December 27 / 15.20 Wetherby

15.20

Good To Soft

William Hill Radio Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £2450.7
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 16 runners
RTV
View Course
William Hill Radio Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.20

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
100,000euros 3yo; Kayf Tara half-brother to winners Emily Moon (bumper/2m-2m2f hurdle/chase) and Scented Lilly (2m7f hurdle); dam 2m hurdle winner out of bumper winning half-sister to Best Mate; looks a very likely type for a stable that won this race with a 4yo in 2020.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

9th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

14:55 Huntingdon

Tarras Wood

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Debut bumper scorer who came in second at Wincanton (2m4f) December; beat only one in 2m4f Wetherby novice since but holds good form claims if back on song.

15/8

1st

7

9th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

14:55 Huntingdon

Tarras Wood

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent

15/8

6th

6

3rd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 4

14:07 Wetherby

Tarras Wood

11st 4lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Course bumper winner (2m, soft) who was found to have an irregular heartbeat when pulled up on hurdle debut, and left that behind when second at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) in December; that latest form has been franked by the easy winner and he's open to further improvement for the champion trainer.

9/4

9/4

  • Place: £1.50

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
80,000euros 3yo; Soldier Of Fortune half-brother to French 8.5f AW 2yo winner Waldlicht; dam placed at 1m4f (RPR 72), half-sister to Group-placed 1m 2yo Flat/useful 2m-2m4f hurdle/chase winner Landofhopeandglory; has an appealing profile and his yard took this 12 months ago with a newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

27th Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Kempton

Home Free

11st 4lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

3

27th Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Kempton

Home Free

11st 4lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

4th

2

23rd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

12:40 Haydock

Home Free

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, led after 4th, jumped right 5 out, not fluent and headed 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon lost third and weakened

9/4

7/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
By Doyen out of half-sister to bumper/useful 2m1f-2m4f jumper Our Victoria; has plenty of experience in Irish points and got off the mark in that sphere in October; new stable does well in bumpers; likely to be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 103y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Waspy

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Signed off for Donald McCain with Bangor maiden win (2m, good) in May 2023 but, following a long absence, dropped out very tamely on recent stable/handicap debut there; may yet come good for Fergal O'Brien but seems to have issues with his breathing, and others look much less risky.

12/1

6

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 103y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Waspy

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Signed off for Donald McCain with Bangor maiden win (2m, good) in May 2023 but, following a long absence, dropped out very tamely on recent stable/handicap debut there; may yet come good for Fergal O'Brien but seems to have issues with his breathing, and others look much less risky.

12/1

6

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

19:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Waspy

11st 5lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Irish point winner who was progressing for Donald McCain when the easy odds-on winner of a C&D maiden (good) nearly two years ago; absent since but has undergone wind surgery prior to this first run for Fergal O'Brien who adds a tongue-tie; market should be instructive.

10/1

Form: 8

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Changed hands for 90,000euros as a 3yo and has a classy pedigree, but he was beaten 28l when eighth of 13 on his debut at Chepstow (15-2) three weeks ago; improvement is possible but necessary.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

25th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Ffos Las

Big Ambitions

11st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Signs of promise on both hurdle starts (2m/2m3f, soft/good to soft), most recently 28l third of 16 in warm maiden at Lingfield; this very lightly raced 5yo is bred to get better the further he goes and is open to improvement on this handicap debut; firmly in calculations.

7/2

3rd

2

20th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

13:30 Lingfield

Big Ambitions

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Left debut form behind when a promising fourth in Wetherby bumper in December and he made a solid start over hurdles when runner-up in another big field at that track (2m, soft) last month; needs to find more progress but he's well related and this step up in trip should suit on pedigree.

5/1

2nd

1

26th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:10 Wetherby

Big Ambitions

11st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo O’Neill

in touch with leaders, not fluent 4 out

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soldier Of Fortune half-sister to winners Lock's Corner (useful 2m-2m4f hurdle/chase), Steele's Rock (2m4f hurdle/chase) and My Peggy (2m4f hurdle); only a second bumper runner for her stable; worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

28th Jan 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

16:25 Doncaster

Mug Bookies

10st 9lb

J: Danny Burton

T: Joe Ponting

Half-sister to two useful winners and she was a promising fifth of 14 at Wetherby (2m, soft; 20-1) on last month's debut; that looked a warm race and she's open to improvement on this second start; one to consider.

