December 20 / 13.20 Ascot

13.20

Good

Howden Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £8169
  • 2m 5f 141y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Howden Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

10/11 (Won)

  • Win: £1.80
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 2

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£255,000 buy after easy win on Irish point debut last November (yielding ground); second of 14 to a hot prospect in maiden hurdle at Chepstow (2m4f, soft) in October was a solid start under rules, making most, and he looks sure to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

8th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Belliano

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Met his sole defeat behind a very classy rival, namely The New Lion who goes to next week's Cheltenham Festival with a big chance; comfortably beat Silver Thorn at Market Rasen (2m4f) most recently, doubling his hurdles tally; progressive sort who has strong claims.

4/1

1st

1

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

13:40 Market Rasen

Belliano

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

disputed lead, pushed along and led clearly before 2 out, ridden out and went clear run-in, comfortably

6/4

1st

1

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

13:40 Market Rasen

Belliano

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

disputed lead

6/4

Form: 2

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won British maiden point by 7l on debut in April 2023; next seen when second of 11 in maiden hurdle at Fontwell (2m3f, soft; 17-2) this October, tending to jump to his right but always prominent; others have better form but he could be a big improver and looks an interesting long-term prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:40 Wincanton

Tommy The Tank

12st 0lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Stays this far when all's well with him, but his jumping didn't pass muster on December's chasing debut; hopes rest with the wind procedure received since stopping quickly here latest and/or the cheekpieces.

33/1

6

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:02 Wincanton

Tommy The Tank

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Did well as a novice hurdler, winning a 3m1f maiden at Hereford; jumping failed to stand the test at Sandown on his chase debut and now tackling his first handicap over hurdles; could go well.

25/1

2

28th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

16:20 Fontwell

Tommy The Tank

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Won British maiden point by 7l on debut in April 2023; absent until second this season in maiden hurdles here (near 2m4f) and at Ascot (extended 2m5f) before easily going one better when 8-13 at Hereford (3m2f); last two of those (his best form) were on good to soft, unraced on good; perhaps more of a staying prospect but he's promising.

11/8

8/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 5-33

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Bred to stay well; third at Exeter (2m2f, good to soft) and Lingfield (2m3f, good) in his two starts over hurdles; kept on well on the heels of the first two last time and they both won next time out; this longer trip is sure to suit and, although others have better form, he looks promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

8th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Not So Woolly

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Consistent five-race maiden who ties in with a couple of these opponents; however, chance of opening his account largely depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.

14/1

2nd

8

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:25 Taunton

Not So Woolly

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-race maiden who has consistent form figures and steadily progressive RPRs; ran well at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) most recently, taking hurdles record to 333; solid contender who has a good chance at the weights and could open his account.

9/4

2nd

8

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:25 Taunton

Not So Woolly

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-race maiden who has consistent form figures and steadily progressive RPRs; ran well at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) most recently, taking hurdles record to 333; solid contender who has a good chance at the weights and could open his account.

9/4

Form: 12

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner who also made his mark in Cheltenham bumpers (2m, good) this season, winning on rules debut and second of six in Listed event last month; promising newcomer to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

16th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:30 Hereford

Block Rockin Beats

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

1-8 over hurdles, up in trip when winning at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) in December; with two major backward steps since, a lot seemingly depends on his subsequent wind surgery and today's first tongue-tie.

6/1

8th

9

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Block Rockin Beats

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

Listed bumper runner-up who was suited by the step up in trip when winning at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) in December on his third handicap start; merely mid-division at Newbury (3m, good to soft) since but not written off in view of the promise shown on his penultimate start.

8/1

9th

8

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Block Rockin Beats

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

Opened his hurdles account in similar event at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) last time; remains unexposed at this sort of distance and bumper form suggests he has the potential to do better still; shortlisted.

7/1

10/1

Form: 3-4

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Minor honours in an Irish maiden point (3m, soft to heavy), a Huntingdon bumper (2m, good) and an Aintree novice hurdle (2m4f, good); in the latter he made a big move before unable to sustain his challenge and he should still be open to improvement; place chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

14:30 Leicester

Followcato

11st 10lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

0-5 over hurdles but a different proposition since switch to fences and fitted with cheekpieces, winning his last three, all right-handed and the latest by a wide margin when left clear mid-race at Hereford (2m5f, soft); 8lb rise in the weights will ask a question now back up in class, but still respected.

5/6

1st

1

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Followcato

11st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

0-5 over hurdles last term but has got his act together over fences since the application of cheekpieces and adopting front-running tactics, getting off the mark at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft) last month and following up at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) 17 days ago; 6lb rise makes it tougher but looks sure to be the one to catch.

7/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
55,000euros 3yo; fifth foal; half-brother to French winners Funky Town (2m1f/2m3f hurdle) and Diskover (2m2f chase); dam placed half-sister to smart French 2m3f-2m5f hurdle/chase winner Portal's Toy; second in an Irish maiden point in April 2023 and made £110,000 that same month; from a leading yard and the market should give big clues.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

28th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Wetherby

Jasmin Bellevue

11st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Soundly beaten on hurdle debut at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft; albeit a warm race) and unseated mid-race at Hereford (2m3f, good) three weeks ago; however, the drop in trip could suit this headstrong point runner-up, who is in top hands (yard also runs Katana) and should appreciate this left-handed track; chance.

4/1

4

8th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

14:35 Hereford

Jasmin Bellevue

11st 7lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Nicky Henderson

Second to a useful rival in an Irish point; very free on his return from an absence when tailed off at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) and could leave that run behind if settling better in the new hood.

