December 22 / 12.40 Ffos Las

12.40

Good To Soft

Cazoo Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

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

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £23.70
  • Place: £4.20

Form: 5

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Cost £90,000 after winning a 3m Irish point on yielding to soft; 12-1, he ran well for a long way when beaten 9l over 2m3f at Chepstow in a race won by the useful Knowsley Road (third since won a handicap); has better days ahead of him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

Hurricane Highway

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Evan Williams

Lurks on dangerous mark and is very well suited by slow ground but did not achieve a great deal when remote second in four-runner race at Hereford (2m5f, soft) last month and has not run to form since December 2024.

14/1

2nd

5

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Hurricane Highway

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Evan Williams

Mixes hurdling and chasing but yet to win in this sphere; has dropped to a career-low mark but has his work cut out against more progressive rivals.

7/2

7th

4

26th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

15:53 Wetherby

Hurricane Highway

11st 11lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Pulled up over fences on two of his last three starts, jumping poorly most recently; however, in between he was a good second in a chase at Ffos Las (2m5f, heavy) and he's been effective at 3m and over hurdles in the past; no surprise to see a big performance now back over hurdles.

7/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 4214-1 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
An impressive Exeter win was not his only good run in bumpers last season and he powered clear to collect by some 21l on his switch to hurdling at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie; RPR 134); could be decidedly smart.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Firestream

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Chester Williams

Maiden/handicap wins for Anthony Honeyball; long absences a feature in his profile but there were positives at Uttoxeter last month (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) where he ran well for a long way; stays this far; chance if the wheels can stay on.

15/2

5th

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Firestream

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Chester Williams

Won twice over hurdles for Anthony Honeyball; pulled up on his stable debut following a year's absence at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) three weeks ago; first-time cheekpieces go on but hard to fancy.

25/1

7

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Firestream

10st 8lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Chester Williams

Maiden winner here who returned from 718 days off to score on handicap debut at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last January; there was some awkward jumping that day and again when creditable third in this race next time; absent since, has changed hands and left Anthony Honeyball; it may not be enough even if he returns in peak form.

7/1

9/1

  • Place: £7.80

Form:

Last run: 237 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £100,000 after winning a point in January and made his debut for this yard in a Punchestown bumper in April when he appeared to perform beneath market expectations (100-30); remains interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

13:03 Uttoxeter

Great Name That

11st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Simon Hodgson

Consistent placed form over hurdles in 2022-23 but reached that level only once last season over fences; had wind surgery before and after the latter campaign, left Harry Fry and fell at the first in another chase in December; back hurdling today and he stays when on song, but it's a mixed picture.

40/1

5th

1

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

13:03 Uttoxeter

Great Name That

11st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Simon Hodgson

Consistent placed form over hurdles in 2022-23 but reached that level only once last season over fences; had wind surgery before and after the latter campaign, left Harry Fry and fell at the first in another chase in December; back hurdling today and he stays when on song, but it's a mixed picture.

40/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3/1P

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish; the form of his Warwick win (2m3f, good to soft) makes for good reading and the chances are that he failed to give his true running at Ascot; could easily bounce back from that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

1st Feb 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

14:35 Leicester

Gunnery Officer

11st 8lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Game winner on stable debut at Warwick (2m3f novice, good to soft); after a slight blip at Ascot (unsuitable ground), fared much more encouragingly at Ffos Las (fourth) latest; stays well (is a 3m point winner) so must enter the thought process under optimum conditions.

5/1

4th

2

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

12:40 Ffos Las

Gunnery Officer

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Ex-Irish; the form of his Warwick win (2m3f, good to soft) makes for good reading and the chances are that he failed to give his true running at Ascot; could easily bounce back from that.

10/1

2

19th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 5f 141y

Class 2

12:20 Ascot

Gunnery Officer

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Stuart Edmunds

raced in second, pushed along briefly 5th, mistake 5 out, pushed along and dropped to last 3 out, pulled up home turn

11/4

Form: 3

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Couldn't lay a glove on the principals in a soft-ground 2m4f maiden at Worcester but he's from a good family and should improve with experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

1st Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

13:50 Newbury

Hercules Morse

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Won 2m4f Ffos Las maiden last January; looked a promising candidate for handicaps after that, but tailed off on handicap debut at Exeter (2m7f, again good to soft) one month ago when next seen, making the early running at 6-1; back down in trip and may strip fitter this time, for in-form yard.

