April 06 / 17.25 Wetherby

17.25

Good To Soft

Wetherby Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £2639.97
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
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Wetherby Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Went close in his sole point (3m, good to yielding) and another good second at Kempton (2m, good) in February on his bumper debut; that looked a good race and he holds leading form claims here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Support Act

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Low-mileage 7yo who made a quite promising chase debut when fourth at Newbury (2m7f, soft) in January; ran as though something was amiss when warm favourite the following month and not seen since but still has scope to progress from that Newbury run if all is well here.

10/1

6th

9

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Support Act

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Low-mileage 7yo who made a quite promising chase debut when fourth at Newbury (2m7f, soft) in January; ran as though something was amiss when warm favourite the following month and not seen since but still has scope to progress from that Newbury run if all is well here.

10/1

3

26th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

14:45 Wetherby

Support Act

11st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Bumper and novice hurdle winner with low mileage; back from a break and wind surgery when beaten under 8l on his switch to fences at Newbury (2m7f, soft); made the odd mistake there but entitled to be all the wiser this time; considered.

3/1

33/1

  • Place: £12.30

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; closely related to 2m5f hurdle winner Zwicky (RPR 98); makes debut with yard in good form but might be one for further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

1st Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

12:45 Wetherby

Telemetry

11st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

in touch with leaders and, went second 5th, joined leader before 3 out, led narrowly 3 out, ridden after 2 out, 2 lengths ahead last, kept on and went clear run-in

33/1

1st

6

1st Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

12:45 Wetherby

Telemetry

11st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

in touch with leaders and, went second 5th, joined leader before 3 out, led narrowly 3 out, ridden after 2 out, 2 lengths ahead last, kept on and went clear run-in

33/1

10th

10

8th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

14:10 Kelso

Telemetry

11st 1lb

J: Thomas Dowson

T: Philip Kirby

prominent, mistake 1st, weakened before 3 out

25/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 1 D

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
5-2 joint-favourite, won on debut at Ayr (2m, soft) in February; now carries a penalty against some interesting rivals but he's a likeable prospect who is open to improvement; solid contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

18

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Booster Bob

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Held by Madara and Will The Wise but running well when falling at final fence in the Plate at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) last month; two wins during a progressive 2025 (2m4f/2m6f, soft/good to soft); each-way shout.

16/1

10

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Booster Bob

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Has a useful jumps strike-rate and a Newbury chase win (about 2m6f, good to soft) in November showed he was still improving; a 9lb rise appeared beyond him on the New course since but he travelled strongly for a long way and may yet show he hasn't exhausted the handicapping options.

14/1

5th

4

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:15 Cheltenham

Booster Bob

11st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Tends to finish strongly from off the pace and posted another personal best when winning at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft) at the end of November; a 9lb rise means he'll need another leap forward but he keeps progressing and it's certainly possible.

7/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third foal; half-brother to bumper/hurdle winner I Spy A Diva (RPR 127); dam Listed bumper winner/useful hurdler; bred to do well in this sphere and trainer is 5-15 here in last five seasons; interesting on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:50 Stratford

Mollys Third Man

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Pulled up in both his handicaps (2m3f and 3m1f) and wore cheekpieces in the latter; now goes in a visor.

25/1

6

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:50 Stratford

Mollys Third Man

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Pulled up in both his handicaps (2m3f and 3m1f) and wore cheekpieces in the latter; now goes in a visor.

25/1

Form: 9

Last run: 97 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has a useful pedigree but the wind op needs to have made a huge difference, as he was tailed off at 28-1 on his debut at Haydock (1m7f, soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

18:10 Uttoxeter

Magical Arthur

12st 0lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Made good progress when headgear was added in the autumn, winning three times (2m7f-3m1f, good), but was given a break after disappointing run in January and made a low-key reappearance last month; needs to get back in the groove.

10/1

12th

11

6th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:18 Worcester

Magical Arthur

11st 4lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Jennie Candlish

Headgear helped last autumn, with three wins over further, latterly off a 6lb lower mark; has been off for four months since a poor one in blinkers (goes back to cheekpieces tonight) early in the year and will want a good test over this trip.

