January 27 / 16.31 Hereford

16.31

Good To Soft

starsportsbet.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 5f 163y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
SKY
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starsportsbet.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: P-P164

Last run: 12 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won three times over hurdles in cheekpieces last year (2m-2m3f) and began 2025 with pretty good fourth in blinkers here (2m, soft) 12 days ago; unexposed over this sort of trip and features prominently in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

14:00 Newbury

Activist

11st 11lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Four-time hurdle winner; bounced back from a poor run when second at Plumpton (2m4f, soft; tongue-tie refitted) this month and new jockey Rian Corcoran claims a useful 6lb; shortlisted.

7/1

2nd

2

9th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 4

15:45 Plumpton

Activist

11st 12lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Four-time winner over hurdles and ran okay in his first two races after a wind operation before failing to give his running at Fontwell a month ago; would have a chance if he's back to anything like his best.

12/1

4

10th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:55 Chepstow

Activist

11st 12lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Drew clear to score in first-time visor at Fonwell (2m3f, good to soft) in March and is now 4-14 over hurdles; returns from seven-month absence on career-high mark but won when fresh last autumn; a possible.

10/1

Form: -P4232

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent 9yo who was placed over C&D (good) off 2lb lower two starts ago; may not want the ground any worse than good to soft but, otherwise, he's a player; cheekpieces (worn for last five races) removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

11th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:25 Plumpton

Teds Friend

11st 13lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Fergal O’Brien

towards rear, midfield after 4th, headway before 9th, outpaced and no impression from 2 out

7/1

5th

2

11th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:25 Plumpton

Teds Friend

11st 13lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Fergal O’Brien

towards rear, midfield after 4th, headway before 9th

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 765-53

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner in France in 2022; 0-7 and generally disappointing in Britain but last month's third at Bangor (2m3f, soft) suggested he might be ready to exploit some considerable help from the handicapper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Rock Hurley

11st 4lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Won a C&D handicap (good to soft) last April but he's not come close to that form in four subsequent runs and latest was back here in March; has some questions to answer and he's still 3lb higher than for his last win.

16/1

4th

3

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Rock Hurley

11st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Bang out of form in his last three races but only four starts back last April he won as he liked around here (good to soft) off 5lb higher; couldn't put a line through him.

20/1

Form: /8-763

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
0-12 over hurdles but has not been with current stable long and kept on on well for creditable third of 16 at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) nine days ago; today's longer trip will suit; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:40 Taunton

State Of Fame

11st 10lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

led, briefly headed 1st

7/2

2nd

3

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:40 Taunton

State Of Fame

11st 10lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

led, briefly headed 1st

7/2

Form: 5665/3

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 8yo who ran well from the front when third on last month's handicap debut (2m4f, soft); that was his first start since March 2023 and he'll be dangerous here if he comes on for the run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 4

14:15 Fontwell

Nollyador

11st 6lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Emma Lavelle

led, headed 7th, lost position 10th, not fluent and weakened 12th, pulled up before 3 out

4/1

5

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 4

14:15 Fontwell

Nollyador

11st 6lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Emma Lavelle

Comfortably justified favouritism over hurdles at Hereford (2m6f, good to soft) in February and was reported to have made a respiratory noise when disappointing at Market Rasen last month; 5lb rise has now kicked in but he's still lightly raced for his age and should have a future at this new discipline.

4/1

6th

9

4th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

16:05 Market Rasen

Nollyador

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

It looked more testing than the official good to soft when he comfortably justified favouritism at Hereford nine days ago (2m5f, good to soft); escapes a penalty but he was ridden by a 10lb claimer that day; this looks a deeper race.

5/2

Form: 64122-

Last run: 315 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Quirky customer who tends to race lazily; won under determined ride on handicap debut at Southwell (2m4f, soft) last January and came second on next two outings (2m5f/2m3f) but it's hard to predict what sort of mood he'll be in today; absent since March; blinkers removed after one use.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:47 Fontwell

Sangiovese

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Hurdle winner who made it third-time lucky over fences when justifying favouritism at Huntingdon (extended 2m7f, good) two weeks ago; up 5lb but he was as good as ever with that clearcut win and is open to more progress at staying trips; big player in new headgear.

7/4

2nd

6

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:47 Fontwell

Sangiovese

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Hurdle winner who made it third-time lucky over fences when justifying favouritism at Huntingdon (extended 2m7f, good) two weeks ago; up 5lb but he was as good as ever with that clearcut win and is open to more progress at staying trips; big player in new headgear.

7/4

1st

1

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

18:38 Huntingdon

Sangiovese

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Winning hurdler but a hard ride and needed lots of driving before staying on into third on his second chase start at Fontwell two weeks ago (2m5f, good); at least he arrives in some form and this longer trip is worth a go.

15/8

Form: 534424

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
1-14 over hurdles; bumped into revitalised rival when second here (2m3f, good) in November and remains on a workable mark but his latest run was underwhelming and his overall profile is not persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

24th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:30 Southwell

Jack The Savage

11st 5lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Laura Horsfall

Had dropped to a good mark and finally exploited it with a head success at Hereford (3m1f, good); that was a weak race but he's only 2lb higher and should give some less exposed rivals plenty to think about.

11/4

1st

5

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

13:42 Hereford

Jack The Savage

11st 8lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Laura Horsfall

Sole hurdles win came off 15lb higher mark but he's been struggling for a while and finished last of four at Fakenham last time after four months off; needs a revival.

12/1

4th

4

18th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

13:00 Fakenham

Jack The Savage

11st 4lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Laura Horsfall

Potentially well handicapped but was struggling for form when last seen and has been off since early September.

