January 11 / 16.04 Ffos Las

16.04

DragonBet Real People, Real Bookmakers Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £2450.7
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 5
  • 15 runners
SKY
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DragonBet Real People, Real Bookmakers Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather:

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20
  • Place: £1.20

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £92,000 after finishing runner-up in a 3m slow-ground Irish point last April and the third has done well since in points and under rules; looks a good prospect for his top yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Feb 2026

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

14:45 Newbury

Giantsgrave

11st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Soft-ground bumper winner; a beaten favourite in his two maiden hurdles, at 2-5 first time and at 11-10 when let down by his jumping at Ffos Las (beaten 26l over 2m4f); should be capable of better.

4/1

3rd

4

18th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

13:15 Lingfield

Giantsgrave

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Bought for £92,000 after finishing runner-up in a 3m slow-ground Irish point and comfortably justified favouritism in a bumper at Ffos Las (soft); has plenty of size about him and the future looks bright.

8/11

7/4

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £85,000 after winning a four-finisher Irish point on heavy ground in March; unable to justify favouritism at Bangor (soft) in October but ran well behind the winner who has since finished second under a penalty; he's up to winning one of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

16:42 Newbury

Douglas Hyde

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

Won his point on heavy but similar ground was very taxing when beaten 28l by the favourite in a 3m1f Hereford maiden last time; went close in a Haydock handicap the time before off 4lb lower (3m, good); enters the reckoning.

13/2

2nd

2

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:00 Hereford

Douglas Hyde

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Seems to handle any ground; Irish point winner who is proving consistent under rules, clear second at Haydock (3m; handicap debut) most recently; that form has received a couple of boosts since; solid chance.

7/4

3rd

3

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 3

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Douglas Hyde

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

Won heavy-ground Irish point in spring 2024 and was runner-up in three soft-ground bumpers last season; makes hurdling debut after eight-month absence and is likely to encounter quicker conditions this time, but Sean Bowen is booked; features prominently in calculations.

11/4

7/1

Form: 4

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
85,000euros 3yo; patiently ridden when 12-1 at Sandown (good to soft) and never threatened in that 16l defeat; he still showed promise, though, and that was probably a strong race (time was good).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Next Twist

12st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

In good form over hurdles when last out, winning a Southwell maiden (2m, good to soft) and an Ayr novice (2m, soft; made all); closely related to a hurdle/chase winner; interesting contender on chase debut; can pull hard.

5/4

1st

2

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Ayr

Next Twist

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won by 6l in first-time hood (retained since) at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in November on second hurdle start, and good second here since (2m, heavy) under a penalty; strong claims today.

4/5

66/1

Form: 06

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished last at Cheltenham in October but showed more to be sixth at Exeter (soft); will need more again and probably a lot more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 3

13:23 Newton Abbot

Pougie

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Well held at big prices in three bumpers and tailed off in both hurdle runs (1m7f/2m) this spring; has plenty of stamina in his pedigree but he needs a transformation upped to this trip on his return.

33/1

4

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 3

13:23 Newton Abbot

Pougie

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Well held at big prices in three bumpers and tailed off in both hurdle runs (1m7f/2m) this spring; has plenty of stamina in his pedigree but he needs a transformation upped to this trip on his return.

33/1

10th

6

7th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

14:40 Exeter

Pougie

11st 5lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

midfield, dropped to rear 5th, weakened before 3 out

66/1

Form: 4

Last run: 242 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
17-2 when beaten just under 10l on good ground at Southwell in May and that form hasn't worked out too badly; lacks a run and will encounter slower conditions this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

15:20 Hereford

Woodythewoodpecker

11st 6lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Ten-race maiden; sent handicapping for last four starts, on last two occasions finishing runner-up on soft going over 3m2f at this track and Fontwell; different ground is forecast today but he's in serious calculations.

11/4

3

18th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

14:20 Stratford

Woodythewoodpecker

11st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

From a very good jumping family; struggled in two slow-ground maiden hurdles in February (2m6f/2m3f) but took huge step forward and belied triple-digit odds wen very respectable fourth at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) last month; has strong claims here if he handles the quicker conditions (ran okay in a good-ground bumper last spring).

