January 19 / 14.30 Windsor

14.30

Soft

Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £33819.5
  • 3m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
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Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sleet

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 2126-7

Last run: 99 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo who was progressive in handicaps last season, winning twice (1m7f/2m4f, good to soft/soft), and he shaped as though he needed the run on October's reappearance in a hot handicap at Chepstow; has hinted that 3m will be within range and he could still have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 3

15:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Titan Discovery

11st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Ran rather flat in a good Sandown handicap last time but won a Class 2 the time before at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft), his fourth win over hurdles; once had the pace for this trip but may need further now ideally, so will do well to lower the colours of Mirabad.

2/1

3

31st Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 103y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Titan Discovery

11st 6lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Second and first in handicaps in 2024 on his only two starts at this track, with the win on soft ground (runner-up early on in a heavy-ground bumper); won his second start (3m, soft) last season and the same happened this term, when he battled on well at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft) in December despite wandering; up 5lb but respected.

8/1

Form: 141-5P

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Pulled up when upped to 3m at Haydock in November but conditions were extremely demanding; 2-3 in novice hurdles in autumn 2023 (2m4f/2m5f, good to soft/soft) and returned from absence with encouraging fifth at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) in October; not written off in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Push The Button

11st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Mark Walford

Made a good start over fences for new connections, winning at Carlisle (2m, good) in October and second in a Grade 2 novice at Ascot (2m3f, soft); mistakes crept in when below that level twice since and he now reverts to hurdling; sixth of 17 in this last year off an identical mark.

25/1

3rd

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

17:10 Kelso

Push The Button

11st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Made a good start over fences for new connections, winning at Carlisle (2m, good) in October and finishing second in a Grade 2 novice at Ascot (2m3f, soft); let down by his jumping in competitive handicap at Cheltenham last time but he's in shallower waters here and should be thereabouts.

6/4

7th

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 2

12:05 Cheltenham

Push The Button

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Record of 122 switched to fences this term for new yard and the form has received a few boosts; ran well on the figures, albeit no match for winner, in Grade 2 at Ascot (2m3f, soft) most recently; brings solid claims back to handicap level.

4/1

100/30

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 13-781

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Third in the Imperial Cup (2m, soft) last March and, after a wind op, he showed improved form to win at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; readily accounted for some progressive rivals last time and an 8lb rise may not stop him, provided he stays; he was very strong at the finish at Newbury.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Jipcot

10st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Well beaten in the Plate last month but Cheltenham may not be his track; comfortably made all in small field at Leicester (2m6f, good to soft) in January and led into the straight at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in February, only to weaken; also effective on soft; could be involved.

9/1

13th

16

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Jipcot

10st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Four hurdle wins; made just a so-so stab at chasing in late 2023 but he was footsure when making all at Leicester (about 2m6f, good to soft) in January and perhaps the 3m trip counted against him when trying to justify an 8lb rise at Ascot since; should have more to come over fences at some stage but this looks a tough call; yard also runs Peaky Boy.

14/1

Form: -51055

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner, the latest in France last July; changed stables subsequently and he's been a fair fifth at Cheltenham (3m, good/soft) the last twice, but needs something extra today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Deep Cave

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

3m hat-trick in 2025 started with a success over hurdles at Aintree (good) in April before two chase wins late in the year; three marked backward steps over fences since but he's well handicapped on best chase efforts.

16/1

39

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Deep Cave

10st 2lb

T: Christian Williams

Reserve; won a handicap hurdle at this meeting last year, plus over fences at Bangor in November and Ascot in December, all over about 3m; backward steps in two further useful handicap chases, which he needs to reverse in a major way, but arriving late on the scene for those wins offers some potential for going beyond 3m; 3lb out of the handicap.

100/1

10

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Deep Cave

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

3m hat-trick in 2025 started with a success over hurdles on this card (good) and ended with nabbing Leave Of Absence on the line in notable handicap chase at Ascot (good to soft); couple of backward steps since but a bad early error, and perhaps losing a shoe, contributed to a poor effort last time; may well rebound on a significant day in his calendar.