9/1

6th

2

31st Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

16:45 Exeter

Hercules Morse

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Shaped with promise on first two hurdling starts, then took a big step forward to win a Ffos Las maiden (2m4f, good to soft); that win was last January and the layoff asks a question but he did look a promising candidate for handicaps and moving up in trip; one to note.

11/2

1

3rd Apr 2023

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

14:30 Ludlow

Hercules Morse

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Shaped with promise on first two hurdling starts then took big step forward to win Ffos Las maiden (2m4f, good to soft) ten weeks ago; that form already puts him right in the thick of things here, and he's open to further improvement.

2/1

Form: 242-

Last run: 281 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Only three ran when runner-up in a 2m4f novice at Huntingdon and the winner won easily, but an RPR of 113 was respectable and he didn't jump that well; needs a market check to help see if he's the pick of Nicky Henderson's three.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

15:55 Ludlow

Propelled

11st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Runner-up at Stratford in July (3m2f, good) but remains a maiden and he soon capitulated after a mistake three out at Fontwell a month ago; blinkers go on for cheekpieces.

5/1

5

24th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:05 Fontwell

Propelled

11st 1lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

led at steady pace

3/1

2nd

4

21st Jul 2024

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

14:25 Stratford

Propelled

11st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Beaten in six handicaps from 2m3f to 3m and latest 10l defeat here is the closest he's been; not without hope if he can find something on that off an ever-reducing mark.

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £100,000 soon after winning five-runner Irish point last October; leading trainer describes him as a "lovely, big chasing type" and he probably has a bright future; had wind op.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

21st Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

14:40 Market Rasen

The Brew Master

11st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Toby Lawes

pressed leader, mistake 1st, prominent from 3rd, lost position 6th, lost ground when not fluent 3 out

4/1

7th

12

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

12:40 Ffos Las

The Brew Master

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Bought for £100,000 soon after winning five-runner Irish point last October; leading trainer describes him as a "lovely, big chasing type" and he probably has a bright future; had wind op.

7/1

11

16th Nov 2022

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

13:45 Warwick

The Brew Master

11st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Form: 7577-

Last run: 271 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off behind Firestream on his bumper debut and was no better than fifth in his other three; opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Exmoor Forest

11st 9lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Placed in three consecutive chases during the winter (2m7f-3m, good to soft) but this first hurdling start since March 2024 comes after a five-month break, so his fitness must be taken on trust.

12/1

2

18th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:35 Taunton

Exmoor Forest

11st 10lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Creditable third over C&D (good to soft) in December, after a wind op, and probably bettered that performance when filling same position at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) last month; remains on a workable mark and seems likely to be right in the thick of things again.

9/2

Form: 2-47

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won his Irish point on soft and three runs under rules have been on good, the best of them when runner-up in a Plumpton bumper; returning to softer conditions could trigger some improvement but it will need to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

20th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:50 Warwick

Desert Fortune

11st 5lb

J: Mr Archie Loweth

T: David Bingham

Winning pointer but 0-9 under rules and left Venetia Williams for £1,000; likely to be outclassed.

50/1

7th

9

20th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:50 Warwick

Desert Fortune

11st 5lb

J: Mr Archie Loweth

T: David Bingham

Winning pointer but 0-9 under rules and left Venetia Williams for £1,000; likely to be outclassed.

50/1

6

7th Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:45 Exeter

Desert Fortune

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Low-mileage 7yo who made an encouraging seasonal/stable/chase debut at Leicester (2m4f, heavy) in February, keeping on well for a clear second; well below that form over C&D last month but sports first-time blinkers today and remains of interest.

13/2

Form: 1 C

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £95,000 after finishing clear second in an Irish point; well backed for a 2m novice here (soft) and he won comfortably after tanking through the race; looks useful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

14:37 Wetherby

Rath Gaul Hill

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Samuel Drinkwater

He's now 5lb lower than when winning at Newbury (2m, soft) last February; however, this season's form has been patchy and today's trip may stretch him; major turnaround needed with blinkers replacing cheekpieces.

7/2

4th

5

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:08 Newbury

Rath Gaul Hill

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Returning from an absence when edging home in this 12 months ago off 2lb higher; his penultimate effort (here in first-time cheekpieces) was respectable and it's perhaps best to forget Sandown last time when his best form has been on left-handed tracks; respected.

12/1

10

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Rath Gaul Hill

10st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Raced mainly on left-handed tracks; gained two of his three chase wins at Newbury; ran respectably with cheekpieces added there last time; capable of being involved but has a question mark over the course.

