January 19 / 15.35 Wincanton

15.35

Soft

Timeform Premium Ratings Available At racingtv.com “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 1m 7f 50y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
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Timeform Premium Ratings Available At racingtv.com “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: 723- BF

Last run: 280 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

In DOr

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

3m6f for the NH Chase at Cheltenham last March was his only attempt beyond 3m and he was below form; that was also his last run for Venetia Williams (bought for £220,000 in October at the David Maxwell dispersal) and he's been a good third this winter in 3m handicaps here and at Ascot; needs to build on that, as he's edging up the weights, but he's not fully exposed.

5/1

3rd

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

In DOr

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bought for £220,000 at the David Maxwell dispersal prior to running well, only 2l behind Welcom To Cartries, at Sandown (3m, good to soft) on debut for new connections; this second-season chaser likely has further progress in him; sole attempt at Ascot resulted in a success in this race 12 months ago (good ground); big player back here.

4/1

6th

7

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

In DOr

11st 3lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Venetia Williams

Ridden by his owner; major progress when switched to chasing this winter for small-field handicap wins over 3m at Taunton (good to soft) and Ascot (good); found his revised mark at Sandown (3m, heavy) a bit too much in hat-trick bid but again ran well and staying beyond 3m may be possible.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4-46

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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9th

3

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Jack Sprat

11st 13lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: James Moffatt

Capable on his day for Jamie Snowden, winning three times; didn't sign off for that yard in bad form and he joined this one for £12,000; could go well.

33/1

4th

5

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

18:40 Exeter

Jack Sprat

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Course scorer who went freely when a below-par seventh of ten in 3m Wincanton handicap 25 days ago; drops back in trip now.

9/1

7th

8

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Jack Sprat

11st 9lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Jamie Snowden

Three-time hurdle winner who seemed to have been refreshed by a 12-week break when a very respectable fourth over C&D (good to soft) in refitted cheekpieces this month; in the mix if in similar form.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

33

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Johnnywho

10st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Fine over these fences in November; laboured from before three out when a well-beaten fifth to Haiti Couleurs in Irish National last April; that was in the mud, though, and his top efforts have been on good to soft; they include his neck second in the 3m2f Kim Muir at Cheltenham last March and, equipped with first-time cheekpieces after wind surgery, a 3m1f win from Jagwar at this year's Festival; able to race here off the same mark as last time (due to go up 6lb) and he wasn't stopping in either of those big races at Cheltenham; seriously considered.

12/1

1st

7

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Johnnywho

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Neck second in the Kim Muir here (3m2f, good to soft) 12 months ago; promise in defeat on his first two runs this season; not quite at the top of his game at Haydock last time but wind op since and cheekpieces are added; remains one to be interested in, especially given his Festival form.

11/1

5th

2

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:00 Haydock

Johnnywho

11st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Beaten just a neck in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival (3m2f, good to soft) last March and finished strongly for close third in the Silver Cup at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last month; every chance he'll be bang there.

3/1

Form: 57

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

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4

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 2f 13y

Class 4

15:41 Uttoxeter

Madaket

11st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Dual hurdle winner; his third at Ffos Las in October reads quite well (3m1f, soft) but comfortably held in his three other handicap chases, the latest here; needs more.

8/1

3rd

5

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Madaket

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Dual hurdle winner who was placed off 1lb higher here (3m, soft) in January; disappointed on chasing debut the following month (bled from the nose) and not seen since but may still have a future over fences.

10/1

3rd

5

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Madaket

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Dual hurdle winner who was placed off 1lb higher here (3m, soft) in January; disappointed on chasing debut the following month (bled from the nose) and not seen since but may still have a future over fences.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
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12th

12

16th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

12:30 Market Rasen

Ranging Bear

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Showed some promise in the first of his two starts last winter; had wind surgery since the last one and now goes in tongue-tie; nicely bred and looks open to improvement this term; possibilities.

16/1

10

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:22 Chepstow

Ranging Bear

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Out of an unraced half-sister to smart jumper Emily Gray; safely held when seventh of 17 on debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) last month but significant positives can be drawn from that performance and he has very obvious scope for improvement.

9/2

7th

13

26th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:10 Wetherby

Ranging Bear

11st 2lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Olly Murphy

in touch with leaders, wandered on approach 1st

4/1

Form: 6/46

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

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Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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2nd

6

15th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:55 Aintree

Regarde

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Has had three wind operations and tends to go well when fresh, so might not improve markedly on his latest second at Haydock (3m4f, good) after 144 days away; still ran well though and assured stamina will come in handy.