6/1

Form: 111-F3 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Completed hat-trick with commanding win in big field at Aintree's Grand National meeting (3m, good to soft) last April; early faller at Haydock on reappearance before creditable third at Carlisle (3m1f, soft) last month; this unexposed 7yo could build on that latest run and is one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Gwennie May Boy

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Posted handicap hat-trick at the end of last season and was better than ever when comfortably landing a Grade 2 at Haydock (3m, good to soft) this February; a case can be made on that form but he was tailed off in a Grade 1 at Aintree (3m, good) just three weeks ago and needs to bounce back.

16/1

6th

2

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Gwennie May Boy

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Posted handicap hat-trick at the end of last season and was better than ever when comfortably landing a Grade 2 at Haydock (3m, good to soft) this February; a case can be made on that form but he was tailed off in a Grade 1 at Aintree (3m, good) just three weeks ago and needs to bounce back.

16/1

Form: P45-13

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Returned from absence to win four-runner handicap at Lingfield (2m7f, good) in November; fair third of seven at Fontwell (3m2f, soft) since but goes back up in grade today and this could be too competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

19th Feb 2026

3m 3f 9y

Class 4

14:33 Sedgefield

Spike Jones

11st 12lb

J: Mr Sam Burton

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Two sound runs in the autumn but fell at Cheltenham in January and hasn't run quite as well since; this a significant drop in grade and with the ground in his favour, is one with a chance.

4/1

4th

10

31st Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 103y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Spike Jones

10st 3lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

2-4 on heavy going, admittedly all in 2021 or 2023; ridden last five starts by Benjamin Macey; fell in the early stages on penultimate start and below form on latest, having registered two good places earlier this term; others preferred.

20/1

7th

16

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Spike Jones

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Fell in the early stages at Cheltenham last time; couple of good efforts otherwise this term but is more exposed than some of these rivals and 3lb higher than when midfield in this race 12 months ago.

20/1

Form: 243-14 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent but went very close at Newbury (3m, good to soft) on his final start last season and won on his reappearance there (3m, soft) in November; goes back up in trip after his soundly beaten fourth of nine at Kempton (2m5f, good) last month and could be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

9th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

16:45 Killarney

Hermino AA

10st 5lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Three wins over hurdles when trained in the UK and was Grade 3-placed; below that form in four chase starts for this yard and has to stage a revival.

25/1

6th

15

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 120y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Hermino AA

10st 11lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: E McNamara

Three-time hurdles winner for Gary Moore; yet to get his head in front in six chase runs; soundly beaten both completed starts for this stable and pulled up on latest at Navan (3m, heavy); leap of faith required to back him here.

33/1

3

8th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 0y

16:20 Navan

Hermino AA

11st 13lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: E McNamara

Three hurdle wins in Britain at 2m4f-3m on softish ground; not so effective in three attempts chasing before joining this stable; need to step up now after unplaced runs in a Galway novice event and a handicap at Cork.

12/1

Form: 10-323

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Two handicap wins last season (2m3f/2m4f, good to soft/good) and running well in defeat this term (2m3f-2m5f, good/good to soft); each-way contender if he stays but that's the big question (not bred for stamina); has won on soft but best form is on good/good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Worcester

Samuel Spade

12st 2lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Last season's light campaign over hurdles did not go well (tried in cheekpieces latterly) but he shouldn't mind getting back on drier ground and is too well handicapped to dismiss on chasing debut.

9/1

8th

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:53 Ascot

Samuel Spade

10st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Back to the same mark as for last season's convincing course win (2m7f, good) but hasn't finished in the first six this term, always behind over 2m5f here last time; takes another drop in distance and wears headgear for the first time.

