January 07 / 14.40 Wincanton

14.40

Soft

Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 1m 7f 50y
  • Class 5
  • 19 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 19 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.30

Form: P80-61

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Placed over hurdles and fences when trained in France (coped with soft ground); it had been a struggle in Britain but he won well at Taunton (2m, good) last time under a patient ride; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

25th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:35 Taunton

Force De Frap

11st 6lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

held up in rear, no impression from 4 out

20/1

6

26th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Force De Frap

11st 6lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

prominent, weakened after 2 out (usual 3 out), pulled up before last

25/1

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 12y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Force De Frap

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

jumped left throughout, always behind, bad mistake 2nd, pulled up after 4 out

5/1

20/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 5/9P0-

Last run: 457 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
0-8 under rules and hasn't offered a lot in handicaps over hurdles or fences; the tongue-tie tried last time is joined by cheekpieces; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

5th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:10 Newton Abbot

Seymour Promise

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Joe Tizzard

Only 1-24; won at Taunton (2m7f, soft) in April but none too consistent and finished well back in Lightonthewing's race here recently; 1lb wrong.

25/1

5th

7

20th May 2024

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:43 Newton Abbot

Seymour Promise

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Joe Tizzard

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 6th, lost ground before 12th

9/1

5th

7

20th May 2024

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:43 Newton Abbot

Seymour Promise

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Joe Tizzard

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 6th, lost ground before 12th

9/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: F45F-7

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Hadn't been asked a serious question when falling three out on handicap debut at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in March; may have needed the run on reappearance and retains some potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

25/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 25-P58

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Finished second in a novice hurdle over C&D (soft) in February but very subdued this season, twice in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

16th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Universal Secret

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Helen Nelmes

In excellent form over fences since undergoing a second breathing operation, scoring at Wincanton (2m4f) in February before a clear second of seven over that C&D last month; up 2lb but that form is working out well so he's a big player.

5/2

2nd

6

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:20 Wincanton

Universal Secret

10st 6lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Helen Nelmes

Pulled up in his first two starts this season but he returned after another wind operation with a win over C&D (good to soft; tongue-tie added; Hatos second) in February; up 6lb but he remains feasibly treated and has claims if he can back up that last run.

100/30

1st

6

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:50 Wincanton

Universal Secret

10st 6lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Helen Nelmes

Went close here (about 2m, good to soft) in December 2024 but he's 0-9 over fences and his two runs this term have been troubling; has his first start following wind surgery, with a tongue-tie joining the cheekpieces of latest start; needs a revival.

25/1

33/1

Form: 64-09F

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Overall strike-rate of 3-45 when trained in Ireland but he's 0-12 as a hurdler and yet to be placed; 33-1 when falling early at Taunton.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

3rd Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:03 Huntingdon

Pak Army

10st 10lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

raced in second, led after 3 out, headed after 2 out, kept on but no match for winner

4/1

2nd

5

3rd Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:03 Huntingdon

Pak Army

10st 10lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

raced in second, led after 3 out, headed after 2 out, kept on but no match for winner

4/1

1

10th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:08 Exeter

Pak Army

12st 0lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Returned to form with emphatic Flat win in May and has been placed over hurdles twice since; just a respectable fourth at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) last month but is 2lb lower here and can cope if the ground softens.

12/1

Form: 0P-652

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Surprising to see the cheekpieces absent after finishing a 9l second at Fontwell (2m1f, good) last time; that made it 0-11 and he's been none too consistent in the past; may prefer better ground as well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

24th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:55 Fontwell

Gorcombe Moonshine

10st 7lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Gave very good account when close second over C&D (good to soft) last month and subsequent fifth of 12 over C&D (good) was perfectly respectable but his overall strike-rate is just 1-35 and others appeal more.

5/1

5th

9

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:20 Fontwell

Gorcombe Moonshine

10st 11lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Just 1-34 under rules but the win came here (in 2023) and he went very close to a second course success 16 days ago, going down by only a head over this trip on good to soft; another who could be involved in the finish.

5/1

2nd

7

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:47 Fontwell

Gorcombe Moonshine

10st 5lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Robert Walford

Just 1-33 under rules but the win came here (in 2023) and he gave a good account when second from out of the weights at Hereford (2m5f, good) last month, after a break; could have a say.

6/1

66/1

Form: 0/PP/0 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Flat and hurdle winner but pulled up in handicap hurdles in just two sightings in 2021 and tailed off in another on his return from a lengthy absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

12th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Argus

10st 2lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Alexandra Dunn

Right back to form with a close second at 80-1 in a Kempton Polytrack handicap latest (2m); six years since his sole hurdles score, however, and most recent form figures in this discipline make for grim reading.

16/1

10

9th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

17:55 Ludlow

Argus

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Alexandra Dunn

Veteran who has cut little ice over hurdles this season but he posted a solid second on the Flat at Kempton last month; he needs to back it up now returned to this sphere.

