January 12 / 14.30 Wincanton

14.30

Soft

Bruton Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4092.77
  • 1m 7f 50y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
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Bruton Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 00-841 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Found improvement when fourth in big field at Exeter on handicap debut, before grabbing a narrow win in 12-runner handicap at Ludlow (again 2m on good to soft) later in November; up 7lb but considered seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:27 Ludlow

Little Pi

11st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Sam Allwood

Tended to hang when failing favourite backers off this mark here (2m5f) last month but that was another solid enough run; should be heavily involved.

5/1

3rd

3

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:52 Ludlow

Little Pi

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Sam Allwood

Resurgent 8yo who kept on well to score at Huntingdon (2m3f, soft) three weeks ago; recent 3lb rise does not look excessive and he could plausibly have untapped potential over this longer trip; major player.

11/4

1st

6

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

12:50 Huntingdon

Little Pi

11st 2lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Sam Allwood

Has proved resurgent with a pair of second-place finishes and the latest effort, over C&D, is a solid piece of form; back up 5lb but has won off this mark; respected.

6/4

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: -P6241 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Fortunes have turned over hurdles on soft/heavy on last three starts, two over C&D including when ridden much more prominently to score in nine-runner race six days ago; 7lb penalty demands more but he has to be in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

14th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Daany

10st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

Turned his attention to chasing fairly late in life but made a solid start when second of six at Wincanton in April; didn't back that up when never travelling at Hereford (also 2m, good) nine days ago and has a question to answer after that.

16/1

4

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

20:17 Hereford

Daany

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joe Tickle

Four-time hurdle winner, all at around 2m; made a belated switch to fences last month and shaped with plenty of encouragement when runner-up at Wincanton (2m, good), which also represented a return to some form; needs to back that up but he remains well treated and is one to consider.

6/1

2nd

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 149y

Class 5

15:27 Wincanton

Daany

10st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Three-time Flat winner and successful four times over hurdles; however, hasn't been running all that well under either code following a year on the sidelines and this is a belated first attempt at chasing.

16/1

16/1

  • Place: £5.20

Form: 0/8-3P

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Point and chase (2m4f, soft) winner who returned from another lengthy absence with a respectable third over hurdles at Exeter (2m) in November; pulled up when switched back to fences there three weeks ago and longer trips than this would seem to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:50 Worcester

Tribesmans Glory

10st 12lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

Won off this mark on good ground at Warwick last May; only effort of note this year was his third at Chepstow in March; others safer.

12/1

5

21st May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:50 Warwick

Tribesmans Glory

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Pulled up on heavy ground on two of last three appearances but between those he ran a big race when third on good ground at Chepstow (2m3f); back on a sound surface today and only 2lb higher than when landing this prize in 2024; respected.

10/1

4th

5

21st May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:50 Warwick

Tribesmans Glory

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Pulled up on heavy ground on two of last three appearances but between those he ran a big race when third on good ground at Chepstow (2m3f); back on a sound surface today and only 2lb higher than when landing this prize in 2024; respected.

10/1

Form: 7P79

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Third in his only Irish point; soundly beaten in three novice/maiden hurdles and it was the same story when switched to a handicap at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy; 22-1 in second-time hood) three weeks ago; prominent long way in the latter and drops back in trip today but he has no solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

Double Powerful

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Good second in major handicap at Kempton (2m5f) in January, putting a few non-completions (fences/hurdles) behind him; has performed below market expectations in two starts since but is a likely player provided he bounces back with usual hood removed.

7/1

8th

4

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Kempton

Double Powerful

11st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Six wins in 2024 but out of luck since; only third in this race last year but a sterling effort when runner-up in the Lanzarote over C&D in January off this mark and he'll be better off back at this trip after the race didn't pan out for him at Musselburgh (3m) since; respected.

11/2

5th

4

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Double Powerful

11st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Back hurdling for last two starts, coming a cropper again on first occasion (hampered) but second of 15 from the back in the Lanzarote at Kempton (2m5f, good; has won on soft/heavy) nine days later; progressive when he does complete and he showed at Aintree last April that he stays 3m; player.

