December 21 / 12.15 Hereford

12.15

Soft

Cazoo Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3539.9
  • 2m 0f 53y
  • Class 4
  • 16 runners
SKY
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Cazoo Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.30
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 931-28 C

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won course bumper last season and was runner-up at Cheltenham (2m, good) on hurdling debut in October; well beaten in Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham last month and not yet proven on slow ground but still features prominently in calculations here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

19:00 Chepstow

Deere Mark

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Promising novice who doubled his hurdling tally on handicap debut at Kempton (2m, soft) in January; weakened tamely after briefly looking dangerous in valuable event at Kelso (2m, good to soft) last month but is back in calmer waters here and still has potential.

3/1

12th

13

4th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

13:50 Kelso

Deere Mark

10st 10lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Sam Thomas

Good-ground bumper winner who scored at Hereford (2m, soft) in December on his third hurdle start and followed up on handicap debut at Kempton (2m, soft); today's assignment is much tougher but he travelled really well last time and could have plenty more left in the tank.

7/1

17

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Deere Mark

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Sam Thomas

Seeking a hat-trick having won Hereford novice event and Kempton handicap (driven out) the last twice, both over 2m on soft going; bumper winner on good ground; gets into this better race off a low weight; generally progressive; interesting contender.

16/1

OUR TIP

14/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 13-64 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Winning Irish pointer; began rules career with two very promising bumper runs in February/March but his first two hurdle runs were a shade disappointing and he'll need to up his game to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

11th Sep 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:35 Uttoxeter

Gaelic Park

11st 6lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Lost his way over hurdles and fences after winning a Warwick maiden hurdle in March 2023 for Charlie Longsdon; has yet to produce an effort of note in this discipline (0-3) but on a good mark if new connections can get him back on track; tries a tongue-tie.

4/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 170-72 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner; well beaten after racing too freely on hurdle debut in October but last month's second at Southwell (2m, soft) was much better, even though she again took a keen grip; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

29th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 4

15:37 Fakenham

Fancy Stuff

10st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Tom Gretton

2-13 over fences, latest off 1lb higher in June 2024 under Sean Bowen; form has been mixed since but she ran well for a long way at Chepstow on return from nearly four months off; on a fair mark if building on that.

4/1

5

29th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 4

15:37 Fakenham

Fancy Stuff

10st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Tom Gretton

2-13 over fences, latest off 1lb higher in June 2024 under Sean Bowen; form has been mixed since but she ran well for a long way at Chepstow on return from nearly four months off; on a fair mark if building on that.

4/1

Form: 134-2

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in a Listed bumper in January and made good start to hurdling career when second at Uttoxeter (2m, good) last month, form that has been very well advertised by the winner since; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

31st May 2023

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

18:20 Cartmel

Idealdes Villerets

11st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

French bumper winner; confirmed previous promise when making all to win at 4-9 on stable debut at Worcester earlier this month (2m, good; first run after a wind operation); obvious contender.

4/5

1st

3

8th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Worcester

Idealdes Villerets

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Made the frame in a Listed bumper in early 2022 and on all four hurdling starts for Mel Rowley last season, most notably when third behind two useful rivals at Warwick (2m3f, good) in February; ought to be a tough nut to crack on today's stable debut.

10/11

3rd

6

17th Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

13:20 Doncaster

Idealdes Villerets

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Mel Rowley

Quite a useful bumper performer (winner over 1m4f in France in August 2021) who has shown decent form over hurdles, his best effort being last time when third on good ground at Warwick on his first try at 2m3f; sound chance on that form.

11/8

Form: 3/

Last run: 638 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Joined Jamie Snowden for six-figure sum after winning Irish point debut in autumn 2020; just a respectable third on bumper debut the following spring and not seen again since but can still make up for lost time; had wind surgery during the summer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

6th Jan 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:05 Wincanton

Starevitch

11st 2lb

J: Will Featherstone

T: Jamie Snowden

Won a point and placed in a bumper before going absent for 638 days; minor form in three novice hurdles and a handicap chase last season; returns to hurdles with low mileage for an 8yo but others have more compelling credentials.

8/1

4th

2

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:35 Ludlow

Starevitch

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Irish maiden point winner; third in a bumper in March 2021 but, with wind surgery last August, he did not race again until well held in three novice hurdles this winter (latest at Newbury last month); now makes chase debut and goes beyond 2m3f for the first time under rules.