5/4

Form: 4

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
70,000euros 2yo and half-brother to a useful winning jumper in France; lacked the gears of the principals at Plumpton (good to soft) but showed ability and today's slower ground is likely to suit him better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Twist Of Fatecatch

11st 11lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

Sole success came in a Fontwell maiden last April; has run with credit on several occasions since and shapes as though this step back up in distance will suit after he got outpaced when fourth at Wincanton (2m5f, good) last month; down to a career-low mark and should not be far away.

6/1

4th

1

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:50 Wincanton

Twist Of Fatecatch

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

After his Fontwell maiden (2m3f, good) last March, he ran well in his first three handicaps but he's taken backward steps in last three runs; on dangerous mark but he was tailed off at Newbury in January and needs a major revival after a break.

7/1

11th

9

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Twist Of Fatecatch

11st 6lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Successful in maiden last spring then proved consistent in handicaps until taking backward steps on RPRs the last twice; capable of being involved off current mark, provided he rebounds.

25/1

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
42,000euros 3yo and the first foal out of an unraced sister to French winners Saint Thierry (2m1f hurdle/chase) and Saint Remi (2m1f-2m5f chase); respected yard operates at a low strike-rate in bumpers; tongue tied for debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

13:50 Ffos Las

Falcao

11st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Modest efforts in a bumper and a Ludlow novice hurdle; not an obvious contender.

40/1

5th

5

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

13:50 Ffos Las

Falcao

11st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Modest efforts in a bumper and a Ludlow novice hurdle; not an obvious contender.

40/1

3

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:00 Ludlow

Falcao

11st 2lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Faded late on when last to finish in a soft-ground bumper at Ffos Las just over a month ago (16-1).

66/1

OUR TIP

Form: 31- D

Last run: 280 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

16:45 Newbury

Realco

11st 7lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Bought for £80,000 after comfortably winning on heavy ground at Uttoxeter for Tom Weston; defied an absence and a penalty on stable debut at Exeter (soft) where he was nicely on top at the finish; can't be underestimated.

10/1

2nd

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

16:45 Newbury

Realco

11st 7lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Bought for £80,000 after comfortably winning on heavy ground at Uttoxeter for Tom Weston; defied an absence and a penalty on stable debut at Exeter (soft) where he was nicely on top at the finish; can't be underestimated.

10/1

1st

1

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:08 Exeter

Realco

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

pressed leaders, led over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, pushed out

9/4

Form: 2

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

A Pai De Nom

10st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Acts on any ground; comfortably justified favouritism upped to 3m at Newbury (heavy) most recently, taking strike-rate over hurdles to 4-6 and record in handicaps to 2-3; progressing well and commands respect.

11/4

1st

4

7th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

13:35 Newbury

A Pai De Nom

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

3-5 hurdling, notably when winning an 18-runner race at Cheltenham (2m5f, soft) in November on handicap debut; novice winner next time and creditable third of 15 when favourite for the Lanzarote Handicap at Kempton (2m5f, good) latest start; dam won at up to 3m and he now looks worth a go at it.

6/4

1

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 3

13:23 Newton Abbot

A Pai De Nom

11st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Clear second to a subsequent Listed winner at Chepstow (soft) last autumn in the first of his two bumpers; made hurdling debut after wind surgery last month and he landed the odds with a comfortable win over C&D (good to soft); sets the standard under a penalty and he could have a lot more to offer in this sphere.

15/8

Form: 8

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:37 Uttoxeter

Beau Gold

10st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Tailed off in a bumper and three hurdles races from 2m to 2m5f; enters handicaps with an awful lot to prove and principally of interest due to his connections.

9/1

2

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

18:57 Newton Abbot

Beau Gold

11st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Showed only minor promise when a big-priced outsider for first two hurdle runs (2m/2m3f) and will probably be of greater interest when qualified for low-grade handicaps.

33/1

1

21st May 2025

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Warwick

Beau Gold

11st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Some appeal on pedigree for 2m-2m5f hurdles, but looked in need of more time when fading right out of a Uttoxeter bumper (good) and Ffos Las maiden hurdle (2m, soft) last autumn/winter.

66/1

Form: 5

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

14

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:20 Ffos Las

Getaway Sam

10st 2lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Matt Sheppard

0-8 over hurdles, including four non-completions; responded well to first-time cheekpieces when close second at Warwick (3m2f, good) last month but that was a modest race; others here are more persuasive.

