January 15 / 14.00 Kelso

14.00

Soft

William Hill Bookmakers Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 0f 51y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
William Hill Bookmakers Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain and snow

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.10

Form: P-2412 CD BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 5yo who won over C&D (soft) last month on his second handicap start (escapes a penalty as it was a conditionals' event); solid second in C&D novice (heavy) since and he's a leading player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:10 Ayr

Traprain Law

10st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Running well in the main this season, winning at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in December and good third at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in January last time; this two-time course winner was runner-up in this race two years ago and could again have a part to play.

4/1

3rd

6

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

Traprain Law

10st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Runner-up to progressive winner at Kelso (2m1f, soft) last month then went one better at Wetherby (1m7f, soft; by 3l); he remains 3lb lower than when third in this last year (good to soft) and could be firmly involved.

11/2

4th

8

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Traprain Law

10st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Behind a couple of these when seventh in last season's Grand Annual here but this dual chase winner has the benefit of a positive recent run at Kelso on good ground that would have been lively enough for him; should run well.

6/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dead-heated for first on debut in Irish maiden point (3m, good) in May 2021; absent since but has joined a top northern stable and could play a leading role on rules debut, particularly if strong in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Galunggung

10st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Kept the excellent rules strike-rate going with a Carlisle win (2m, soft; effective on good to soft) in February but quicker ground raises some doubts against this more forbidding opposition.

33/1

12th

12

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Galunggung

10st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Kept the excellent rules strike-rate going with a Carlisle win (2m, soft; effective on good to soft) in February but quicker ground raises some doubts against this more forbidding opposition.

33/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 53/23-

Last run: 378 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Returned from nearly a year off to finish second on hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in December 2021; good third at Ayr (2m, soft) the following month; absent since but, on previous evidence, that may not be an issue; strong form claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(2)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:43 Catterick

Fabuleux Du Clos

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Simon West

Dual winner over hurdles (2m4f/3m) but he's 0-5 on the Flat; plugged on for a modest fourth in a maiden at Carlisle (1m3f, soft) 22 days ago and now steps back up in trip on this return to handicap company.

16/1

4th

1

(4)

9th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

18:15 Carlisle

Fabuleux Du Clos

10st 0lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Simon West

A dual winner over hurdles in 2023 (2m4f/3m); struggled over hurdles/Flat since returning from a lengthy absence; beaten 13l when seventh of nine at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in July and now drops back in trip.

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
30,000euros foal; third foal; half-brother to 2m4f hurdle winner Millen To One (RPR 132); dam 2m3f/2m4f hurdle winner (120), half-sister to classy hurdler/chaser Sizing Granite; in good hands and the betting may be informative on debut, with trainer also saddling leading form player Traprain Law.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

12

24th Oct 2023

Good

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

14:00 Exeter

Thistlebuffs

11st 0lb

J: Mr Martin McIntyre

T: David Pipe

Reverts back to hurdles after two defeats over fences but he was tailed off in his previous handicap hurdle; now blinkered.

20/1

0

7

12th Oct 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Worcester

Thistlebuffs

10st 13lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

Capable of better than his Perth chasing debut fifth (2m, good) once he settles better and jumping more fluently; big hike in trip asks a question starting out for David Pipe.

7/1

5th

6

17th May 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Perth

Thistlebuffs

10st 6lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, pecked on landing and slightly hampered 1st

9/1

Form: 98F

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in British maiden point on debut in December 2021 but down the field in both bumpers and was well beaten when falling at the final flight on his hurdle debut at Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

15th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:21 Perth

Artic Row

11st 6lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Last three wins have been in 2m4f handicap chases at Ayr, although won a 2m Ayr novice handicap over hurdles in March 2023 (good); hasn't been in top form over fences on last three starts and probably best watched this time.

12/1

6

15th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:21 Perth

Artic Row

11st 6lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Last three wins have been in 2m4f handicap chases at Ayr, although won a 2m Ayr novice handicap over hurdles in March 2023 (good); hasn't been in top form over fences on last three starts and probably best watched this time.

12/1

5th

1

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

Artic Row

12st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: N W Alexander

Three chase wins at Ayr (2m4f on soft/good to soft) last winter but below best there in March and at Carlisle since; Callum Pritchard takes off a helpful 5lb but adding cheekpieces acknowledges something needs to change.

8/1

Form: 76-164 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper here last May at 25-1 (2m, good) but she was well beaten at 50-1 on her recent hurdle/seasonal debut over C&D (heavy); others make greater appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

20th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:05 Warwick

Pipers Cross

11st 9lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

Three-time winner, the latest at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) last May, and she hasn't been running badly this season (good to soft/soft); edging back down the weights and might not be far away.

5/1

4th

5

26th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:20 Plumpton

Pipers Cross

11st 2lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

Has won on soft but best form on good to soft or quicker; yard continues in fine form but Either Or had her measure at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) last month and she has no strong turnaround claims.

13/2

3rd

2

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:50 Southwell

Pipers Cross

11st 13lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

towards rear, headway before 3rd

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Built upon his previous promise in Irish maiden points when winning one at the sixth attempt seven weeks ago (3m, soft); no surprise to see a good run on rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Breeze Of Wind

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

Pulled up two runs ago but solid efforts in defeat on either side of that and he's an assured stayer at this trip; the blinkers are new, as were the cheekpieces when third at Kelso last month.

10/1

3rd

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:13 Kelso

Breeze Of Wind

10st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

Strong stayer who was 6lb out of the weights when runner-up in the Scottish Borders National here in December; off the same mark for this but has to bounce back from a pretty poor run at Bangor; cheekpieces added.

