November 23 / 13.20 Hereford

13.20

Good To Soft

Cazoo Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4683.56
  • 2m 3f 147y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Cazoo Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 34-336 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won course maiden (2m5f, good) in January and returned from break with very respectable third in Southwell handicap (2m4f, good to firm) in September; ran well for a long way at Worcester (2m4f, soft) last month but was tired in the home straight there, and there is a nagging concern the underfoot conditions might also be too taxing for him here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

21:00 Warwick

Zestful Hope

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Five wins include two over fences, the latest at Huntingdon in October (2m4f, good) when 2lb higher; not so good in his five subsequent defeats and record when fresh is modest.

9/2

3rd

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

16:40 Hereford

Zestful Hope

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Won this in 2025 (good to soft) and was also on target at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) in October; back on a good mark now and should be fine on today's forecast soft ground but has become far too inconsistent to rely upon.

6/1

5th

2

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:02 Warwick

Zestful Hope

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Drew clear on run-in to score by 13l at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) last month, form that was franked by the runner-up over the weekend; not one to rely upon heavily, though.

5/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 0254-1

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Came good over hurdles at seventh attempt, with pretty convincing success on last month's seasonal debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft); went up 8lb for that but today's move back up in trip ought to suit and further progress is possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:30 Hereford

Walkinthewoods

12st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Best at about 2m4f and he's looked to have stamina limitations in the majority of his runs beyond that trip; below his latest winning mark, last May, but he's failed to complete in two of his last three runs since back chasing and some reservations remain.

6/1

1

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Walkinthewoods

12st 0lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Mrs C Williams

Unseated rider when returned to chasing in January and has suffered a heavy defeat since; on a workable mark and suited by this C&D/slow ground but has some questions to answer.

8/1

6th

1

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:50 Wincanton

Walkinthewoods

12st 0lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Evan Williams

Landed the odds in three-runner chase at Plumpton (about 2m3f, good; acts on soft/heavy) in May; solid hurdles second under Osian Radford in December and still on the premises when blundering that rider away over fences (also Ludlow, 3m, good to soft) last month; drops back down in trip; respected.

4/1

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 7000-2

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Posed no threat on handicap debut in January but, having attracting market support, fared much better when close second here (2m5f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) a fortnight ago; has to take a 3lb rise on the chin but probably still has potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

14th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:00 Hereford

William Ewart

10st 13lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

Just 1-10 over fences but ran well in defeat in first-time blinkers at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in August and was placed (over hurdles) on both previous visits to Hereford; no surprise if he features.

8/1

2nd

9

22nd Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

William Ewart

10st 10lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

prominent, good jump and led 4th, joined 10th, headed 4 out, not fluent 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner from 2 out

7/1

3rd

5

5th Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

William Ewart

10st 13lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

1-8 over fences and mostly running well but he can throw in the odd modest effort and wasn't at his best behind Doctor Foley at Fontwell in May last time out; could well leave that effort behind back today and he needs considering.

7/1

Form: /62/80

Last run: 177 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Out of form over hurdles in Ireland in the spring and both Flat runs for John O'Shea last month were underwhelming; not the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

4

12th Oct 2023

Good To Firm

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:00 Exeter

Happy Company

11st 13lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: John O’Shea

Capable handicapper at this level but has run moderately on the Flat and over jumps on either side of a three-month absence; others safer.

14/1

6th

1

24th Aug 2023

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:05 Fontwell

Happy Company

12st 0lb

J: Ned Fox

T: John O’Shea

Won at Lingfield in December and did so under Ned Fox in five-runner race over this C&D (good to firm) in May; ran poorly in a Flat run last time but that was just one day after his win here and is best forgiven; probably needs to improve on his British hurdles form.

5/1

10th

9

(11)

29th May 2023

Good To Firm

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

14:30 Leicester

Happy Company

9st 0lb

J: Rhiain Ingram

T: John O’Shea

Added to his three Flat wins in Ireland when scoring over hurdles in December; respectable second in a selling hurdle at Exeter (2m2f, good) last month and he's not ruled out off a dangerous mark back in this sphere following another hurdle win at Fontwell yesterday.

12/1

Form: P73-28 BF

Last run: 179 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Arrested his decline when placed on consecutive starts in the spring (both 2m, good) and ought to handle today's slower ground, but we haven't seen him since a disappointing effort in May and he's yet to convince stamina-wise over this far; cheekpieces (left off last time) are back on today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

20:30 Huntingdon

Sambezi

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Mrs L Pomfret

Fair hurdler in his prime; returned to form when dead-heating with good hunter chaser in two-runner point in March and backed up that performance with very respectable third in Garthorpe open (3m, good; tongue-tie/cheekpieces refitted) last month; one to consider.

