January 29 / 13.50 Plumpton

13.50

Soft

Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 4f 114y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.67
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 210-3

Last run: 97 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Clearcut winner of Stratford bumper (heavy) last April and he had a tough task in Grade 2 at Aintree in final run last season; well-held third at Exeter (2m2f, good) on his hurdling debut but he ran well for a long way and that was a promising effort; this longer trip should be within range on pedigree and he's respected back from another break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

15:10 Perth

Westerninthepark

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Disappointing on his last few starts and a major turnaround is necessary; however, he's dropped to a dangerous mark and his trainer has an excellent strike-rate at Perth; no surprise if he bounces back.

15/2

4th

4

1st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 3

14:45 Huntingdon

Westerninthepark

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Comes with a caution label, having failed to complete the last twice; however, reasonably consistent otherwise so a good effort can't be ruled out; on a workable mark and drops back to 2m4f for the first time this term; has gained all jumps wins at about this trip.

11/2

2

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:40 Carlisle

Westerninthepark

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Promising fourth on reappearance here (3m2f, good to soft) in November and now 4lb lower; however, soundly beaten in Becher Chase next time and pulled up at Windsor (2m6f, soft) recently; has to get back on track.

13/2

7/2

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 5-20

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promise in two bumpers; out the back on hurdling debut at Lingfield after absence (caught the eye of stewards) but has shaped as though this stiffer stamina test could suit; still early days for this well-bred mare and it wouldn't be a surprise if she left her latest form behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

29th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

13:50 Plumpton

Madam Ryder

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Nicky Henderson

Promise in two bumpers; out the back on hurdling debut at Lingfield after absence (caught the eye of stewards) but has shaped as though this stiffer stamina test could suit; still early days for this well-bred mare and it wouldn't be a surprise if she left her latest form behind.

7/2

10th

9

11th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:05 Lingfield

Madam Ryder

11st 3lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

in touch with leaders

5/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 323

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in his last two Irish points and he's been placed in all three hurdle runs this winter; rallied well when a close third at Sedgefield (2m4f, good to soft; tongue-tie added) on Boxing Day and he has leading claims on that form; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

20:20 Hexham

Kilbarry Hill

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Completed a hat-trick in late 2024 (including a walkover) but has largely struggled off higher marks since and signed off for Olly Murphy with a couple of modest efforts, including in cheekpieces last time; 3lb lower than for his latest success but needs the change of scenery to spark a revival.

33/1

4th

5

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Kilbarry Hill

11st 1lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Still to get his head in front in this sphere but he comes here on the back of a fair fifth of eight in 3m1f handicap at Wincanton last time; this three-time hurdles scorer is in the mix with cheekpieces fitted for the first time.

11/2

5th

3

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:40 Wincanton

Kilbarry Hill

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Career-best RPR but not at all fluent when third at Wetherby in December (3m, soft), and lasted just two fences on sole run since; has neither trip nor ground issues and mark remains competitive, so just a case of whether he returns more fleet of foot following two months out.

5/2

Form: 5F

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unseated rider at third-last fence in maiden point in April; encouragement at 150-1 when fifth of 13 in novice hurdle at Warwick (2m3f, soft) in November but she fell next time; has ability but her jumping has been an issue so far and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

16:17 Huntingdon

Overabottleofred

11st 11lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Tom Gretton

Had a straightforward task when winning her second race over fences at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft) last month; up 7lb but still on the upgrade and should be thereabouts.

13/8

1st

3

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:42 Market Rasen

Overabottleofred

10st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tom Gretton

Easy winner of a mares' chase at Huntingdon in April last year (2m7f, good); fair fourth at Fakenham in January on reappearance; conditions suit; one with a chance.

9/4

9

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

16:01 Taunton

Overabottleofred

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tom Gretton

Ended last season with an account-opening win at Huntingdon (2m7f, good); didn't live up to market expectations on Fakenham reappearance last month but may have needed that run and she still has low mileage; in the mix with tongue-tie added.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 882-

Last run: 603 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed promise in his second hurdle run when runner-up at Perth (2m4f, good; 16-1) in June 2022 but on the sidelines since; left Gordon Elliott for £2,000 and is probably best watched back from a long absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

29th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

13:50 Plumpton

Footys Bridge

11st 10lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

Showed promise in his second hurdle run when runner-up at Perth (2m4f, good; 16-1) in June 2022 but on the sidelines since; left Gordon Elliott for £2,000 and is probably best watched back from a long absence.

16/1

Form: 97-750

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Down the field at big prices in two bumpers and same story in three hurdle runs since October; needs a transformation at this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

22nd Aug 2024

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

17:30 Newton Abbot

Mountain Bay

11st 5lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

Tailed off in first-time cheekpieces (retained) last month and now 0-9 over hurdles, but lost out only narrowly to a progressive rival at Fakenham (2m7f, good) two runs ago; has possibilities if suited by this new trip.

12/1

6th

2

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:00 Stratford

Mountain Bay

11st 10lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

raced in second, hit 2nd, lost position 2 out, weakened before last

5/1

2

2nd Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

14:35 Fakenham

Mountain Bay

11st 2lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

Nine-race maiden; pulled up over C&D in February (soft; only run at this trip); fared better on good ground here last time when a creditable third over 2m4f; stamina to prove; each-way chance.

