January 07 / 12.55 Wincanton

12.55

Soft

Virgin Bet Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4084.5
  • 1m 7f 50y
  • Class 4
  • 18 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 18 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 3

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful Flat-racer who won twice over 1m4f on Polytrack in early 2022; raced a bit too freely but still put in a good front-running shift when third (albeit well held) behind two useful rivals on hurdling debut at Kempton (2m, good to soft) two months ago; contender if coping with what me be softer ground here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:15 Chepstow

Celtic Art

11st 11lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Six-time hurdle winner who hit a personal best when scoring at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in January but his form has slumped in two subsequent runs; has bit to prove again and this is competitive on this drop back in trip.

14/1

8th

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 3

16:57 Wincanton

Celtic Art

11st 8lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Showed career-best form when comfortably winning from Bourbali at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in January and a subsequent lesser effort on heavy ground there is not viewed harshly; has been ridden by a good 7lb claimer lately, though, and might find others better handicapped.

9/2

5th

5

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Celtic Art

11st 1lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Has done very well over 2m3f here in recent months, winning twice and second in between; those results were achieved on good/good to soft and today's much deeper ground is a slight concern given he's been below par on both hurdle outings on heavy.

3/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 23

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat-bred 5yo who made the frame in two good-ground bumpers last year at Market Rasen and Newbury; encounters slower ground on today's hurdling debut but could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(1)

12th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:52 Goodwood

Poncho

11st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Minor honours in his last four AW races (1m5f/2m) but well beaten in his only two turf starts this term and absent since June; he has won twice but is not straightforward and does not look the percentage call; yard runs four.

12/1

10

(7)

13th Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Goodwood

Poncho

9st 1lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Strong traveller who's far from easy and has hung both ways (normally to the left); arrives in good form for a yard among the winners, though, and is on a mark off which he can win when things fall right.

7/1

2

(2)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

14:20 Lingfield (AW)

Poncho

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Hurdle winner who got off the mark on the Flat over C&D in December; couple of creditable thirds here since then but he flopped at Ascot (last of eight) last month and needs to bounce back after that 13l defeat; stablemate of Donald Llewellyn.

5/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 73

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat-racer who bettered his low-key hurdling debut when third of 14 at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) last month; that form sets the standard here but soft ground would not be sure to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

20th May 2024

Soft

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

15:13 Newton Abbot

Mardoof

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Mitchell Hunt

Out of form during light campaign over hurdles last season and struggled on the Flat on Tuesday; arrives here with quite a bit to prove but the drying ground ought to be in his favour.

10/1

6th

4

20th May 2024

Soft

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

15:13 Newton Abbot

Mardoof

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Mitchell Hunt

Out of form during light campaign over hurdles last season and struggled on the Flat on Tuesday; arrives here with quite a bit to prove but the drying ground ought to be in his favour.

10/1

7th

10

(4)

14th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

20:40 Chepstow

Mardoof

9st 0lb

J: William Cox

T: Mitchell Hunt

in touch with leaders, outpaced from over 5f out

33/1

Form: 5/3-33

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in his last two bumpers (heavy/good) and shaped with significant promise when third on hurdling debut at Newcastle (2m, good to soft) in November; major player if able to build on that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

5th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:40 Newton Abbot

Mullinaree

12st 0lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Syd Hosie

Landed a five-timer over hurdles (2m3f-2m4f) for Milton Harris last March-June, ridden by Bradley Harris and the final leg off 5lb higher than today; respectable fourth at Plumpton in December on his second attempt over fences for this stable but off since pulling up over hurdles the following month; needs to be ready to roll back from a break and reverting to fences.

7/1

0

2

26th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 3

15:35 Sandown

Mullinaree

11st 10lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Syd Hosie

Defied a 2lb lower mark last summer (2m4f, good; fine on softer) and returns to this discipline after two defeats over fences, the latest a respectable effort (beaten 10l); probably in fair form and entitled to run well.

20/1

Form: 4

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made encouraging headway on the home turn before effort flattened out on rules debut at Taunton (2m, good) in November, eventually finishing fourth of 11; will need to improve but that's possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

11th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:10 Taunton

Talimar Pearl

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Runner-up twice over hurdles last spring (2m1f/2m3f) and also at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy) in December, after a break; contender if judged on those exploits but not at best on either start this year and now 0-9.

10/1

5th

3

14th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

16:20 Fontwell

Talimar Pearl

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

took keen hold

12/1

7th

4

4th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

12:58 Hereford

Talimar Pearl

11st 9lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Runner-up in his last three handicaps and was beaten by an improver on his comeback run at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy); up just 1lb and entitled to be sharper all round this time.

6/1

Form: 7/16 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Joined Tom Lacey after easy Irish point win in early 2022 (yielding to soft) and rallied well for narrow bumper success on rules debut at Ffos Las (good; hooded) in October; that form hasn't worked out, though, and he was beaten about 42l when switched to hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in November; drops back in trip with hood removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

30th Aug 2023

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

18:50 Uttoxeter

Rock On Harry

11st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Went very close on last month's handicap debut at Worcester (2m, good) then exploited good opportunity in modest Market Rasen maiden (2mf, good to soft) 24 days ago; probably still on a workable mark and further progress is possible; likely contender.

