January 28 / 14.00 Doncaster

14.00

Good

SBK EBF ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6317.36
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
SBK EBF ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Windy

OUR TIP

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 42

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) last April; showed promise at Ascot (2m3f, good) on hurdling debut and built on that when second of six at Cheltenham (2m4f, heavy) in another maiden; the form pick and he should still be capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

20th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Warwick

Champagne Twist

11st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

2024 EBF Final winner off 7lb higher; unseated too far out at Uttoxeter latest to say if and where he may have figured, but his poor winter up to that point tempers enthusiasm either way; overlooked.

10/1

4

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Champagne Twist

11st 11lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Very promising novice during 2023-24 season but generally very disappointing over last two campaigns; has dropped a long way in the weights but he was pulled up three times during the winter before a remote fifth at Newbury (3m, good to soft) last time; down the list.

12/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 20-F72

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Did well in last season's first two bumpers and his second of ten in novice at Newcastle (2m4f, soft) three weeks ago was much more like it again on his third attempt over hurdles; place chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Taras Halls

11st 0lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Resumed winning ways in first-time blinkers at Newcastle (2m4f) in November but very in and out since, pulled up in 2m6f Leicester handicap chase 25 days ago; he's not easy to warm to today.

14/1

4

20th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

14:02 Leicester

Taras Halls

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Inconsistent this season but won in first-time blinkers at Newcastle in November and looked unlucky not to add to his tally at Haydock (also 2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago, when a last-fence error was costly; up another 4lb for that but could have more to offer if in the right mood again.

9/2

1

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:30 Uttoxeter

Taras Halls

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Won over fences here (2m4f, good to soft) on New Year's Eve but began this year with two disappointing runs; reverts to hurdling after 261-day break and with usual cheekpieces missing; others have much less to prove.

20/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 6-42

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to stable star Altior; left bumper form well behind when second of 11 to an odds-on stablemate in C&D novice (good to soft; at 15-2) one month ago on hurdle debut, always front rank; with further progress likely, he should be bang there once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

22nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 4f 165y

20:00 Downpatrick

Montecam

12st 0lb

J: Mr J W Hendrick

T: W J Codd

Useful hurdler up to last season ran his best race in three points when third in an open race at Toomebridge last time; ran well enough on sole chase start in 2024 but has to do more.

6/1

14

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

13:15 Cheltenham

Montecam

10st 13lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Half-brother to Altior; didn't make the progress that might have been expected for Nicky Henderson season but bettered his underwhelming stable debut when second of 13 at Bellewstown (2m4f, good) in August and may improve again for John McConnell.

20/1

Form: 3118

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten five times in Ireland in four points and a bumper; however, won good-ground bumpers at Stratford (July) and Warwick (October) last year and his 21l defeat in November came in a Cheltenham Listed event (8-1); one to consider on this switch to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

18:50 Uttoxeter

Minella Rescue

11st 9lb

J: James Davies

T: Gary Hanmer

Won this race off this mark in 2025 (good; 2-1 favourite) having run poorly on his previous start; was rather disappointing later on last season and has a bit to prove at present.

14/1

14th

7

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Minella Rescue

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Gary Hanmer

Second in the C&D Grade 1 novice at this meeting last year; went on to finish first and second in handicaps over the extended 2m7f at Uttoxeter at the start of the summer but well below par both starts since a break, latterly at the Cheltenham Festival; combination of first-time cheekpieces and a return to this C&D needs to spark a revival.

40/1

20th

22

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Minella Rescue

10st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Gary Hanmer

Ran well over about 3m on most starts last March-June, including 50-1 second in substandard Grade 1 novice at Aintree; took an age to warm up in that race, however, which makes this trip look against him, and no impact on last three outings; latest (11 days ago) was after four months off.

66/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fifth foal; brother to 1m7f-2m1f hurdle winner Ivetwiggedit, half-brother to winners Skidoosh (bumper and useful 2m3f/3m hurdle) and Twig (useful 2m4f-3m2f hurdle/chase); favourite when 7l winner of a maiden point at Larkhill (2m4f, good to soft) in December; one to note.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

17:00 Kelso

Lets Sail Away

11st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Signed off over hurdles with victory at Market Rasen (2m2f) and he has shaped well switched to chasing when runner-up in 2m4f handicaps at Uttoxeter and Worcester (winner has gone in again since) this summer; tongue tied now and visor replaces cheekpieces; weighted to go close.

5/2

10

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Worcester

Lets Sail Away

11st 5lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Lightly raced point winner (2m4f, good to soft) who won easily over hurdles at Market Rasen (2m2f, good) in March and was a promising second on last month's chase debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good), where he was clear with the 10-11 favourite; open to further improvement; firmly in calculations.

11/2

Form: 532

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Bought for £15,000 after English point win (2m4f, good) last May; placed over Catterick's 2m3f in his last two novice hurdles, with his third on good to soft looking much better form than a soft-ground second last time; needs to resume improvement, in a major way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

13:30 Newcastle

Hawkseye View

11st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Made it 12th-time lucky over fences when scoring over C&D (good to soft; from 2lb lower) three starts back; excuses since - fell, and then out of depth in a valuable Class 2 Series Final at Carlisle; could bounce back with Danny McMenamin returning to the saddle.

