January 14 / 14.25 Warwick

14.25

Heavy

Ballymore Leamington Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £31322.5
  • 2m 5f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
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Ballymore Leamington Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 11-211 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Beat a subsequent winner with ease in a 2m Exeter novice (good to soft) and was then one of the gambles of the season when justifying strong support in a 2m5f handicap at Kempton's Christmas meeting (soft); didn't win that by far but he would have done but for his inexperience showing in the closing stages (drifted left and right); still a work in progress and deserves a crack at this level; won a bumper on heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

15:30 Aintree

Grey Dawning

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Two Grade 1 wins, namely the 2m4f novice chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival (soft) and this season's Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft); ran well for a long way before fading into fourth in last month's Gold Cup at Cheltenham (3m2f, good to soft); this drop back in trip could well be a positive move; effective here and respected in first-time cheekpieces.

2/1

4th

5

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Grey Dawning

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won the 2m4f novice chase at the 2024 Festival (soft) and added a second Grade 1 win in the Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) this season; a mistake two out proved costly when 5l third of four to Spillane's Tower in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase here (3m1f, soft) in January and he rallied up the hill; however, he may just lack the required class today.

12/1

3rd

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Grey Dawning

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Top-class 9yo, successful in ten of his 18 races; better than ever on his last two starts, winning Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) on reappearance with plenty in hand; has run well on both his outings at Cheltenham; again looks the one to beat.

8/13

7/2

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 21-41 CD

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who was a well-held fourth on his hurdling debut at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) but he looked a different horse in comprehensively reversing placings with Mexico (third at Aintree) when a clearcut winner over C&D (soft) in mid-November; that looked good and an RPR of 136 backs it up; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Ginnys Destiny

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Front-runner who was runner-up in two 2m4f Grade 1 novice chases last spring, at Cheltenham then here; attractively handicapped on that form and could be suited by these fences, but this season has been somewhat underwhelming and he needs a boost from the first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces.

14/1

7th

7

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Ginnys Destiny

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Front-runner who was runner-up in two 2m4f Grade 1 novice chases last spring, at Cheltenham then here; attractively handicapped on that form and could be suited by these fences, but this season has been somewhat underwhelming and he needs a boost from the first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces.

14/1

7th

2

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Ginnys Destiny

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Powerful front-runner when on song, as when winning twice over C&D (soft and good to soft) last midwinter before finishing an honourable runner-up in Grade 1 novice at the Festival; had some problems since but said to be showing better signs at home of late and is weighted to have a say, off just 2lb higher than the latest win; a revival could be on the way.

10/1

Form: 21-11

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Has looked good in his last three visits to Chepstow (all on good to soft), winning a bumper and two 2m3f novice hurdles; now on a very different track, but he's a strong galloper and clearly a useful prospect; second in a point on soft/heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:35 Haydock

Knowsley Road

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Having had wind surgery he returned to form with a win at Taunton (3m, soft) last month; he's 4lb higher in this hotter race but appeared to idle in front last time so could have more left in the tank; has won on good to soft ground, unraced on good.

7/1

8

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:35 Haydock

Knowsley Road

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Having had wind surgery he returned to form with a win at Taunton (3m, soft) last month; he's 4lb higher in this hotter race but appeared to idle in front last time so could have more left in the tank; has won on good to soft ground, unraced on good.

7/1

1st

3

11th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

15:53 Taunton

Knowsley Road

11st 9lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Tailed off on handicap hurdle debut on final run last season and has struggled over fences on both runs this term; something to prove but he's had a wind op, which may help him recapture the promise shown when third in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Warwick (2m5f, heavy) last January; not ruled out.

13/2

Form: /4-321 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
All square with Ginny's Destiny after two previous clashes, though he lost the latest of those by more than 8l here in November; made the most of a good opening at Southwell (2m4f, good) a month ago but he'll need another personal best and by some margin.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

19th Oct 2023

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

15:35 Carlisle

Mexico

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Displayed improved form when upped in trip and winning easily in a novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (2m7f, soft) in April; unexposed over staying trips and not ruled out on his chase debut, but this is a tough first assignment in this sphere and he's not bred for fences.

