December 26 / 11.55 Aintree

11.55

Soft

William Hill Double Your Odds Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Mares’ Hurdle Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
William Hill Double Your Odds Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Mares’ Hurdle Qualifier)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1-12 D BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner; wasn't remotely troubled to justify market confidence on hurdling debut at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) in November; bettered that form when second under penalty at Warwick since (2m5f, soft) and the third wasn't beaten that far in Grade 2 at Cheltenham recently; the fact she's gone off at 6-4 or shorter on her three starts under rules suggests she's well regarded by leading stable; likely to have a big say on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 1

13:15 Ffos Las

Cherie DAm

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Useful mare who completed the full jumps set with her commanding performance in Listed novice event at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft; second chase attempt) last month, adding to her point, bumper and hurdle wins; acts on soft; major contender even with 5lb penalty back against males.

9/4

9

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 1

13:15 Ffos Las

Cherie DAm

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

prominent

9/4

1st

1

12th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Warwick

Cherie DAm

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Ran well in defeat in Graded novice hurdles on final two starts last season (2m4f/3m, soft) and reappeared with respectable third of three against males on chase debut at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) in October; the return to a left-handed track could suit and she's one to consider.

13/2

Form: 4217-7

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won a mares' maiden hurdle at Haydock (2m3f, good to soft) in April; creditable seventh in a competitive juvenile handicap at Cheltenham later that month; might have needed the run when filling the same position on her 2m1f Carlisle reappearance 61 days ago; eased 2lb and the step back up in trip may help; tongue tied first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Golden Glance

10st 8lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won a Haydock maiden hurdle in 2023 (2m3f, good to soft) and lightly raced in the meantime; tailed off in her last three handicaps and had wind surgery since the latest; risky.

25/1

9th

8

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Golden Glance

11st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Sole win was in a Haydock maiden (2m3f, good to soft) in April 2023 and she's finished tailed off in both runs since returning from a long absence in December; has plenty to prove and she's untried at this trip.

25/1

7th

9

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:20 Ludlow

Golden Glance

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Haydock maiden hurdle (2m3f, good to soft) winner in April 2023 who had bits and pieces of handicap form the following season; tailed off on her return from a 617-day absence at Wetherby (about 2m5f, soft) in December and that outing will have needed to bring her on a good deal.

25/1

11/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 55-532 D BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Showed she's down to a mark she can be very competitive from when runner-up over 3m1f at Catterick (good to soft) 32 days ago; effective over this shorter distance but probably vulnerable to less-exposed sorts here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

8th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

15:15 Sedgefield

Could Be Trouble

11st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Scored at Haydock (2m5f) in March and largely in good nick since, though she beat only one in 2m4f Worcester handicap hurdle 33 days ago; she's the sort to bounce back.

14/1

7

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Worcester

Could Be Trouble

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

First-time visor and enjoyed a soft lead when winning at Haydock (2m5f, good) in March; bumped into one when second last time but that still completed a subsequent run of double-figure defeats.

9/1

Form: 1-431 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Came clear in useful Bangor bumper (good to soft) in autumn 2022; progressive over hurdles since returning from a year off, making a successful quick switch to handicap company over 2m4f at Southwell (good to soft) nine days ago; that was a conditional jockeys' event so she escapes a penalty; strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

24th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:12 Uttoxeter

Realisation

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Charlie Longsdon

Won by 5l at Sedgefield (3m2f, good) but after a bold ride she was comfortably reeled in on her return visit; probably able off this mark if this race pans out more effectively.

4/1

2nd

2

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

15:10 Sedgefield

Realisation

11st 8lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Charlie Longsdon

Reliable sort who capitalised on a slipping mark when getting off the mark over C&D 22 days ago; back up 6lb but she can go well again.

7/4

1st

3

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

15:38 Sedgefield

Realisation

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Charlie Longsdon

0-8 over fences but made the frame three consecutive times towards end of last year, perhaps most notably when third of ten at Lingfield (2m6f, good) on second occasion; contender if suited by this new trip.

9/2

Form: /1220-

Last run: 276 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdle debut at Hexham last November and better form when runner-up at Ludlow (2m5f) and Ffos Las (2m4f) on next two outings; ended last season with a tame run in a very competitive handicap hurdle at Newbury, after which she left Dan Skelton (same owner); returns having had wind op.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:35 Hereford

Royale Dance

12st 2lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Noel Williams

Had rather mixed record over hurdles last season but her clearcut win at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in January was a good performance, and her Irish point dead-heat in 2021 bodes well for her prospects on this chasing debut; unraced on ground quicker than good to soft.