9/2

Form: 2

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a sister to smart chaser Simon, but no match for the winner when second of five in Fakenham bumper (good to soft) last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

17:45 Ffos Las

Gaye Legacy

11st 11lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Tom Symonds

Dual hurdle winner last season (2m7f/3m) and returned from ten-month break with two good efforts in February, latterly when second to Felicie Du Maquis at Ludlow (3m, soft); will probably be in the shake-up again.

5/1

2

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

17:45 Ffos Las

Gaye Legacy

11st 11lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Tom Symonds

never going well, in touch with leaders, nudged along from 6th, weakened before 2 out, soon pulled up

5/1

2nd

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Gaye Legacy

11st 13lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Very solid campaign last season, winning twice (2m7f/3m, good to soft/soft), and she was a fair fourth in a tough handicap at Sandown (2m7f, heavy) on this month's belated reappearance; drops back down in grade today and could play a leading role.

7/2

Form: 1-8 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beat four rivals to win run-of-the-mill Warwick bumper (good ground) in April but was soundly beaten on last month's hurdling debut here (2m3f, soft; tongue tied) and others have more obvious claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

6th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

13:30 Ludlow

Dont Tell David

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Beat four rivals to win Warwick bumper (2m, good) in April; tongue tied, has not lived up to that in his two recent novice hurdles at Hereford, with some improvement over 2m last time but he needs much better.

20/1

7th

2

21st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

12:15 Hereford

Dont Tell David

11st 0lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Beat four rivals to win run-of-the-mill Warwick bumper (good ground) in April but was soundly beaten on last month's hurdling debut here (2m3f, soft; tongue tied) and others have more obvious claims.

25/1

8th

6

23rd Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

12:50 Hereford

Dont Tell David

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

4-1, won on his debut in a bumper at Warwick (2m, good) in April; he had just four rivals to beat but it was a promising start to his career and he's bred to be suited by this longer trip now hurdling; wears a first-time tongue-tie; respected.

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
7,000euros foal; ninth foal; half-brother to winners Just Call Me Al (jumps/AW bumper) and Don Diablo (hurdle); dam unraced half-sister to bumper/hurdle winner Raven Rock and Flat/hurdle winner Donadino; with a good stable but considered only if lively in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

18:40 Exeter

Mammies Boy

11st 6lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Nick Scholfield

A fair 2m5f hurdles winner at his best but he's yet to fire for his current yard, blinkered when unseated rider four out in 2m3f Fontwell handicap nine days ago; others appeal more.

11/1

Form:

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to seven Flat winners, mostly in France and Germany; always towards rear when 12-1 for Chepstow bumper in October and Harry Skelton rides the stable's other one here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

13:27 Uttoxeter

Milagrosa

11st 1lb

J: David England

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders

50/1

13th

14

10th Jan 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

13:15 Doncaster

Milagrosa

10st 8lb

J: David England

T: Dan Skelton

With a top yard but she's finished down the field in a Chepstow bumper and a Hereford novice hurdle (150-1).

100/1

Form: 0-P

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Struggling from fairly early stage when 200-1 for hurdling debut here (2m3f, good to soft) last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

31st Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Ffos Las

Libertarian Royale

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

No worthwhile form in a bumper and two hurdles; very opposable for now.

200/1

Form: 35-

Last run: 298 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in soft-ground Chepstow bumper in November 2021 but not seen since underwhelming hurdle debut there (2m3f, heavy) in February; ought to be capable of better at some stage but others appeal more today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

17:05 Ludlow

Realm Of Glory

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Placed on bumper debut in 2021 but has made disappointing start to hurdling career; well down the field when upped to 2m7f in Ascot handicap six weeks ago; this race is easier but he probably still needs help from the first-time cheekpieces.

5/1

8th

9

2nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 118y

Class 4

16:10 Ascot

Realm Of Glory

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

No progress since his close third in a Chepstow bumper last winter (soft) and beaten a long way out when a remote third on recent handicap debut at Fontwell (2m3f, heavy); needs major turnaround for new trip.

