January 16 / 13.15 Plumpton

13.15

Good To Soft

Mayo Wynne Baxter Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 4f 114y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Mayo Wynne Baxter Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: /86-1F

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Well backed, much improved to win a 2m3f maiden at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in November by 10l; in serious contention when falling two out at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) four weeks ago; one of three serious players on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

16:33 Hereford

Canty Bay

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Last won when scoring by 12l off this mark at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) in February 2024; only one start last term and he finished eighth of 13 on his comeback at Lingfield three weeks ago; that run wasn't devoid of promise, though; could step forward.

10/1

8th

1

19th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

14:20 Lingfield

Canty Bay

12st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Dual hurdle winner in 2023-24 season (2m3f/2m5f); absent since respectable fourth at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) in October 2024 but resumes on a good mark; market may guide.

12/1

4th

3

30th Oct 2024

Heavy

2m 5f 122y

Class 3

15:30 Newton Abbot

Canty Bay

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

prominent, hit 3 out, switched left and went third 2 out, weakening when hit last

13/2

Form: 332-14 D BF

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Maiden point winner who was placed in all three bumpers and made all on his hurdle/seasonal debut at Huntingdon in October; beaten 16l when 11-10 favourite at Catterick (again about 2m3f on good to soft) in November but that front-running fourth of 15 was similar form; excellent place chance on that but he apparently needs a bit better to take this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:00 Newton Abbot

Doc McCoy

11st 11lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Five-time hurdle winner but 0-6 over fences; hasn't had much go his way since scoring in October but he was still in contention when unseating three out over fences last time in a race won by Dunkerque; now 10lb better off with that rival and he should be competitive given a change in fortune; forecast rain is a concern though.

11/8

2

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:12 Southwell

Doc McCoy

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Strike-rate of 5-13 over hurdles and he's rated 10lb lower as a chaser (0-5); however, hasn't offered a lot in this discipline and it's over a year since he last went chasing.

8/1

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

16:00 Wincanton

Doc McCoy

11st 11lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Strike-rate of 5-12 over hurdles and won easily at Warwick (2m5f, good) before pulling up at Ascot in October; he does have a bit to prove off this mark even if returning in good order.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: /32-25

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in all three bumpers and he was narrowly ahead when making a bad mistake at the final flight on hurdle debut at Wetherby (2m3f, good) in October; 18-1 and beaten 15l when blinkered at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) last month but that was good form considering the company and despite racing very freely early on; the headgear is removed; big shout for in-form yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 4

14:20 Plumpton

Bob Bob Ricard

12st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Record of 3-6 over fences; only beat two rivals for the last of those wins (2m) but he ran well in a useful chase at Newbury a month ago (2m4f, good) and this is easier than that; respected.

100/30

3rd

1

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 4

14:20 Plumpton

Bob Bob Ricard

12st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Record of 3-6 over fences; only beat two rivals for the last of those wins (2m) but he ran well in a useful chase at Newbury a month ago (2m4f, good) and this is easier than that; respected.

100/30

4th

11

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Bob Bob Ricard

10st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won last May/June (2m/2m4f, good) in the first two of his five runs over fences, but it took a three-runner race for him to score again three weeks ago (Doncaster 2m, good) and he still threw in a blunder even then; in this company, others are a bit more persuasive.

4/1

Form:

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest form with one win (2m, AW) from ten starts on Flat for Sir Mark Prescott; tailed off on Flat debut for new yard and the same when 80-1 in C&D maiden hurdle last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Worcester

Captain Howse

10st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Karen Jewell

Sole win was an AW Flat race in 2022; easily his best show in eight appearances over hurdles was on latest start when second of six in handicap at Fontwell (near 2m6f, good) in June, giving some encouragement for this trip but he's now 4lb out of the handicap.

10/1

6

10th Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

20:50 Fontwell

Captain Howse

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Karen Jewell

Arguably ran a bit better than eventual 24l defeat suggests when sixth here (3m2f, good; Trevor's Lad close second) last month and may benefit from today's drop back in trip but, overall, his hurdling record is poor.

25/1

8

25th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:33 Fontwell

Captain Howse

10st 2lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Karen Jewell

Struggled over hurdles in the 2023-24 season and, following a layoff, was pulled up at Plumpton (3m1f, good) this month; might have needed that outing and remains unexposed over this sort of trip but is not easily recommended from 8lb out of the weights.

33/1

Form: 0/088

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Triple-figure odds for two bumpers and two hurdle races, the latest over C&D, and has failed to achieve much.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

13th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Lingfield

DAmbonnay

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Camilla Poulton

No impact in bumpers or three maiden/novice hurdles at up to 2m4f; may do better now handicapping in first-time cheekpieces, but 4lb wrong.

50/1

3

28th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 49y

Class 4

15:25 Fontwell

DAmbonnay

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Camilla Poulton

Has struggled to get competitive in two bumpers and two maiden hurdles (2m3f/2m4f); makes no appeal.

100/1

Form: 8

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third in an Irish maiden point in the mud last April; 18-1, no show when beaten 31l in novice hurdle at Kempton (2m5f, good) two months ago but was in demanding company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

23rd Oct 2024

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:30 Fontwell

Defi Nonantais

11st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

0-6 over hurdles and absent since a disappointing run in April but his first two handicap runs (2m5f/2m4f) were quite encouraging and improvement is possible this season; cheekpieces left off today.

