January 11 / 14.25 Ffos Las

14.25

Soft

DragonBet The Independent Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 7f 191y
  • Class 3
  • 15 runners
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DragonBet The Independent Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather:

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 0323-2 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent last term and ran creditably on reappearance five weeks ago (near 3m, heavy) but he's not actually won since December 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

31st May 2025

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Up For Parol

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Largely consistent 9yo who makes a quick reappearance after finishing well to take close fourth from a long way off the pace at Cartmel (3m1f, good to soft) on Monday; may not be ideally suited by the faster ground here.

7/2

2nd

2

31st May 2025

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Up For Parol

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Largely consistent 9yo who makes a quick reappearance after finishing well to take close fourth from a long way off the pace at Cartmel (3m1f, good to soft) on Monday; may not be ideally suited by the faster ground here.

7/2

5

26th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:30 Cartmel

Up For Parol

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Ended a long losing run at Ffos Las (3m) in January and not disgraced when sixth of 17 in 2m7f Uttoxeter handicap last time; possibilities eased 1lb.

14/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 12D143

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
First past the post in two Newton Abbot bumpers (good/soft) last summer; gave encouragement when well held taking minor honours over about 2m4f here and at Bangor in his two races over hurdles; upped in trip for this handicap debut and could find improvement, which he does need.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

15

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

14:25 Ffos Las

Alan De Banks

10st 0lb

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

First past the post in two Newton Abbot bumpers (good/soft) last summer; gave encouragement when well held taking minor honours over about 2m4f here and at Bangor in his two races over hurdles; upped in trip for this handicap debut and could find improvement, which he does need.

14/1

2nd

15

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

14:25 Ffos Las

Alan De Banks

10st 0lb

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

First past the post in two Newton Abbot bumpers (good/soft) last summer; gave encouragement when well held taking minor honours over about 2m4f here and at Bangor in his two races over hurdles; upped in trip for this handicap debut and could find improvement, which he does need.

14/1

1

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

13:50 Ffos Las

Alan De Banks

11st 6lb

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

10/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 216-3P D

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
First-time cheekpieces (kept since) when winning easily at Wincanton (3m, heavy) last March; ran creditably on reappearance but needs to bounce back from a disappointing show at Chepstow 15 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 2f 13y

Class 4

15:41 Uttoxeter

Madaket

11st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Dual hurdle winner; his third at Ffos Las in October reads quite well (3m1f, soft) but comfortably held in his three other handicap chases, the latest here; needs more.

8/1

3rd

5

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Madaket

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Dual hurdle winner who was placed off 1lb higher here (3m, soft) in January; disappointed on chasing debut the following month (bled from the nose) and not seen since but may still have a future over fences.

10/1

3rd

5

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Madaket

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Dual hurdle winner who was placed off 1lb higher here (3m, soft) in January; disappointed on chasing debut the following month (bled from the nose) and not seen since but may still have a future over fences.

10/1

Form: 11 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won on Irish point debut (soft to heavy) in December 2023; hot favourite when scoring over hurdles at this track in a maiden (2m6f, good to soft) in October and a novice (2m4f, heavy) last month, doing so with a major rally last time which strengthens the impression that he is very much a staying prospect; highly interesting therefore over 3m on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Rosscahill

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Point winner (3m, soft to heavy) who was 2-3 over hurdles (wins at 2m6f/2m4f on good to soft/heavy); made a bad mistake and pulled up on chase debut at Ffos Las (3m1f, soft) in October; something to prove after that but he was sent off the hot favourite and this lightly raced 7yo retains potential.

13/8

3

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Rosscahill

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Easily won slow-ground Irish point on debut in December 2023 and launched rules career with two hurdle wins here (2m6f/2m4f) towards end of last year; just a respectable fourth on handicap hurdle debut here (3m, soft) in January and absent since but looks a good prospect for chasing.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 44-334

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 4lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Nearly all wins on soft, one on heavy; third at Bangor on penultimate start seemed encouraging but he dropped right out at Sandown (near 3m, heavy) on latest; last won in March 2023 and others now look more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

West To The Bridge

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Grand servant to the yard with 11 hurdles wins; did what he's been doing for years by bouncing back to exploit a falling mark on his favoured testing ground at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) in January; most tenacious and impossible to dismiss off 3lb higher.

10/1

1st

1

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

West To The Bridge

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Long in the tooth now and not the force of old but was nudged up only 1lb for last month's clear second in refitted cheekpieces at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) and ought to be better suited by this slower ground.

