January 07 / 14.25 Sandown

14.25

Soft

Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £39865
  • 1m 7f 216y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 21-11 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner who is 2-2 over hurdles, most recently bagging Listed honours at Haydock (1m7f, soft) where he strode clear in great style on the run-in; sole defeat came on rules debut (neck second to L'Astroboy) and he has progressed very well since; major contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Tahmuras

12st 0lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Pulled up on all four starts last year but he turned things around with a rallying second at Windsor (2m6f, soft; first-time blinkers) in January; 2lb higher after a break but he remains well treated on old form and this return to quicker ground should be fine; possibilities.

10/1

2nd

1

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 3

16:05 Windsor

Tahmuras

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Very well handicapped on his 2024 form but pulled up on all four starts last year; dramatic turnaround required in first-time blinkers.

25/1

12

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Tahmuras

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Paul Nicholls

Won Grade 1 novice hurdle; talented novice chaser at about this trip last winter but he's run to his best only once in three starts this season and cried enough a long way out at Kempton recently (over 3m; had run well at the trip the time before); up against it.

40/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 1-1 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Two from two having won a bumper (beat Tahmuras by a neck) and maiden hurdle, both over 2m at Ffos Las (soft/good to soft); still looked green last time but was well on top at the finish; promising type who is interesting upped in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

16:13 Chepstow

LAstroboy

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Evan Williams

Very lightly raced 9yo who was a highly promising novice during 2022-23 season; returned from mammoth absence with two low-key handicap runs this winter but may yet stage a revival; market reference recommended.

14/1

5th

1

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 3

15:30 Hereford

LAstroboy

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Evan Williams

Won his first two starts (bumper/hurdle) in 2022 before two runner-up efforts, including in Grade 1 novice at Sandown (2m, soft); well held on handicap debut there last month but that was after a mammoth absence and he's still unexposed; one of two runners for Evan Williams and he needs watching in market.

10/1

2nd

1

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:30 Chepstow

LAstroboy

11st 12lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

The winner of a bumper and a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las on his first two starts; upped to Grade 1 company at Sandown ten weeks ago when he was a very creditable second to Tahmuras in the Tolworth, fourth jumping the last but sticking on well; ready for today's extra yardage and he should be hard to beat in this less-demanding company.

2/5

14/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 12 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Impressive at Hereford (2m, good to soft) on debut over hurdles, then ran well at Haydock (1m7f, soft; clear second) later in November; French Flat form (in 2020) suggests he could well rate higher still under this code; not without a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

15:00 Cheltenham

Nemean Lion

11st 10lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Seemed to run well in a dramatic Fighting Fifth but was only fourth of five, admittedly not entirely disgraced, last week when favourite for a Windsor contest he'd won 12 months earlier; triple Grade 2 scorer but faces a difficult task against two exciting types in this field.

33/1

4th

1

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Nemean Lion

11st 8lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Middle leg of a hat-trick when winning this last year (soft); finished close-up when last of the three finishers on reappearance in Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) in November, which was a positive performance; leading claims despite a 8lb penalty.

7/4

12

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Nemean Lion

11st 10lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Completed a hat-trick (2m3f/2m4f, good to soft/soft) when getting up close home in Grade 2 National Spirit at Fontwell last month; goes up in trip and back up in grade today, with something to find, but he stayed well on the Flat early in his career and has shaped this season as though today's extra distance could prompt further improvement; clearly thriving; interesting.

25/1

Form: 21 CD

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Made all and galloped on well for 7l success in C&D maiden (on heavy ground; second rules start) two months ago, adding to his Irish point win; bottom of this pack on bare form but could well improve further and Sandown evidently suits him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Colonel Harry

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

held up in rear, headway 10th, hampered 12th, midfield when fell 4 out

7/2

3

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Colonel Harry

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

held up in rear, headway 10th, hampered 12th, midfield when fell 4 out

7/2

1

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

13:05 Chepstow

Colonel Harry

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Form: 145-11 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Good fifth, best of the British runners, in last year's Champion Bumper; has travelled strongly on his way to winning both attempts over hurdles, latest over C&D (soft; survived a final-flight blunder) in a race that's thrown up two of the last three Tolworth winners; major chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

11th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

20:05 Warwick

Authorised Speed

11st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Useful hurdler; fell on two of his three chasing attempts last season and comes with obvious risk here but proved his wellbeing when placed in competitive handicap hurdle at Sandown (2m4f, good) a fortnight ago and has the raw ability to be very dangerous if all goes to plan.

