December 13 / 12.50 Doncaster

12.50

Good To Soft

2025 Annual Membership Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
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2025 Annual Membership Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 23/8-4

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced 9yo who returned from latest break with respectable fourth at Perth (2m4f, good) in September; only 1lb lower here but could still have a bigger run in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:40 Perth

Sauce Of Life

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Lightly raced 10yo who came good over hurdles at fifth attempt, with narrow success at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) last December; may still have a bigger run in him but was pulled up in April, after a break, and has been off for another six months since.

6/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 5/F541 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Former pointer who opened his rules account with pretty convincing success in Uttoxeter handicap hurdle (2m4f, good) last month, his third start for Stuart Edmunds; 7lb higher here but must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

30th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

17:05 Ascot

Court Cian

11st 9lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Stuart Edmunds

Consistent gelding who won by a comfortable 3l at Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft; won on good) last time and the runner-up has since filled the same berth at Newbury; this 7yo was ideally positioned that day in what developed into a sprint finish but a 5lb rise could have been worse; Murray Dodd rides again claiming his 7lb.

9/4

1st

2

4th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

17:15 Market Rasen

Court Cian

11st 11lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Stuart Edmunds

Mostly consistent in his six runs for Stuart Edmunds, winning twice (2m4f/2m7f); a well-held third over C&D last month but Murray Dodd takes off 7lb and drying conditions are a further bonus.

6/1

3

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Court Cian

11st 12lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Has won two of his five starts since returning to rules action in September, the latest by a wide margin at Fakenham (2m7f, good to soft); a 10lb rise asks questions of him but he's strongly considered.

6/4

8/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 3-P64

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Joined Sam England after running well from the front in slow-ground Cork bumper in April and has shown promise over hurdles this autumn, most recently when fourth in quite valuable Newcastle maiden (2m, good) a fortnight ago; upped in trip for handicap debut; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:40 Carlisle

Willie Shake Hands

10st 8lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won on chase debut at Hexham (1m7f, good) last May and close third of six at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) in December; however, beaten 20l in fifth when upped in grade at Haydock (2m, good to soft) last month and remains in Class 3 company today; a career-best is required.

12/1

5th

10

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

15:45 Haydock

Willie Shake Hands

10st 8lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Sam England

Won on chase debut at Hexham (1m7f, good) last May and some good runs since, most recently close third of six at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) after a break; however, a career-best is needed now back up in grade.

14/1

Form: 11 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Made winning stable debut on the Flat in September and is 2-2 since switched to hurdling; probably fortunate at Sedgefield (2m4f, good; leader fell two out) but still features prominently in calculations on this handicap hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Charging Thunder

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-4 in handicaps; however, he should be on a fair mark given the level of his Flat ability and he ran quite well in a valuable Newmarket handicap at the Guineas meeting; player.

9/4

7th

9

(8)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Charging Thunder

8st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Had underwhelming hurdle and AW campaigns before his second of five when returned to Flat turf at Beverley (2m) 18 days ago; this demands markedly better and his 2024 and 2025 turf records aren't that persuasive.

25/1

2nd

1

(3)

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 32y

Class 3

16:00 Beverley

Charging Thunder

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Second to Sax Appeal over C&D and successful over 1m6f at Wolverhampton (both off 2lb higher than today) last July; it's hard to be enthused by his more recent efforts, including well held at Newcastle on Good Friday, but this is a much less competitive scenario.

4/1

Form: 311F8

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat racer when based in Ireland and a dual winner against own age-group over hurdles for new stable this autumn (2m1f/2m); last month's Grade 2 defeat is easily excused and it will be interesting to see how he fares over this longer trip and against older horses on his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Model Approach

11st 1lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Beaten a combined 70l in two soft-ground starts over fences but he won his third hurdle race when picking up a 12-runner Ffos Las handicap (2m, good) off this mark nine days ago; 5lb well in on handicap marks if he can transfer that form to chasing and there should be no ground excuses this time.

3/1

1st

11

5th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:48 Ffos Las

Model Approach

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Well treated if going back far enough but achieved little for current yard, over hurdles and fences; finished last of three on final run.

25/1

3rd

3

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:15 Southwell

Model Approach

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Well treated on best hurdles form but his record for current yard leaves a lot to be desired; switch to fences made no difference last time; the weakest contender.

8/1

13/2

Form: 77-314

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Built upon promising hurdle debut when winning at Uttoxeter in October and was not discredited when fourth at Chepstow (also 2m, good to soft) last month; moves up in trip for this handicap debut and probably still has more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

17th Feb 2026

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

16:12 Market Rasen

Windsurfer

12st 0lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Ben Case

Won twice over hurdles at Uttoxeter; yet to show the same level of form over fences in four starts but has come down in the weights and is dropped in grade; no forlorn hope.

13/2

3rd

1

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:03 Wincanton

Windsurfer

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Two wins over hurdles at Uttoxeter, on good and good to soft; has mostly steered clear of slower ground and he's been no closer than 17l in three runs over fences.

10/1

9

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Windsurfer

11st 8lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Ben Case

Both hurdle wins at Uttoxeter, the latest a 2m4f handicap which never looked in doubt; raised 6lb and a 7lb claimer rode last time, but his trainer sees him as more of a chaser; considered.

6/1

Form: 220-

Last run: 320 days

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two juvenile hurdles for Alan King in November 2023 but absent since running poorly in 2m handicap here in January; change hands for 1,500gns in March; market may guide on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:48 Ffos Las

Star Turn

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

6yo maiden who ran well, one place in front of Les's Destiny Star, in first-time visor over C&D (good to soft) last month on debut for new stable and return from lengthy layoff; likely player provided that effort is backed up and the bounce is avoided.

4/1

2nd

9

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:20 Ffos Las

Star Turn

10st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

0-11 under all codes and absent since pulled up in 2m2f chase in February 2025; given a chance by the handicapper but could be considered only if lively in the betting; first run beyond about 2m3f; the visor is new.

25/1

5

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

15:30 Taunton

Star Turn

11st 2lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

midfield, lost position gradually after 4th, outpaced 6th, detached and struggling when awkward jump 9th

40/1

Form: 615213

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Just held on at Southwell (2m, good) in October, his second hurdling win; no threat to front pair when third of five at Kempton since but combination of new trip and first-time cheekpieces may enable improvement here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

12th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:45 Hereford

Ikigai Star

11st 9lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Largely below par since scoring at Huntingdon (2m4f) last May but he wasn't disgraced when third of five in 2m2f Fontwell handicap last month; needs to build on it now.

6/1

3rd

3

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

17:17 Fontwell

Ikigai Star

11st 10lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Three-time hurdle winner on good ground; arguably ran better than eventual 48l defeat suggests when third at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) last month, after a layoff, and has become well handicapped; could have a say if that recent outing brought him on.

6/1

3rd

5

18th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

16:15 Huntingdon

Ikigai Star

11st 4lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Won in a small field off 3lb higher at Huntingdon last May (2m3f) but mostly struggled afterwards in cheekpieces and latterly in a visor; clearly a form contender if he's all the better for a wind operation.

8/1

Non-runners

Diamond Dealer

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.70
Straight Forecast £10.13
Tricast £69.57
Trifecta £118.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Court Cian

TOPSPEED:

Sauce Of Life

The Times:

Charging Thunder

RP RATINGS:

Model Approach

Daily Mail:

Star Turn

D Express:

Willie Shake Hands

POSTDATA:

Court Cian

Telegraph:

Court Cian

Daily Mirror:

Court Cian

Daily Record:

Charging Thunder

The Sun:

Sauce Of Life

The Star:

Sauce Of Life