10/1

Form: 11-224 D BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won last spring on first two starts for this yard and running well this season, fourth of nine at Cheltenham (3m, soft; acts on heavy) ten days ago; should not be far away if first-time headgear has no adverse effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

One Big Bang

11st 9lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Fifth in last year's Pertemps Final here as a staying hurdler and also ran well here when he had no answer to Wade Out after the final fence in November (3m1f, soft) on chase debut; readily beat a useful rival in a match at Southwell (3m, good to soft) next time and 2m3f offers an excuse for latest start, so he might be capable of better, which is needed.

9/1

3rd

2

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 3

13:15 Doncaster

One Big Bang

11st 8lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Talented staying hurdler who was a good Listed second on his chase debut at Cheltenham (3m1f, soft) in November, and readily beat a useful rival in a match at Southwell (3m, good to soft) last month; drops back in trip today but there can be optimism he'll cope and he's a leading contender.

6/4

3rd

20

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

One Big Bang

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Career-best to beat Doddiethegreat in a Pertemps Qualifier at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) and didn't run at all badly in the Final; couldn't dismiss with Sean Bowen taking over for the first time.

14/1

25/1

Form: 9P-153 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Usually partnered by Isabel Williams and ran creditably on sole start under Eleanor Williams; won last February (hurdle race) and October (chase) and ran creditably on latest outing; also effective over C&D in the mud but she's 2lb out of the weights proper and looks vulnerable for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

16:18 Ffos Las

Balkardy

10st 13lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Multiple winner but hasn't become easy to predict and followed two modest runs over hurdles with a pull-up on his return to fences at Ludlow; others safer.

20/1

3

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:22 Ffos Las

Balkardy

12st 0lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Found Class 2 race at Newton Abbot slightly too hot last time but is now only 2lb higher than when winning here (2m4f, good to soft) in June, and today's longer trip probably suits him better; one to consider.

11/2

9

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 2

16:30 Newton Abbot

Balkardy

10st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Kept on well to assert at Ffos Las (2m4f, good to soft) when back over hurdles in June, his fourth hurdling success, and does not look harshly treated by a 3lb rise for that but moves up from 0-115 company today and others in this line-up look stronger.

12/1

8th
6
Mahland

7/1

Form: 8221-7 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Progressed well last season, signing off with a 4l win from the front off 6lb lower over this C&D (soft); tailed off on reappearance four weeks ago but this second-season hurdler could bounce back to resume his improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Mahland

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Returned to form with hurdle win at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last month and is now 2-8 in that sphere; set a daunting task on this chasing debut but has some pointing experience to call upon and is evidently in good nick.

7/1

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Mahland

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Returned to form with hurdle win at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last month and is now 2-8 in that sphere; set a daunting task on this chasing debut but has some pointing experience to call upon and is evidently in good nick.

7/1

1st

1

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

17:05 Uttoxeter

Mahland

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

towards rear, steady headway and pressed leader before 4th, led when nudged along before 3 out, not fluent last, kept on

16/1

Form: 3U/463 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 13lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 125

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

2nd

1

18th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

15:52 Exeter

Dans Le Vent

12st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

held up in rear, in touch with leaders 7th, chased clear leader 3 out, hung left and no impression run-in

11/2

5

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 118y

Class 3

13:15 Ascot

Dans Le Vent

11st 12lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Took a big 3m handicap at Haydock in November 2021 but no joy since and he's now a 12yo, absent 573 days before this season and not as good as he was; down the weights too and a close third at Chepstow on penultimate start, but he's not the percentage call.

20/1

10th

10

19th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:30 Windsor

Dans Le Vent

10st 13lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

12yo who isn't as good as he was but he's handicapped accordingly and stayed on for a promising sixth at Haydock (2m3f, soft) in November on his second start back from a long absence; suited by the step back up to 2m7f when 1l third at Chepstow (soft) last month and could be bang there once more.

11/1

Form: 1P7-09 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 12lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Six wins over about 2m7f-3m in a long campaign last term, including one over C&D and career-best form at Chepstow for final win (heavy); tailed off this term on hurdle reappearance (50-1 at Cheltenham) and 29l ninth in the Welsh National on a tough return to chasing 15 days ago; 6lb above last winning mark, it might take a bit longer before he returns to winning form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Classic Concorde

11st 10lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: David Brace

Veteran who is on a losing run but ran well enough for a long way in a Class 2 handicap at Chepstow two months ago (2m7f, good to soft) to command respect at this lower level; goes well on this ground.

