December 21 / 14.45 Hereford

14.45

Soft

Cazoo Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £2940.84
  • 2m 5f 163y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
SKY
View Course
Cazoo Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

22/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 234-86

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Twice placed in maiden/novice company but has failed to progress since switched to handicapping, including when beaten in excess of 20l on both starts this season (Fontwell and Uttoxeter; 2m3f-2m4f); continuing to ease in the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

15th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 3

13:50 Cheltenham

Mad About Sally

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Two chase wins over about 2m6f last winter but she showed something new when easily accounting for her four rivals over about 3m at Chepstow (soft) on reappearance three weeks ago; 9lb higher today and back down in trip but she did it well last time.

11/2

1st

2

24th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Mad About Sally

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Two chase wins last winter over shorter; hasn't looked the strongest stayer in three runs over 3m under rules and she'll need to be cherry ripe to take this back from 232 days on the sidelines.

7/1

Form: 37-473

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Yet to win (0-14) but, despite jumping right on occasions, ran his best race to date when fitted with a visor at Lingfield (2m3f, soft; third with Roger Rarebit in second) recently; should appreciate this extra yardage and, from an unchanged mark, enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(5)

13th May 2023

Heavy

1m 3f 179y

Class 4

18:10 Leicester

Navegaon Gate

10st 2lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Failed to win on the Flat for Ed Walker and has had plenty of chances in handicap hurdles for this yard; lacks consistency but he has less to prove than the rest of these back from a short break.

6/1

9th

6

23rd Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:30 Ffos Las

Navegaon Gate

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

15-race maiden but his recent placed efforts at Lingfield (2m3f) and Hereford (2m5f; soft for both) would be his best yet; just a concern that he's been below par in his previous staying handicaps (3m/3m2f).

6/1

2nd

1

21st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

14:45 Hereford

Navegaon Gate

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Yet to win (0-14) but, despite jumping right on occasions, ran his best race to date when fitted with a visor at Lingfield (2m3f, soft; third with Roger Rarebit in second) recently; should appreciate this extra yardage and, from an unchanged mark, enters calculations.

6/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 739-22 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Fluffed his lines at the final flight when worried out of the prize at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) penultimate and didn't find much off the bridle when filling the same berth (Navegaon Gate third) at Lingfield subsequently; 1lb higher in newly applied cheekpieces and entitled to be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

15:35 Wetherby

Roger Rarebit

11st 13lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Reappeared with a win at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft) on New Year's Eve and 8l second at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) since behind a rejuvenated winner; has won on soft/heavy ground; could give another good account.

11/2

2nd

4

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:02 Southwell

Roger Rarebit

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Gained second win over fences when scoring at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft) last time; up 5lb but has won on testing ground so further rain would suit and one to consider.

7/4

Form: /78P-3

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Talented on the Flat in France but failed to win over hurdles for Tim Vaughan (0-7); reinvigorated by first-time cheekpieces when a close third at Exeter (2m2f; good to soft; with Isle of Aron second; 20-1) recently; a possible contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

6th Feb 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:50 Taunton

Gyllen

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Kayley Woollacott

in touch with leaders

3/1

1st

12

26th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 4

16:10 Sandown

Gyllen

10st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Kayley Woollacott

Good enough to win a Group 2 on the Flat in France when owned by Godolphin; went 0-12 over hurdles for two previous yards but he's come good for this one with back-to-back Taunton wins (2m3f, good; 3m/good to soft); raised 20lb for those but something has clicked and deeper ground here will be no hardship.

6/1

1st

5

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Gyllen

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Kayley Woollacott

Made just a fairly encouraging seasonal/stable debut in October but displayed big jolt of improvement to win easily by 13l here (2m3f, good) a fortnight ago; hiked up 13lb for that and has stamina to prove over new trip today but ought to handle the slower ground and commands respect.

7/2

Form: 7924-8

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Just touched off by a Paul Nicholls-trained winner at Taunton (2m3f; soft; 16-1; same mark) in March; more modest since, including when weakening tamely on seasonal reappearance at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft); still a maiden (0-9) and likely to find a few of the others stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

28th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

17:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Justshortofabubble

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Grace Harris

Three-time chase winner (including C&D), but he's been well held over fences and hurdles in last three runs; made a mistake at a crucial stage at Southwell last time but he needs to get right back near his best on this return to fences.

8/1

8th

10

11th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

18:05 Southwell

Justshortofabubble

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Grace Harris

held up in rear

13/2

4th

8

28th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

18:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Justshortofabubble

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Grace Harris

Three chase wins last season, the latest gained at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) in November; has 6lb lower hurdle mark but remains without a win in this discipline after 17 attempts and tends to need his first run back from a break (absent since December); others make more appeal.