12/1

Form: 50

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten late last year on his first two starts, most recently when 150-1 on his hurdle debut at Ayr; lots of improvement needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:30 Kelso

Highlander Hill

11st 0lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Paul Robson

sweating, in rear, jumped slightly right and bumped rival 1st

25/1

8th

9

15th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:00 Kelso

Highlander Hill

11st 0lb

J: Tom Scudamore

T: Paul Robson

prominent on outer

100/1

11th

5

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:30 Ayr

Highlander Hill

11st 4lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Paul Robson

midfield

33/1

Form: 89

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish maiden point (3m, soft) last April and he's one to watch in the betting on his third rules start; however, he's been tailed off the last twice and a major turnaround is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

29th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 149y

Class 5

13:15 Newcastle

Serious Mickey

10st 2lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Nicky Richards

Won Irish maiden point (3m, soft) last April; heavy defeats in Britain in three novice hurdles and, after wind surgery, beaten 20l when sixth of 15 on handicap debut at Hexham (near 3m, heavy) 13 days ago; he was well behind Pipers Cross in the latter and is 2lb out of the handicap today.

6/1

6th

14

16th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Serious Mickey

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Form of last April's Irish point win (3m, soft) hasn't worked out; three heavy defeats in slow-ground 2m hurdles since, and hopes likely rest as much on the wind surgery as the step back up in trip.

16/1

13

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

14:00 Ayr

Serious Mickey

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Opened her account at the fifth attempt in Irish points; has poor claims on rules form (2m) but looks a possible improver now handicapping and upped to 2m4f on first run since wind surgery.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 75-9

Last run: 115 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off on stable debut in Perth bumper in September; however, this point-to-point bumper winner was a fair fifth at Hexham last April and could settle better now in a hood; no forlorn hope each-way on hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

16:40 Hexham

Bray Dale

11st 1lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Catch Bissett

Encouraging handicap debut when third at Ayr (2m, soft) last March but soundly beaten or pulled up in the meantime and no improvement for cheekpieces at Ayr last time out; visored this time; all uphill on these terms.

66/1

Form: 06-60

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Down the field on all four starts (hurdles the last twice).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

17:10 Sedgefield

Couldntgivamonkeys

11st 4lb

J: William Shanahan

T: R Mike Smith

Failed to improve for the switch to handicap level at Newcastle last month having been friendless in the betting; this six-race maiden holds weak claims on overall form and needs a big step forward.

16/1

7th

4

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:15 Newcastle

Couldntgivamonkeys

11st 10lb

J: William Shanahan

T: R Mike Smith

Showed very little on first four starts but was making some encouraging late headway when a final-flight faller at Wetherby (2m, soft) last month; could be in the mix if building on that now handicapping.

12/1

3

26th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:10 Wetherby

Couldntgivamonkeys

11st 2lb

J: William Shanahan

T: R Mike Smith

held up in rear

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Below par last July on final Flat start for Joseph O'Brien and sold for £13,500 in September; however, he achieved a pretty useful RPR of 90 when runner-up at Killarney (1m6f, soft) last May and has the credentials to make a hurdler; not ruled out on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(6)

19th May 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

14:30 Newcastle (AW)

Ebendi

9st 0lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Andrew Wilson

Useful in Ireland in his younger days but been poor under both codes for this yard for a good while; tailed off behind two of these at Pontefract last time.

50/1

7th

11

(11)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 139y

Class 6

16:32 Pontefract

Ebendi

8st 10lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Andrew Wilson

He's dropped to a basement mark but his sole win came in 2020 and this 9yo struggled to get competitive last year; first run since last October.

40/1

7th

8

(6)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:10 Catterick

Ebendi

9st 2lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Andrew Wilson

1m3f winner who has been plummeting in the weights but is hard to recommend based on recent efforts.

66/1

Form: 0PPP

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off/pulled up on his three Irish starts and pulled up at 250-1 on his recent stable debut at Ayr.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:00 Kelso

Gallant Flame

11st 0lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Andrew Hamilton

in rear, pushed along briefly after 2nd, hit 3rd, pushed along and lost touch before 4th, tailed off when pulled up after 5th

200/1

3

2nd Jan 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Gallant Flame

11st 8lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

Pulled up at triple-digit odds in two Galway maiden hurdles for Margaret Mullins in the summer (2m5f/2m); can only be watched on today's stable debut.

66/1

5

30th Jul 2022

Good

2m 0f 150y

14:00 Galway

Gallant Flame

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Ms Margaret Mullins

in touch with leaders, lost position when not fluent 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before 2 out

100/1

Form: P

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
150-1, pulled up mid-race on debut at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; transformation needed in first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

15th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:00 Kelso

Puddledub I Froget

11st 0lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford

prominent on outer

100/1

8

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

11:45 Newcastle

Puddledub I Froget

11st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford

First reported foal; dam unraced half-sister to winners Newt (1m5f Flat/2m hurdle) and The Tiddly Tadpole (2m-2m1f hurdle); probably best watched on debut.

20/1

Non-runners

Bray Dale, Couldntgivamonkeys

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.40
Straight Forecast £3.58
Trifecta £11.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Traprain Law

TOPSPEED:

Fabuleux Du Clos

The Sun:

Thistlebuffs

Telegraph:

Galunggung

RP Ratings:

Traprain Law

POSTDATA:

Traprain Law

The Times:

Traprain Law

The Star:

Traprain Law

Daily Record:

Traprain Law

D Express:

Fabuleux Du Clos

Daily Mirror:

Fabuleux Du Clos