January 23 / 12.45 Doncaster

12.45

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet EBF “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6535.2
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet EBF “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/4

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 98-533

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
A good looker who is progressing well, having shaped encouragingly in two Newbury maidens (2m) before finishing third at Ascot in a race that's working out nicely (2m5f, soft); sets the standard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 2

16:15 Ayr

West Hill Verde

11st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Seamus Mullins

0-8 but placed in three maiden hurdles in a row (2m-2m5f, soft) prior to 12l third Grade 2 novice at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) in February when 33-1; receives weight from his main rivals and is firmly in the picture.

11/2

3rd

10

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 1

14:15 Kelso

West Hill Verde

11st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Seamus Mullins

Placed in maiden hurdles on last three starts (2m-2m5f, soft), most recently runner-up at Doncaster; however, looks up against it today.

50/1

Form: 6-7U

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In the process of showing improved form when departing late on over C&D last month and that's something to build on; does have to step up plenty, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

16:42 Newbury

Name Me Nicely

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Five-race maiden who ran an encouraging race on handicap debut at Ludlow (third of eight; beaten 10l; 11-2) and stepping up from 2m5f could make a difference; considered.

9/1

3rd

2

18th Feb 2026

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

Name Me Nicely

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Close up when unseating at the last in a small field at Doncaster on penultimate start and confirmed his improvement when 14l fourth of 13 over that same extended 2m3f last month (soft; 28-1); needs further progress on this handicap debut, but these are early days and it may be forthcoming.

6/1

7/2

Form: 226

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Close up at Ffos Las (2m4f) and Warwick (2m5f; again on soft) before weakening into sixth at Ascot where he was some way behind West Hill Verde; perhaps wasn't at his best that day (went off only 9-2) and his yard has won this maiden twice in three years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:10 Uttoxeter

Dig Deep

11st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Trio of second-place finishes (point/hurdles) constituted a consistent start to his career; has lost his solidity by finishing out of the money in two starts since; however, could well rebuild as he has frame probabilities in this field.

7/1

5th

4

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

12:45 Doncaster

Dig Deep

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Close up at Ffos Las (2m4f) and Warwick (2m5f; again on soft) before weakening into sixth at Ascot where he was some way behind West Hill Verde; perhaps wasn't at his best that day (went off only 9-2) and his yard has won this maiden twice in three years.

7/2

2nd

4

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

14:00 Warwick

Dig Deep

10st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Bought for £120,000 after finishing second in an Irish point (3m, yielding to soft) in March; warm 15-2 shot when filling that position again, behind a highly regarded sort, on his rules debut at at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) three weeks ago; looks the part and is sure to make his presence felt.

2/1

100/1

Form: 64

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in an Irish point; beaten 27l and 47l in first two starts over hurdles (similar trips to today's) and now returns from wind surgery; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:12 Ffos Las

Kastellion

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Kept on for third on handicap debut at Southwell (2m4f, soft) in February but was disappointing favourite when weakening fourth at Bangor (2m7f, good) last month and needs a better effort here.

7/1

4th

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Kastellion

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Low-mileage 6yo who ran his best race yet on handicap debut at Southwell (2m4f, soft) and he's given the impression that this could be more his trip; respected.

3/1

3rd

3

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:25 Southwell

Kastellion

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Point runner-up (3m, yielding) who has been unable to threaten across his three hurdle runs (2m3f/2m4f, good to soft/soft) but has shown ability and has far more realistic claims in this first handicap; not ruled out.

12/1

Form: 2/0-4P C

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won his bumper here on good ground; limitations exposed in the meantime and was 33-1 when pulled up at Ascot in the maiden in which West Hill Verde finished third and stablemate Dig Deep sixth.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:48 Ffos Las

Less Destiny Star

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Good-ground bumper scorer; had wind surgery prior to a resurgent effort, finishing 5l third and one place behind Star Turn, over C&D (good to soft) last month in only his second handicap attempt; warrants respect off same mark, with a step forward possible.

5/1

3rd

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:20 Ffos Las

Less Destiny Star

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Bumper winner; remote when fourth on handicap debut at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February but was given a wind op last month and remains open to improvement over hurdles for his respected stable.

