December 12 / 12.55 Warwick

12.55

Soft

Heat Your Home With Alpha Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £3539.9
  • 2m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
RTV
View Course
Heat Your Home With Alpha Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.20
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 4-3

Last run: 217 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won British maiden point (2m4f, soft) on debut in April 2023 and he made the frame this spring on his first two rules starts (2m/2m4f, good); needs something extra today but he's in good hands to progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

16:00 Wincanton

Reallyntruthfully

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Chase campaign aborted after two forgettable efforts since a winning start in October (2m3f); on a fair mark for this return to hurdles and has a strike-rate of 2-6 in this discipline.

9/1

3

1st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 3

14:45 Huntingdon

Reallyntruthfully

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Absent since a November effort that failed to back up the form of his reappearance success (chase debut); however, may still have more to offer over fences and he certainly seems to benefit from a good rest, having gained two of his three wins when fresh.

9/2

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 43

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No match for the front two when third of 16 on hurdle debut here (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago but they both look useful; bred to be suited by this step up in trip and he's a solid contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:27 Kempton

Aviation

11st 10lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Bettered low-key seasonal/chase debut when close second at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in December and was very respectable third at Windsor (2m6f, soft) last month; up in trip again here; can make bold bid from the front.

9/2

3rd

7

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 3

16:05 Windsor

Aviation

11st 1lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

2m4f novice hurdle winner (good) who kept on well for a close second at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) four weeks ago on his second chase start; today's extra yardage could prove to be a positive and he's a possible player provided he handles the ground (all starts on good/good to soft).

5/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 44-42

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Having shown promise on soft ground, he improved for the step up in trip when second of 15 at Ffos Las (2m4f, good to soft) last month on his second hurdle start; could be in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

17:42 Ffos Las

Jaccours

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

1-5 over hurdles, the win gained in course maiden (2m4f, heavy) in January; flopped when warm favourite for chase/handicap debut the following month but could still have a good future over fences.

3/1

3

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

15:00 Ayr

Jaccours

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Got off the mark at the seventh attempt in a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) last month; his respected trainer sends him straight over fences for his handicap debut and this unexposed 7yo could have a part to play.

7/2

1st

3

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Ffos Las

Jaccours

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Yet to finish out of the frame; below-par fourth at Windsor on reappearance but gave impression the outing was needed; one of the main players on peak form, which includes a C&D effort.

4/1

Form: 375-

Last run: 236 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner (3m, yielding) who was a promising third on bumper debut at Newbury (2m, good to soft) last November; didn't kick on from that the next twice but returns in a first-time tongue-tie and having had a wind op, and the step up in trip should be a firm plus on his hurdle debut; bought back in for £120,000 by this top yard when he went through the sales ring in July.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:07 Ludlow

Histrionic

11st 9lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Lightly raced Irish maiden point winner; off the mark over nearly 3m in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow (good) and stopped quickly on handicap debut at Ayr's big April meeting; like many from this yard, chasing should be more his game.

5/2

Form: 5 BF

Last run: 215 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten when 11-4 on debut in a bumper at Haydock (1m7f, good) in May, and Nico de Boinville rides his stablemate today; however, he's with a top trainer and should leave that debut form well behind at some stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

25th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

14:50 Wincanton

Doctor Midas

11st 9lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Henrietta C Knight

Chased home one who was on the middle leg of a five-timer in Ascot novice handicap hurdle (about 3m, good to soft) in November but ran poorly in similar event back at that track one month later; same mark for this chase debut and untried on softer than good to soft but he's still respected.

9/2

1

3rd Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

16:48 Fontwell

Doctor Midas

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Had three starts for Nicky Henderson; comfortably held in two runs for current yard, the latest his handicap debut over 3m at Ludlow (good to soft; beaten about 8l); down only 2lb.

7/1

4th

5

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 4

15:08 Ludlow

Doctor Midas

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Henrietta C Knight

Had three starts for Nicky Henderson, finishing with second to an impressive winner in C&D maiden (good to soft) and he just holds third-placed Swift Jet on that result; forgiven his 2m5f run for new connections last month and this test should suit on handicap debut.

3/1

Form: 34-6

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair third on debut in bumper at Sandown (2m, soft) last November but unable to replicate that form on his two runs since and he was well beaten at 50-1 on last month's hurdle debut at Lingfield.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

6th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:42 Fontwell

Drumheller

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Nick Gifford

Not solid on his hurdling exploits (0-7) and he ran no race on chase debut last time (2m4f); this longer trip is probably a better fit for him so may leave that latest run behind.

20/1

6

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:28 Warwick

Drumheller

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Mixed form over hurdles this season but runner-up at Plumpton (3m1f, good) two starts ago and stable has much better strike-rate with chasers than hurdlers nowadays; not ruled out on first run over fences.

10/1

2

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

16:50 Fontwell

Drumheller

11st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Did not show a great deal in his qualifying races last season (2m3f-2m5f) and unseated rider at third flight when upped to 3m2f for handicap debut in March (race subsequently declared void); returns from six-month break.

25/1

Form: 1-24B0 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who was a fair fourth on hurdle debut at Uttoxeter in June; things haven't gone to plan since, however, as he was brought down early at Ludlow in October then tailed off here three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

2nd Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:30 Southwell

Jafimgoso

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Bumper winner who had disappointed over hurdles until a step back up in trip brought about the necessary improvement to get off the mark in this sphere at Ludlow (2m5f, good) last month; should be suited by this further step up to 3m and is a leading player.

