December 11 / 13.05 Hereford

13.05

Good To Soft

Hereford FC Forever United Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 3f 147y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Hereford FC Forever United Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 8131

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Bangor bumper winner who doubled his tally when making all for a comfortable success in maiden hurdle at Newcastle (2m1f; again on good ground); that was a modest race in which his market rival disappointed and now carries a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 3

14:16 Kempton

Sayva

11st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Bumper and dual hurdles winner; disappointing in last two appearances but may tap back into earlier progress, provided he takes well to chasing; by no means written off.

7/1

2

21st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Warwick

Sayva

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won twice in novice company towards end of last year (2m1f/2m3f) and came second on handicap debut at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) in March; disappointed when upped to 2m5f for latest run but may still have potential.

6/1

2

21st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Warwick

Sayva

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won twice in novice company towards end of last year (2m1f/2m3f) and came second on handicap debut at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) in March; disappointed when upped to 2m5f for latest run but may still have potential.

6/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 13361P

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Two handicap wins in Ireland included one at this year's Punchestown festival; ran disappointingly in his final run for Jessica Harrington and then sold for 30,000gns; quite exposed now and has the penalties, but has joined another respected yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

17:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Pigeon House

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Can do too much in front but no alarms when making all in a Catterick claiming hurdle for Jennie Candlish in March (1m7f, good); out of a half-sister to a minor chase winner, but not bred for this job otherwise.

8/1

9th

5

(9)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

20:18 Southwell (AW)

Pigeon House

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Claimed out of Jennie Candlish's yard for £12,000 after winning over hurdles at Catterick last time; could go well but looks no certainty to follow up, being 0-12 on the Flat (mostly turf starts).

10/1

1st

1

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

14:10 Catterick

Pigeon House

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

No win since August 2024 (Ballinrobe, 2m2f; for Jessica Harrington) but has finished runner-up on both visits to this track, including when racing too freely on return from a seven-month break over 2m4f (33-1) latest; top-rated, and dropping back in trip should suit; key player.

13/8

2/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 245-3 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Seems consistent having run well in all her bumpers, two of them warm races at top tracks; bred to improve for this trip (and further) now sent over hurdles; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

15:02 Bangor-on-Dee

Ive Madeupmymind

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Course winner last February; bang there when falling two out on handicap debut at Kempton (3m, good) in November but she's struggled since and been all over the shop trip-wise.

9/4

6th

5

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Warwick

Ive Madeupmymind

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Won mares' maiden hurdle at Bangor (2m, heavy) last February and was bang there when falling two out on handicap debut at Kempton (3m, good) in November; disappointing on both runs since (3m/2m4f) and has something to prove but perhaps the drop back in trip will help this headstrong mare.

12/1

11

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

14:40 Huntingdon

Ive Madeupmymind

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Made all for Bangor maiden win (2m, heavy) last February; had every chance when falling on her reappearance (3m handicap) and was too free for comfort at Kempton over Christmas, again at 3m; probably on a fair mark and she's back in trip; chance.

7/1

Form: 14

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Yard won this race in 2017 with their star hurdler Paisley Park; this gelding won a Huntingdon bumper without much fuss but was a well-held fourth on switch to hurdles at Warwick (again on good ground); could have needed the run that day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

15:45 Uttoxeter

The Long Point

11st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Emma Lavelle

7yo who made it 2-4 over fences when completing a double at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft; first run after wind surgery) last month; up 3lb for that narrow success but he beat a clear second and is open to more progress in this sphere; respected.

9/2

1st

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

14:50 Wincanton

The Long Point

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Bumper winner in 2024; on the up in three starts over fences and off the mark in four-runner Doncaster handicap (3m, soft; second has won since) one month ago, after which he had wind surgery; 3lb nudge should be no bother and he's a big player.

Evs

1st

3

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 4

15:25 Doncaster

The Long Point

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Bumper winner in 2024; has yet to shine over fences but only had the two attempts and he was runner-up off a higher mark over hurdles; should come good in this discipline sooner or later and his yard is having winners.

4/1

Form: 9

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £40,000 after finishing placed in three slow-ground points in Ireland; the ground was also testing when tailed off in a bumper at Newton Abbot (14-1); should be capable of better at some point but rather watch for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

22nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

16:25 Hexham

Fortunate Fella

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Henry Hogarth

Signed off for Paul Nicholls in good form, winning a 2m3f good-ground chase at Fontwell where he was in front a good way out before holding on; just 4lb higher; bought for £40,000.

5/1

2

15th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

Fortunate Fella

12st 0lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Paul Nicholls

Still a maiden but looks set to make a better chaser after finishing a close second over C&D three weeks ago (good); stayed on well that day from off the pace and might well go one better.

15/8

2

15th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

Fortunate Fella

12st 0lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Paul Nicholls

Still a maiden but looks set to make a better chaser after finishing a close second over C&D three weeks ago (good); stayed on well that day from off the pace and might well go one better.

15/8

Form: 3

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Only 1-7 in points; 28-1 and beaten about 20l in a 2m novice hurdle here a fortnight ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:50 Wetherby

Wild Nephin

11st 3lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Ryan Potter

Point/hurdle winner who has tried fences, including on his last two runs; it's now 12 months since his last effort of any note.

25/1

Form: 5223-

Last run: 231 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a bumper here (good) and again on hurdling debut at Ludlow (2m, soft); didn't really improve when third at Uttoxeter but there are races in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

The Grey Man

10st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

None too consistent this season but he did win in small fields at Ffos Las (3m, heavy; made all) and Wetherby (3m, good to soft) last month; this field is much more demanding company on his first venture beyond 3m.

8/1

1st

4

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

15:47 Wetherby

The Grey Man

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

Inconsistent but easily got off the mark over fences at the third attempt in three-runner handicap at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) recently; this is a stronger race but he could have more to offer in this sphere; not ruled out.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 9

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
33-1 when failing to show much promise for the immediate future in a Chepstow bumper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:30 Chepstow

Beragon

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Robert Stephens

Offered little in a bumper here (wouldn't settle) and a 2m4f Hereford novice hurdle late last year; needs to have come on a lot since then.

200/1

5th

5

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:30 Chepstow

Beragon

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Robert Stephens

Offered little in a bumper here (wouldn't settle) and a 2m4f Hereford novice hurdle late last year; needs to have come on a lot since then.

200/1

3

11th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

13:05 Hereford

Beragon

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

33-1 when failing to show much promise for the immediate future in a Chepstow bumper.

100/1

Form: 22-2

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in all his bumpers (debut was here), latterly beaten by an unexposed Skelton runner at Worcester (soft; third has run well since); should pay his way over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

25th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:10 Hereford

Ocean Walz

10st 4lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

22,000euros 2yo; seventh foal; half-brother to very smart chaser Sizing Pottsie and a French hurdle/chase winner; dam French Listed chase winner; stable 4-37 in bumpers during last five seasons; a possible.

8/1

Non-runners

Strong As Steel

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.60
Straight Forecast £26.47
Trifecta £56.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

I've Madeupmymind

TOPSPEED:

Sayva

WEST COUNTRY:

The Grey Man

RP RATINGS:

Pigeon House

Daily Record:

Ocean Walz

Daily Mirror:

Sayva

The Sun:

Sayva

Telegraph:

I've Madeupmymind

Daily Mail:

I've Madeupmymind

The Star:

I've Madeupmymind

The Times:

The Grey Man

D Express:

The Grey Man

POSTDATA:

Pigeon House

The Guardian:

Pigeon House