12/1

2nd

6

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

Regarde

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Has had three wind operations, two of them last year; won four-runner race over C&D (good) when upped in trip last March and ran creditably on next two starts; not disgraced at Ascot in November when last seen; has a good record when returning from a break, so goes on the shortlist.

8/1

8

24th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Cheltenham

Regarde

11st 9lb

J: Mr B O’Neill

T: Jamie Snowden

Won twice (3m/3m4f) during fairly light campaign last season and signed off with creditable second of 14 on New course here (3m4f, good) in April, form that was recently boosted by the winner; had another wind op (his third) during the summer; likely contender.

7/1

Form: 8

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

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6

10th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

Spicy Nelson

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Hasn't lived up to market expectations since switched to handicap hurdles; not bred for fences but he must be thought capable of better and this isn't strong; cheekpieces tried after one run in blinkers.

10/1

7th

11

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:00 Fontwell

Spicy Nelson

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Yet to play a serious part in four handicaps, despite being a short price for the latest two; interesting to see if his supporters keep the faith now blinkers are added; 8lb wrong.

8/1

7th

11

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:00 Fontwell

Spicy Nelson

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Yet to play a serious part in four handicaps, despite being a short price for the latest two; interesting to see if his supporters keep the faith now blinkers are added; 8lb wrong.

8/1

Form: 3/5

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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0

6

6th Jan 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:05 Wincanton

Starevitch

11st 2lb

J: Will Featherstone

T: Jamie Snowden

Won a point and placed in a bumper before going absent for 638 days; minor form in three novice hurdles and a handicap chase last season; returns to hurdles with low mileage for an 8yo but others have more compelling credentials.

8/1

4th

2

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:35 Ludlow

Starevitch

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Irish maiden point winner; third in a bumper in March 2021 but, with wind surgery last August, he did not race again until well held in three novice hurdles this winter (latest at Newbury last month); now makes chase debut and goes beyond 2m3f for the first time under rules.

9/2

Form: 88

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

14

22nd Aug 2024

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

17:30 Newton Abbot

Via Dante

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

0-11 under rules; kept on well for second over fences at Fakenham (3m, good) in April and didn't run badly on soft ground last month, but makes only limited appeal on this return to hurdling; 1lb wrong; tongue-tie added.

16/1

6th

10

17th Jul 2024

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

15:40 Uttoxeter

Via Dante

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Fell on his first two attempts over fences, but had the race at his mercy at Newton Abbot (3m2f, soft; from 3lb higher) on the second occasion; has failed to sparkle since - usually labouring in rear - although there was a glimmer of spark at Fakenham over Easter.

11/2

2nd

6

1st Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

15:42 Fakenham

Via Dante

10st 3lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: David Pipe

Unlucky not to open his account at Newton Abbot (3m2f, soft) just under a year ago and ran well when fourth at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft) on Boxing Day, after a layoff, but was struggling from fairly early stage at Chepstow in January and can't be supported with any confidence after that.

7/1

Form: 79-

Last run: 334 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
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12

13th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:05 Taunton

Western Baron

10st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

held up in rear

25/1

12th

14

23rd Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

13:30 Ffos Las

Western Baron

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Beaten out of sight in two runs last winter (finished lame latest); best watched unless the market suggests improvement is expected.

66/1

Form: 7-67

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
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4th

6

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

14:40 Leicester

Ginderella

10st 9lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Tim Vaughan

Still a maiden at the age of nine but she reappeared after a long absence with fair third on chase/stable debut at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) in November; didn't build on that over hurdles (2m6f, heavy) last time but cheekpieces are now added and this return to a right-handed track looks a positive (jumped right on penultimate run); could be dangerous back over fences.

13/2

Form:

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
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4th

7

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

15:47 Fontwell

Tuscan Rose

11st 1lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Last seen winning a 3m handicap hurdle at Ffos Las in April (good to soft) off a 5lb lower mark; bred to make a chaser so has to be of interest.

4/1

1st

8

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:45 Ffos Las

Tuscan Rose

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

midfield on outer, towards rear 5th, headway 8th, not fluent 4 out, led 2 out, hung right and bumped rival before last, ridden out run-in, always doing enough

4/1

1st

8

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:45 Ffos Las

Tuscan Rose

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

midfield on outer, towards rear 5th, headway 8th, not fluent 4 out, led 2 out, hung right and bumped rival before last, ridden out run-in, always doing enough

4/1

Verdict

Market confidence would be welcomed after so long out but JOHNNYWHO is potentially very smart. He had none other than the recent Challow winner Hermes Allen some 19l behind when he won his Irish point and he needs to be winning this to justify his Ballymore entry at Cheltenham. In D’Or ran to a fair level in France and is his most likely danger unless Ranging Bear is good or Starevitch can step up on his Hereford form.[Alistair Jones]