100/30

1st

5

6th Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

14:10 Market Rasen

Rock On Harry

11st 4lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Tom Lacey

raced in second, led before 2 out, went clear approaching last, kept on well, ridden out

4/5

2nd

1

20th Jul 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Worcester

Rock On Harry

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Point/bumper winner; has shown enough over hurdles to suggest he can find an opening but likely to need improvement if he's to justify this mark on handicap debut.

11/2

Form: P0

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Maiden pointer; struggled at triple-digit odds in two novice hurdles in the autumn; can't be recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

21st Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 5

16:40 Ludlow

Key Factor

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Henry Oliver

Still a maiden and has failed to improve for the switch to chasing this term, though he is seemingly thought capable of better judged on his market position in those races; 5lb out of the weights.

10/1

0

11

4th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

15:58 Hereford

Key Factor

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Henry Oliver

Modest form over hurdles and hasn't shown significant improvement in two runs over fences; others stronger.

14/1

Form: 4U

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed on Irish point debut last April but came last of four in Bangor bumper on rules debut in November and was tailed off when unseating rider at the penultimate flight on recent hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

23rd Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

15:50 Wincanton

Whenitrainsitpours

10st 9lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Syd Hosie

0-10 for Milton Harris and going nowhere in handicaps when last seen; new trainer fits cheekpieces.

14/1

6th

7

9th Oct 2023

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

16:10 Stratford

Whenitrainsitpours

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Milton Harris

Beaten 40l+ in two handicaps in the spring (3m1f/2m5f) and inow 0-8 over hurdles; drops back in trip today; needs to have taken significant benefit from 115-day break.

14/1

5th

3

16th Jun 2023

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

18:45 Fontwell

Whenitrainsitpours

11st 2lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Milton Harris

Maiden; ran well in a big field at Exeter three starts ago but hasn't repeated that effort; very modest effort at Huntingdon last month and will need to leave that well behind.

8/1

Form: 4-28

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made quite encouraging hurdle debut when second (no match for winner) at Exeter (2m, good) in November but his 36l defeat there last month (good to soft) was a backward step; tongue-tie added here
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

22nd Jan 2024

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

15:55 Plumpton

King Of Lombardy

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Not yet fully exposed after only six hurdle starts but was safely held in his first three handicaps (2m3f-2m5f) and needs to find some improvement from somewhere.

12/1

6th

3

30th Nov 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

King Of Lombardy

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

midfield, in touch with leaders before 4 out

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£75,000 3yo; fifth foal; brother to a French Flat/hurdle winner, half-brother to two French Flat winners; dam unraced half-sister to a Group-placed French/US Flat winner; entitled to benefit from today's debut outing but market support will make him of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

16:50 Ffos Las

Montmartin

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Seven-race maiden; respectable third (off 5lb higher) in this race last year on chase debut; hasn't fared nearly so well in two starts elsewhere this term but may stage a revival returned to this scenario with cheekpieces added.

7/1

8th

1

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 136y

Class 5

14:50 Chepstow

Montmartin

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Just six runs in more than three years; placed over about 3m in his first two handicaps (hurdle/chase) but bled from the nose in January (first run for 288 days) and pulled up; tongue tied last two starts; could still have potential if all is well with him.

6/1

6

19th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 110y

Class 5

15:20 Lingfield

Montmartin

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Had just five runs in three years; promising handicap hurdle debut when runner-up at Southwell in April 2023 and he didn't do badly on his chase debut at Ffos Las (3m, good to soft) following two years off the track; has gone missing again since but a market move would be interesting.

6/1

Form: 6-7

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to smart chaser Village Vic; shaped with some promise before weakening into seventh in good-ground Exeter bumper in November but needs to learn to settle much better; makes hurdle debut today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:30 Exeter

Sea Village

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Oliver Signy

Placed three times at up to 3m1f over hurdles, all on slow ground; well treated on his form of a year ago but plenty to prove based on three starts since wind surgery.

25/1

8

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:30 Exeter

Sea Village

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Oliver Signy

Placed three times at up to 3m1f over hurdles, all on slow ground; well treated on his form of a year ago but plenty to prove based on three starts since wind surgery.

25/1

7th

1

23rd Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

16:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Sea Village

12st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Oliver Signy

Struggled in first three handicaps but his third of 16 behind Fantomas at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft) a fortnight ago was much better; contender if able to build on that performance.

7/2

Form: 0/P

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up when 80-1 for recent stable/hurdle debut at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft); cheekpieces added today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

13th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Prince Nino

10st 3lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Dual C&D winner in 2023 and is considerably lower in the weights now; raced lazily, tailed off, in a division of this last year (good; 5-1); missing from action since so it's tough to know how he'll fare; market check advised.

