December 17 / 15.15 Wincanton

15.15

Good To Soft

TrustATrader You Can Trust Our Traders Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 1m 7f 50y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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TrustATrader You Can Trust Our Traders Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 276-6

Last run: 70 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo who showed promise in Irish maiden hurdles over 2m4f and 2m but he faded on his handicap debut at Galway (2m3f, good) in October and needs to run right up to his best form on British debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:32 Worcester

Monsant

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Well held in first-time cheekpieces (retained) last month and now 0-9 over hurdles but he ran a promising race at Stratford (2m2f, good to soft) on his penultimate run; still has potential and he may yet come good for Neil Mulholland.

8/1

2

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:32 Worcester

Monsant

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Well held in first-time cheekpieces (retained) last month and now 0-9 over hurdles but he ran a promising race at Stratford (2m2f, good to soft) on his penultimate run; still has potential and he may yet come good for Neil Mulholland.

8/1

Form: 74/F-3

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Sparingly raced but he ran well for a long way against talented novices at Exeter (2m, good to soft) in late 2022 and was completing for the first time since when a respectable third at Ffos Las (2m, soft; in this headgear combination) last month following wind surgery; this sharp test can suit; interesting on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:08 Uttoxeter

Walk On High

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Low-mileage 9yo who completed a hurdle hat-trick when landing a Plumpton handicap (2m4f, good) in November; his winning streak came to an end at Taunton (last of five) in January but that was a Class 2 event and he travelled well to a point; returns after another break but he's out of a useful chaser and should have a future at this new discipline; needs a close look.

7/1

5th

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Taunton

Walk On High

10st 12lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Harry Fry

Low-mileage and consistent 9yo; odds-on in winning two minor races last spring (heavy/good) and back from 170 days off to take a Plumpton handicap (2m4f, good) without too much fuss; only 5lb higher and subsequent break might be a good thing.

5/4

1st

1

17th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

17:55 Uttoxeter

Walk On High

11st 10lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Harry Fry

Easy Newton Abbot maiden winner in the returning hood latest (2m3f, heavy), running back up to his previous best form level; more on under a penalty, but player assuming good ground is coped with.

6/5

Form: 9-3P11 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on chase debut but has won both handicap hurdles since, over 2m at Taunton (good to firm) before harder pressed to win unpenalised over C&D (good to soft) last month; 9lb higher mark asks for more but his claims are more obvious than most.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:30 Newton Abbot

American Land

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Prolific between November 2024 and June 2025, with his four wins in that spell including two here; his progress seemed to stall subsequently but he ran well when second of five to a progressive winner at Chepstow (2m, good) last time and could be in the mix; effective on good to soft.

4/1

2nd

4

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

19:07 Chepstow

American Land

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Taunton win this time last year was the first leg of an eventual hat-trick (2m1f-2m3f) all recorded on good or quicker surfaces, so drying forecast is all to the good; chance, assuming he's not goaded into making the same sorts of errors as on his recent return here.

6/1

4th

2

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

American Land

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has won five of his last seven races and he might be high in the weights now having come up well short (beaten 13l) on final sighting at Newton Abbot in October (2m1f); on the plus side, he's back at Class 4 level and has won over this far; others are preferred.

10/1

Form: 661424

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won 2m Stratford maiden (good to firm) in July; not obviously ahead of his mark in handicaps since but has done enough to think he can be involved back on a less testing track than at Exeter last time; not far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:15 Wincanton

Zodiac Star

11st 8lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Alan King

Won 2m Stratford maiden (good to firm) in July; not obviously ahead of his mark in handicaps since but has done enough to think he can be involved back on a less testing track than at Exeter last time; not far away.

9/2

4

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:15 Wincanton

Zodiac Star

11st 8lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Alan King

led

9/2

4th

5

8th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

16:10 Exeter

Zodiac Star

11st 12lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Alan King

Stratford maiden winner who was returning from wind surgery when a staying-on second at Ludlow (2m handicap, good); flattered get to 2l behind Brendas Asking who runs in the 3.00, but he was clear of the rest; today's stiffer track promises to suit.