12/1

2nd

4

(2)

19th Apr 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Argus

9st 8lb

J: Thore Hammer Hansen

T: Alexandra Dunn

in touch with leaders, dropped to rear after 2f

25/1

Form: 93-255

Last run: 36 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Showed fair form in bumpers and when runner-up in 2m Warwick maiden hurdle; needs to bounce back from two lesser efforts but wind surgery could help matters and he's also tongue tied this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:20 Taunton

Hermes Le Gris

11st 9lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

in rear, pulled up before 8th

9/1

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:20 Taunton

Hermes Le Gris

11st 9lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

in rear

9/1

1st

6

16th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ffos Las

Hermes Le Gris

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Was quick to make his mark for his current yard when bagging 2m4f Huntingdon handicap hurdle in February but he comes here on the back of a below-par sixth at Hereford (2m4f) 38 days ago; he's the sort to bounce back though.

4/1

Form: 346583

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Bits and pieces of form over hurdles/fences for Robert Walford put him in the mix and he ran his best race for this yard back over hurdles at Worcester (2m, soft) last time, where he was never far away and kept battling; dropped 2lb for that 10l defeat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

13:30 Stratford

Gambie Tiep

11st 7lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Ben Pauling

chased clear leader, in touch with leaders before 8th, lost ground 10th

7/2

3rd

4

19th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:05 Worcester

Gambie Tiep

11st 10lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Four wins (a hurdle and three chases) from first seven starts for this stable last year; yet to recapture that form since returning from a break in February but his fourth over hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) in April was a big step back in the right direction and today's much quicker ground should also suit.

5/1

4th

5

6th Apr 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

13:40 Uttoxeter

Gambie Tiep

11st 3lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Has won four handicaps since last July - three chases (one here) and a hurdle race; needs to bounce back from two quiet runs over fences but there's nothing wrong with his mark over hurdles; stable won this last year.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 34F-PP

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer but hasn't taken to fences under rules; not badly handicapped on some of last season's hurdle form and could easily run well; soft ground is fine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

26th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

14:38 Exeter

Flamenco De Kerser

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Richenda Ford

mounted in chute, visibility reduced by fog, midfield, badly hampered by faller 4th

40/1

11th

12

13th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Kempton

Flamenco De Kerser

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

Pulled up on four of five appearances during very disappointing campaign last season, but some positives can be drawn from last month's reappearance run and he's very well handicapped now; not ruled out.

25/1

Form: 44

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Winning miler on soft; fourth in two non-handicap hurdles (2m/2m3f; good) and those efforts make him a player in a handicap of this stature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(10)

29th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:13 Salisbury

Afta Party

10st 10lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Mark Gillard

Struggling over hurdles last winter and lots to prove returned to the Flat after a break; 1m winner in October 2022.

50/1

Form: 511-7P D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Winner of two good-ground handicaps in the spring but, after some modest efforts on Flat, he has disappointed back over hurdles; bit to prove now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 3

15:45 Fontwell

Gold Souk

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Daniel Steele

Returned from long absence with three very underwhelming runs in low-grade Flat handicaps this year and is 12lb out of the weights for this first hurdling start since February 2023; has too much to prove.

100/1

8th

9

(2)

25th Jun 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Gold Souk

9st 5lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Daniel Steele

6-50 (Flat/hurdles); respected on old form but finished down the field in his two starts following a long absence; back up in trip; best watched.

33/1

Form: 0/83

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Winning miler on the Flat; has yet to threaten over hurdles but it was a good novice in which he finished a remote third at Taunton and this is clearly much easier now handicapping; handles soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(4)

5th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:55 Windsor

The Rain King

9st 9lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: Michael Wigham

Defied a higher mark here (1m) three years ago; has produced two poor results on AW for new yard since returning from long absence but could revive back at Windsor.

14/1

7th

1

(4)

5th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:55 Windsor

The Rain King

9st 9lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: Michael Wigham

Defied a higher mark here (1m) three years ago; has produced two poor results on AW for new yard since returning from long absence but could revive back at Windsor.

14/1

11th

2

(7)

27th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

The Rain King

9st 9lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Wigham

took keen hold, prominent, lost ground after 1f, soon dropped to midfield

40/1

Form: 3P2/P

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Ability without winning at an ordinary level on the Flat; also placed in a maiden hurdle and AW bumper; detached when pulled up on heavy ground at Sandown following a long absence and wind surgery; could make her mark in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(2)

28th Jan 2023

Standard

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Isayalittleprayer

9st 12lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary Moore

Maiden but she was placed off much higher marks than this on AW Flat in 2020; also runner-up in a jumpers' bumper in January 2021; has offered little in two hurdles since returning from an absence but can't dismiss back on the Flat given she is well handicapped; cheekpieces on first time.