25/1

8th

9

14th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

20:30 Perth

Prince Nino

10st 4lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Went close at Newcastle in January, but hasn't performed to the same level on his four runs since and his losing sequence continues.

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Safely held when fourth in fast-ground point bumper in March and unseated rider at third fence in his first jumping point a few weeks later; probably best watched on today's rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

12:47 Uttoxeter

Finest Hour

11st 8lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

took keen hold, prominent, jumped slightly left and bumped rival 2nd

25/1

13th

4

7th Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

12:55 Wincanton

Finest Hour

11st 8lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Safely held when fourth in fast-ground point bumper in March and unseated rider at third fence in his first jumping point a few weeks later; probably best watched on today's rules debut.

25/1

OUR TIP

50/1

Form: 848

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
With a good stable but soundly beaten in a bumper and two good-ground hurdles towards end of last year; significant improvement required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

15th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:27 Hexham

Dark Duomo

10st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

0-13 under rules (placed in a 2m hurdle when with Philip Hobbs); hard to make a case for based on any form since last November.

25/1

8

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Dark Duomo

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Did not show a great deal off lowly marks for Micky Hammond last season and is now 0-12 overall; blinkers the headgear of choice today; 5lb out of the weights; difficult to enthuse over.

14/1

8

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Dark Duomo

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Did not show a great deal off lowly marks for Micky Hammond last season and is now 0-12 overall; blinkers the headgear of choice today; 5lb out of the weights; difficult to enthuse over.

14/1

Form: 6-F

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made quite promising bumper debut when sixth at Exeter (good) last spring and ran well for a long way on hurdling debut there (2m, good) in November, albeit beaten when falling at the last; has realistic each-way claims if suited by the slower ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

5th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:48 Ffos Las

Prince Rhinegold

10st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Linda Blackford

Only win came in a novice back in 2023; nearly added a handicap in March (good to soft) but he has his share of off days.

12/1

4th

7

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

17:00 Wincanton

Prince Rhinegold

10st 6lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Linda Blackford

Had Ugo Bingo behind when second over C&D last month but his run here 11 days ago was pretty miserable and he can be up and down.

9/1

9th

9

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

16:50 Wincanton

Prince Rhinegold

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Linda Blackford

Just one win from starts over hurdles but he returned after a short break with a close second here (1m7f, good to soft) last month; up 2lb but he seems effective at this trip and he's on the shortlist.

4/1

Form: 18 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Created pretty good impression when dominating fast-ground bumper here from the front on rules debut in November but capitulated rather tamely after racing too freely on last month's hurdling debut at Huntingdon (good); will need to settle better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

18:30 Hereford

Big Jim Beam

11st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Very lightly raced 8yo; absent since tailed off in novice hurdle in March 2023 (had wind op soon afterwards) but won a bumper on rules debut in 2022 and was unlucky not to win an Irish point in 2021; market may guide before today's chase/handicap debut.

7/1

4

24th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

18:30 Hereford

Big Jim Beam

11st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Very lightly raced 8yo; absent since tailed off in novice hurdle in March 2023 (had wind op soon afterwards) but won a bumper on rules debut in 2022 and was unlucky not to win an Irish point in 2021; market may guide before today's chase/handicap debut.

7/1

4th

3

3rd Mar 2023

Good

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

14:15 Newbury

Big Jim Beam

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Warren Greatrex

prominent, ridden after 3 out, soon hung left and weakened

15/2

Form: 4-4

Last run: 84 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten when fourth of five on both appearances last year (bumper/hurdle); makes no significant appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

7th Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

12:55 Wincanton

Unstoppable

11st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Jo Davis

Soundly beaten when fourth of five on both appearances last year (bumper/hurdle); makes no significant appeal.

100/1

12

16th Nov 2022

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:15 Warwick

Unstoppable

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Jo Davis

Modest fourth in bumper and maiden hurdle; holds weak claims on the bare figures.

66/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fifth foal; half-sister to useful hurdler/chaser Krackatoa King and bumper winner King Kayf; dam lightly raced maiden pointer, half-sister to three winning jumpers; makes a belated debut as a 7yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

6th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

14:30 Fontwell

Kings Kuroshio

10st 12lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

in touch with leaders on outer, mistake 2nd

100/1

18

7th Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

12:55 Wincanton

Kings Kuroshio

11st 1lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

held up in rear, pushed along 2nd

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £67.80
Straight Forecast £48.09
Trifecta £304.70

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Mullinaree

The Guardian:

Poncho

SPOTLIGHT:

Celtic Art

LAMBOURN:

Big Jim Beam

WEST COUNTRY:

Montmartin

RP Ratings:

Mardoof

Daily Mail:

Poncho

The Sun:

Poncho

Daily Mirror:

Big Jim Beam

POSTDATA:

Mullinaree

D Express:

Mullinaree

The Star:

Mullinaree

Daily Record:

Mullinaree

The Times:

Celtic Art

Telegraph:

Celtic Art