December 26 / 14.45 Wetherby

14.45

Good To Soft

William Hill Extra Place Races Daily Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5545.05
  • 2m 5f 56y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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William Hill Extra Place Races Daily Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: 7-0916 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Back in good form since having headgear reapplied, making all in Pertemps qualifier at Newbury (3m, good) then sixth in competitive field at Cheltenham (2m5f); respected, especially with Callum Pritchard taking off a handy 7lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:56 Newton Abbot

American Sniper

12st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Has patchy profile but he's well handicapped on his Taunton second (2m3f, good) in December and he may have needed his reappearance run at Hereford this month; this step back up in trip is no problem and he's one to keep an eye on for in-form yard.

11/2

5th

1

5th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

19:17 Hereford

American Sniper

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Has become hard to predict, as his 16l fourth at Taunton (2m3f, good) in January would suggest, having failed to back up a decent effort there the previous month; back on his last winning mark and could play a leading role if at his best.

7/2

15

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

13:15 Cheltenham

American Sniper

10st 13lb

J: James Davies

T: David Pipe

Won big-field handicap off today's mark here (2m5f, good to soft) in November 2023 and was creditable sixth of 25 at Punchestown festival (2m3f, yielding) in April but his record between those two runs if very mixed and he's not an easy one to predict.

28/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2665-P D

Last run: 19 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 8yo who has bits of respectable chase form for current stable; achieved nothing in a Pertemps qualifier returned to hurdles on seasonal debut but has possibilities off current mark provided he takes well to new headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

15:05 Musselburgh

Grozni

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Sandy Thomson

With James Owen for 18 months (Scottish National fourth in April) before joining this yard; Borders National win at Kelso (4m, soft) in December was his best form for nearly two years and he kept jumping to his right, so reverting to a right-handed track today may well help; back up 5lb but shortlisted.

9/2

5th

7

25th Oct 2025

Good

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:55 Kelso

Grozni

10st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Sandy Thomson

Only 1-10 (hurdles win) during his spell with James Owen but ran respectably in the Scottish National on last appearance; sold for £24,000 since; headgear removed; heed the market signals.

10/1

4th

18

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Grozni

10st 5lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: James Owen

Won over hurdles in December in a first-time visor, which he also wore next time and returns today; well held with first-time blinkers in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham one month ago, taking sixth in that 3m2f race for the second year running; new trip but he's not persuasive.

50/1

Form: 543-20 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Has run in this contest for the last two years, going close in 2022 but running poorly in 2023; brings mixed messages as regards that Boxing Day record and is held by American Sniper on Cheltenham running last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 3

16:12 Kelso

Fostersisland

11st 6lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Good servant to connections over the years (six hurdle wins); on the downgrade now, though, and was just a respectable fifth in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at regular haunt Wetherby (2m5f, good) last month.

10/1

3rd

3

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 3

16:12 Kelso

Fostersisland

11st 6lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

prominent, no extra run-in

10/1

5th

3

28th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

15:32 Wetherby

Fostersisland

11st 11lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Has often run well here and he's well treated on course form as recent as November; however, his subsequent form has been patchy and this 10yo needs to raise his game in first-time cheekpieces.

20/1

Form: 2-0344

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Needs to raise his game, having finished only a modest fourth the last twice; however, has been running in better races since April 2023 and now drops back in grade looking attractively handicapped; interesting off 2lb below last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

19:28 Market Rasen

Willaston

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Narrow winner at Carlisle in April (2m3.5f, good; second had won two previous races); has not fared quite as well since, including with a visor tried at Uttoxeter last time; regular cheekpieces back on here but he needs to bounce back now back up in trip (stays 3m well).

10/1

5th

5

8th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

19:30 Uttoxeter

Willaston

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

2m3f success at Carlisle in April (good), his fifth career win; not at his best the last twice and a visor replaces cheekpieces.

14/1

6

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

18:28 Hexham

Willaston

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Five-time winner, the latest over 2m3f at Carlisle in April (good); below par when last seen out a month ago and needs to bounce back.