8/1

Form: 484

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Flat handicaps were a struggle off highish marks but he has ability and he didn't run badly at Sandown in November, when the stiff finish found him out; of more interest on this easy circuit now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

22

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Moab

10st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

British challenger; dual-purpose; has won on the AW on the Flat but is 0-10 over hurdles; went close off 1lb lower at Huntingdon (20.5f, soft) in January; ground may have been too lively at Southwell latest; could outrun his odds back on easier ground.

28/1

4th

9

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Moab

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Henrietta C Knight

No match for the winner in his last two races over hurdles but both were well handicapped and returning to a longer trip looks the right move; on the shortlist.

5/1

2nd

10

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:10 Exeter

Moab

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Henrietta C Knight

Flattered by close proximity to one who hacked up at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) but still ran well; fine over this shorter trip and didn't run too badly on the AW last time.

14/1

Form: 671950 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Successful yard debut in October 2023 (2m1f, soft) and he found plenty when winning at Worcester (2m, good) in July but things haven't gone so well since; only 1lb above his winning mark and will appreciate the return to an easy track but has something to prove; regular headgear left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(10)

29th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:13 Salisbury

Afta Party

10st 10lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Mark Gillard

Struggling over hurdles last winter and lots to prove returned to the Flat after a break; 1m winner in October 2022.

50/1

Form: 5-4692

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
In poor form in July but he returned from a break with a better effort behind American Land at Taunton (2m, good to firm); could well make it tight with the winner this time, with a weights turnaround and also entitled to come on for the run; close up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

19:00 Hereford

Phoenix Risen

11st 2lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Fine on all ground; in a good run of form since the blinkers went on four starts back and this might not be quite so demanding as the Exeter race he contested last time; in the mix.

7/1

5th

9

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:10 Exeter

Phoenix Risen

11st 2lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Only blinkered this season and the aids are working well, registering a fourth hurdle win under a positive ride at Wincanton (2m, heavy); 5lb rise sees him on a career-high mark but he has to be considered; good to soft is fine.

5/1

1st

5

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

15:15 Taunton

Phoenix Risen

10st 11lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Two good runs in blinkers this season, latterly when clear second of 13 at Wincanton (1m7f, soft; unraced on heavy) in December; nudged back up to his career-high mark since but still commands respect.

5/2

Form: 5-2466

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdler who was well adrift of American Land over C&D (good to soft) in November and again found little at Lingfield eight days ago; up against it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

18:00 Taunton

Dirty Den

12st 2lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Hooded when solid third over C&D (good) at the end of last year and scored at Plumpton (about 2m4f, soft) on next start in February; revised mark has seen him held in two subsequent starts but that doesn't tell the whole story as they were seriously competitive series qualifiers; cheekpieces (worn once over hurdles when second here 13 months ago) are reapplied and he needs a firm second look.

10/1

6th

10

27th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

15:20 Wetherby

Dirty Den

11st 7lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Gained his Plumpton success (2m4f) in small field and was only midfield in a deeper race at Wincanton later in February; opposed in another competitive contest.

25/1

7th

1

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

15:20 Wincanton

Dirty Den

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Knocking on the door on good ground this season prior to gaining a deserved win at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) recently; 6lb higher in a more competitive race today but he did it comfortably last time and has solid claims.

13/2

Selections

POSTDATA:

American Land

The Times:

Zodiac Star

RP RATINGS:

Phoenix Risen

SPOTLIGHT:

Walk On High

TOPSPEED:

Afta Party

The Guardian:

Zodiac Star

The Sun:

Zodiac Star

WEST COUNTRY:

American Land

Telegraph:

American Land

Daily Mail:

American Land

D Express:

American Land

Daily Mirror:

American Land

The Star:

American Land

Daily Record:

Phoenix Risen