12/1

Form: P5-F43

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
0-7 over hurdles but was placed twice off today's mark towards the end of last year (2m3f/3m) and today's in-between trip could be ideal for him; probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

1st Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Sparkling Duke

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Kayley Woollacott

Inconsistent but made it 2-3 for this yard when winning comfortably in the reapplied cheekpieces over C&D a month ago; raised 7lb but faces similar conditions here and that could count for a lot.

11/4

1st

3

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

14:50 Ffos Las

Sparkling Duke

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Kayley Woollacott

Broke off from hurdles career to win a maiden point in March; off the mark in this sphere as well here (2m4f, soft; six ran) in November, staying on steadily to lead on run-in, but needs to put a poor show at Exeter (2m7f) in December way behind him; cheekpieces (last used in February) return.

10/1

1st

2

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:45 Ffos Las

Sparkling Duke

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Kayley Woollacott

0-8 over hurdles and not seen under rules since below-par run in Plumpton handicap (2m4f, soft) in February; won a maiden point the following month, though, and the booking of Sean Bowen catches the eye today.

6/1

Form: 3/961- C

Last run: 378 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Came good over hurdles at eighth attempt, holding on well in 15-runner mares' race here (2m3f, good) just over a year ago; not seen again since, though, and resumes on an 8lb higher mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ffos Las

Hellfire Princess

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Kerry Lee

Posted career-best performance when coming from off the pace to score by 6l here (2m6f, soft) in November but returned from break with two lesser efforts last month (2m5f/3m1f) and now has a point to prove; usual cheekpieces (left off last time) back on today.

7/1

4th

2

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Carlisle

Hellfire Princess

11st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

9yo who is lightly raced for her age and won at Ffos Las (2m6f, soft) in November on second run back from break; not seen to same effect at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) 12 days ago but she's better than that; not ruled out.

16/1

6th

10

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:33 Ludlow

Hellfire Princess

10st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Lightly raced over last couple of years but bounced back to form at Ffos Las (2m6f, soft) in November, staying on well to win by 6l; subsequent 6lb rise may not be beyond her if the emphasis is on stamina again.

7/1

Form: 232/03

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Bettered low-key reappearance run when third of 15 at Exeter (2m5f, soft) on New Year's Day; did well to recover from bad jumping error at third-last flight there and remains on a good mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:45 Ffos Las

Drash On Ruby

12st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

held up in rear, outpaced after 3 out, no chance from 2 out, rallied and some headway run-in, not pace to challenge

3/1

5th

1

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:45 Ffos Las

Drash On Ruby

12st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

held up in rear

3/1

9

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

16:50 Wincanton

Drash On Ruby

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

0-17 but she was a fair third on her first two starts this year (2m5f/2m3f, soft) then went close off this mark when upped to 3m at Taunton (heavy) last Thursday; also effective on good to soft; she could have more to offer over this sort of trip and is one to consider in first-time cheekpieces.

3/1

Form: 41-44P D

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Failed to build upon her encouraging reappearance run when pulled up at Chepstow in November and returns from 12-week break with a point to prove but she's only 1lb above her winning mark and Sean Bowen rides.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

27th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

19:08 Cartmel

Musique De Fee

12st 0lb

J: Joshua Bryan

T: Mickey Bowen

Second here on Saturday and third on Monday in first-time blinkers, though she was some 22l off the winner; opposable should she run yet again.

11/2

3rd

7

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Musique De Fee

11st 4lb

J: Joshua Bryan

T: Mickey Bowen

Started off for this stable with two laboured efforts but runner-up twice this month, more recently in C&D mares' race (good; in cheekpieces) on Saturday; will warrant consideration if she makes a quick reappearance in first-time blinkers.

7/1

2nd

2

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 3

14:43 Cartmel

Musique De Fee

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

2l third in this race (good) last year for Georgina Nicholls when undone by two late mistakes, only to land a C&D Class 2 two days later (good to soft) off the same mark as today's; easily her best effort for new connections at Hereford latest (3m2f, good), and her turn is possibly nearing.

3/1

Form: 88P

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner last spring; well beaten at triple-digit odds in three novice/maiden hurdles (2m-2m4f) this season but still worth a glance in the betting before this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:58 Ffos Las

Beaufort Breeze

10st 11lb

T: D J Jeffreys

Form: 4-268P

Last run: 53 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Quickly became disappointing for Dan Skelton last spring and was pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) when 50-1 for last month's stable/handicap debut (1m7f); sports first-time hood/tongue-tie here; has a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

12th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

15:28 Hereford

Trudie Glen

11st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Max Comley

Left Dan Skelton after two disappointing maiden runs and was pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) when 50-1 for stable/handicap debut in December (1m7f); upped in trip with headgear added here.

66/1

Verdict

Several of these warrant consideration but the suggestion is STATE OF FAME, who rather unluckily lost his position when forced wide before the home turn at Taunton recently but ran on well to take third there and will probably be better suited by this longer trip. Low-mileage 8yo Nollyador ran well last month, after a long absence, and is second choice. Activist, Rock Hurley, Sparkling Duke and Drash On Ruby are other appealing options.[Chris Wilson]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

State Of Fame

The Times:

Drash On Ruby

TOPSPEED:

Nollyador

The Guardian:

Rock Hurley

WEST COUNTRY:

Activist

Daily Mail:

Ted's Friend

RP RATINGS:

State Of Fame

POSTDATA:

State Of Fame

The Sun:

State Of Fame

Daily Record:

State Of Fame

D Express:

Nollyador

Telegraph:

Drash On Ruby

Daily Mirror:

Drash On Ruby

The Star:

Drash On Ruby