December 01 / 12.10 Newbury

12.10

Good To Soft

Coral Get Closer To The Action “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6535.2
  • 2m 0f 69y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Coral Get Closer To The Action “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

1/3 (Won)

  • Win: £1.37
  • Place: £1.10

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Easily justified favouritism in Irish point in March and looks an exciting prospect judged on Nicky Henderson's glowing comments in Stable Tour; trainer's excellent record in this race cements the appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Jeriko Du Reponet

12st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Hasn't looked a natural in his five chases (beaten favourite in Kim Muir last time) but he did very well over hurdles in cheekpieces last spring, finishing second to stablemate Doddiethegreat in the Pertemps at Cheltenham before getting the better of him at Punchestown (2m7f, yielding); could stage a revival back over hurdles.

12/1

12th

1

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Jeriko Du Reponet

12st 0lb

J: Mr Derek O’Connor

T: Nicky Henderson

He hasn't looked a natural in his four chases; however, on the two previous occasions he wore these cheekpieces he ran mighty races in hot handicap hurdles last spring (including runner-up in the Pertemps Final here) and top Irish amateur Derek O'Connor rides today; respected.

3/1

25/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 232-67

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has failed to transfer his consistent bumper form to two hurdles attempts, distant seventh over C&D latest; as things stand, he'll be more interesting when qualified for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

King William Rufus

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Two wins last season, the latter when holding on gamely in 16-runner handicap on New course here (2m1f, good) in April; needs another career-best performance today but still enters calculations.

5/1

1st

8

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

17:00 Cheltenham

King William Rufus

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Chris Gordon

Ascot winner in December off 7lb lower (1m7f, good to soft); this represents a welcome drop in grade after contesting two high-profile handicaps and he's not out of it.

8/1

33/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 35

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Solid second (form has substance) in Irish point; hasn't fared so well in Fontwell bumper (beaten favourite) and Cheltenham maiden hurdle for new stable but may do better yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

19:39 Plumpton

Sea Invasion

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

All four wins have come here, three over fences at around 3m and one over hurdles at 2m4f; latest success over fences came here last month in this headgear combination, but he's just as effective over hurdles and a key player reverting to this sphere off a small rise.

15/8

1st

4

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

16:02 Plumpton

Sea Invasion

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Both wins over fences have been over C&D, the first in first-time headgear a year ago; not at his best when fifth in the Sussex National back here 13 days ago but must be taken seriously down in grade with visor replacing blinkers.

7/2

Form: 1P- D

Last run: 230 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Easy debut success at Taunton (good to soft) is the best piece of bumper form in this field; pulled too hard in Aintree Grade 2 when last seen but holds major claims provided he settles better switched to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:30 Newton Abbot

Centara

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive over fences in the first half of last season, winning here four times (2m, good to soft/good); 2m5f here appeared to stretch him last month following some time off; has a lower mark to work with back over hurdles and he could play a leading role back down in trip.

7/2

6th

4

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Newton Abbot

Centara

11st 5lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive over fences last summer, winning five handicaps (four here) at around 2m on ground no worse than good to soft, though he ended the campaign pulled up at Cheltenham; has since had a second wind op and could find more at this longer trip (2m3f hurdle winner), which will be needed off this mark following a break.

11/2

1

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Centara

11st 12lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive over fences, making it five handicap wins for the campaign (2m, good/good to soft) when making all in three-runner race at Newton Abbot last time; further progress is possible but necessary in this warm contest; can jump to the right.

16/1

Form: 55

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shaped with some promise in maiden hurdle at Doncaster (2m, good) two weeks ago, improving on his bumper effort; in good hands and could well take another step forward; place possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:30 Southwell

Mountain Pass

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

May not have been suited by the heavy ground when well beaten on last month's handicap debut but he dropped out very tamely on good ground at Huntingdon three weeks ago and comes here with a lot to prove; sports first-time cheekpieces.

16/1

3

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:30 Southwell

Mountain Pass

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

May not have been suited by the heavy ground when well beaten on last month's handicap debut but he dropped out very tamely on good ground at Huntingdon three weeks ago and comes here with a lot to prove; sports first-time cheekpieces.

16/1

2

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

14:10 Huntingdon

Mountain Pass

11st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Harry Derham

in touch with leaders

9/2

Form: 7-062

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-4 in Ireland for Roger McGrath, runner-up in modest maiden hurdle at Tramore (2m, heavy) most recently; needs improvement, being well below the usual standard required to win this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

29th Aug 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

17:48 Fontwell

Grasshopper Time

11st 4lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

0-13 over hurdles but went down fighting when close second at Southwell (2m4f, good) in May and again ran well at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) last month; well suited by ground slower than good; high on the list.

7/2

3

13th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:35 Stratford

Grasshopper Time

11st 4lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

Three runs since wind surgery and the blip came over fences; clear second at Southwell last time (2m4f, good) and might well have won had he not fluffed the last flight; should run well off just 3lb higher.

100/30

4

20th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:50 Southwell

Grasshopper Time

11st 7lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

Pulled up after sketchy round of jumping on chasing debut in February and now reverts to hurdling; given a chance by the handicapper in this sphere but his record is not compelling and he has raced mainly on ground slower than good.

7/1

Form: 0/0

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in one of her Irish point attempts; beaten long way in both rules outings, latest over C&D when back from lengthy absence; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

12:12 Uttoxeter

Im On My Way

11st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Neil Mulholland

Improving mare who did it fairly easily last month at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft; won on soft) and the second in that race has run well since; could take a further 10lb rise in her stride.

11/4

7

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

12:12 Uttoxeter

Im On My Way

11st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Neil Mulholland

Improving mare who did it fairly easily last month at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft; won on soft) and the second in that race has run well since; could take a further 10lb rise in her stride.

11/4

1st

1

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

14:55 Chepstow

Im On My Way

12st 0lb

J: Mr J W Hendrick

T: Neil Mulholland

Shrugged off a 10lb rise to win on her reappearance at Ffos Las (3m, good to soft) last month to land her third successive win in completed starts; up another 6lb but has scope and may well follow up.

11/4

Form: 95-465

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-4 in bumpers for Thomas Gallagher; distant fifth, never landing a blow, in 2m novice hurdle at Taunton on debut for Fergal O'Brien; pedigree suggests he may need longer distances.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

15:20 Leicester

Plaisir Des Flos

11st 4lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won five handicap hurdles on the bounce from last March onwards and has continued to hold his own, latterly behind a progressive winner at Bangor (2m7f, soft); had three months off prior to this chase debut but has to be of interest.

5/2

Non-runners

Heard That

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.70
Straight Forecast £25.37
Trifecta £119.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jeriko Du Reponet

POSTDATA:

Centara

WEST COUNTRY:

Centara

The Sun:

Centara

The Star:

Centara

LAMBOURN:

Jeriko Du Reponet

The Times:

Jeriko Du Reponet

Telegraph:

Jeriko Du Reponet

The Guardian:

Jeriko Du Reponet

Daily Mail:

Jeriko Du Reponet

D Express:

Jeriko Du Reponet

Daily Mirror:

Jeriko Du Reponet

Daily Record:

Jeriko Du Reponet