December 14 / 11.55 Doncaster

11.55

Good To Soft

bet365 Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5827.22
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
bet365 Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.80
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 023-7

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off on last month's hurdle and seasonal debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) but he's had wind surgery since and is an each-way player if tapping back into last season's soft-ground bumper promise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Jax Junior

11st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Finished 18l behind Lulamba in the Arkle but may fare better in this rematch, with the return to further a likely plus; readily bagged Grade 2 honours at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) the time before, enhancing his good strike-rate when racing beyond 2m.

9/1

4th

2

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Jax Junior

11st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Bled from nose when well held behind Steel Ally at Ascot just before Christmas but otherwise he's made a fine start to his chasing career, winning a handicap at Sandown (1m7f, soft) and Grade 2 novice at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) on last two starts; needs a chunk of improvement to trouble the principals but he's straightforward, tactically versatile and a sound jumper.

20/1

1st

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 1

14:25 Kempton

Jax Junior

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Bled from the nose at Ascot just before Christmas but otherwise he's made a fine start to his chasing career, winning handicap at Sandown (1m7f, soft) three weeks ago in clearcut style; just as effective at 2m4f and sets the standard for the others to aim at.

4/6

1/8

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 243-2

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner who showed promise in defeat in bumpers (good to soft/soft) and bumped into an exciting prospect when runner-up on last month's hurdle debut at Aintree (2m4f, good); should have a bright future; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 3

20:08 Cartmel

Off The Jury

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Had three wind operations, the latest prior to him chasing home the favourite in a maiden hurdle at Perth a month ago (2m4f); he nearly won last year's EBF Final at Sandown when with Alan King, so has some class about him; won his only point and should do well over fences.

11/10

2nd

7

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

13:40 Perth

Off The Jury

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Pulled up in Haydock handicap in February to make it 0-12 under rules; had wind operations before and after that latest run; arrives with something to prove but he has lots of good placed form and is a leading contender if back on song; the tongue-tie adopted last time is left off.

3/1

8

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:50 Haydock

Off The Jury

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Point winner who is yet to get the job done under rules after 11 attempts but has been runner-up five times, including in maiden at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) 37 days ago; also went close in the always-competitive EBF Final at Sandown last March off only 2lb lower so capable of playing a prominent role if putting his best foot forward after wind surgery (also tongue tied first time).

12/1

50/1

  • Place: £5.10

Form: 07

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in British maiden point (2m4f, good) in May but tailed off this autumn on his first two hurdle starts (2m/2m4f, soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

16:33 Doncaster

Maxiboy Dagrostis

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Progressive before last month's handicap debut flop, his mark comparing very favourably to the RPR of his previous third over this C&D (good to soft); player if reacting the right way to the tongue-tie.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0-7

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in Wetherby bumper (2m, soft) and down the field on recent hurdle debut at Newcastle (2m, good), but at least that latest run was a step in the right direction and he's bred to be suited by this step up in trip; each-way possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

8th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

Forsa Bay

11st 3lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: L J Morgan

Ostensibly a chance on the form of either of last season's third places off up to 5lb higher, one of them logged over 2m3f here; not a conspicuously strong finisher either time, however, which doesn't augur well stepping up to a new trip here; cheekpieces replace visor.

17/2

5th

3

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

15:58 Market Rasen

Forsa Bay

11st 10lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: L J Morgan

Made quite promising seasonal/chase debut over C&D in December and bounced back from a poor run with good third under Ellie Callwood at Hereford (2m, good; first-time visor) last month; could still have a bigger run in him; shortlisted.

7/2

Form: 99-9

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on last month's hurdle and seasonal debut at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft); however, she's bred to be useful and showed some ability in bumpers last season (good to soft/good); not discounted each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

10th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

14:52 Ludlow

Briery Butterfly

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Maiden who has had a few chances now in handicaps and she was on the retreat when departing two out at Southwell (3m, good), where Shorten Sassy ran third; not wildly appealing at the minute.

6/1

2

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:02 Southwell

Briery Butterfly

11st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

0-9 over hurdles but has finished second or third in handicaps on all four starts this season; this trip/ground fine and she's likely to go well again.

11/4

3rd

1

7th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 5

16:30 Ayr

Briery Butterfly

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Henry Daly

0-8 over hurdles but placed on all three appearances this season, most recently when second to a well-backed improver at Huntingdon (3m1f, soft) last month; likely contender again here.

5/2

50/1

Form: 95

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Five French/Spanish Flat wins; in top hands (one of two for yard) but she needs to improve considerably on what she's shown on her two hurdle starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

15:08 Newton Abbot

Kenmya

10st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

A fair 1m2f Flat winner in Spain who was much improved for her current yard when runner-up in 2m4f Bangor handicap hurdle 47 days ago; up 2lb but big shout with that form working out very well.

3/1

2nd

6

17th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Kenmya

10st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Five Flat wins in France; showed very little over hurdles in Britain last season, including when dropped back to 2m for last month's handicap debut, but Dan Skelton is persisting with her and she can't be written off just yet.

6/1

2nd

6

17th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Kenmya

10st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Five Flat wins in France; showed very little over hurdles in Britain last season, including when dropped back to 2m for last month's handicap debut, but Dan Skelton is persisting with her and she can't be written off just yet.

6/1

Form:

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off at 40-1 on last month's debut in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft); not easy to fancy after that but he's in top hands (one of two for the yard) and his dam was a smart dual-purpose performer; interesting to see if he's stronger in the betting on this second start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:17 Chepstow

Nube De Trueno

11st 6lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Well beaten in three 2m3f maiden/novice hurdles this season but represents a top stable and significant improvement is possible in handicaps.

25/1

11th

10

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 4

13:33 Wetherby

Nube De Trueno

11st 4lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

In a top yard but sent off at 40-1 for his first two runs over hurdles and ran accordingly, finishing tailed off; handicaps will be more like it.

50/1

11th

10

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 4

13:33 Wetherby

Nube De Trueno

11st 4lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

In a top yard but sent off at 40-1 for his first two runs over hurdles and ran accordingly, finishing tailed off; handicaps will be more like it.

50/1

Form: 4

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten 25l when fourth of nine at 10-1 in a bumper at Hexham (2m, soft) in October on debut; considerable improvement is needed but his attractive pedigree suggests he'll be suited by the step up in trip now hurdling, and it's possible he'll be an each-way contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

30th Dec 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

13:00 Haydock

Thirty Bob

11st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Dianne Sayer

in rear, reminders and struggling after 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out

33/1

6

30th Dec 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

13:00 Haydock

Thirty Bob

11st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Dianne Sayer

in rear, reminders and struggling after 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out

33/1

7

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

11:55 Doncaster

Thirty Bob

11st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Dianne Sayer

in rear

25/1

Non-runners

Horaces Pearl

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.80
Straight Forecast £11.41
Trifecta £116.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Off The Jury

WEST COUNTRY:

Horaces Pearl

RP RATINGS:

Off The Jury

TOPSPEED:

Off The Jury

POSTDATA:

Off The Jury

The Times:

Off The Jury

Telegraph:

Off The Jury

Daily Mail:

Off The Jury

D Express:

Off The Jury

Daily Record:

Off The Jury

Daily Mirror:

Horaces Pearl

The Sun:

Horaces Pearl

The Star:

Horaces Pearl