7/2

Form: O22

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Ran out at the final flight on debut; second at Kempton and Taunton (both 2m on good to soft) behind odds-on shots trained by Jane Williams; now sports cheekpieces; while he looks nothing out of the ordinary, this should be a realistic mark for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

1st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:30 Warwick

Great Valley

12st 1lb

J: Mr Guy Sankey

T: N Gittins

Unbeaten in six since February 2025, encompassing 2m4f-3m contests around various track and going types; effortless transition to hunter chases at Ludlow latest (2m4f, good), and although patiently ridden there his proven ability at making all might yet come in handy down in trip.

4/6

1st

4

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:57 Ludlow

Great Valley

11st 12lb

J: Mr Guy Sankey

T: N Gittins

Has a mountain to climb on BHA ratings but his was earned over hurdles and he's been going great guns in points during the past 12 months or so; it's also worth bearing in mind that in late 2024 he got to within 3l of this month's Cheltenham Festival hero Barton Snow in a 3m point; only a 6yo and could run well.

11/4

5th

13

12th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:30 Wincanton

Great Valley

10st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, jumped right 1st, outpaced from 2 out, no extra run-in

3/1

Form: 5324-5

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Still useful at 1m6f on the Flat in 2022; nothing like so good in his five runs over hurdles, giving some renewed encouragement on latest start but he still needs to build on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

30th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

13:00 Chepstow

Dancing Harry

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Roger Teal

Fairly useful on the Flat but 0-6 over hurdles; ran well when fifth on return to this sphere at Taunton (2m, good to soft) last month but was below that form on his latest outing and his stamina heads into unknown territory here; others preferred.

10/1

6th

1

12th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:30 Wincanton

Dancing Harry

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Roger Teal

prominent, disputing second after 3 out, lost position after 2 out, weakened approaching last

8/1

Form: 87/2-7

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced 10yo; cheekpieces (kept since) for handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) in December 2022 and proved vastly more competitive, beaten a neck with the front pair well clear; not disgraced when next seen three weeks ago over that same C&D on heavy; chance if he's come on since that run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

26th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

14:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Staar

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

Lightly raced since going close over hurdles at the end of 2022 and didn't show enough on his return from another absence over fences at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in December to make him of interest here; 3lb out of the weights.

25/1

7th

8

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

12:45 Leicester

Staar

10st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

visibility reduced by fog, in touch with leaders

10/1

7th

8

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

12:45 Leicester

Staar

10st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

visibility reduced by fog, in touch with leaders

10/1

Form: 5458-6

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Showed something on hurdle debut last January but tailed off all three starts since; as with several in this, hopes for him rest on going handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Rivers Corner

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Easy win at Wincanton (3m2f, heavy) in January and bounced back from Haydock flop to win at Exeter (3m6f, good) recently, despite a bad mistake; clearly on the up and his stable has won two of the last six runnings.

9/2

1st

3

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Rivers Corner

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Tended to jump left on last two outings but that didn't stop him beating recent Midlands Grand National winner Isaac Des Obeaux by 21l at right-handed Wincanton (3m2f, heavy; first-time tongue-tie) on first occasion; pulled up in valuable Haydock marathon since but will be fine on the forecast good ground here and is a contender if back on song.

9/2

8

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Rivers Corner

10st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Running well in defeat this season, including over an extended 3m4f, before producing a career-best in a first-time tongue-tie to win easily at Wincanton (extended 3m2f, heavy); hit with a 9lb rise but he was impressive last time and could have more to offer in the tongue-tie; respected.

8/1

Form: 474

Last run: 68 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
0-7 on Flat with two minor honours at about 1m4f; low-level form in his three runs this autumn over hurdles but this handicap hurdle debut, even from out of the weights proper, comes off a lowly mark and he's tongue tied first time; yard also has Sangiovese; one to check for market support.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(2)

24th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:47 Lingfield (AW)

Cosmic View

9st 9lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Chequered career since close up in C&D novice as a 3yo but there has been the odd bit of encouragement and the drop in grade paid off when rallying to retake the lead inside the final furlong at Wolverhampton (1m4f; cheekpieces refitted) last month; should go well again.