12/1

3rd

1

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 49y

Class 5

15:45 Fontwell

Realm Of Glory

12st 1lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

in touch with leaders, hit 4th, not fluent 6th, pushed along and dropped to last before 7th

6/1

Form: 488-30

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-7 in French bumpers (placed only once) and struggled to get competitive on recent stable/hurdle debut at Taunton.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

17th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

14:10 Southwell

Invincible De Mee

10st 5lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Tim Vaughan

Runner-up at Exeter (2m5f, good) last March on second handicap start but beaten 15l; pulled up on both runs since and others preferred.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
18,000euros 3yo; second foal; dam 2m3f-2m7f hurdle winner, sister to bumper/high-class jumps winner The Storyteller; had wind surgery in October; worth a glance in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

23rd May 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Huntingdon

Imperial Admiral

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

With a good stable and is out of a sister to high-class jumper The Storyteller but didn't show any promise when pulled up on both hurdling starts last season and, following a wind op, unseating rider when veering right at first flight at Ludlow nine days ago; too risky.

33/1

8

14th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Imperial Admiral

11st 1lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

With a good stable and is out of a sister to high-class jumper The Storyteller but didn't show any promise when pulled up on both hurdling starts last season; needs subsequent wind op to have maed a huge difference.

40/1

5

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

16:00 Taunton

Imperial Admiral

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

midfield, not fluent 1st, ridden and dropped to rear 4 out, mistake and pulled up 3 out

16/1

Form: 8

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in course bumper five weeks ago; can only be watched on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:20 Newton Abbot

Mister Barclay

11st 4lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Tom Symonds

Returned to hurdling after a layoff with a narrow win at Ffos Las (3m, soft) in November; has had another break since but still looks on a workable mark and has shaped as though this new trip should be within range; shortlisted.

7/2

6th

6

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:30 Ffos Las

Mister Barclay

11st 10lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Tom Symonds

Runner-up on chasing debut at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) last May, despite some rather sketchy jumping, and returned from a layoff with good hurdle run in January; below form twice since, though (chase/hurdle), and needs a boost from the new cheekpieces.

12/1

6th

6

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:30 Ffos Las

Mister Barclay

11st 10lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Tom Symonds

Runner-up on chasing debut at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) last May, despite some rather sketchy jumping, and returned from a layoff with good hurdle run in January; below form twice since, though (chase/hurdle), and needs a boost from the new cheekpieces.

12/1

Form: 13 D BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

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

1st

7

16th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:40 Market Rasen

Picks Lad

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Took a big step up in trip on his handicap hurdle debut at Taunton (3m, good to soft) in April and was awarded the race (due to interference); subsequently sold out of Kim Bailey's yard for £25,000 and this lightly raced 7yo brings potential to today's chase debut, with his new yard in fine form.

3/1

1st

3

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Picks Lad

11st 13lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

prominent, challenging when short of room and badly hampered on turn after 3 out, rallied to challenge 2 out, kept on well final 110yds, just failed, finished 2nd, placed 1st

6/1

4th

5

20th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:35 Southwell

Picks Lad

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

prominent

9/2

Form: 7

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-7 on the Flat for Tony Carroll, with best RPR of 57; made fairly encouraging stable/hurdle debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last month but it will be surprising if he makes the improvement necessary to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

12:28 Hereford

Scherbobalob

11st 10lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Alastair Ralph

Just 1-10 over hurdles but returned from layoff with fairly encouraging run last month and is now 6lb below his winning mark; could have a say if that recent outing brought him on.

11/1

5th

6

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

12:28 Hereford

Scherbobalob

11st 10lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Alastair Ralph

Just 1-10 over hurdles but returned from layoff with fairly encouraging run last month and is now 6lb below his winning mark; could have a say if that recent outing brought him on.

11/1

6th

1

16th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:03 Uttoxeter

Scherbobalob

12st 0lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Alastair Ralph

led, headed when bit short of room on turn after 6th, lost position before 2 out, weakened approaching last

12/1

Non-runners

Picks Lad, Scherbobalob

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.20
Straight Forecast £25.95
Trifecta £113.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Idealdes Villerets

RP Ratings:

Deere Mark

POSTDATA:

Fancy Stuff

WEST COUNTRY:

Imperial Admiral

The Sun:

Gaelic Park

LAMBOURN:

Starevitch

TOPSPEED:

Idealdes Villerets

The Times:

Idealdes Villerets

Telegraph:

Idealdes Villerets

Daily Mail:

Idealdes Villerets

Daily Mirror:

Idealdes Villerets

The Star:

Idealdes Villerets

Daily Record:

Idealdes Villerets

D Express:

Deere Mark

The Guardian:

Fancy Stuff