5/2

Form: 224-21 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Ran well in Aintree Grade 2 on final bumper start; opened his account with 1l win, working harder than expected, at Kempton (2m, good to soft) on second attempt over hurdles; has consistent form but this is a tougher task; headgear applied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Blow Your Wad

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Has shown good form for new stable, mostly in handicaps, including at the Cheltenham Festival (3m1f); defied top weight at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) most recently, looking better than ever; leading chance at the weights in his bid for a second Grade 2 success.

7/4

1st

1

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:32 Chepstow

Blow Your Wad

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

This 8yo arrives in career-best form after his staying-on efforts in Newbury's Greatwood Gold Cup (2m4f) and the Ultima at Cheltenham (3m1f; again on good to soft; won on good); has to be feared, for all that he's 4lb higher than for those runs and 2m3f is on the tight side for him.

5/2

4th

12

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Blow Your Wad

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Kept on well for third in handicap at Ascot (3m, good) in November and creditable third of six on stable debut in Grade 1 Ascot Chase (2m5f, good to soft) last month, before close second in handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) ten days ago; he was 10l clear of the third last time and is 4lb ahead of the handicapper off the same mark today; the step back up in trip could be a firm plus and he showed promise here last April; one to consider seriously.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Purchased for £305,000 after showing clear promise in Irish points; recorded an emphatic success in maiden hurdle at Cork (2m1f, yielding to soft) last month on debut for Henry de Bromhead, looking a smart prospect; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(6)

15th Jul 2025

Good

1m 6f 55y

20:15 Killarney

Arctic Bresil

11st 12lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: Henry De Bromhead

Rated 135 over fences at his peak; 8yo ran well enough on his belated Flat debut at Down Royal (1m5f, good) last month; shaped like this extra furlong would suit but he may be vulnerable to younger legs.

10/1

1

(7)

21st Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 207y

17:40 Down Royal

Arctic Bresil

9st 9lb

J: W J Lee

T: Henry De Bromhead

8yo achieved a peak rating of 135 over fences; makes belated Flat debut after losing his way over jumps; yard won this last year and stamina won't be an issue but others appeal more.

5/1

6th

3

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

17:30 Wexford

Arctic Bresil

11st 9lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Maiden hurdle win came at Cork (2m1f) and most of racing since has been over fences, folding tamely on last month's hurdles return in Cork handicap; something to prove now; cheekpieces tried.

14/1

Form: 1-112 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 1112 (all on good/good to soft) under rules, including two novice hurdle wins; ran well in Grade 2 at Cheltenham (2m) last time and may be capable of further progress; however, soft/heavy ground would present a question mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:32 Worcester

Ukantango

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Triple hurdle winner and chase winner (2m4f), on good or slower; that chase win came readily on his penultimate start, at Southwell; unable to back that up after a 7lb rise and step up in grade at Uttoxeter (2m5f, good) latest; still well treated on his winning effort, if he can repeat it.

11/2

4th

3

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:50 Uttoxeter

Ukantango

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Bumper winner and has three wins over hurdles; got off the mark on the return to fences when a convincing winner at Southwell (2m4f, good) last month; up 7lb but looks sure to give another bold account.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £35.90
Straight Forecast £35.98
Tricast £589.41
Trifecta £242.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Authorised Speed

WEST COUNTRY:

Tahmuras

Daily Mirror:

Arctic Bresil

LAMBOURN:

Colonel Harry

Daily Record:

Arctic Bresil

The Times:

Tahmuras

The Sun:

Tahmuras

RP Ratings:

Authorised Speed

TOPSPEED:

Authorised Speed

POSTDATA:

Authorised Speed

Telegraph:

Authorised Speed

The Guardian:

Authorised Speed

Daily Mail:

Authorised Speed

D Express:

Authorised Speed

The Star:

Authorised Speed