7/1

2nd

6

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:58 Warwick

Getaway Sam

10st 13lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

0-8; achieved closest finish yet when sixth of 11 at Hereford (2m3f, good) recently, beaten just over 7l on that third handicap start; wears first-time cheekpieces and has major claims in a race very much lacking depth.

6/5

6th

9

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

15:25 Hereford

Getaway Sam

10st 5lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Matt Sheppard

Pulled up in both handicaps, with his jockey reporting that he stopped quickly at Ludlow (2m5f) last time; hard to make a good case for.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

18:30 Taunton

Pillar The Poet

11st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: I Chanin

Finished a remote fourth over 2m3f here in February before taking a backward step when tailed off at Exeter (extended 2m5f, good) two weeks ago when tried in a hood (retained), both times ridden by a 7lb claimer; still lightly raced but needs to step up considerably.

25/1

12th

2

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Pillar The Poet

11st 11lb

J: Mr Darren Andrews

T: I Chanin

Left the Newland/Insole stable for 1,000gns last July, since when he's finished third in a point and a remote fourth on handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f; 16-1).

15/2

4th

1

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:16 Taunton

Pillar The Poet

11st 12lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: I Chanin

The odd whiff of ability in light career; left the Newland/Insole stable for 1,000gns last July and finished third in a maiden point in November on his only start since; insubstantial claims on handicap debut but his stable won a handicap last Sunday with its first hurdles runner of the season.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

14:37 Ludlow

Celestron Star

11st 7lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Jumped stickily and hung left on June's hurdling debut, but back on track with a facile Worcester win latest (2m, good), over 7l ahead of La Lolita eased down; no shortage of encouragement for longer trips in pedigree (half-sister won three 2m4f-3m hurdles for these connections).

4/7

3

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Worcester

Celestron Star

11st 4lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Dual good-ground bumper winner, latterly at Hexham in May; lacked fluency and was very disappointing when switched to hurdling in early June but it won't be a surprise if she fares considerably better here.

4/1

2

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 4

13:40 Market Rasen

Celestron Star

11st 4lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Outclassed in a Grade 2 at Aintree in April but won her two bumpers either side of that, last time making all at Hexham; obvious claims on hurdling debut.

5/2

Form: 7

Last run: 62 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 3

18:15 Ffos Las

Dellahay

10st 12lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rebecca Curtis

Not disgraced in her first two bumpers but was well beaten at Hereford last month and can only be watched on this hurdling debut.

100/1

10

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 3

18:15 Ffos Las

Dellahay

10st 12lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rebecca Curtis

Not disgraced in her first two bumpers but was well beaten at Hereford last month and can only be watched on this hurdling debut.

100/1

7th

3

8th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

16:55 Hereford

Dellahay

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Rebecca Curtis

Travelled well before dropping out rather tamely at Ffos Las (good to soft) and Wincanton (heavy) on first two starts; evidently has some ability but needs to see this race out much more strongly.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 1

13:25 Doncaster

Limerick Lass

11st 0lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

She was receiving 7lb off Livingonaprayer when they crossed the line together at Wincanton (2m5f, good to soft) and her Fontwell stroll told us nothing new, with her long odds-on that day; has to take a step forward but that's quite feasible.

8/1

1st

5

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

17:55 Chepstow

Limerick Lass

10st 10lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Half-sister to smart jumper Allart; just a respectable fourth of seven on debut at Exeter (soft) in January, but that form has been well advertised by the winner since and her stable usually does well in bumpers; tongue-tie added.

6/1

1st

5

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

17:55 Chepstow

Limerick Lass

10st 10lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Half-sister to smart jumper Allart; just a respectable fourth of seven on debut at Exeter (soft) in January, but that form has been well advertised by the winner since and her stable usually does well in bumpers; tongue-tie added.

6/1

Non-runners

Loch Na Keal

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.80
Straight Forecast £3.73
Trifecta £12.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Douglas Hyde

The Guardian:

Loch Na Keal

SPOTLIGHT:

Next Twist

Daily Mail:

Loch Na Keal

TOPSPEED:

Douglas Hyde

POSTDATA:

Douglas Hyde

The Times:

Douglas Hyde

Telegraph:

Douglas Hyde

D Express:

Douglas Hyde

Daily Mirror:

Douglas Hyde

The Sun:

Douglas Hyde

The Star:

Douglas Hyde

Daily Record:

Douglas Hyde