December 09 / 15.15 Aintree

15.15

Soft

Boylesports Extra Place Races Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Boylesports Extra Place Races Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 813-34 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Third of 20 in competitive C&D handicap (good to soft) in April and has also run well in defeat on both starts this season, at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) and in the Greatwood at Cheltenham (2m, soft) last time; this step back up in trip should be in his favour and he's a solid contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

18:15 Hexham

Sonigino

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Useful hurdler with 6-22 strike-rate; beat sole other finisher by 16l on chasing debut at Fakenham (2m5f, good) four weeks ago; that form is not easy to read but he jumped soundly and should go well again.

13/8

1st

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

15:25 Fakenham

Sonigino

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Very useful hurdler with 6-22 strike-rate; has shown his form on only one of three starts since returning from a long absence this season, when close third at Sandown (2m4f, good) two starts ago, but has obvious claims if on song for this chasing debut.

11/8

10th

6

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Sonigino

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Ended 2023-24 season in poor form and had 596 days off before this term; Sandown (2m4f) on latest start was promising, though, as he didn't get the best of runs but kept on well to be a close third of ten; unraced beyond 2m5f but that latest performance makes him interesting.

9/2

16/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 2-1546 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Steadily progressive 6yo who won twice in the spring (2m4f, good to yielding/good) and was a respectable sixth of 20 at Cheltenham (2m5f, good to soft) three weeks ago; also effective on soft; last time was his first run since July and he may be able to build on it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Prince Zaltar

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won over hurdles on stable debut in September and was third in valuable chase at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December; struggled in heavy-ground hurdle last month but he's better than that and now returns to fences on a good mark; might be the answer.

9/2

8

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 5y

Class 3

16:10 Warwick

Prince Zaltar

10st 12lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

3m winner over fences in Ireland and made a winning debut for this yard over hurdles in September (2m5f, good to soft); his subsequent defeats, all over 3m and divided between hurdles and fences, suggest his current mark is on the high side.

5/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 2421-2 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Two novice hurdle wins (2m3f/2m, good to soft) during last season's first campaign and she also ran well on soft; good second on last month's handicap and seasonal debut at Wincanton (2m5f, good to soft) and this lightly raced 6yo could have more to offer for her top trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Fakenham

Vicki Vale

12st 0lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Deborah Cole

Dual hurdle winner when trained by Dan Sketon, but absent since her fourth at Ludlow (2m5f, good) for this stable in October 2024 and entitled to benefit from this outing.

20/1

2

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

13:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Vicki Vale

11st 8lb

J: Chris Ward

T: Deborah Cole

Dual hurdle winner for Dan Skelton, a yard she left after two quiet runs over fences; pulled up in that discipline on stable debut but showed a bit more spark back over hurdles at Ludlow; nothing wrong with her mark.

16/1

2

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

13:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Vicki Vale

11st 8lb

J: Chris Ward

T: Deborah Cole

Dual hurdle winner for Dan Skelton, a yard she left after two quiet runs over fences; pulled up in that discipline on stable debut but showed a bit more spark back over hurdles at Ludlow; nothing wrong with her mark.

16/1

Form: 211P-4 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in Coral Cup on final run last season and didn't really shine on chase/seasonal debut at Carlisle; however, he's just 3lb higher than when winning a competitive handicap hurdle at Kelso in March (2m5f, good to soft; also effective on soft); second in this last year and capable of going well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:20 Kelso

Benson

12st 1lb

J: William Maggs

T: Sandy Thomson

Last of his six wins over hurdles was off a 25lb higher mark at Musselburgh in January 2024 (2m4f, soft); mainly disappointing since then, including when tried over fences; best watched for now.

14/1

9

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

18:28 Hexham

Benson

10st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Sandy Thomson

One-time very useful handicapper; nothing like as good these days and has finished last on last two starts, latest a four-runner C&D handicap last month; very well handicapped (dropped a further 4lb for his run last time so now 22lb below last winning mark); plenty to prove at present.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 11-117 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row in the spring (2m-2m3f, various ground) and completed a four-timer at Carlisle (2m4f, soft) on last month's comeback; he's better than he showed at Haydock (2m3f, good to soft) a fortnight ago but needs to leave that performance well behind here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:20 Aintree

Fingals Hill

11st 5lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Peter Atkinson

5lb higher than when a 6l winner of this last year, beating Ike Sport; returns on the back of two solid efforts at Newcastle; chance.

6/1

2nd

1

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Fingals Hill

12st 0lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Peter Atkinson

This race was one of the three he won last season, all of them on good or good to soft at this trip; on his last winning mark and, after his running-on second over 2m1f here last time, should go well again.

2/1

2nd

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Fingals Hill

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Peter Atkinson

Won back to back at Aintree & Hexham (both 2m4f) last summer, rising to a career-high mark of 134; kicked off 2026 with a solid effort at Doncaster (2m4f, soft; runner-up) and he's capable of bouncing back from a lesser effort at Kelso since.