5/1

1st

1

(4)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Cosmic View

9st 9lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

prominent, led after 1f, headed and prominent after 4f

12/1

Form: 386

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Has shown a little ability at big odds with headgear over 2m (good to soft) on all three starts but more is required for this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:05 Taunton

Pivotal Sky

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Mitchell Hunt

raced wide, in touch with leaders, niggled along after 3rd

25/1

10th

16

12th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:30 Wincanton

Pivotal Sky

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Mitchell Hunt

never going well, always behind, tailed off

40/1

6th

9

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

12:20 Taunton

Pivotal Sky

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Mitchell Hunt

Beaten 21l when third in 2m Ludlow juvenile hurdle on debut and comfortably held at Exeter since; first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) need to spark major improvement.

66/1

7/1

Form: 33-4

Last run: 92 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Similar form for minor honours in his one bumper and two hurdle races; off three months before this handicap debut and his stable is among the winners, so the improvement he needs can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

22nd Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Kooky

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jane Williams

took keen hold, held up in rear, hit 12th, no impression before 4 out

33/1

7th

12

17th Jul 2024

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

15:40 Uttoxeter

Kooky

10st 6lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Pulled up on a couple of occasions earlier this year (hurdle and a chase) and only slightly better over fences at Worcester (2m7f) the last twice; easing mark, but no obvious reason why he can make it 10th-time lucky.

20/1

6th

14

26th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:53 Worcester

Kooky

10st 8lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Well beaten in three handicap hurdles during the winter (1m7f-2m5f) and also in two handicap chases this spring (2m5f/2m7f), latterly with today's headgear combination added; big leap of faith needed to support him.

25/1

Form: 31/050 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won a good-ground bumper in September 2021 but, following a long absence, he finished down the field this winter on his first three hurdle starts (heavy/soft); latest was C&D one month ago when last of 15 at 125-1; makes handicap debut and market can guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

14

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

18:10 Uttoxeter

Renegade Arrow

10st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

Absent for over two years after bumper win in 2021 and was soundly beaten on all four hurdling starts last season; up in trip today.

33/1

12th

10

12th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:30 Wincanton

Renegade Arrow

11st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Neil Mulholland

never going well, always behind, tailed off

16/1

15th

12

12th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

12:45 Wincanton

Renegade Arrow

11st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Neil Mulholland

Won a good-ground bumper in September 2021 but, following a long absence, he finished down the field last month on his first two hurdle starts (2m, heavy/soft) and has to raise his game in a big way.

66/1

Form: /97P-9

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
His standout piece of form remains a 125-1 second in a maiden hurdle at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) in April 2021; two lengthy absences and well held in handicaps on last four starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

21st Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

13:15 Wincanton

Mr Sociable

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

prominent, went second 7th, struggling when lost second 11th, weakened 4 out, pulled up 3 out

13/2

8

21st Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

13:15 Wincanton

Mr Sociable

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

prominent, went second 7th, struggling when lost second 11th, weakened 4 out, pulled up 3 out

13/2

3rd

14

27th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:52 Wincanton

Mr Sociable

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Chris Down

pressed leader early, raced in second after 3rd

16/1

Form: P64-00

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Showed a glimmer of ability in one run last March but subsequent Flat and hurdle outings (two 2m handicaps in this sphere) have not gone well; tongue tied on penultimate outing (Flat) and again today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

12th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:30 Wincanton

Sous Surveillance

11st 3lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

in touch with leaders, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

66/1

10th

12

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

11:45 Taunton

Sous Surveillance

11st 2lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Tailed off when 66-1 for handicap hurdle debut at Plumpton in May and struggled in low-grade Flat races afterwards.

100/1

Non-runners

Milton Boy, Robber's Bridge, Sangiovese, Starevitch

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.60
Straight Forecast £19.74
Tricast £234.32
Trifecta £260.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Great Valley

Telegraph:

Daany

WEST COUNTRY:

Kooky

D Express:

Little Pi

RP RATINGS:

Great Valley

POSTDATA:

Great Valley

The Times:

Great Valley

The Guardian:

Great Valley

Daily Mail:

Great Valley

Daily Mirror:

Great Valley

The Sun:

Great Valley

Daily Record:

Great Valley

The Star:

Daany