10/1

Form: 118-54

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won two bumpers last season (good/AW) but well beaten in a Listed bumper and modest form this term in her two hurdle races; best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:45 Taunton

My Louise

11st 6lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Lydia Richards

Dual bumper winner (first two starts) who had struggled to match that level over hurdles until a close third of nine at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) last June off 1lb higher than today; that came after wind surgery and in a first-time tongue-tie (kept since) but she was pulled up at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) when next seen four weeks ago; mixed messages.

8/1

4

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 5

16:45 Plumpton

My Louise

11st 1lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Lydia Richards

Dual bumper winner (first two starts) who had struggled to match that level over hurdles until a close third of nine at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) last June, following wind surgery and fitted with a tongue-tie (retained); that was more like it, but she'll need to back that up returning from a 264-day break and down in trip.

15/2

4

4th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:35 Newton Abbot

My Louise

11st 5lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Lydia Richards

Dual bumper winner (first two starts); has so far been unable to improve on that form over hurdles; has had wind surgery since well beaten at Chepstow (2m7f, good) latest; better is needed.

14/1

Form:

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to 2m2f hurdle winner The Nagger Reidy (RPR 111) who stays 2m4f; very weak 11-1 for bumper at Sandown (2m, good to soft) last month and he faded into last of ten; had wind surgery five days later; the market can guide again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

13:35 Warwick

Broxy Music

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Nicky Henderson

in touch with leaders, lost position briefly 4th, prominent on outer 5th, outpaced 6th, struggling when bad mistake 3 out

16/1

7th

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

13:35 Warwick

Broxy Music

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Nicky Henderson

in touch with leaders, lost position briefly 4th, prominent on outer 5th, outpaced 6th, struggling when bad mistake 3 out, tailed off

16/1

4th

3

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

13:55 Newbury

Broxy Music

11st 2lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

In a top yard but has been weak in the betting for both his runs and shown very little, in a Sandown bumper and Ascot maiden hurdle (both good to soft); tongue-tie now fitted.

25/1

Form: 24

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in an Irish point and filled the same position on hurdle debut at Kempton (2m5f, good) in October, albeit beaten 16l; tongue tied when tailed-off last of four at Plumpton last month, with a respiratory noise reported; needs big overall improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

20th Dec 2024

Good

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

13:20 Ascot

Canal Court

11st 4lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

held up in midfield, mistake 4th, soon dropped to rear and struggling

100/1

4

20th Dec 2024

Good

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

13:20 Ascot

Canal Court

11st 4lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

held up in midfield, mistake 4th, soon dropped to rear and struggling

100/1

4th

1

18th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

12:50 Plumpton

Canal Court

11st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

in rear but in touch with leaders

11/4

Form: 9-B232

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner who is 0-6 under rules; second of four in maiden at Cheltenham (2m, good) last time was his best form and it takes high rank in this field; unraced beyond 2m1f under rules but it's worth a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:32 Worcester

Country Park

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Point winner who is 0-13 under rules; has some useful hurdles form to his name, with his best effort coming on good ground and over a similar trip to this; on a handy mark for this chase debut if better for a recent hurdles start; check the market for clues.

15/2

4th

1

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:00 Chepstow

Country Park

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Now 0-12 under rules and beginning to look exposed; however, he brings the best form to this maiden and was going easily when falling three out at Sedgefield last time (2m1f maiden); unraced beyond 2m5f under rules but this winning pointer should stay.

6/4

2

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

14:21 Market Rasen

Country Park

11st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

0-8 over hurdles but three times runner-up and ran well for fourth on handicap debut at Ascot (2m3f, good) before slipping up early at Aintree in April; the cheekpieces worn the last twice are left at home but he's a major player back in a novice.

11/10

Form: 3

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won Irish maiden point in May just before £85,000 sale; 11-1, about 8l third of eight to an odds-on winner in maiden hurdle at Plumpton (2m5f, good to soft) on recent debut under rules, form which he looks sure to improve on but others have achieved a bit more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:20 Wincanton

Golan Loop

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Built on his Southwell chase debut second when going one better at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft) in December; had a major blip over C&D next time but he bounced back with a respectable effort on good ground at Hereford (lost his left-hind shoe) last month; still has potential as a chaser and he's in the mix with cheekpieces added.

5/2

3rd

2

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

16:02 Hereford

Golan Loop

12st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

Built on his Southwell chase debut second when going one better over C&D (good to soft) in December; that form has taken a few knocks, including when this one pulled up at Wincanton in January, although Warren Greatrex did report that the 6yo was unsuited by the soft ground.

4/1

1

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

12:07 Wincanton

Golan Loop

12st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Has won a point and a novice hurdle; suffered a near miss on chase debut but went one better in determined fashion at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft); this is tougher off 6lb higher but he's heading the right way.

6/4

Non-runners

The Gray Ghost

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.10
Straight Forecast £17.50
Trifecta £92.00

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Belliano

RP RATINGS:

Country Park

SPOTLIGHT:

Not So Woolly

POSTDATA:

Followcato

LAMBOURN:

Block Rockin Beats

WEST COUNTRY:

Belliano

The Times:

Belliano

Telegraph:

Belliano

The Guardian:

Belliano

Daily Mail:

Belliano

D Express:

Belliano

Daily Mirror:

Belliano

The Star:

Belliano

Daily Record:

Belliano

The Sun:

Country Park