7/1

Form: P-P74

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in one of four Irish points but she's struggled in three runs over hurdles and was a remote last of four on chase debut at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) in November; can only be watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

7th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

15:15 Fakenham

Stop This Train

10st 2lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Sarah Humphrey

soon prominent, not fluent 11th, joined leader 12th, disputed lead before 3 out, lost position 2 out

12/1

7

7th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

15:15 Fakenham

Stop This Train

10st 2lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Sarah Humphrey

soon prominent, not fluent 11th, disputed lead from 12th, lost position 2 out, weakened quickly on turn after 2 out, fell heavily last

12/1

5th

7

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

12:35 Huntingdon

Stop This Train

10st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

jumped left on occasions, prominent, led 2nd, disputed lead 10th, headed 13th, weakened 5 out, pulled up just after 2 out

7/1

Form: 67

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won the second of her two Irish points last spring but she's not made an impact in two hurdle runs this season and was beaten a long way at Lingfield (2m3f, good to soft) last time; opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

21st Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

17:30 Plumpton

Chief Lady

10st 6lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Cynthia Woods

disputed lead, weakened from 3 out

66/1

7th

5

8th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

13:55 Fontwell

Chief Lady

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Cynthia Woods

prominent

33/1

7

9th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

14:25 Huntingdon

Chief Lady

11st 3lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Cynthia Woods

Won an Irish point last May; first attempt, however, has seemingly been the best of her four efforts under rules and there was a heavy defeat at Plumpton (2m4f; 50-1) last time on handicap debut; bred to stay 3m.

50/1

Form: 9-2

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shaped with promise in big-field bumper at 2022 Punchestown festival and looked set to win an Irish point before last-fence fall the following November; returned after another absence last month but he made an encouraging hurdle/stable debut when runner-up at Fakenham (2m4f, soft); should benefit from that run and he's in the mix; hood worn last time is removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

2nd Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:15 Southwell

Ballyvaughan Bay

11st 13lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: D J Jeffreys

Made all off today's mark over C&D (good) in spring 2024 and ran well in defeat over C&D this April; sure to be suited by the return to this track but has quite a bit to prove after three disappointing efforts.

8/1

4

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Ballyvaughan Bay

11st 12lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: D J Jeffreys

Gained sole success over 3m so may not be crying out for this drop back in distance and he has a question mark over current form anyway; cheekpieces added.

16/1

9th

2

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:50 Worcester

Ballyvaughan Bay

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: D J Jeffreys

Ran poorly on chasing debut at Southwell and needs to bounce back from that but was clear second over hurdles there (3m, good) two starts ago and is a big player if judged on that performance.

8/1

Form: 364

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Close up in a point and bumper but well held in last two starts, including on hurdling debut at Wincanton (2m5f, heavy) last month; this drop back in trip could help but needs significant improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

27th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

19:08 Cartmel

Musique De Fee

12st 0lb

J: Joshua Bryan

T: Mickey Bowen

Second here on Saturday and third on Monday in first-time blinkers, though she was some 22l off the winner; opposable should she run yet again.

11/2

3rd

7

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Musique De Fee

11st 4lb

J: Joshua Bryan

T: Mickey Bowen

Started off for this stable with two laboured efforts but runner-up twice this month, more recently in C&D mares' race (good; in cheekpieces) on Saturday; will warrant consideration if she makes a quick reappearance in first-time blinkers.

7/1

2nd

2

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 3

14:43 Cartmel

Musique De Fee

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

2l third in this race (good) last year for Georgina Nicholls when undone by two late mistakes, only to land a C&D Class 2 two days later (good to soft) off the same mark as today's; easily her best effort for new connections at Hereford latest (3m2f, good), and her turn is possibly nearing.

3/1

Form: 07-0

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in both bumpers and was beaten out of sight at a massive price on his recent hurdling debut at Doncaster (2m, good to soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

29th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

13:50 Plumpton

The Old Bull

11st 10lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Tom Gretton

Tailed off in both bumpers and was beaten out of sight at a massive price on his recent hurdling debut at Doncaster (2m, good to soft).

100/1

12th

10

10th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

12:50 Doncaster

The Old Bull

11st 4lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Tom Gretton

Tailed off at big odds in both bumpers and he needs to be an entirely different proposition on this first hurdle start.

200/1

7th

9

26th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Carlisle

The Old Bull

10st 9lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tom Gretton

28-1, tailed off on debut at Aintree (2m1f, soft) last November; a transformation is required in a first-time tongue-tie.

50/1

Form: 70

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Didn't show much in two good-ground bumpers in the autumn; in good hands and has stamina on her dam's side but she needs major improvement on this switch to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

29th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

13:50 Plumpton

Jiggaway

11st 3lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

Didn't show much in two good-ground bumpers in the autumn; in good hands and has stamina on her dam's side but she needs major improvement on this switch to hurdling.

25/1

12th

13

21st Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:45 Hereford

Jiggaway

10st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Remote seventh at Stratford six weeks ago; may be sharper with that outing/experience under her belt but needs to improve markedly on the bare form.

33/1

7th

10

9th Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

17:15 Stratford

Jiggaway

10st 8lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

midfield, outpaced over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.90
Straight Forecast £18.79
Trifecta £38.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kilbarry Hill

The Times:

Westerninthepark

LAMBOURN:

Madam Ryder

Telegraph:

Westerninthepark

D Express:

Westerninthepark

The Star:

Westerninthepark

Daily Record:

Westerninthepark

RP RATINGS:

Kilbarry Hill

TOPSPEED:

Kilbarry Hill

POSTDATA:

Kilbarry Hill

The Guardian:

Kilbarry Hill

Daily Mail:

Kilbarry Hill

Daily Mirror:

Kilbarry Hill

The Sun:

Kilbarry Hill