12/1

1

13th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:35 Hereford

Royale Dance

12st 2lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Noel Williams

Had rather mixed record over hurdles last season but her clearcut win at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in January was a good performance, and her Irish point dead-heat in 2021 bodes well for her prospects on this chasing debut; unraced on ground quicker than good to soft.

12/1

7

18th Apr 2024

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Cheltenham

Royale Dance

11st 1lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Noel Williams

Won with authority under Dylan Johnston at Leicester (2m4f, soft; five ran) in January on second start for this yard but has made two backward steps since; that latest came when tried at 3m, which sees the cheekpieces go on today and she's got a bit to prove.

25/1

OUR TIP

13/2

Form: 12- D

Last run: 288 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Picked up for £145,000 after winning an Irish point and she made a promising start under rules earlier in the year, winning then second in 2m4f novice hurdles on good to soft and soft; brings unexposed potential to this handicap debut if fully tuned up after 288 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

8

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:38 Doncaster

Ah Whisht

11st 7lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

midfield

25/1

15th

8

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:38 Doncaster

Ah Whisht

11st 7lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

midfield

25/1

11

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 3

13:38 Hereford

Ah Whisht

10st 5lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Still unexposed after only six rules starts but was well beaten in all three handicap hurdles last season and fell on her chasing debut six weeks ago; others have much more obvious claims.

20/1

Form: 2101-6 D BF

Last run: 61 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Listed bumper winner who was 3-6 in maiden and novice hurdles last season; disappointed when a well-beaten favourite on her Ludlow chase/handicap debut in October but could resume her progression now back hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

26th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

11:55 Aintree

Poetic Music

12st 0lb

J: Daire Davis

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent

13/2

6th

2

26th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:40 Ludlow

Poetic Music

11st 12lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Listed bumper winner who was 3-6 in novice hurdles last season; makes chase/handicap debut after six-month absence but is unexposed over this sort of trip and could have a good future over fences.

7/2

1st

2

27th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

13:30 Perth

Poetic Music

11st 12lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Outclassed in the 2m1f Grade 2 for mares at Cheltenham but was having a pleasing first season over hurdles before that and looks a major player at this lower level.

Evs

Form: 16-663 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Mopped up in mares' handicap hurdles at up to 3m last season, winning five; best run this season when third of six at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) 26 days ago but remains 3lb above her last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

19:00 Market Rasen

Lone Star

11st 13lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Capitalised upon some considerable help from the handicapper when winning over C&D (good) just under a year ago and returns here after a decent effort at Kelso this month, but she's nothing like the force of old and has become inconsistent.

9/2

5th

5

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Lone Star

11st 11lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Last win came off a 5lb lower mark at Market Rasen in June last year (2m4f, good); not at her best last time but has a chance on her previous run when third at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft).

9/1

10th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:07 Newcastle

Lone Star

11st 11lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Scored at Market Rasen (on good ground) last June and she returned from a seven-month absence with a very good third of nine over C&D 11 days ago; this C&D winner can go very well off an unchanged mark.

6/1

Form: 62-3F5

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Ran five times for Colm Murphy in Ireland, best efforts when placed in maiden hurdles at Kilbeggan (2m3f) in April and Tramore (2m5f; made most) in June; may not have stayed 2m7f when a remote fifth in Exeter novice hurdle on last month's first outing for Neil Mulholland; drops back in trip for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

15th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

12:23 Southwell

Hamartia

11st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Back on track with last month's Huntingdon fourth (3m, good), but once again couldn't tease out her resources for long enough and the change of headgear looks worth a go; player if that works with mark never lower.

9/2

5th

6

15th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

12:23 Southwell

Hamartia

11st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Back on track with last month's Huntingdon fourth (3m, good), but once again couldn't tease out her resources for long enough and the change of headgear looks worth a go; player if that works with mark never lower.

9/2

4th

2

8th Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:35 Huntingdon

Hamartia

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

Twice runner-up over fences in May, including over C&D, but she turned in a below-par seventh back hurdling at Worcester (2m7f) last month; she needs to bounce back.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.80
Straight Forecast £27.79
Tricast £177.33
Trifecta £178.90

Selections

Telegraph:

Cherie D'Am

SPOTLIGHT:

Realisation

RP RATINGS:

Could Be Trouble

WEST COUNTRY:

Poetic Music

Daily Mail:

Cherie D'Am

D Express:

Cherie D'Am

The Sun:

Cherie D'Am

Daily Record:

Cherie D'Am

The Guardian:

Realisation

Daily Mirror:

Realisation

The Star:

Realisation

The Times:

Poetic Music

TOPSPEED:

Could Be Trouble

POSTDATA:

Could Be Trouble