6/1

Form: /2334-

Last run: 524 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Maiden (0-10); consistent during May-July 2021, making the frame in all four runs in that time; eased 4lb since his last run at Worcester in July 2021; fitness and soft ground prowess are taken on trust after a 524-day absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:50 Newton Abbot

Bucks Dream

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Sheila Lewis

Made the frame in two maiden points last month but faces tougher opposition in this first handicap chase since April 2023; fitted with first-time cheekpieces for stable debut; others look safer.

16/1

1

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 205y

Class 5

17:20 Stratford

Bucks Dream

11st 12lb

J: Miss Chloe Mills

T: J Rhidian Jones

Fair maiden hurdler/chaser for Peter Bowen; his latest run was when third in a Ffos Las handicap chase in April 2023; probably best watched on stable debut on return from a lengthy break.

20/1

2nd

7

9th Apr 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

16:35 Ffos Las

Bucks Dream

10st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Peter Bowen

0-14 but placed six times including when 10l third of 12 over hurdles here (3m, good to soft) five weeks ago; now goes chasing and should again be thereabouts if taking to the new discipline.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 075-0

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in three of her four Irish starts (2m-3m), although fared reasonably in claiming hurdle at Clonmel (2m2f, soft; fifth of 11; 150-1) on penultimate run; safest to monitor only on first run for Henry Oliver.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

11th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

13:15 Exeter

Fortune Cookie

10st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Henry Oliver

Lightly raced; took a big step forward for her new yard when keeping-on fourth of eight in steadily run 2m4f Leicester handicap and, although beaten further, she posted the same RPR when favourite at Huntingdon; all her form is on soft or heavy ground but she should be dangerous down into a seller.

6/1

4th

5

15th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

15:50 Huntingdon

Fortune Cookie

10st 13lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Lightly raced ex-Irish maiden who took a big step forward for her new yard when keeping-on fourth of eight in steadily run 2m4f Leicester handicap six weeks ago; she appeals as the sort to do better still granted a stiffer test of stamina so merits serious consideration eased 1lb.

11/4

4th

5

1st Feb 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:20 Leicester

Fortune Cookie

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Henry Oliver

Ex-Irish; hasn't made much of an impression, albeit with some mitigating circumstances (slightly hampered last time), in two starts for Henry Oliver; others are more obvious but she shouldn't be written off just yet; easing mark.

33/1

Form: 05-86U

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Forced the pace until weakening from the third-last flight at Uttoxeter (2m novices, good; 100-1) penultimate; didn't get far before unseating rider on handicap debut at Southwell (2m4f) subsequently; low mileage (0-5), albeit with improvement necessary.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

21st Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

12:45 Fakenham

Berties Bandana

10st 9lb

J: James Smith

T: Jonjo O’Neill

slowly away, raced in last, jumped left 3rd, outpaced 9th, not fluent 12th, lost touch and struggling 13th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out

12/1

10th

8

6th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

16:20 Hereford

Berties Bandana

11st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

took keen hold, held up in rear, always behind

16/1

8th

7

23rd Feb 2023

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

15:25 Huntingdon

Berties Bandana

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Easily his best run when weakening from the third-last flight at Uttoxeter (2m novice, good) three runs ago; departed early when 16-1 for his handicap debut and was then pulled up at Hereford (soft; 66-1); getting back on drier ground may help matters and still early days; cheekpieces added.

50/1

Form: 23-1P2

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Ayr winner (2m4f, good; first-time cheekpieces from a 4lb lower mark) in May and pulled up back over fences on his next start in October; returned to hurdles with a keeping-on second at Exeter (2m2f; good to soft; Gyllen third) recently; should have a major say if equally effective on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

21st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

14:45 Hereford

Isle Of Aron

11st 5lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Ayr winner (2m4f, good; first-time cheekpieces from a 4lb lower mark) in May and pulled up back over fences on his next start in October; returned to hurdles with a keeping-on second at Exeter (2m2f; good to soft; Gyllen third) recently; should have a major say if equally effective on soft.

4/1

2nd

4

2nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

12:50 Exeter

Isle Of Aron

11st 7lb

J: Luca Morgan

T: Tim Vaughan

Off the mark at the 11th time of asking over hurdles when winning a 2m4f handicap at Ayr (good) in May; pulled up switched backed to fences (jumped poorly on second start in that sphere) in October and no surprise to see him back hurdling; good chance on that Ayr form and Luca Morgan is a positive jockey booking.

