January 27 / 14.00 Hereford

14.00

Good To Soft

Star Sports We Believe In Bookmaking Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 5f 163y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Star Sports We Believe In Bookmaking Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 37-182

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Unsuited by good ground on penultimate start; that effort is flanked by a success at Chepstow (2m, soft) and good second at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy); Callum Pritchard's useful 7lb claim offsets a penalty; one of the main players on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:32 Chepstow

Ben Solo

10st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

A regular here in this first season over fences and might have won for a second time in this discipline but for unseating three out over Christmas; never really sighted when 33-1 for the Jack Richards at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) in which he was 5lb out of the weights; retains potential and a tongue-tie is added.

4/1

20

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Ben Solo

10st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Rebecca Curtis

Has shown most of his form on Welsh tracks, latterly Chepstow since switched to chasing; ran well when bidding for a 2m3f double and was in a narrow lead, albeit being challenged, when falling three out last time; faces a much stiffer task from 5lb out of the weights at this level.

28/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4-6

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bit of promise in Uttoxeter bumper for Mel Rowley; failed to improve in Chepstow novice hurdle (2m) since; lot to find on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

17:00 Hereford

Cornish Comedy

11st 4lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Made a promising start over fences when runner-up here (2m5f, good to soft) in December but he flopped when favourite at Warwick (2m4f) later that month; still has low mileage but he's been up and down so far and needs to bounce back at this new trip.

4/1

2nd

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:50 Taunton

Cornish Comedy

11st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

mounted in chute, didn't always jump with fluency, led, headed 3 out, soon lost ground quickly, mistake 2 out, just held second

14/1

8th

3

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:25 Taunton

Cornish Comedy

11st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Both starts over 2m on heavy ground, finishing fourth in Uttoxeter bumper (for Mel Rowley) then sixth in Chepstow novice hurdle; needs major improvement on bare figures.

50/1

Form: 6-6P6

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has something to find on bumper and hurdles form; likely to be more interesting in handicaps shortly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:05 Stratford

Grenardier

11st 2lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Chased home short-odds favourite in Ludlow novice (2m, good to soft) in February but safely held in both subsequent handicaps (2m3f/2m); needs a boost from the new cheekpieces here.

12/1

6th

4

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:45 Hereford

Grenardier

11st 6lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Best of the rest behind a long odds-on winner in Ludlow novice (2m, good to soft) in February; disappointing second favourite on handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f, good) one month ago but the trip might have stretched him.

6/1

6th

4

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:45 Hereford

Grenardier

11st 6lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Best of the rest behind a long odds-on winner in Ludlow novice (2m, good to soft) in February; disappointing second favourite on handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f, good) one month ago but the trip might have stretched him.

6/1

Form: 7-1362

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at Southwell (good) on final attempt in bumpers; backward steps the next twice but proved resurgent at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last time, finishing a close second; leading contender, provided that form is backed up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

23rd Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 3

14:30 Warwick

J J Moon

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Only stepped up to 3m in his last three races and went close in two of those; looked as though he'd win at Newbury last time (good to soft) only to get outbattled; the cheekpieces could be significant.

2/1

2nd

4

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

J J Moon

11st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Won seasonal/handicap debut at Newton Abbot (extended 2m6f, good to soft) in October; good C&D third (soft) next time but a flop as favourite at Doncaster (3m, good) in December when last seen; needs to resume improvement.

6/1

1st

3

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 3

14:53 Newton Abbot

J J Moon

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Bumper winner who made the breakthrough over hurdles when landing a maiden at Exeter (2m5f, good) in March; had to work hard to seal the deal in that match but he's still unexposed in this sphere and should have more to offer in handicaps this season; had wind surgery since last run.

3/1

Form: 3

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Solid start to career, having finished third in Irish point and Warwick maiden hurdle (2m5f, good to soft); has place possibilities as things stand and win possibilities provided he shows progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Libre De Choeur

11st 11lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Runner-up at Warwick (2m5f, good to soft) in December on second handicap start and bounced back from lesser run to win at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) last month; up 5lb but he's still unexposed and is open to more progress in staying handicaps; big player.