12/1

5th

16

27th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:20 Wetherby

Mug Bookies

10st 9lb

J: Danny Burton

T: Joe Ponting

prominent on inner

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£10,000 3yo; Telescope half-brother to 2m7f chase winner Faustinovick; owner also has Knacker Trapper in this field while trainer also has Scalloway Castle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

14th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:35 Southwell

Hubbel Bubbel

10st 11lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

0-5 over hurdles and has sometimes raced a bit too freely but looked suited by switch to patient tactics when third at Sedgefield (2m4f, soft) in March; further progress is possible if forecast faster ground suits here.

9/1

9

14th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:35 Southwell

Hubbel Bubbel

10st 11lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

held up in rear

9/1

Form: 4

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Closed up late on when 3l fourth of five at Catterick (soft; 28-1) four weeks ago; may build on that and impossible to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

12:40 Wetherby

Samwise

11st 6lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Displayed promise in bumpers in the 2022-23 season and defied a long absence to win on last month's hurdle debut at Kelso (2m, good); further improvement is needed if he's to win under a penalty today but he's not ruled out.

6/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£3,500 4yo; by Fame And Glory; dam placed in bumpers; making a belated debut and not an obvious type on paper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

17:00 Newcastle

Glory Hights

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Only win in 17 runs over hurdles was at Carlisle in November 2024 (3m, good to soft); back on the same mark and two good runs over C&D on last two starts so could go well.

7/1

4th

11

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Glory Hights

11st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Chris Grant

Sole win from a similar mark at Carlisle (3m) in November 2024; runner-up over C&D latest, one of many solid efforts at this track (22242P2); still in front - looking the likeliest winner - in void race over C&D two-years ago; entitled to respect.

5/1

2nd

12

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

13:35 Newcastle

Glory Hights

10st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Only previous win was over 3m but off this mark; stopped the rot when beaten 5l in first-time cheekpieces at Wetherby and he's effective at this trip.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Brother to bumper and 2m5f/2m7f hurdle winner Present In Court; dam unraced half-sister to bumper/useful 2m-2m5f hurdle/chase winner Line Ball; has a plausible pedigree but his yard is 0-27 in bumpers in the last five seasons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Knacker Trapper

10st 8lb

J: William Maggs

T: Andrew Crook

Didn't seem to stay 2m7f when below-par at Hexham last time, having run creditably on his two previous starts; could go well but on a long losing run.

10/1

9th

14

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

20:15 Hexham

Knacker Trapper

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Andrew Crook

Only win came in a Southwell novice handicap in May 2024 (2m4f, good); good run when second at Sedgefield last time (2m4f, good); stamina to prove, but could be in the mix.

12/1

2nd

7

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Knacker Trapper

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Andrew Crook

It's now 11 outings since his last success but he's been lightly raced this term and comes here on the back of a good third of 15 in 2m4f Newcastle handicap hurdle 18 days ago; can make his presence felt off the same mark.

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
2,700euros 4yo; Sans Frontieres half-brother to winners Replacement Plan (2m5f hurdle) and Battleofthesomme (2m hurdle/chase); stable's three bumper runners in the last five seasons have all been unplaced.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

27th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Warwick

The Full Pasty

11st 6lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Richard Armson

Well down the field at big odds in his two bumpers; can only be watched on today's hurdling debut.

50/1

9th

8

5th Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:45 Huntingdon

The Full Pasty

11st 5lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Richard Armson

Folded tamely and soundly beaten in Wetherby contest (2m, soft) at Christmas; needs to improve markedly on that debut form.

50/1

10th

12

27th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:20 Wetherby

The Full Pasty

11st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Richard Armson

took keen hold, prominent

66/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up three times in Irish points but Waspy's form in that sphere looks stronger; wears a hood for her rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

31st Mar 2023

Soft

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

13:40 Wetherby

Blooming Fortune

11st 6lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Paula Smith

Three-time point runner-up but tailed off at big odds on both rules starts, more recently her hurdle debut at Sedgefield.

