in three runs since including over 3m at Taunton; should go well again and it would be a positive if the ground dries out.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2313/0

Last run: 19 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Bumper/hurdle winner for Fergal O'Brien; pulled up in a point after 503 days off and returning from another absence when tailed off at Chepstow (2m3f).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

19:15 Ffos Las

Imperial Storm

11st 1lb

J: Mr James Shaw

T: Sue Gardner

Badly out of form over hurdles this season and there didn't seem to be any positives from his switch to chasing for last three outings; wore tongue-tie (dispensed with now) and cheekpieces for latest; way down the weights.

40/1

9

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

19:15 Ffos Las

Imperial Storm

11st 1lb

J: Mr James Shaw

T: Sue Gardner

Badly out of form over hurdles this season and there didn't seem to be any positives from his switch to chasing for last three outings; wore tongue-tie (dispensed with now) and cheekpieces for latest; way down the weights.

40/1

4th

4

2nd Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

16:25 Exeter

Imperial Storm

10st 10lb

J: Mr James Shaw

T: Sue Gardner

prominent, not fluent 1st, lost ground 7th, not fluent 11th, soon lost ground

8/1

Form: /22-4P C

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner for Henry Daly in early 2023; twice runner-up over hurdles and was sent to Cheltenham for last month's handicap debut where he pulled up at 50-1 (2m5f); this is more realistic and cheekpieces are added; there's stamina in the pedigree.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 4

15:08 Ludlow

Mikimoto

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Pulled up over 2m5f/3m2f when moving into handicaps late last year; third in maiden over an extended 2m5f at Market Rasen last month was a step back in the right direction but others have more solid claims; tried cheekpieces then visor for last two starts.

14/1

5th

8

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 4

15:08 Ludlow

Mikimoto

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Pulled up over 2m5f/3m2f when moving into handicaps late last year; third in maiden over an extended 2m5f at Market Rasen last month was a step back in the right direction but others have more solid claims; tried cheekpieces then visor for last two starts.

14/1

3rd

6

16th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

14:22 Market Rasen

Mikimoto

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Bumper winner for Henry Daly in February 2023 (2m, good); runner-up in novice hurdles at Warwick (2m5f, good) and Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) later that year; subsequently off for 305 days and although his comeback was decent he's been pulled up in two handicaps since, the latest with cheekpieces tried (visored this time); has a bit to prove.

11/2

Form: 364-17

Last run: 193 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Gained a clearcut success at Ffos Las (3m) in May but ran no race at Worcester the following month; handicapped to go well with Benjamin Macey taking off 10lb but he's not the easiest to predict.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Warwick

Spitalfield

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Ended string of heavy defeats when third in first-time cheekpieces here (3m1f, good; handes soft) last month but didn't find much in the closing stages, and it's hard to tell whether he'll build on that performance.

11/2

3rd

1

4th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 5

15:50 Warwick

Spitalfield

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Only 1-24 and that win was nearly two years ago; he was in no form earlier this year and plenty depends on whether cheekpieces can trigger something; he's dropped to a good mark.

9/2

8th

9

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

15:50 Haydock

Spitalfield

11st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Sole win came off just 1lb higher in May 2024; some creditable efforts subsequently but his hurdling has often held him back and he's been tailed off all three starts since January.

16/1

Form: F-7837

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Hunter chase winner (3m, heavy) in March; back hurdling for his last four runs and disappointing that he didn't run better on the return to a staying trip at Warwick 21 days ago.
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: 3-1P34 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Only 1-17 over hurdles, that success coming at Warwick in May (3m1f, good); respectable in defeat the last twice and has each-way claims; 2lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

27th Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:57 Warwick

Newtonian

10st 9lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Matt Sheppard

Only win came on good ground off 2lb higher here last May (3m1f); has run well since then but form has taken a turn for the worse this year and should have run better only 19 days ago at Hereford when back on good ground.

10/1

4th

9

8th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

13:30 Hereford

Newtonian

10st 11lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Matt Sheppard

Only win came on good ground off this mark at Warwick last May (3m1f); was knocking on the door in the autumn (on good and good to soft) and a softer surface has perhaps found him out the last twice; better expected.

7/1

10th

10

21st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Warwick

Newtonian

10st 4lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Matt Sheppard

in touch with leaders, towards rear with one circuit to go, not fluent 3 out, soon struggling

10/1

Non-runners

Groom De Cotte

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £74.10
Straight Forecast £67.61
Tricast £468.60
Trifecta £658.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Pipers Cross

Daily Mail:

Grove Road

TOPSPEED:

Gris Majeur

SPOTLIGHT:

Gustoso

D Express:

Spitalfield

Telegraph:

Weaver's Answer

The Star:

Groom De Cotte

POSTDATA:

Newtonian

The Times:

Pipers Cross

The Guardian:

Pipers Cross

Daily Mirror:

Grove Road

Daily Record:

Grove Road

The Sun:

Gris Majeur