November 18 / 13.02 Uttoxeter

13.02

Heavy

Hobgoblin Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 3f 207y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Hobgoblin Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £3.10

Form: 3

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in three of her four Irish mares' maiden points; beaten 16l when third of six in bumper at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) four weeks ago but showed enough to be given a second look in this company on hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

14th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Easy To Follow

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

On the rise for previous yard in late 2023, winning back-to-back at Uttoxeter (maiden) and Fontwell (novice); mostly disappointing over fences (0-5), pulling up at Huntingdon in January when last seen; back to hurdles from fair mark on first start for Olly Murphy; consult the market.

10/1

2

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

14:05 Huntingdon

Easy To Follow

11st 4lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

No further successes since beating Batwomen by a neck in a Fontwell mares' novice hurdle in December 2023 (2m3f, heavy); mixed signals over fences of late as to whether this step up to 3m is needed, and cheekpieces wrought no improvement from her on one previous application.

5/2

5th

3

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

15:55 Leicester

Easy To Follow

11st 5lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Dual hurdle winner on heavy ground; the writing was on the wall a long way from home when last of the four behind Mighty Moth on her chase debut at Lingfield; cheekpieces are now enlisted.

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 8

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
His two Irish point runs in 2021 do not look much of a recommendation; beaten 28l when next seen in eighth of 15 in maiden hurdle at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft; 18-1) recently, so he needs a transformation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

14:05 Leicester

Rock Danse

12st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

2m4f hurdle winner (heavy); well treated on his best hurdles form; was perhaps too free on his chase debut at Ffos Las (2m5f, heavy) last December, before being pulled up at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft) latest; has dropped 8lb over those two starts and no surprise if he is able to show more.

8/1

9

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Rock Danse

11st 5lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Faded into fifth on last month's chase debut at Ffos Las (2m5f, heavy); however, he may have needed that first run since last February and this lightly raced 8yo has hinted at staying potential in a point and novice hurdles; no surprise if things click today.

10/1

9

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Rock Danse

11st 5lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Faded into fifth on last month's chase debut at Ffos Las (2m5f, heavy); however, he may have needed that first run since last February and this lightly raced 8yo has hinted at staying potential in a point and novice hurdles; no surprise if things click today.

10/1

Form: 352-

Last run: 223 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran in three bumpers for Harry Whittington last term, best effort when staying-on second at Ffos Las (2m, soft) in April when last seen; had wind surgery in September; major player if he takes to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

15:12 Perth

He Knows Better

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Went up 5lb for beating an exposed rival at Southwell (2m4f, soft; fine on good to soft) but he still ran well in a Class 3 at Newbury (2m6f) that didn't go entirely like clockwork; he could yet raise his bar higher; much respected.

3/1

3rd

4

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 3

14:30 Newbury

He Knows Better

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

An improving chaser who did well to overcome a late mistake and get up at Southwell (2m4f, soft; fine on good to soft); he is 5lb higher for beating an exposed rival that day and this represents a harder assignment; still commands considerable respect.

11/4

1st

4

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

14:55 Southwell

He Knows Better

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Fontwell maiden hurdle winner in May 2024 who's been competitive since handicapping over fences this term, bang there when coming down two out at Haydock (2m4f) in December before finishing runner-up in staying chases at Huntingdon and Warwick (all good to soft); drop back in trip probably no bother and he's a firm contender once more.

7/4

Form: 32-

Last run: 206 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No match for the principals in his two bumpers (on soft and good to soft) in the spring but made the frame; raised in trip for this hurdling debut and he's the first foal of a staying hurdler for these connections; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

31st Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Pearl Island

11st 6lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Record of 1-14 for Henry Daly, the win coming in a 3m handicap chase at Uttoxeter in late 2024 (in first-time blinkers that were retained until now); has lost his way but still only a 7yo and he's on a fair mark for this yard debut; may prefer slower ground, however.