14/1

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

18:10 Fontwell

Sambezi

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Dual course winner, including at this trip (good to soft), but without a win since May 2023; inconsistent this year, a respectable run over C&D (good) in March coming in between two lesser efforts, including when favourite last time; tends to go well here but probably not the percentage call.

6/1

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

18:10 Fontwell

Sambezi

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Dual course winner, including at this trip (good to soft), but without a win since May 2023; inconsistent this year, a respectable run over C&D (good) in March coming in between two lesser efforts, including when favourite last time; tends to go well here but probably not the percentage call.

6/1

Form: 669/

Last run: 601 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Showed nothing more than minor promise in his three qualifying runs in February-April 2021 (all over 2m) and makes handicap debut after 601-day absence but is open to improvement at some stage and market support will make him of significant interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:22 Chepstow

Duke Of Earl

10st 13lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Well beaten after racing too freely on handicap debut at Hereford (2m3f, soft) in November and not seen again since; had wind surgery in December and now has tongue-tie fitted; needs significant improvement, but it would be reckless to write him off at this stage.

10/1

6th

7

23rd Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

13:20 Hereford

Duke Of Earl

10st 12lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Showed nothing more than minor promise in his three qualifying runs in February-April 2021 (all over 2m) and makes handicap debut after 601-day absence but is open to improvement at some stage and market support will make him of significant interest.

10/1

Form: /515-0

Last run: 31 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Bettered his bumper form to win Bangor maiden (2m, soft) on hurdling debut last December but his next run was disappointing and he struggled on last month's seasonal/handicap debut (2m4f, good to soft); remains unexposed but comes here with a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

14:20 Warwick

Chris Cool

11st 5lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Both handicap wins have come over 3m1f at Huntingdon; no closer than fifth this season but has been getting nearer, last time beaten 11l at Uttoxeter.

14/1

8th

4

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

14:20 Warwick

Chris Cool

11st 5lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Both handicap wins have come over 3m1f at Huntingdon; no closer than fifth this season but has been getting nearer, last time beaten 11l at Uttoxeter.

14/1

6

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

12:12 Uttoxeter

Chris Cool

11st 4lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Both handicap wins have come over 3m1f at Huntingdon; hard to be confident on this season's two showings but not badly handicapped if staging a revival.

10/1

Form: F-4121

Last run: 6 days

W: 11st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner this autumn, more recently when pushed out to score quite comfortably in conditional jockeys' race at Wincanton (1m7f, good) on Thursday; has stamina to prove over new trip here but runs without a penalty (albeit a 2lb rise for an earlier run has now taken effect) and should be fine on the slower ground; commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

9th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

17:15 Market Rasen

Cornicello

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

held up in last, detached throughout, pulled up before 3 out, never going well

14/1

4th

3

16th Jun 2023

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

19:20 Fontwell

Cornicello

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Can be considered on his two wins last autumn but hasn't found that form in a pair of starts this spring; last of four at Ffos Las 20 days ago and blinkers now fitted in an attempt to perk him up.

10/1

4th

3

27th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

19:25 Ffos Las

Cornicello

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

prominent, ridden and outpaced 3f out, weakened 2f out

9/2

Form: 99-0

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Failed to land any sort of blow in three maiden/novice hurdles (2m-2m3f) and is 3lb out of the weights for today's handicap debut; however, a market reference is recommended nevertheless.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

3rd Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Worcester

Dogem By Design

10st 7lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Ryan Potter

Maiden who is 0-6 since switched to chasing, best effort when second in small field at Catterick three outings back; each-way hopes on that form but he's not solid.

10/1

3rd

7

20th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

19:35 Uttoxeter

Dogem By Design

10st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Ryan Potter

held up in rear but in touch with leaders, ridden omitted 4 out, left in fourth omitted 2 out, weakened omitted last, finished 4th, placed 3rd

5/1

5th

4

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

15:50 Market Rasen

Dogem By Design

10st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Ryan Potter

Pulled up in first two chases but has fared better on last couple of outings, more recently when staying-on second of five at Catterick (1m7f, good) 12 days ago; a contender here if coping with the slower ground.

9/4

Non-runners

Cornicello

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.40
Straight Forecast £10.42
Tricast £20.85
Trifecta £26.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cornicello

Telegraph:

Walkinthewoods

RP Ratings:

Zestful Hope

WEST COUNTRY:

Duke Of Earl

Daily Mirror:

Walkinthewoods

The Star:

Walkinthewoods

Daily Record:

Walkinthewoods

POSTDATA:

Cornicello

LAMBOURN:

Cornicello

The Times:

Cornicello

The Guardian:

Cornicello

Daily Mail:

Cornicello

D Express:

Cornicello

The Sun:

Cornicello