10/1

12th

18

15th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

14:25 Aintree

Mexico

10st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Proved a revelation stepping up to about 3m for the first time when barely coming off the bridle to win a Uttoxeter novice event (soft) a fortnight ago; went about 14l clear at the last before being eased, so a 7lb rise in his mark looks lenient; stable won this race in 2021; considered.

10/1

1st

1

1st Apr 2023

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

14:45 Uttoxeter

Mexico

11st 12lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

in touch with leaders on outer, hit 6th, led going easily after 4 out, went clear after 3 out, eased run-in, easily

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 131 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Couldn't win any of his three points but he's comfortably won twice over hurdles (2m/2m4f; good to soft) and his defeat came in a Listed race (soft) won by last week's Grade 1 Tolworth winner Tahmuras; this place can suit front-runners and he needs taking seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

19th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Carlisle

Snake Roll

10st 11lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Two wins towards the end of last year from first three hurdle starts (2m/2m4f, good to soft) and went very close on handicap debut at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) in April when last seen; Lucinda Russell excels with chasers and this soft-ground point runner-up could improve now tackling fences.

2/1

2nd

3

27th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:00 Perth

Snake Roll

11st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Highly tried the last twice in Grade 2s and kept digging to finish third at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) most recently and that's strong form, with the front two not disgraced in the Grade 1 Tolworth earlier this season and the fourth winning a Grade 1 novice chase at Punchestown on Tuesday; looks well handicapped and returning to this longer trip is very much in his favour.

11/10

Form: 11

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer who had them well strung out in novices at Lingfield (2m, soft) and Fontwell (2m1f, good to soft), latterly defying a penalty by 5l with the second well clear of the remainder; faces a very different calibre of opposition this time but he's promising; won a point on soft/heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:19 Leicester

Givega

12st 0lb

J: Mr James King

T: L Morgan

Three wins from five starts over hurdles and he made it 2-2 in points when making all at Larkhill (3m) on his comeback in December; had tough task in Grade 2 on only previous run over regulation fences and he's respected on this hunter chase debut; his three rules wins have been on good to soft/soft.

5/1

Form: 11

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer who is 2-2 over hurdles after 2m3f good-ground wins at Wetherby and Doncaster; has been more workmanlike than flashy but this longer trip should trigger further improvement; has only run on good or good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Moon Hunter

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Gambin

T: Sarah Humphrey

Useful in his prime for Henry Daly but left that yard on a low note; soundly beaten in chases on his first two starts for this stable but took a step back in the right direction returned to hurdles in first-time blinkers when rallying third of eight over the extended 2m4f at Plumpton (good to soft) 23 days ago; needs to prove he can build on that with the blinkers left off in favour of refitted cheekpieces.

25/1

3rd

5

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 4

16:30 Plumpton

Moon Hunter

11st 8lb

J: Jamie Gambin

T: Sarah Humphrey

Useful in his prime but left Henry Daly after a poor run over fences in February 2025 and was soundly beaten in two chases for this stable towards end of last year; needs combination of new headgear and return to hurdling to rekindle his enthusiasm.

16/1

6

18th Nov 2025

Good

2m 6f 10y

Class 4

14:45 Lingfield

Moon Hunter

11st 9lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Ex-Henry Daly; quite a useful novice hurdler but didn't progress; sound run on chase debut in October 2023 but rather disappointing since; bit to prove after a break on stable debut.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.90
Straight Forecast £27.23
Trifecta £71.50

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Knowsley Road

The Sun:

Snake Roll

D Express:

Moon Hunter

SPOTLIGHT:

Grey Dawning

RP Ratings:

Ginny's Destiny

Telegraph:

Givega

The Star:

Snake Roll

Daily Record:

Snake Roll

POSTDATA:

Knowsley Road

WEST COUNTRY:

Knowsley Road

The Times:

Knowsley Road

The Guardian:

Knowsley Road

Daily Mail:

Knowsley Road

Daily Mirror:

Knowsley Road