January 17 / 14.53 Ascot

14.53

Good To Soft

BetMGM Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 3f 63y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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BetMGM Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 33-321 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 7yo whose record reads 133321; had fair bit in hand with tongue-tie applied at Hereford (2m3f, soft) in December; up 7lb but open to further improvement and high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 2

16:05 Ayr

Came From Nowhere

11st 11lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Improved in this tongue-tie in the winter, winning two handicaps (2m3f, soft), and he may well have completed a hat-trick but for a final-flight mistake in a novice at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) four weeks ago; this smooth-travelling sort could have more left in the tank; strong claims.

100/30

2nd

1

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

14:00 Newbury

Came From Nowhere

11st 12lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Returns to a novice after running in handicaps, improving for the tongue-tie to win at Hereford (about 2m4f) and Ascot (about 2m3f, also soft); it was easily a career best last time and has since had a wind operation; sets the standard on RPRs; withdrawn from last week's Grade 1 novice at Cheltenham due to the drying ground; yard won this with Dashel Drasher in 2019.

Evs

OUR TIP

15/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 6-3U45

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Didn't take to fences, but he ran creditably in the face of a stiff task back over hurdles when fifth of six in Grade 1 event at Kempton (2m, good; wore cheekpieces) on Boxing Day; not fully proven over this trip but he's still relatively lightly raced and hard to rule out on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(12)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Tripoli Flyer

9st 9lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bagged a bumper and three hurdles, including Grade 2 Dovecote last February; acquitted himself well in two big spring festivals of late; should have a future on the Flat but will likely get a mark after this third start; no headgear.

10/1

3rd

5

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 118y

17:30 Punchestown

Tripoli Flyer

11st 4lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Fruitful novice campaign included a Grade 2 win at Kempton (2m, gd-sft); best run this season a 2.75l second in an Ascot handicap (19.5f, soft) in cheekpieces which return now; not a bad effort when a keeping on 7l seventh in the County Hurdle (2m1f, soft); modest run on the Flat latest; not discounted back up in trip over timber.

18/1

4th

2

(5)

8th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 3

13:17 Nottingham

Tripoli Flyer

10st 2lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Fergal O’Brien

Smart bumper/novice hurdle form; recorded an RPR of 141 when eighth in the County Hurdle four weeks ago; no match for Constitution Hill on his Flat debut but he should do better in this sphere at some point, probably when handicapping.

12/1

Form: 4-2355 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Third in this race last year off 2lb higher and twice ran creditably over 2m here in November, but he's fully exposed and he was beaten a long way by Came From Nowhere at Hereford in December; needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

Moveit Like Minnie

10st 11lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Justified favouritism at Wincanton (2m4f, good) last time, recording a first win over hurdles since 2023; fairly consistent and looks worth a crack at this new trip so may remain competitive; whether he can follow up is a different matter.

10/1

1st

7

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 3

16:57 Wincanton

Moveit Like Minnie

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Not quite in peak form this season but has still made the frame in some good-quality contests, most recently when close fourth of 15 at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) last month; in calmer waters here and will be suited by the faster ground; leading claims.

7/2

4th

15

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Moveit Like Minnie

10st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Largely consistent record at Ascot includes a sixth-place finish in this contest last year and placed effort in latest start; on a 13-race losing sequence but should give his running.

11/1

Form: -61141

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Having an excellent season, winning at Ffos Las and Kempton (both 2m) in the autumn and finding further improvement when upped to 2m5f back at Kempton on Boxing Day; raised another 6lb for latest win but he may not have reached his limit just yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:53 Ascot

Surrey Lord

10st 6lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Having an excellent season, winning at Ffos Las and Kempton (both 2m) in the autumn and finding further improvement when upped to 2m5f back at Kempton on Boxing Day; raised another 6lb for latest win but he may not have reached his limit just yet.

7/2

3

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:28 Ffos Las

Surrey Lord

11st 13lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Unexposed 6yo who made a very encouraging seasonal/handicap debut when sixth of 14 at Uttoxeter (2m, good) three weeks ago; could be better suited by the slower ground here and that run might have brought him on.

7/1

Form: 43-177 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Won 25-runner handicap at the Punchestown festival (2m3f, yielding) last spring and remains well handicapped on older form, but he's hard to predict and has been some way below par in two runs this season; however, blinkers replace cheekpieces today and market support would be significant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

9

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Thanksforthehelp

11st 11lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Out of luck since winning this race last year; only 3lb higher now, and has to be taken seriously; Rian Corcoran has enjoyed a successful breakthrough season in Britain and claims a useful 4lb.

8/1

9th

11

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Thanksforthehelp

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Has three wins over hurdles but hasn't been at his best in four runs since returning in November; is slipping down the weights and takes a drop in class so cannot be discounted; returning cheekpieces replace blinkers.