200/1

8th

7

14th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

13:50 Sedgefield

Blooming Fortune

10st 12lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Paula Smith

Placed in four of her six runs pointing in Ireland; well beaten 50-1 shot in a Wetherby bumper in December (pulled hard) on stable debut; tongue tie now tried for hurdles debut.

66/1

3

23rd Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

13:00 Sedgefield

Blooming Fortune

11st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Paula Smith

Placed on four of five Irish pointing completions in early 2022, but 80l bumper defeat on seasonal/stable debut over Christmas (wouldn't settle) needs improving upon markedly; hood retained.

100/1

Form: 3

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished third on his Sedgefield debut (14-1) but there were only five runners and he was never a serious threat; needs to up his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

27th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:20 Wetherby

Sleeping Tom

11st 2lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

midfield on inner

25/1

3rd

2

22nd Nov 2022

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

15:25 Sedgefield

Sleeping Tom

11st 2lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Stable has modest strike-rate in bumpers but this debutant is half-brother to a Flat/bumper/hurdle/chase winner; check the betting.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ocovango half-brother to point/2m4f chase winner Do It For Thy Sen out of an unraced half-sister to the Scottish National third Always Right; market support would be noteworthy but he could be of more interest in the longer term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

17th Jul 2024

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

15:40 Uttoxeter

Scalloway Castle

11st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Jamie Snowden

No worthwhile form (0-6), failing to progress for a switch to fences at Newton Abbot (3m2f) three weeks ago; now 5lb lower, so probably shouldn't be entirely dismissed yet.

25/1

7th

3

25th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Scalloway Castle

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

No worthwhile form in two bumpers of three starts over hurdles, including after wind surgery and fitted with a tongue-tie since joining this stable; has stamina in his pedigree so the step up in trip makes some appeal now switching to fences at a modest level, but he has lots to prove.

12/1

7th

6

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

17:23 Stratford

Scalloway Castle

11st 1lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

No worthwhile form in four starts, the latest on stable debut following wind surgery; lots to prove.

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Returns from 570 days off after finishing safely held in two points; difficult to recommend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

1st Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

18:50 Perth

Carlo Storm

11st 4lb

J: John Kington

T: Rebecca Menzies

Placed in a maiden point in 2021 but beaten out of sight in Wetherby bumper on rules debut in December; subsequently left John Wainwright; makes stable/hurdle debut today.

50/1

14th

3

27th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:20 Wetherby

Carlo Storm

11st 2lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: John Wainwright

towards rear

50/1

Form: 77

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has beaten only one rival at Market Rasen and Catterick; needs to take a significant step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

21st Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Wetherby

Admiral Horatio

11st 2lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Micky Hammond

Has made no impact when seventh on his two starts (good/soft) and others have considerably better form.

50/1

1

27th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:20 Wetherby

Admiral Horatio

11st 2lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Micky Hammond

Has beaten only one rival at Market Rasen and Catterick; needs to take a significant step forward.

50/1

7th

1

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 5

15:37 Catterick

Admiral Horatio

11st 0lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Micky Hammond

Beat only one rival on his Market Rasen debut in May; didn't enjoy much luck there but still needs a large step forward.

25/1

Form: 7

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not guaranteed to stay 2m on pedigree and he was well held on his debut at Newcastle (10-1) last month; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

9

3rd Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

15:15 Musselburgh

Thornaby Exceed

11st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Flat-bred gelding who struggled on debut at Newcastle (soft) in November and was withdrawn from a subsequent engagement with soft ground deemed unsuitable.

33/1

13

27th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:20 Wetherby

Thornaby Exceed

11st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Not guaranteed to stay 2m on pedigree and he was well held on his debut at Newcastle (10-1) last month; others preferred.

33/1

Non-runners

Admiral Horatio, Thornaby Exceed

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.90
Straight Forecast £6.85
Trifecta £21.60

Selections

Telegraph:

Home Free

WEST COUNTRY:

Tarras Wood

TOPSPEED:

Samwise

The Sun:

Sleeping Tom

SPOTLIGHT:

Waspy

Daily Mail:

Home Free

Daily Mirror:

Home Free

Daily Record:

Home Free

The Times:

Tarras Wood

D Express:

Tarras Wood

The Star:

Tarras Wood

POSTDATA:

Samwise

The Guardian:

Samwise