January 25 / 15.00 Wetherby

15.00

Soft

Follow @racingtv On Instagram EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3812.2
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Follow @racingtv On Instagram EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1-1331 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who made it 2-4 over hurdles when easily winning a novice at Market Rasen on Boxing Day (2m, good to soft; also effective on heavy); now carries double penalty but holds leading claims nevertheless.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Asta La Pasta

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Dual chase winner last season (2m4f/2m), both times by wide margins in small fields; suited by good ground but ran poorly when last in action and still needs to prove he can cope with this career-high mark.

5/1

2nd

1

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Asta La Pasta

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Dual chase winner last season (2m4f/2m), both times by wide margins in small fields; suited by good ground but ran poorly when last in action and still needs to prove he can cope with this career-high mark.

5/1

9th

7

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 2

14:35 Plumpton

Asta La Pasta

10st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced wide, towards rear

7/2

4/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 3217-1 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner for Brian Ellison who scored on his hurdle debut and sole run for Kerry Lee at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) last month, when he did well to prevail having made a mistake at the final flight; he's a promising sort and is one to consider under a penalty now starting out for another new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

25th May 2024

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

18:15 Cartmel

Tedtwo

11st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

3-5 in slow-ground novice hurdles at around 2m last season; drew clear of a useful rival at Hexham last month and connections are evidently keen to switch him to fences for this handicap debut; respected.

7/2

2nd

2

25th May 2024

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

18:15 Cartmel

Tedtwo

11st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

3-5 in slow-ground novice hurdles at around 2m last season; drew clear of a useful rival at Hexham last month and connections are evidently keen to switch him to fences for this handicap debut; respected.

7/2

1st

1

22nd Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

14:00 Hexham

Tedtwo

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

led at steady pace, clear with one other after 3rd, headed 2 out, pushed along before last, led again run-in, pushed out final 110yds, won going away

2/1

11/10

  • Place: £1.10

Form: U1 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for 210,000euros after winning sole Irish maiden point and not his fault he unseated early on hurdle debut (badly hampered); won with plenty in hand in big field at Newbury (2m, soft) next time and he's a highly likeable prospect; respected under penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

15

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Fortunate Man

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Began this campaign with 3m1f Aintree handicap win in December (good-to-soft) but hasn't repeated that sort of form in three runs since, including treated for post-race heat stress after Eider Chase fifth; most recently never nearer fourth under top-weight in lesser 3m2f Kelso contest; more needed but not one to rule out.

10/1

4th

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:13 Kelso

Fortunate Man

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Did well last season; kicked off this campaign with a 3l win at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) on Boxing Day and didn't run badly in valuable races on next two outings, last time in the Eider after which he was treated for post-race heat stress; he was joint-favourite for that and this race isn't as demanding.

2/1

Form: 09

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two British points last spring; however, soundly beaten this winter on first two hurdle starts and considerable improvement is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

26th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 5

16:28 Wetherby

Shady B

12st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

didn't always jump with fluency, held up in rear, not fluent 5th

5/2

1st

5

6th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:05 Ffos Las

Shady B

11st 3lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

held up in rear, headway 5 out, challenging going best 3 out, led 2 out, ridden when good jump last, went clear run-in, readily

4/1

5

6th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:05 Ffos Las

Shady B

11st 3lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Wind surgery preceded two good runs last March, including a narrow win at Chepstow (near 3m, soft; 2lb higher today); reappearance third at Uttoxeter on New Year's Eve wasn't bad and he's had another wind operation since.

4/1

Form: 00-70

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Down the field in bumpers and same story on both hurdle starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

8th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Call Me Jack

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

prominent, outpaced before 2 out, kept on but no chance with winner run-in

5/2

2nd

5

8th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Call Me Jack

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

prominent, outpaced before 2 out, kept on but no chance with winner run-in

5/2

1st

10

13th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

15:25 Newcastle

Call Me Jack

11st 2lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Mark Walford

prominent

3/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth foal; half-brother to stablemate 2m7f/3m hurdle winner Secret Trix (RPR 122), who started out over 2m and improved when sent up in trip in handicaps; unraced dam from talented family; may need further but he's in good hands and is one to watch in the betting on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:00 Perth

Henrysbrotherjack

11st 8lb

J: Mr James King

T: Olly Murphy

Won when upped to 2m4f at Uttoxeter (soft) in December on third handicap start and bounced back from Market Rasen fifth to score at Bangor (2m7f, heavy) in February; up another 6lb but he was strong at the finish last time and he should have more to offer at staying trips; key player.

15/8

1st

4

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:00 Perth

Henrysbrotherjack

11st 8lb

J: Mr James King

T: Olly Murphy

Won when upped to 2m4f at Uttoxeter (soft) in December on third handicap start and bounced back from Market Rasen fifth to score at Bangor (2m7f, heavy) in February; up another 6lb but he was strong at the finish last time and he should have more to offer at staying trips; key player.

15/8

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Improved with each of her three starts in British maiden points and won one in November (2m4f, good); sold for £30,000 later that month; check the market on rules debut, but useful standard is required in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

28th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:05 Market Rasen

Reine Des Tartes

10st 2lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

A winning pointer but she's yet to offer much over hurdles and fences, pulled up in 2m4f Worcester handicap chase in July; tongue tied now with lots to prove.

25/1

14

8th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Worcester

Reine Des Tartes

10st 2lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Win good-ground point in November but yet to show any promise under rules; well beaten on recent chase/handicap debut (2m3f; first-time cheekpieces) and effectively 3lb higher from out of the weights here.

25/1

8th

8

21st Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

14:40 Market Rasen

Reine Des Tartes

10st 9lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

held up in rear, midfield 7th, weakened after 3 out

7/1

Form: 77

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Improved form when 20l seventh of 14 at Newcastle (2m1f, soft) recently on second start but needs another big step forward today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

17:10 Wetherby

Missy Ava

10st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Made debut on Boxing Day and has finished no better than seventh across her three starts; however, she makes her handicap debut off a basement mark and a closer inspection of her pedigree provides some hope she'll be capable of better than she's shown thus far; one to watch in the betting.

10/1

8th

9

25th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Wetherby

Missy Ava

10st 9lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Mark Walford

Improved form when 20l seventh of 14 at Newcastle (2m1f, soft) recently on second start but needs another big step forward today.

200/1

Form: P0

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Triple-figure odds and has struggled on first two starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:52 Perth

Midnight Alnwicky

10st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Adam Nicol

took keen hold, towards rear, mistake 5th

20/1

6th

5

15th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

17:50 Perth

Midnight Alnwicky

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Adam Nicol

Poor form so far; cheekpieces now tried; plenty to find.

66/1

Non-runners

Breizh River

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.40
Straight Forecast £7.16
Trifecta £11.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Fortunate Man

POSTDATA:

Asta La Pasta

The Guardian:

Tedtwo

RP RATINGS:

Fortunate Man

TOPSPEED:

Fortunate Man

WEST COUNTRY:

Fortunate Man

Telegraph:

Fortunate Man

Daily Mail:

Fortunate Man

D Express:

Fortunate Man

Daily Mirror:

Fortunate Man

The Star:

Fortunate Man

Daily Record:

Fortunate Man

The Times:

Asta La Pasta

The Sun:

Asta La Pasta