14/1

4th

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

15:57 Doncaster

Less Destiny Star

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Course bumper winner (good) who ran okay when fourth of six on hurdle debut at Lingfield (2m3f, good to soft) in November; well beaten on both starts since (2m5f/2m3f, soft) but there's stamina in his family and he could be a different proposition now up in trip and back on better ground in a first-time tongue-tie on his handicap debut; monitor the betting.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 8

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

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

Form: 57

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat bred; tailed off when only 4-1 for his first bumper but showed more at Warwick (2m, good to soft), finishing a 16l seventh of the 12 runners; wouldn't be the obvious answer on his hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

8th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

14:10 Market Rasen

Berks And Bucks

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Not disgraced when midfield in Warwick bumper in December but was pulled up on first two hurdling starts (2m3f/2m4f); drops back in trip with tongue-tie added here.

33/1

1

15th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

14:22 Market Rasen

Berks And Bucks

11st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Fair 16l seventh of 12 in a Warwick bumper on second start (2m, good to soft) but was pulled up on hurdles debut at Doncaster (2m3f, soft; 100-1) last time; improvement needed.

66/1

Form: 250-6

Last run: 89 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second on bumper debut and then beaten only 6l in a Listed event; comfortably held in his last two races, the latest his hurdling debut at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft; 22-1).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

9th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 5

18:37 Warwick

Danger Nap

11st 12lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Made a promising start in bumpers but has shown little in three runs over hurdles; still early days and wears first-time cheekpieces on handicap debut up in trip; may well show improvement.

5/2

4th

2

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:00 Southwell

Danger Nap

11st 5lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Started off well as he was second on bumper debut and then beaten only 6l in a Listed event; however, now has a regressive profile and needs to get back on track.

11/1

3

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

12:45 Doncaster

Danger Nap

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Second on bumper debut and then beaten only 6l in a Listed event; comfortably held in his last two races, the latest his hurdling debut at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft; 22-1).

33/1

Form: 53

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

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

Form: 23/

Last run: 647 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £170,000 after beating the high-class Potters Charm in an Irish point; ran okay in two small-field bumpers in early 2024 (heavy/soft) and Paul Nicholls retained him for £50,000 at the dispersal sale of his previous owner; has been a long-time absent but open to significant improvement; hood added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

15:35 Newbury

Mulinas

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Beat Potters Charm in an Irish point; two bumper runs were okay but he has struggled in two maiden hurdles following a long absence; looks the clear stable second string.

33/1

6th

9

17th Feb 2026

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

14:45 Newbury

Mulinas

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Bought for £170,000 after beating the high-class Potters Charm in an Irish point; ran okay in two small-field bumpers in early 2024 (heavy/soft) and Paul Nicholls retained him for £50,000 at the dispersal sale of his previous owner; made a disappointing comeback on his hurdling debut when hooded (now removed) at Doncaster (2m3f, soft; 14-1); bit to prove after that.

12/1

9

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

12:45 Doncaster

Mulinas

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Bought for £170,000 after beating the high-class Potters Charm in an Irish point; ran okay in two small-field bumpers in early 2024 (heavy/soft) and Paul Nicholls retained him for £50,000 at the dispersal sale of his previous owner; has been a long-time absent but open to significant improvement; hood added.

14/1

Form: 13

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

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

Form: 0-

Last run: 398 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bred to win races but finished tailed off in a Hereford bumper on debut and that was over a year ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

16th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

19:55 Uttoxeter

Scrumpyjack

10st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Charlie Longsdon

Poor form in three runs over hurdles, including when back after a wind op last time; blinkers tried on handicap debut; stiff task from 10lb out of the weights

50/1

12th

6

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

18:05 Chepstow

Scrumpyjack

11st 4lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Charlie Longsdon

Can't be recommended on his outings in a bumper or maiden and novice; has twice been handy before weakening so wind surgery might have helped.

50/1

11th

6

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Warwick

Scrumpyjack

11st 5lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Charlie Longsdon

Duck egg in bumper and pulled up in 2m3f maiden hurdle; poor claims.

66/1

Form: 99

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

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

Non-runners

Kiwi Rush, Passing Diamond

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.30
Straight Forecast £20.86
Trifecta £75.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

West Hill Verde

The Times:

Hardly Surprising

LAMBOURN:

Kiwi Rush

Telegraph:

Mulinas

Daily Mail:

Hardly Surprising

D Express:

Hardly Surprising

Daily Mirror:

Hardly Surprising

The Star:

Kiwi Rush

RP RATINGS:

West Hill Verde

TOPSPEED:

West Hill Verde

POSTDATA:

West Hill Verde

The Guardian:

West Hill Verde

The Sun:

West Hill Verde

Daily Record:

West Hill Verde