16/1

12th

11

6th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:18 Worcester

Magical Arthur

11st 4lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Jennie Candlish

Headgear helped last autumn, with three wins over further, latterly off a 6lb lower mark; has been off for four months since a poor one in blinkers (goes back to cheekpieces tonight) early in the year and will want a good test over this trip.

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third foal; closely related to 2m Flat winner Yasmin From York (RPR 65); dam 2m hurdle winner (104); probably best watched on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

Stonegate

10st 2lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Brian Rothwell

Modest form over jumps so far and has been pulled up on last three chase starts; can only watch from 9lb out of the weights.

100/1

11

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 5

15:10 Uttoxeter

Stonegate

10st 2lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Brian Rothwell

14-race maiden who has no worthwhile form over jumps and was pulled up on his last two appearances; can't be recommended from out of the weights.

50/1

14

21st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

14:50 Catterick

Stonegate

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Brian Rothwell

Pulled up/tailed off on all six chase starts and he would be a shock winner from 10lb out of the handicap.

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: O

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
11-1, ran out with a circuit to go on debut at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) last Wednesday; there's potential in his pedigree but he comes with a risk attached.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

17th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

17:40 Kelso

Ballywhatsit

11st 3lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Ruth Jefferson

towards rear, reminders and cajoled along halfway, lost touch 6f out

33/1

7th

2

6th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Wetherby

Ballywhatsit

11st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ruth Jefferson

in touch with leaders, lost position and dropped to rear after 6f, niggled along halfway, pushed along and became detached over 4f out, soon well beaten

20/1

2

29th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:53 Market Rasen

Ballywhatsit

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Ruth Jefferson

Brother to bumper/hurdle winner Imperial Merlin and half-brother to two other hurdle winners; cost 65,000euros as a 3yo; trainer has fair record in these races so this newcomer is interesting.

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
82,000euros 3yo; sixth foal; sister to French hurdle/chase winner, half-sister to two French winners; dam second in 2m2f Listed chase; from top yard and could go well on debut, especially if strong in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:05 Southwell

Viva Valentina

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, towards rear

5/1

8th

8

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

14:55 Taunton

Viva Valentina

11st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Thrice-raced mare who looks far from solid, with her second-place finish at Market Rasen in November 2023 flanked by heavy defeats; return to the best form would give her frame possibilities.

16/1

8th

8

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

14:55 Taunton

Viva Valentina

11st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Thrice-raced mare who looks far from solid, with her second-place finish at Market Rasen in November 2023 flanked by heavy defeats; return to the best form would give her frame possibilities.

16/1

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third in both points and he was beaten just a head when 5-2 joint-favourite on bumper debut at Kempton (2m, good to soft) in February; that was promising and he's one to consider on this second rules start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

20th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Warwick

Il Va De Soi

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Put a disappointing run of form behind him when returning to winning ways over C&D (good) 11 days ago, making all; whether he can reproduce that effort is another matter but he is still well handicapped on his old form.

11/4

1st

7

9th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

19:07 Warwick

Il Va De Soi

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

His two wins came on soft in April 2024; out of sorts over fences and hurdles this term; cheekpieces return and has dropped to a career-low mark but doesn't look ready to take advantage.

14/1

8th

3

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:00 Huntingdon

Il Va De Soi

11st 8lb

J: Megan Fox

T: Harry Derham

His two wins came on soft in April 2024; out of sorts over fences and hurdles this term; drops back in trip but his best form has been over further.

16/1

Non-runners

Il Va De Soi

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £109.00
Straight Forecast £177.29
Trifecta £560.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Support Act

Telegraph:

Booster Bob

LAMBOURN:

Il Va De Soi

The Star:

Ballywhatsit

Daily Mail:

Booster Bob

The Sun:

Booster Bob

RP Ratings:

Support Act

POSTDATA:

Support Act

The Times:

Support Act

The Guardian:

Support Act

Daily Mirror:

Support Act

Daily Record:

Support Act

D Express:

Il Va De Soi