6/1

10th

1

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Classic Concorde

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: David Brace

Won twice over C&D in 2023-24 season and ran well when fourth over C&D in February but this 12yo is far too inconsistent to rely upon nowadays, and has been absent since two heavy defeats in the spring.

20/1

5

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Classic Concorde

10st 13lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

Veteran who has proved far from consistent since winning a Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow 14 months ago; not the percentage call.

16/1

Form: 21-P42

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

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

10th

8

1st Mar 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

16:15 Newbury

Lemoncello

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

led

9/1

Form: 2/1-43 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 115

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

1

10th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

16:17 Chepstow

Art Of Diplomacy

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Has gone 5-5 over fences (2m5f-3m2f) since the cheekpieces returned in June, last time prevailing in a match; tackling stronger opposition here and he's penalised accordingly, but he's in the zone and fighting fit.

4/1

1

19th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

14:03 Newton Abbot

Art Of Diplomacy

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Kept on well for ready success in Class 2 handicap at Bangor (3m, good) a fortnight ago and is now 4-4 over fences since cheekpieces were refitted in June; 2m5f on slower ground will also suit him; ought to be very hard to beat in current mood.

Evs

Form: -7P6P6 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 3lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 115

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

12

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Diol Ker

10st 12lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Very useful in Ireland in his prime but 0-7 and generally very disappointing for Evan Williams since last autumn; returns from break on another career-low mark but considered only if lively in the betting.

33/1

12

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Diol Ker

10st 12lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Very useful in Ireland in his prime but 0-7 and generally very disappointing for Evan Williams since last autumn; returns from break on another career-low mark but considered only if lively in the betting.

33/1

3

14th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

15:22 Newton Abbot

Diol Ker

11st 11lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Evan Williams

High-class hurdler/chaser in his prime but has struggled for a long time now and although this is a welcome drop in grade he continues with something to prove; cheekpieces discarded.

14/1

Form: 2223

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

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

3rd

7

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

Bold Recruit

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Billy Aprahamian

0-5 in Irish points; placed in his two bumpers and off the mark in a maiden at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in February on third start over hurdles; fair third of six to Burrows Hall on handicap debut at Doncaster (3m, good) last month but needs markedly better than that with his mark unchanged.

9/1

7

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

Bold Recruit

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Billy Aprahamian

0-5 in Irish points; placed in his two bumpers and off the mark in a maiden at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in February on third start over hurdles; fair third of six to Burrows Hall on handicap debut at Doncaster (3m, good) last month but needs markedly better than that with his mark unchanged.

9/1

3rd

4

14th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

15:02 Doncaster

Bold Recruit

11st 3lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Billy Aprahamian

in touch with leaders, prominent before 2nd, pressed leader from 7th, switched left after 3 out, hit 2 out, soon weakened

7/2

Form: 32-U32 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 108

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

4th

2

1st Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:30 Ffos Las

Followango

12st 0lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Evan Williams

Came good over fences at sixth attempt, with 3m success here (heavy) in January, and ran as well as could have been expected when fourth of five in Wincanton Listed race (1m7f, heavy) a fortnight ago; still on a good mark; good chance.

15/8

4th

2

14th Feb 2026

1m 7f 149y

Class 1

13:05 Wincanton

Followango

11st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Point/bumper winner, who made the breakthrough over fences at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) two weeks ago but that was a minor handicap and she has lots to find back at 2m in this Listed race.

20/1

1st

5

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

14:20 Ffos Las

Followango

11st 9lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Commenced her career with point/bumper wins; 0-17 since (0-5 in chases) but has a largely consistent record at Ffos Las and looks a solid contender in that respect; on a reduced mark and drops back in grade.

7/1

Non-runners

Stolen Silver

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £74.20
Straight Forecast £79.42
Tricast £836.12
Trifecta £433.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Rosscahill

The Times:

One Big Bang

POSTDATA:

Balkardy

TOPSPEED:

Up For Parol

RP RATINGS:

Rosscahill

WEST COUNTRY:

Rosscahill

Daily Mail:

Rosscahill

Daily Mirror:

Rosscahill

The Sun:

Rosscahill

The Star:

Rosscahill

Daily Record:

Rosscahill

Telegraph:

One Big Bang

The Guardian:

One Big Bang

D Express:

Balkardy

LAMBOURN:

Up For Parol