5/1

Form: 32/314

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Returned from very long absence with good third at Market Rasen (2m, good) in September and won easily at Chepstow (2m, heavy) next time; fair fourth at Ascot (1m7f, soft) most recently and the time looks right for this step back up in trip; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

16th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Worcester

Chance A Tune

11st 3lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

held up in rear, some headway 5th, not fluent 6th, went third before 4 out, chased clear leader when not fluent 3 out

7/2

2

4th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

14:50 Plumpton

Chance A Tune

11st 9lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Dual hurdle winner who got off the mark over fences at the second attempt, keeping on strongly to win readily at Hereford (2m3f, soft) eight days ago; has 7lb penalty to shoulder but still commands respect.

6/4

1st

3

25th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

15:40 Hereford

Chance A Tune

11st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Acts on heavy; below best switched to fences at Ludlow (2m; behind Abingworth) last time but may improve with that experience under his belt; bred to make a chaser and looks nicely treated on hurdles form.

9/2

Form: 411-31 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Last season concluded with two wins (2m4f, soft/good) and he improved upon his reappearance third at Wincanton to win at Wetherby (2m3f, heavy) three weeks ago; travelled well last time and appeared to idle in front, and a 7lb rise could underestimate his dominance; strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Bashers Reflection

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Respectable strike-rate over hurdles; record of 0-6 since switched to fences but has place possibilities on most of that form.

11/2

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Bashers Reflection

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Respectable strike-rate over hurdles; record of 0-6 since switched to fences but has place possibilities on most of that form.

11/2

3rd

10

15th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:20 Kempton

Bashers Reflection

10st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Record of 0-5 since switched to fences but turn looks near, having finished second at Wetherby and Newbury the last twice; however, needs some improvement to go one better in this stronger grade.

8/1

Form: 1222-3

Last run: 222 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won at Musselburgh (1m7f, soft) last November when back from a break and has run well in defeat on his four starts since, most recently at Down Royal (3m, yielding) in May; can go well fresh and could be a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 3

13:40 Musselburgh

Holmes St Georges

10st 8lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

Just 1-9 over hurdles but bounced back quickly from a disappointing December run when close second in competitive handicap here (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day and will pose a threat if able to transfer that form to fences at the first attempt; first-time tongue-tie.

10/1

2nd

6

1st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 2

13:10 Musselburgh

Holmes St Georges

11st 1lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

in touch with leaders in centre of group

12/1

8th

4

9th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Aintree

Holmes St Georges

11st 2lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: S R B Crawford

Won at Musselburgh (1m7f, soft) last November when back from a break and has run well in defeat on his four starts since, most recently at Down Royal (3m, yielding) in May; can go well fresh and could be a player.

8/1

Form: 61-649 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won off this mark at Ayr (2m4f, good) in April and returned from break with fair fourth at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in October; making headway when blundering at Musselburgh last time and this 11yo is an each-way possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

16th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:20 Perth

Voix Du Reve

11st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Iain Jardine

Grade 1 chase winner when trained by Willie Mullins; dual hurdle winner at up to 2m4f since; best on a sound surface; mostly out of sorts in the past year but is slipping to a dangerous mark.

16/1

5th

6

16th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:20 Perth

Voix Du Reve

11st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Iain Jardine

Grade 1 chase winner when trained by Willie Mullins; dual hurdle winner at up to 2m4f since; best on a sound surface; mostly out of sorts in the past year but is slipping to a dangerous mark.

16/1

3rd

5

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Voix Du Reve

11st 6lb

J: Mr Dominic Hislop

T: Iain Jardine

Won this last year and now 8lb lower; market check advised but this 12yo has been below par on his last few runs; needs to turn things around.

25/1

Form: /411-6 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won last season on his first two hurdle starts (2m3f, soft/good to soft); beaten 21l when sixth of 20 on handicap and seasonal debut at Navan (2m, soft to heavy) three weeks ago but that gives him something to build on and this unexposed 6yo is open to improvement now back up in trip; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:25 Leicester

Largy Shark

12st 0lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: W H Easterby

Two novice hurdle wins in 2022-23 season (including on soft) and he won a point (2m6f, good) last March; bang there when falling at final fence in a point in December; however, not discounted now back under rules.

11/2

5th

8

6th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Largy Shark

11st 12lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: S R B Crawford

towards rear, headway 6th, went second before 7th, pressed leader when pecked on landing 3 out

33/1

5th

8

6th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Largy Shark

11st 12lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: S R B Crawford

towards rear, headway 6th, went second before 7th, pressed leader when pecked on landing 3 out, weakened from 2 out

33/1

Non-runners

Rafferty's Return

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £45.10
Straight Forecast £47.77
Tricast £192.96
Trifecta £243.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bashers Reflection

POSTDATA:

Sonigino

TOPSPEED:

Holmes St Georges

RP RATINGS:

Benson

Daily Record:

Vicki Vale

Daily Mail:

Bashers Reflection

Daily Mirror:

Bashers Reflection

The Star:

Bashers Reflection

WEST COUNTRY:

Sonigino

Telegraph:

Sonigino

The Sun:

Sonigino

The Times:

Holmes St Georges

D Express:

Holmes St Georges

The Guardian:

Benson