11/1

Form: 831679

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Quite a useful 2m hurdler on his day but has regressed since landing a notable prize at Market Rasen in July; something to prove over this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

17:45 Market Rasen

Castel Gandolfo

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won small-field C&D event in June and was not beaten far in Summer Hurdle (a race he won in 2024) here in July; needs to up his game after two lesser efforts elsewhere but the return to this track is sure to suit.

33/1

1

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Worcester

Castel Gandolfo

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Had a win and two placings from three starts here (2m) in his younger days; won four-runner Market Rasen handicap (2m, good) off reduced mark in June and was not disgraced in competitive Summer Hurdle over that C&D in July; form took a dip at Cartmel last time, though, and he's untried at this trip.

10/1

1

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

16:30 Cartmel

Castel Gandolfo

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won four-runner Market Rasen handicap (2m, good) off reduced mark in June and was not disgraced in competitive Summer Hurdle over that C&D last month; ran quite well on only previous visit to Cartmel (in 2023); could have a say.

12/1

Form: 8111/P D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Achieved nothing at Uttoxeter this month on first run since her productive summer campaign in 2022; best form at 3m1f/3m2f; opposed back down in distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

12:12 Uttoxeter

Liffeydale Dreamer

12st 0lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Excels around Cartmel, completing a hat-trick when successful at that venue on final start in August 2022; returns off the same mark but wellbeing is clearly an unknown; market could be informative.

16/1

Form: 644-3P C

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Ran as if something was amiss last time; better judged on solid third off this mark at Perth (2m4f, good; split subsequent scorers) in September; still unexposed beyond 2m and remains of interest at this sort of level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:10 Perth

Bois Guillbert

11st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Three-time hurdle winner who has dropped to a mark 5lb lower than when winning on his chase debut last February; he may stage a revival at some stage but has struggled over fences/hurdles on his three runs this season.

50/1

10th

5

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

14:30 Musselburgh

Bois Guillbert

11st 12lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Returns to hurdles off a workable mark but, judged on his chase efforts this term, has a doubt over current form.

25/1

3

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Bois Guillbert

11st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Jumped okay when winning at Newcastle (chase debut) but lacked fluency when disappointing at Wetherby since; not sure what to expect.

10/1

Form: 7112-0 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 1120 since switched to handicaps, the latest effort possibly best forgiven as he seemed to need that reappearance run; could still have further progress in him; Charlie Maggs takes off a handy 7lb; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:00 Hexham

Eire Street

10st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jackie Stephen

Won two in a row in February 2024 and very well treated on that form, but pulled up/tailed off on his last three starts; a visor goes on.

20/1

8th

5

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:50 Wetherby

Eire Street

11st 7lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Jackie Stephen

Too risky when he's pulled up in four of his last five races and over two years since he last won.

25/1

8

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

13:35 Newcastle

Eire Street

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Jackie Stephen

Pulled up in three of his four races this season and didn't look an easy ride when he completed.

33/1

Form: 20-945 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Mixed results this term in October/November but may be ready to peak today, as he was 2-2 in December last season (continued in good form until March); on a workable mark and not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Feb 2026

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:43 Sedgefield

North Parade

12st 0lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Course winner; last three wins were over 2m4f at Newcastle in 2023/4; sound run when fourth at Haydock last time (2m3f, good to soft); now 2lb lower and interesting with cheekpieces tried.

9/1

Betting Forcast

5/2 American Sniper, 9/2 Grozni, 10/1 Fostersisland, 8/1 Willaston, 10/1 Castel Gandolfo, 20/1 Liffeydale Dreamer, 11/2 Bois Guillbert, 11/2 Eire Street, 7/1 North Parade

Selections

RP RATINGS:

American Sniper

POSTDATA:

North Parade

SPOTLIGHT:

Bois Guillbert

Daily Record:

Eire Street

TOPSPEED:

American Sniper

The Times:

American Sniper

Telegraph:

American Sniper

The Guardian:

American Sniper

Daily Mail:

American Sniper

Daily Mirror:

American Sniper

The Sun:

American Sniper

D Express:

North Parade

The Star:

North Parade