11/1

7

7th Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:40 Wincanton

Isayalittleprayer

11st 3lb

J: David Noonan

T: Gary Moore

Ability without winning at an ordinary level on the Flat; also placed in a maiden hurdle and AW bumper; detached when pulled up on heavy ground at Sandown following a long absence and wind surgery; could make her mark in handicaps.

14/1

13

6th Nov 2022

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

15:00 Sandown

Isayalittleprayer

10st 11lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: Gary Moore

pulled up before 2 out

33/1

Form: 52F1 D

Last run: 73 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Her narrow juvenile success at Fakenham (2m, good; coped with softer in France) looks weak form but she did race close to a strong pace and dug deep when it mattered; entitled to keep progressing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

19th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:05 Stratford

La Breille

10st 10lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Did not progress over hurdles after winning fillies' race in 2022 and struggled to get competitive on last month's chasing debut at Fontwell (2m3f, good); difficult to enthuse over.

25/1

7

19th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:05 Stratford

La Breille

10st 10lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

pressed leader, briefly led after 2 out, soon weakened, fell last

25/1

5

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

15:30 Fontwell

La Breille

11st 6lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Lightly raced and generally very disappointing since winning Fakenham juvenile hurdle (2m, good) in October 2022; makes chasing debut after 190-day absence and over new trip; others have much less to prove.

20/1

Form: 0-5357

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
No wins in nine; not the obvious answer on what he's shown but his mark continues to fall and this weak finisher might be helped by dropping to this shorter trip (raced over 2m3f-3m).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

31st May 2023

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

17:03 Newton Abbot

Ballygoe

11st 3lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

11-race maiden but he's dropped some way in the weights and was close up when he fell two out at Exeter (2m, good) in March; tongue-tie is now added after a short break and he could be dangerous.

9/2

9

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:40 Exeter

Ballygoe

11st 1lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Maiden; the medium of strong market support at Taunton last month but was pulled up; worth noting to see if the money returns but others safer.

16/1

7

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:30 Taunton

Ballygoe

11st 3lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Fair start to hurdling career in autumn 2021 but hasn't gone on from that and failed to threaten in handicaps last autumn on last two starts.

12/1

Form: 088-0P

Last run: 227 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Not a lot to shout about in five Irish starts, including a handicap (3m); makes stable debut with much to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

13th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Worcester

Conna Sue

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Nikki Evans

Ex-Irish maiden; well beaten on both starts for current stable (hurdle/chase) and cannot be recommended from 2lb out of the weights on this first appearance since April last year.

100/1

7th

9

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 5y

Class 5

14:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Conna Sue

10st 7lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Nikki Evans

Beaten out of sight in 2m4f handicap hurdle on last month's seasonal/stable debut; back up in trip and fitted with cheekpieces for today's chasing debut; huge improvement needed.

66/1

15th

12

5th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Ffos Las

Conna Sue

10st 12lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Nikki Evans

Showed nothing more than minor promise on her five starts (one handicap) in Ireland and makes British debut after an eight-month absence.

50/1

Form: 24/63P D

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Returned in November (hurdling) from an absence and was a respectable third over fences before jumping poorly last time; has won over hurdles and is on a dangerous mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

29th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:50 Huntingdon

Megalodon

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Paul Henderson

raced in second

66/1

10

21st Apr 2023

Good

2m 1f 109y

Class 5

19:05 Exeter

Megalodon

10st 2lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Paul Henderson

Only 9l away when first-time blinkered at Ludlow (2m, good) but wasn't half as good next time, though he did make a mistake five out; could make an impression off this mark if putting his best foot forward.

12/1

9th

12

6th Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

13:50 Southwell

Megalodon

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Paul Henderson

Not disgraced in first-time blinkers at Ludlow 12 days ago and may be capable of another decent effort in the retained headgear; however, sole win remains in a hurdles race three years ago.

25/1

Form: 9P8-

Last run: 388 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Didn't always look an easy ride when well beaten in three juvenile hurdle but he was a 1m5f winner on soft ground in France so has ability; makes handicap debut after a year out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(2)

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

16:20 Windsor

Agent Empire

9st 11lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Oliver Signy

prominent

16/1

7th

10

8th Apr 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:10 Newton Abbot

Agent Empire

10st 3lb

J: James Davies

T: Oliver Signy

towards rear on outer

11/2

5th

11

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

16:20 Sedgefield

Agent Empire

10st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

held up in rear

25/1

Non-runners

Ballygoe, Conna Sue, Presgrave

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £112.40
Straight Forecast £92.22
Tricast £1018.77
Trifecta £884.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

La Breille

WEST COUNTRY:

Force De Frap

POSTDATA:

Afta Party

LAMBOURN:

Hermes Le Gris

D Express:

Ez Tiger

The Sun:

The Rain King

RP Ratings:

La Breille

The Star:

La Breille

Daily Record:

La Breille

The Guardian:

Force De Frap

Daily Mirror:

Force De Frap

The Times:

Hermes Le Gris

Telegraph:

Afta Party

Daily Mail:

Afta Party