12/1

7th

3

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Samuel Spade

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Has not had that many chances at this sort of trip and he drew clear to win at Ascot in February, beating 16 rivals (2m7f, good); was beaten under 2l in a strong Uttoxeter handicap on the Midlands' National card but that was under a very capable 5lb claimer; likely to need more here.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 11-

Last run: 429 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
3m point winner (good) who made it 2-2 under rules (2m3f/2m5f, good to soft) when keeping on well in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham in November 2023; absent since but if this 7yo retains all of his promise he has potential off his opening mark, especially now up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 2

16:05 Ayr

Minella Missile

10st 10lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

This season hasn't been completely devoid of spark and he continues to drop down the weights, but he hasn't been shaping as though he's about to take advantage and his losing sequence is up to 11 races.

20/1

7th

12

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Minella Missile

11st 3lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Hasn't won over hurdles since landing a Grade 2 novice in November 2023; has plummeted in the weights but doesn't look ready to take advantage.

33/1

8

31st Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 103y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Minella Missile

10st 8lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Unraced on heavy; not disgraced in fifth when cheekpieces were enlisted at Windsor on last two starts, the latest over 3m on soft, but that's still way below his peak form and he needs better.

12/1

Form: 3U/463 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 13lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 51-PU0

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Unraced over hurdles in Britain but showed promise in this discipline when trained in France; has had jumping issues over fences on his last three starts and perhaps this return to hurdles will prompt a revival; well treated on last spring's 2m4f chase form and has shown staying potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 150y

16:42 Listowel

In Excelsis Deo

11st 11lb

J: Mr S J Kenny

T: E Bolger

Won a Grade 2 handicap over 2m4f a couple of years ago for Harry Fry before losing form; some good efforts in point-to-points, including recent win under this jockey; previously, was only around 7l off stablemate Solitary Man over 2m4f at Cork (disqualified, rider weighed in marginally light).

12/1

7th

12

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

In Excelsis Deo

12st 0lb

J: Emma Fitzgerald

T: E Bolger

Rated in 140s at peak over fences, best form over much further, others preferred.

14/1

11th

5

6th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:10 Cork

In Excelsis Deo

12st 0lb

J: Mr S J Kenny

T: E Bolger

Solid overall form in points, highlighted by a defeat of Its On The Line at Cragmore in January; unseated rider in Belclare contest won by Asian Master; stablemate Solitary Man has superior claims.

7/1

Form: /1623- D

Last run: 274 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Absent since finishing third in the Scottish Grand National last April; however, he has a good reappearance record and reverts to hurdles on a mark 6lb lower than at Ayr; 3-4 in this discipline in early 2022; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

17

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Git Maker

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

The key to him is soft ground, on which he was third in this race in 2024 and had for the first time since over fences when third of 16 off today's mark to Isaac Des Obeaux in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter (4m2f) on latest outing; blinkered on last two outings; each-way claims.

11/1

3rd

7

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Git Maker

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

The key to him is soft ground which he had when third in the 2024 Scottish National (4m); hasn't had his favoured conditions since then over fences and, with the ground drying out (officially good to soft) in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last time, he ran surprisingly well to be a close fifth, keeping on; the first-time blinkers fitted there, which did him no harm, are retained; chance.

8/1

5th

6

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Git Maker

10st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

10yo whose form was patchy in 2025 and he was never going well when pulled up in the Welsh National in December (3m6f, good to soft); however, today's forecast soft ground could help and he's 4lb lower than when third in the 2024 Scottish National (4m, soft); not written off in first-time blinkers.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £90.50
Straight Forecast £84.82
Tricast £511.67
Trifecta £737.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Jipcot

SPOTLIGHT:

Dans Le Vent

The Times:

Minella Missile

LAMBOURN:

Git Maker

D Express:

Titan Discovery

The Guardian:

Gwennie May Boy

The Sun:

Minella Missile

Telegraph:

Jipcot

Daily Mirror:

Jipcot

The Star:

Jipcot

Daily Record:

Git Maker

TOPSPEED:

Dans Le Vent

POSTDATA:

Dans Le Vent