Evs

1st

3

10th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

17:10 Ludlow

Jafimgoso

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Good-ground bumper winner; disappointing over hurdles, though his handicaps have been at 2m and when he tried this trip once before he was 66-1 in a maiden; could easily be a factor.

7/2

7th

5

11th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:38 Huntingdon

Jafimgoso

11st 10lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Dan Skelton

Good-ground bumper winner two years ago who's generally struggled over hurdles and has been off for a little over a year since an underwhelming handicap debut; dropped 7lb in the interim but would want to see some market interest.

12/1

Form: 68

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hasn't shown enough across his four starts (two points and two novice hurdles) to suggest he'll be making an impact today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

13:28 Doncaster

Tonys Tipple

11st 4lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Difficult to fancy on balance of form; modestly bred and isn't a guaranteed improver on handicap debut.

20/1

8th

11

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

13:28 Doncaster

Tonys Tipple

11st 4lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Difficult to fancy on balance of form; modestly bred and isn't a guaranteed improver on handicap debut.

20/1

8th

12

12th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

12:55 Warwick

Tonys Tipple

11st 4lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Hasn't shown enough across his four starts (two points and two novice hurdles) to suggest he'll be making an impact today.

100/1

Form: 5/

Last run: 606 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won Irish maiden point in May 2021; then absent until April 2023, when tailed off on his bumper debut, and he's had another long layoff prior to today's first hurdle start; probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

30th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 118y

Class 4

15:55 Ascot

Kicks And Ale

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Richard Rowe

pressed leader, lost ground before 3 out

9/1

3rd

4

15th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:57 Kempton

Kicks And Ale

11st 0lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Richard Rowe

towards rear, detached from 5th

66/1

4th

5

21st Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

14:20 Leicester

Kicks And Ale

11st 5lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Richard Rowe

Had a long absence after winning his Irish point and another prior to finishing tailed off in a maiden hurdle at Warwick (300-1).

100/1

Form: 1

Last run: 209 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a point-to-point bumper on debut in March (2m, heavy) and followed up on rules debut at Aintree (2m1f, good) in May; has since left Phil Rowley (remains in same ownership); his attractive pedigree suggests this step up in trip will be right up his street on his first run over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Bear Market

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Won the point-to-point bumper on this card for Philip Rowley last year (good ground) but was pulled up when odds-on for stable/hurdle debut in December and again disappointed when well-held fourth at Warwick (2m3f, soft) in February; not written off just yet but returns here with a point to prove.

7/2

1st

2

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Bear Market

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Won the point-to-point bumper on this card for Philip Rowley last year (good ground) but was pulled up when odds-on for stable/hurdle debut in December and again disappointed when well-held fourth at Warwick (2m3f, soft) in February; not written off just yet but returns here with a point to prove.

7/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won on debut in British maiden point (2m4f, good to soft) in April and sold for £72,000 in May; remains in the Rowley training setup; brings potential to this first rules start and he's not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

13:30 Cheltenham

Jacques Clouseau

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Winning pointer who shaped with significant promise on first two hurdling starts, more recently when fifth of 14 in Wetherby maiden (2m3f, soft) in February; worth keeping an eye on with the future in mind but seems an unlikely winner today.

66/1

7th

8

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

13:30 Cheltenham

Jacques Clouseau

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Winning pointer who shaped with significant promise on first two hurdling starts, more recently when fifth of 14 in Wetherby maiden (2m3f, soft) in February; worth keeping an eye on with the future in mind but seems an unlikely winner today.

66/1

5th

7

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 4

13:33 Wetherby

Jacques Clouseau

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Mel Rowley

Bought for £72,000 after winning a British maiden point (2m4f, good to soft); on the retreat when taking a heavy late fall at Warwick when 28-1 for a 2m5f maiden (good to soft); tongue-tie now added; perhaps best watched.

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
14th foal; half-brother to several winners, one being 2m hurdle scorer Flag Of Honour (RPR 128); however, this 4yo will need to be useful to make a winning debut in what looks a warm race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

6th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 5f 192y

Class 4

13:55 Ffos Las

Poete Ardent

11st 6lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

midfield, not fluent 4th, no impression before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

100/1

8

6th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 5f 192y

Class 4

13:55 Ffos Las

Poete Ardent

11st 6lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

midfield, not fluent 4th, no impression before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

100/1

9th

5

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 4

14:15 Hereford

Poete Ardent

11st 3lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

300-1 for a 2m5f maiden at Warwick and showed pretty much nothing.

200/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £104.50
Straight Forecast £111.86
Trifecta £282.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bear Market

POSTDATA:

Jaccours

RP RATINGS:

Aviation

D Express:

Reallyntruthfully

WEST COUNTRY:

Histrionic

LAMBOURN:

Bear Market

The Times:

Bear Market

The Guardian:

Bear Market

Daily Mail:

Bear Market

Daily Mirror:

Bear Market

The Sun:

Bear Market

The Star:

Bear Market

Daily Record:

Bear Market

Telegraph:

Jaccours

TOPSPEED:

Aviation