7/2

Form: 4-UU40

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Maiden (0-20) who steadily lost his way for Nicky Martin, unseating his rider on his last couple of appearances for that trainer; soundly beaten in two starts for Claire Harris; very difficult to fancy despite easing in the weights in newly applied headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

21st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

14:45 Hereford

Steady Away

11st 5lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Claire Harris

Maiden (0-20) who steadily lost his way for Nicky Martin, unseating his rider on his last couple of appearances for that trainer; soundly beaten in two starts for Claire Harris; very difficult to fancy despite easing in the weights in newly applied headgear.

40/1

14th

12

25th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Steady Away

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Claire Harris

towards rear, not fluent 2nd, pushed along 7th, ridden and struggling home turn, got well behind from 3 out, tailed off

33/1

Form: F00

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Set to finish second before last-fence fall on Irish point debut in March; sold for £50,000 thereafter but hasn't offered much in three runs at Chepstow (2m-2m3f, maiden/novice) this autumn; may fare better at a realistic level for handicap debut; consult the market for advice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

23rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:50 Newton Abbot

Unspeakable

11st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Returned from break with 36l defeat in April but last month's Fontwell fourth (3m2f, good) was more encouraging and the cheekpieces (worn for the second of last year's two chase wins) are now back on; won't mind if the ground is quicker than good; can't be ruled out.

7/1

4th

6

24th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

15:10 Fontwell

Unspeakable

11st 1lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Battled well for narrow win off today's mark at Hereford (3m1f, good; wore cheekpieces) in the autumn but was given break after disappointing effort in December and again ran poorly when reappearing (without cheekpieces) last month; the cheekpieces are missing again here; stablemate Prince Cleni has much stronger claims.

10/1

6th

6

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

15:43 Stratford

Unspeakable

10st 12lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Landed his second success over fences, at Hereford (3m1f, good) in October off 1lb lower mark; second at Plumpton the following month but was tailed off at Wincanton when last seen; has been freshened up since and holds claims if putting his best foot forward.

9/2

Form: 74-P60

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Maiden (0-12); continues to plummet in the weights after a somewhat tepid effort in first-time cheekpieces at Taunton (2m3f, good; 33-1) four weeks ago; safer to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

15

16th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:40 Taunton

Harde Fashion

10st 8lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Daniel Bourne

Went close on stable/hurdle debut in October 2021 but generally very disappointing since; not seen since pulled up in Hereford handicap last December and has too much to prove.

50/1

10

21st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

14:45 Hereford

Harde Fashion

11st 3lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Daniel Bourne

Maiden (0-12); continues to plummet in the weights after a somewhat tepid effort in first-time cheekpieces at Taunton (2m3f, good; 33-1) four weeks ago; safer to look elsewhere.

50/1

6

8th Dec 2022

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:40 Taunton

Harde Fashion

11st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Daniel Bourne

Form: -70P46

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Caught the eye on return to action at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good; a keeping-on fourth) in November, but was a bitter disappointment at Southwell (3m, soft) subsequently; has a relatively patchy and inconsistent profile, also appearing vulnerable on soft ground; too risky to nominate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

21st May 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

20:10 Huntingdon

Lighthouse Mill

11st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

1-19 over hurdles, the win gained at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) just under a year ago; back down to a workable mark now but absent since two disappointing runs towards the end of last summer.

14/1

9th

8

21st May 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

20:10 Huntingdon

Lighthouse Mill

11st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

1-19 over hurdles, the win gained at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) just under a year ago; back down to a workable mark now but absent since two disappointing runs towards the end of last summer.

14/1

8th

1

13th Sep 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Lighthouse Mill

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: David Dennis

Came good with clearcut win at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) in June and was very close second in quite valuable contest at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft) the following month; good claims if judged on that evidence but needs to bounce back from a poor run a fortnight ago.

12/1

Form: -P97P3 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Dual Fontwell winner (2m5f); showed his best form for some time when a weakening third at Ludlow (3m, good to soft; third of seven, 50-1 from 7lb out of the handicap) latest; soft ground fine, but it's questionable as to whether or not he'll replicate that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £53.70
Straight Forecast £41.43
Tricast £95.57
Trifecta £193.50

Selections

POSTDATA:

Roger Rarebit

RP Ratings:

Navegaon Gate

SPOTLIGHT:

Isle Of Aron

WEST COUNTRY:

Gyllen

Telegraph:

Roger Rarebit

The Guardian:

Roger Rarebit

Daily Mail:

Roger Rarebit

D Express:

Roger Rarebit

The Sun:

Roger Rarebit

The Star:

Roger Rarebit

Daily Record:

Roger Rarebit

The Times:

Navegaon Gate

Daily Mirror:

Navegaon Gate