11/4

10th

12

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Hawkseye View

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Mid-race faller last weekend when bidding for a Newcastle double (maiden under rules previously); ran respectably over C&D in February; 4lb out of weights but could go well with a clear round.

8/1

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Hawkseye View

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Point winner; won his first race under rules here last time (2m4f, good to soft; cheekpieces on for third time); seems equally effective at this trip and should go well off this 3lb higher mark.

7/2

Form: 844

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Better form when switched from bumpers to hurdling early this month, beaten about 15l in fourth of 16 in a maiden at Ludlow (2m5f, soft; 14-1); open to improvement, including if he jumps better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th Oct 2024

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

14:28 Sedgefield

Youlneverwalkalone

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

held up in rear, not fluent 1st, brief headway 4th

9/2

7th

3

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Youlneverwalkalone

11st 11lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Kept on for third in Uttoxeter novice (2m7f, good; first-time tongue-tie) for Fergal O'Brien in June but left that yard after lesser effort in July; drops back in trip for stable/handicap debut; may still have potential but others here appeal more.

12/1

5th

8

18th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:25 Worcester

Youlneverwalkalone

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Back to form when upped in trip in first-time tongue-tie at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last month, finishing third; leading candidate today.

3/1

Form: 6

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£40,000 3yo; half-brother to an Italian Grade 1 hurdle winner and two other winners; dam French hurdle winner, half-sister to smart jumper Mr Mole; 150-1 for novice at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) six weeks ago, beaten 31l in sixth of 13 and looking a longer-term prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 2

14:40 Kelso

Stick With Me Sam

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tom Gretton

Won three times in a row this winter (1m7f/2m, heavy-good to soft); made mistakes when well beaten at Newcastle (2m, good to soft) last time and his yard is in good form, but he needs to prove he can cope with his current mark, and also today's step up in trip.

20/1

6th

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:10 Newcastle

Stick With Me Sam

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Tom Gretton

Has won three of his four races in this headgear combination and it was fairly comfortable at Catterick three weeks ago (1m7f, soft); shooting up the weights (raised another 8lb) but things have clicked in a big way.

3/1

1st

2

30th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 145y

Class 5

14:40 Catterick

Stick With Me Sam

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Tom Gretton

Comfortable win at Hexham (1m7f, heavy) last month on his second start of the season and he followed up at Warwick (2m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; clearly thriving and may well complete the hat-trick.

8/13

Form: 00

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest in points and behind in two 2m maiden hurdles, in cheekpieces latest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Clarehill

10st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Olly Williams

Struggled (albeit on soft ground) when 33-1 for handicap debut over C&D five weeks ago and is effectively 8lb higher today, from out of the handicap.

66/1

14

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Clarehill

10st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Olly Williams

Struggled (albeit on soft ground) when 33-1 for handicap debut over C&D five weeks ago and is effectively 8lb higher today, from out of the handicap.

66/1

6

18th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:00 Southwell

Clarehill

10st 5lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Olly Williams

Modest point form in Ireland; soundly beaten in maiden hurdles at 2m and 2m3f but he goes handicapping off a very modest mark, even if 3lb out of the weights, so may do better.

14/1

33/1

Form: 233

Last run: 126 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third foal; half-brother to 1m7f AQPS Flat and 2m3f hurdle/2m5f chase winner Iodee; dam once-raced half-sister to French winners Deauseille (2m5f-3m6f chase) and Quristine (AQPS Flat/2m4f chase); placed in all three of his AQPS Flat races in France last April-September and it will be interesting to see his strength in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

13:40 Cartmel

Jysuis

11st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Simon West

Lowly rated maiden maiden who was well beaten in 2m Hexham novice last month and has now been unplaced all ten hurdling starts; goes beyond 2m4f for first time here; difficult to enthuse over.

66/1

2

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

17:58 Hexham

Jysuis

11st 2lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Simon West

15-race maiden Flat and jumps; hood now tried; improvement needed.

33/1

Form: 40-38

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Low-level form in three bumpers and a 2m Doncaster novice hurdle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

21st Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

13:30 Doncaster

Cave Bleu

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: John Mackie

Low-level form in three bumpers and two Doncaster novice hurdles.

100/1

0

1

28th Jan 2024

Good

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

14:00 Doncaster

Cave Bleu

11st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: John Mackie

always behind, mistake 3rd, struggling when mistake 4 out

100/1

8th

2

2nd Dec 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

12:21 Doncaster

Cave Bleu

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: John Mackie

Well beaten in both bumpers last season and did not achieve much when third of four in very weak novice hurdle in June.

66/1

Non-runners

Streamsforth Lad

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.70
Straight Forecast £20.28
Trifecta £39.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Montecam

SPOTLIGHT:

Champagne Twist

Telegraph:

Let's Sail Away

LAMBOURN:

Montecam

The Times:

Montecam

D Express:

Montecam

The Sun:

Montecam

The Star:

Montecam

Daily Record:

Montecam

RP RATINGS:

Champagne Twist

TOPSPEED:

Champagne Twist

WEST COUNTRY:

Champagne Twist

Daily Mirror:

Champagne Twist