3/1

1st

6

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:52 Ffos Las

Libre De Choeur

11st 8lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

December's Warwick 2m5f handicap second (good to soft) suggested he has races in him, but he didn't improve for a stayers' trip as expected back there latest; form of 2m6f maiden third on sole previous visit here a year ago needs improving on significantly.

6/1

Form: P36-6

Last run: 107 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Far from solid on his Irish form (mostly in bumpers) for Gordon Elliott; withdrawn (unseated rider and got loose before start) at Newbury 12 days ago; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:10 Southwell

Pay The Tab

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

Kept on for third in soft-ground Down Royal bumper for Gordon Elliott in 2023 but left that stable after two very disappointing runs; now back over hurdles for new yard; hooded for first time; probably best watched.

16/1

5

3rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:10 Southwell

Pay The Tab

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

always behind, lost touch and pulled up after 3 out

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Absent since winning debut in British point in March 2023; runner-up has failed to advertise that form; sold for £65,000 the following month; market should offer further guidance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: U800/P

Last run: 206 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Unconvincing form in bumpers for this stable and over hurdles for Sheila Lewis; fitting of tongue-tie needs to make a big difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

16th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:32 Chepstow

Minneigh Mozze

10st 13lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Hannah James

Ten-race maiden with a basement handicap mark and she's outclassed back in a maiden.

100/1

7th

8

8th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

16:20 Hereford

Minneigh Mozze

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Hannah James

Nine-race maiden who was pulled up when upped to 3m2f and fitted with cheekpieces (now removed) for latest run a fortnight ago; drops back to 2m here; can't be recommended.

33/1

11

21st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Warwick

Minneigh Mozze

10st 2lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Hannah James

always behind, hit 3rd, tailed off when pulled up after 8th

40/1

Form: U

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Very hesitant at the first two flights in Ludlow contest, unseating rider at the second one; related to winners for her owner but needs to develop jumping confidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

10th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

14:52 Ludlow

Shorten Sassy

10st 11lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

Off a reduced mark she finally showed more when a 3l third over 3m at Southwell last month (good) and she would appear to have found her level; respected.

9/2

3rd

6

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:02 Southwell

Shorten Sassy

10st 10lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

Eight-race maiden who isn't obviously getting closer to a first handicap success despite falling in the weights, beaten 34l into fifth over 3m1f at Huntingdon last time.

8/1

5th

6

1st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:45 Huntingdon

Shorten Sassy

11st 0lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Mel Rowley

Seven-race maiden; edging down the weights and has shown her stamina over 3m2f at Hereford (soft/good) but others look more compelling for the win; 7lb claimer replaces 3lb claimer.

7/1

Form: 8P

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Irish point; holds poor claims on her two hurdles efforts and, while she's in good hands, needs a major step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

31st Dec 2024

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

12:50 Warwick

Sister Marguerite

11st 0lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Second in an Irish point; returning from 564 days away, she went off 12-1 for a 2m3f maiden at Lingfield and ended up tailed off; perhaps one for handicaps.

33/1

Verdict

Having bounced back last time, J J MOON could well build on that effort and open his hurdles account. Ben Solo (second choice) and Libre De Choeur are the chief threats on form. The market signals should be helpful with regard to rules debutant Pragnell.[Steve Boow]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

J J Moon

The Times:

Libre De Choeur

Telegraph:

Libre De Choeur

The Star:

Libre De Choeur

RP RATINGS:

J J Moon

TOPSPEED:

J J Moon

POSTDATA:

J J Moon

The Guardian:

J J Moon

Daily Mail:

J J Moon

D Express:

J J Moon

Daily Mirror:

J J Moon

The Sun:

J J Moon

Daily Record:

J J Moon