9/1

Form: 4/4-42

Last run: 121 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed definite ability in her bumpers but failed to register an RPR above 96 and others in here probably have greater potential as hurdlers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

17th Oct 2023

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

15:35 Hereford

Orange Gina

10st 2lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Nikki Evans

Showed some ability in bumpers last year but unplaced all five hurdling starts; pulled up when upped to 2m7f at Worcester last month and effectively 6lb higher here; very difficult to enthuse over.

33/1

0

11

3rd Sep 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Worcester

Orange Gina

10st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Nikki Evans

Not beaten far when ninth of 12 here (2m4f, good) on handicap debut two months ago, having made the running, but is effectively 1lb higher today and needs to improve for the step up in trip.

33/1

9th

12

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:28 Worcester

Orange Gina

10st 7lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Nikki Evans

Little to show for three efforts over hurdles but may do better now handicapping, bearing in mind she showed ability (including a second) in bumpers at this track last summer.

25/1

100/1

Form: 7

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Proved no threat in a Market Rasen bumper (good to soft) when easy to back at 33-1.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

17:15 Chepstow

Coal Fire

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Won twice over hurdles in 2023 (July and October); missed 2024 and ran over fences on both starts for new yard this year, not disgraced on first occasion but tailed off on heavy latest; has a good mark if he's straight back to his peak returned to hurdles.

9/1

4th

4

25th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

14:45 Leicester

Coal Fire

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Signs of retaining ability, while seeming to need the run, at Ludlow (3m) this month on stable/seasonal debut and second chase attempt; may step up on that effort; nicely handicapped on best hurdles form.

7/1

5th

8

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

14:45 Ludlow

Coal Fire

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Pulled up in June 2023 on sole chase start and absent since that November; however, he's on a handy mark on his best hurdle form for Peter Bowen and he's one to watch in the betting on his stable debut.

11/1

Form: 57

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fifth in a field of seven in a bumper here and was soon on the back foot with novicey jumping when tailed off at Doncaster.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

8th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

13:30 Hereford

Our Flying Angel

10st 2lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Has offered little in her five hurdle races, including the latest (her handicap debut) when tried in cheekpieces (3m, good); more new headgear enlisted but she's 8lb out of the weights.

20/1

6th

14

12th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

17:13 Ludlow

Our Flying Angel

10st 5lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Not beaten far in her only bumper but tailed off or pulled up on her four hurdle races; makes handicap debut over new trip and first-time headgear but a transformation is needed, including as she's 12lb out of the handicap.

33/1

Form: 41-15 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who collected by 7l on his hurdling debut over C&D and it was always going to be tough with a penalty at Warwick (made mistakes); could be vulnerable again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

2nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

14:15 Clonmel

Spring Meadow

10st 10lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: E McNamara

Record of 2-18 over hurdles; soild efforts in three starts in this sphere this year (pulled-up in a chase); has to do more on these terms but could run well.

14/1

9

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 107y

19:08 Sligo

Spring Meadow

10st 13lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: E McNamara

Bumper winner; won his second race over hurdles when scoring over a slightly shorter trip than this at Limerick last October; a solid fourth at Listowel on return before things went wrong on chasing debut at Tipperary; soundly beaten third at Wexford a fortnight ago.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fetched £100,000 after comfortably winning an Irish point (3m, good) and the third has gone on to be placed in maiden hurdles; top trainer was positive about him in his Stable Tour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

24th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

13:30 Newbury

Ballyhigh

11st 5lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Nicky Henderson

Fetched £100,000 after comfortably winning an Irish point (3m, good); trainer was complimentary about him in his pre-season Stable Tour and he reportedly bled when pulled up on his hurdling debut at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft; 7-2); remains interesting.

33/1

5

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

12:40 Ffos Las

Ballyhigh

11st 0lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Nicky Henderson

Fetched £100,000 after comfortably winning an Irish point (3m, good) and the third has gone on to be placed in maiden hurdles; top trainer was positive about him in his Stable Tour.

12/1

Non-runners

Spring Meadow

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £54.00
Straight Forecast £38.81
Trifecta £1341.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Firestream

D Express:

Rath Gaul Hill

TOPSPEED:

Hurricane Highway

Daily Mail:

Great Name That

Telegraph:

Spring Meadow

Daily Record:

Rath Gaul Hill

RP Ratings:

Firestream

POSTDATA:

Firestream

WEST COUNTRY:

Firestream

The Times:

Firestream

The Guardian:

Firestream

Daily Mirror:

Firestream

The Sun:

Firestream

The Star:

Firestream