20/1

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:10 Ludlow

Pearl Island

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

6yo who won in first-time blinkers (retained since) at Uttoxeter (2m7f, soft) in December on second chase start; however, two lesser runs have followed and he has to raise his game if he's to return to winning ways.

10/1

6th

3

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

13:35 Southwell

Pearl Island

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

disputed lead, reminder after 12th, lost position before 14th, weakened after 4 out

11/2

Form: 6/1U0- C

Last run: 219 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) last December on her fourth attempt at bumpers; jinked right, hit false rail and unseated rider at halfway in Sandown Listed race in March, before a heavy defeat at 100-1 in Aintree Grade 2 in April; has left Kim Bailey; best efforts put her in the argument.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

25th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:30 Cartmel

Saint Bibiana

11st 0lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

The four-timer came up short when a close second to Pounding Poet over 2m7f at Uttoxeter (good) but that was no backward step; a 2lb nudge does her no favours but this C&D winner is shortlisted.

100/30

3

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

15:37 Uttoxeter

Saint Bibiana

10st 12lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Progressive mare who kept on resolutely to win similar race to this over C&D (good; first-time cheekpieces) last month and has now won three in a row; another 7lb higher today but still makes obvious appeal.

4/1

12

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Uttoxeter

Saint Bibiana

10st 8lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Georgina Nicholls

Completed a hat-trick early last season and better than ever on her latest two starts for wins at Huntingdon (3m1f, good) and Warwick (3m2f, good); up 6lb into a much more competitive race and wears first-time cheekpieces after a fairly workmanlike display from the front last time.

11/2

Form: 9

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
3-7 in Irish points, the latest win on soft; however, at 11-2, faded to be beaten 20l in maiden hurdle at Kelso (2m, soft) three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Tara Cove

11st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Three-time Irish point winner; promising fifth on his handicap debut over hurdles but then pulled up on chase debut (behind Nine Nine Nine) and again disappointed back hurdling here four weeks ago; now has a point to prove.

16/1

6th

4

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Tara Cove

11st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Three-time Irish point winner; promising fifth on his handicap debut over hurdles but then pulled up on chase debut (behind Nine Nine Nine) and again disappointed back hurdling here four weeks ago; now has a point to prove.

16/1

5th

5

23rd Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

16:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Tara Cove

11st 7lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Three-time Irish point winner who made quite promising handicap hurdle debut when fifth at Uttoxeter (2m6f, heavy; first-time tongue-tie) in December; that form has worked out well but his chasing debut in January was very disappointing and he quickly reverts to hurdling with a point to prove.

8/1

Form: 5496

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fifth of 16 at Kilbeggan (yielding) in May on bumper debut but sold for 1,200gns after two lesser efforts; 150-1, hooded for stable/hurdle debut in C&D maiden (good to soft) six weeks ago but that heavy defeat seemed to confirm he's best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:25 Worcester

Willwekeephim

10st 4lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Pulled up in a maiden point, well beaten in bumpers and over hurdles; makes chasing debut but difficult to recommend.

66/1

11

4th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Willwekeephim

10st 10lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

taken down early, prominent

50/1

11th

8

18th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

20:33 Uttoxeter

Willwekeephim

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Modest form in bumpers and he's struggled at big prices in his three runs over hurdles (2m4f); hood worn in last three starts is now removed and he needs a transformation on handicap debut.

33/1

Non-runners

Classic Lord

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £37.60
Straight Forecast £41.51
Trifecta £120.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

He Knows Better

RP RATINGS:

Classic Lord

Daily Mail:

Pearl Island

The Times:

Saint Bibiana

WEST COUNTRY:

Rock Danse

LAMBOURN:

He Knows Better

The Guardian:

He Knows Better

D Express:

He Knows Better

Daily Mirror:

He Knows Better

The Sun:

He Knows Better

Daily Record:

He Knows Better

POSTDATA:

Classic Lord

Telegraph:

Classic Lord

The Star:

Classic Lord