10/1

5th

5

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:30 Exeter

Defi Nonantais

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Joe Tizzard

Has shown glimpses of promise in both novice and handicap company and stepped up slightly on his return from wind surgery when fifth at Plumpton (2m4f, good; first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces) latest; drops 2lb and likely to need more improvement to defy this mark.

20/1

Form: 35

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to smart chaser Eclair Surf; placed in two Irish points and also in Market Rasen bumper (good to soft) on rules debut in November; that's ordinary form, though, and he was beaten 42l when fifth of 11 in novice hurdle at Fontwell (2m1f, good to soft) three weeks ago; work to do.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

13:45 Taunton

Just One Surf

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Low-mileage 5yo who won a maiden hurdle here (2m, soft) in March; absent since pulled up on chasing debut in May (2m3f) but could still have a good future over fences and is unexposed over this sort of trip.

12/1

Form: UP5

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hard to fancy judged on his two points and three hurdle races.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:30 Southwell

No More No

11st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Lawney Hill

in touch with leaders, prominent 5th, led 12th, pushed along briefly 4 out, went clear going easily before 3 out, went further clear 2 out, ridden approaching last, easily

5/1

1st

2

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:30 Southwell

No More No

11st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Lawney Hill

in touch with leaders, prominent 5th, led 12th, pushed along briefly 4 out, went clear going easily before 3 out, went further clear 2 out, ridden approaching last, easily

5/1

7th

8

17th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 5

14:18 Wincanton

No More No

10st 9lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Lawney Hill

in touch with leaders, not fluent 6th

5/1

Form: 0P

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Always behind in a bumper and pulled up when tongue tied in a novice hurdle (2m5f, soft; 125-1) over three weeks later, both at Exeter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

9th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:00 Huntingdon

Rum Cove

10st 13lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

raced in last, lost ground after 11th, struggling and pulled up back straight

14/1

7

9th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:00 Huntingdon

Rum Cove

10st 13lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

raced in last, lost ground after 11th, struggling and pulled up back straight

14/1

6th

10

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:05 Plumpton

Rum Cove

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

midfield

14/1

Form:

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
100-1, remote in the extreme in bumper at Lingfield (1m, AW).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

18:50 Fontwell

Simon The Seagull

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Diana Grissell

Matched his previous best when beaten 17l in fourth at Lingfield (about 2m3f, good to soft) in November but pulled up then last (first-time visor) in two subsequent outings; cheekpieces now given a whirl and might come on for latest outing; 6lb 'wrong', though.

20/1

6th

7

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

Simon The Seagull

10st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Diana Grissell

Ran well for a long way when fourth on seasonal debut at Lingfield (2m3f, good to soft) in November but was pulled up over that C&D the following month and is now 0-10 over hurdles; swaps blinkers for first-time visor here; 5lb wrong; others look much more likely.

20/1

Form: P/7

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in Irish maiden point in December 2021; let down by his jumping in 3m novice hunter chase at Exeter three months later and tailed off when next seen in a novice hurdle (2m5f, good to soft; 150-1) two months ago, but that was a Cheltenham Grade 2; his sights are lowered massively.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

12:25 Exeter

Supreme Commander

10st 2lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Anthony Charlton

Unexposed after only six rules starts but was unable to justify good market support when safely held on first two stable starts (hurdle/chase; both last month) and is 12lb out of the weights here.

20/1

11

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

12:25 Exeter

Supreme Commander

10st 2lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Anthony Charlton

Unexposed after only six rules starts but was unable to justify good market support when safely held on first two stable starts (hurdle/chase; both last month) and is 12lb out of the weights here.

20/1

5th

6

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

12:45 Wincanton

Supreme Commander

10st 7lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Anthony Charlton

Lightly raced 7yo; interesting that he was so strong in the market when disappointing in a 3m handicap hurdle here 12 days ago, on trainer debut after a break (and wind surgery); presumably thought capable of better and a possible improver on this switch back to fences (ran in a hunter chase in 2022).

11/2

Form: 07-009

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in all three bumpers and tailed off in his two hurdle races; hooded over C&D latest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

12th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

17:18 Fontwell

Vintage Icon

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Andy Irvine

Yet to show any worthwhile form after six starts over hurdles, given wind surgery before penultimate start (3m1f) and fitted with cheekpieces latest (2m5f); has little to recommend him from out of the weights.

50/1

11

8th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:10 Fontwell

Vintage Icon

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Andy Irvine

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 7th, bad mistake 3 out, soon dropped to rear

50/1

11

8th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:10 Fontwell

Vintage Icon

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Andy Irvine

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 7th, bad mistake 3 out, soon dropped to rear

50/1

Verdict

Half the field could start at 100-1 or more. Only three have serious claims on form and they are BOB BOB RICARD, who has a much easier task than at Ascot and has the blinkers dispensed with, Canty Bay who was mounting a challenge when he fell at Wincanton, and Doc McCoy who has been consistent in bumpers and over hurdles. Defi Nonantais is probably the most interesting among the rest.[Richard Austen]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bob Bob Ricard

POSTDATA:

Canty Bay

LAMBOURN:

Doc McCoy

RP RATINGS:

Bob Bob Ricard

TOPSPEED:

Bob Bob Ricard

WEST COUNTRY:

Bob Bob Ricard

Daily Mirror:

Bob Bob Ricard

The Sun:

Bob Bob Ricard

The Guardian:

Doc McCoy

D Express:

Doc McCoy

Daily Record:

Doc McCoy

The Times:

Canty Bay

Telegraph:

Canty Bay

Daily Mail:

Canty Bay

The Star:

Canty Bay