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

6th

4

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Less Destiny Star

11st 6lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Ewan Whillans

Seemed to have been aided by a wind op when placed at Ffos Las (3m, good to soft) in April, his second handicap, but was pulled up on next two outings (latter was chase debut) and has since left Ben Pauling; has tongue-tie refitted for stable debut; cheekpieces removed after one use.

12/1

1

11th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:08 Worcester

Less Destiny Star

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Bumper winner; 0-6 over hurdles and needs to bounce back from a poor run but his third of 14 at Ffos Las (3m, good to soft) in April was a good effort; drops back in trip and sports first-time cheekpieces on chasing debut; could have a say if back on song.

12/1

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

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

3rd

1

9th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:35 Southwell

Danger Nap

12st 0lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Unexposed 5yo who was clear second when upped to 3m1f and fitted with first-time cheekpieces for last month's handicap debut at Warwick (good); could still have more to offer; high on the list.

3/1

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

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