16/1

5th

14

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:50 Haydock

Thanksforthehelp

10st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: David Pipe

Blew apart a 15-runner Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow (2m7f) in February 2023 and underlined how effective he can be in big-field races when seeing off 24 rivals in a handicap at the Punchestown festival (2m3f, yielding) last spring; hasn't come close to reproducing that form in three outings this winter but his mark has eased a little as a result; worth a second look in the betting.

25/1

Form: 3-0060 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
In good form last spring but woeful in three runs this season, beaten at least 34l each time; perhaps cheekpieces will rekindle his enthusiasm but he's difficult to recommend unless strong in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Patriotik

11st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Very well handicapped on staying form as recent as last March and it's possible the step back up in trip will be a positive; however, unable to pose a threat across his six runs this season and has to raise his game.

25/1

5th

6

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 3

14:50 Plumpton

Patriotik

11st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Has had a disappointing season so far, beaten 26l+ on first four starts before a more encouraging front-running effort in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Ascot (2m3.5f, soft) nine days ago; 6lb lower than latest win last March and eased in class so hard to dismiss completely.

8/1

6th

8

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:53 Ascot

Patriotik

10st 7lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

In good form last spring but woeful in three runs this season, beaten at least 34l each time; perhaps cheekpieces will rekindle his enthusiasm but he's difficult to recommend unless strong in the market.

16/1

Form: 26/838 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Grand veteran who retains plenty of ability and was third in the Greatwood at Cheltenham (2m, soft) in November; not disgraced in another warm race here (28-1) four weeks ago and this is less competitive; should go well with Harry Skelton returning to the saddle for the first time since a narrow defeat in the Imperial Cup in March 2024.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

14

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Faivoir

11st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Has lots of form in major handicaps, generally at about 2m, but losing spell goes back three years and he looks unlikely to land this hot contest at the age of 11; remote third at Newbury most recently.

40/1

3rd

5

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

Faivoir

11st 8lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Missed last term; useful on his day (County winner) but is into the veteran stage and not particularly solid on this season's form, for all that he was placed in the Greatwood; beaten twice in this contest (pulled up in 2023, fifth in 2024).

33/1

Form: 57-978 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
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.
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

Form: 420-22 BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Arrives in good form after seconds at Wetherby and Sandown (both 2m, soft), no extra after a mistake at the last on second occasion; now moves up in distance, and if he stays he should be involved again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 2

14:12 Haydock

Marche dAligre

10st 10lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Jamie Snowden

Runner-up twice in a row at the end of last year (2m, soft) then tailed off at Ascot (2m3f, soft); following wind surgery he took a step back in the right direction at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in February but was still soundly beaten, and very much needs to build on that latest effort.

14/1

3rd

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

14:10 Newbury

Marche dAligre

10st 9lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

1-8 over hurdles, with the win on first attempt; good second at Wetherby and Sandown (both 2m on soft) to start this season, before tailing off over 2m3f at Ascot on soft six weeks ago; back down in trip and has now had wind surgery; needs to resume his progress.

9/2

9th

7

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:53 Ascot

Marche dAligre

10st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Arrives in good form after seconds at Wetherby and Sandown (both 2m, soft), no extra after a mistake at the last on second occasion; now moves up in distance, and if he stays he should be involved again.

9/1

Form: PP/0/4 C

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Has been a money-spinner for connections over the years but recent efforts (Flat and jumps) have been subdued and he faded into a well-held fourth at Sandown (28-1) in December; well handicapped on old form but needs first-time cheekpieces to have a positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:53 Ascot

Metier

11st 4lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Has been a money-spinner for connections over the years but recent efforts (Flat and jumps) have been subdued and he faded into a well-held fourth at Sandown (28-1) in December; well handicapped on old form but needs first-time cheekpieces to have a positive effect.

22/1

8th

1

(4)

29th Mar 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:05 Kempton (AW)

Metier

10st 0lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Harry Fry

Easily best known for his exploits on soft/heavy ground, on the Flat winning 2022 November Handicap and 2023 Chester Cup; the latter was off same mark as today but he did not fire on all cylinders last March-July and he's run only once on AW, when finishing last over C&D in 2023; enough doubts.

12/1

8th

1

(9)

29th Jul 2024

Soft

2m 0f 179y

19:10 Galway

Metier

12st 2lb

J: Miss A B O’Connor

T: Harry Fry

Merit's respect on last year's Chester Cup win; unplaced in a staying handicap at Newbury in April; takes a big drop in class now after contesting Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.60
Straight Forecast £16.10
Tricast £92.80
Trifecta £135.70

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Came From Nowhere

TOPSPEED:

Moveit Like Minnie

SPOTLIGHT:

Faivoir

LAMBOURN:

Marche d'Aligre

Telegraph:

Tripoli Flyer

The Times:

Came From Nowhere

The Guardian:

Came From Nowhere

D Express:

Came From Nowhere

Daily Mirror:

Came From Nowhere

The Star:

Came From Nowhere

Daily Record:

Came From Nowhere

POSTDATA:

Moveit Like Minnie

RP RATINGS:

Faivoir

Daily Mail:

Faivoir