May 09 / 16.30 Huntingdon

16.30

Good

Virgin Bet Fives Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elimination) (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £2178.4
  • 1m 7f 171y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Fives Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elimination) (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.30

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ability definitely evident on last November's near-3l Irish pointing third (3m, yielding; runner-up easily won a Ffos Las bumper next time); dam showed a bit in two bumpers; worth a check for market interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

15:45 Uttoxeter

The Long Point

11st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Emma Lavelle

7yo who made it 2-4 over fences when completing a double at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft; first run after wind surgery) last month; up 3lb for that narrow success but he beat a clear second and is open to more progress in this sphere; respected.

9/2

1st

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

14:50 Wincanton

The Long Point

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Bumper winner in 2024; on the up in three starts over fences and off the mark in four-runner Doncaster handicap (3m, soft; second has won since) one month ago, after which he had wind surgery; 3lb nudge should be no bother and he's a big player.

Evs

1st

3

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 4

15:25 Doncaster

The Long Point

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Bumper winner in 2024; has yet to shine over fences but only had the two attempts and he was runner-up off a higher mark over hurdles; should come good in this discipline sooner or later and his yard is having winners.

4/1

25/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 46-

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Taunton sixth last month consolidated the form of his Chepstow debut rather than improved on it; hopes may rest with the drier surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

17:30 Chepstow

My Boy Aaron

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

0-8 but placed over hurdles on his last three starts (2m, soft/good to soft) and that puts him high on the list in a race that might not take much winning; ran well on good ground in a bumper.

5/2

2nd

9

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:13 Ffos Las

My Boy Aaron

11st 3lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

Seven-race maiden who has shown better hurdles form, namely third-place finishes over 2m at Newbury and Exeter, since having wind surgery; again holds place claims.

11/2

3rd

10

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

13:45 Exeter

My Boy Aaron

11st 6lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

Well beaten on both hurdling starts in the autumn but, after a wind op, belied 125-1 odds when third of 11 at Newbury (2m, soft) last month; won't be far away if in similar form again here.

7/1

OUR TIP

10/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dam landed a Cheltenham bumper on debut, and her offspring to date have included Cheltenham Grade 2 novice hurdle scorer Gidleigh Park, himself a winner of his sole bumper start; looks the part on paper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

16:00 Wincanton

John Barbour

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has done well since raised to 2m4f and narrowly beaten at Ascot on his penultimate start by one who was well handicapped; beaten too far out at Uttoxeter last time to blame the longer trip (2m7f) but definite chance at this level if he's back on his game.

100/30

11

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

John Barbour

10st 10lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has a solid record (1212) since upped to about 2m4f, the wins at Uttoxeter (3-3 here overall); good effort at Ascot most recently; bred to stay this longer distance and may improve further; strong contender.

7/1

2nd

9

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

John Barbour

10st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Second-season hurdler who has form figures of 121 since upped to 2m4f, both wins at Uttoxeter (good to soft); goes into deeper waters but may improve further at this sort of distance; respected.

8/1

11/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; no bumper-winning exploits in the immediate family, though two of the dam's half-siblings and her own dam all scored over middle distances on the Flat in France; yard operates at about 16% in bumpers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

18:10 Fairyhouse

Octo Gane

11st 7lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Ben Pauling

Raced too freely and managed only fourth of eight when 6-4 favourite for debut at Huntingdon (good) in May 2024; probably a nice prospect but this is a big ask after so long out.

20/1

4th

7

9th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:30 Huntingdon

Octo Gane

10st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

First foal; no bumper-winning exploits in the immediate family, though two of the dam's half-siblings and her own dam all scored over middle distances on the Flat in France; yard operates at about 16% in bumpers.

11/4

Form: 36-

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Failed to build on the previous November's mildly promising 22l Fakenham third back there over Easter (good); fair bit more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

9th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:30 Huntingdon

Midnight Sting

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Michael Appleby

Failed to build on the previous November's mildly promising 22l Fakenham third back there over Easter (good); fair bit more needed.

50/1

5th

3

9th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:30 Huntingdon

Midnight Sting

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Michael Appleby

Failed to build on the previous November's mildly promising 22l Fakenham third back there over Easter (good); fair bit more needed.

50/1

6th

5

12th Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:55 Fakenham

Midnight Sting

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Michael Appleby

soon prominent, lost position after 8f, soon midfield, dropped to rear and struggling from 3f out

8/1

Form: 5-

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ought to find his level in 2m hurdles if the pedigree is any guide, but didn't last home when fifth on last month's Wincanton bumper debut (1m7f, good) and might appreciate a little more time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

9th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:30 Huntingdon

Kilos Kelos

10st 12lb

J: Cian Chester

T: Tom Weston

Ought to find his level in 2m hurdles if the pedigree is any guide, but didn't last home when fifth on last month's Wincanton bumper debut (1m7f, good) and might appreciate a little more time.

40/1

6th

5

9th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:30 Huntingdon

Kilos Kelos

10st 12lb

J: Cian Chester

T: Tom Weston

Ought to find his level in 2m hurdles if the pedigree is any guide, but didn't last home when fifth on last month's Wincanton bumper debut (1m7f, good) and might appreciate a little more time.

40/1

5th

9

21st Apr 2024

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

16:37 Wincanton

Kilos Kelos

10st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Tom Weston

held up in rear, headway 5f out, briefly went fourth 3f out, weakened over 1f out

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal of a dam whose three wins for the Skeltons included a Worcester bumper (good); yard already among the winners this nascent jumps season and operates at about 15% in bumpers; among likelier ones.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Worcester

Dawn Parade

10st 4lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, midfield, no impression from 4 out

20/1

13

14th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

17:35 Newton Abbot

Dawn Parade

10st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

15-2 on debut in a Huntingdon maiden bumper (good) last month, when she couldn't get in a blow; dam won a couple of novice hurdles on slow ground and this filly may be able to step up significantly on that first effort now switching to this sphere.

14/1

7th

11

9th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:30 Huntingdon

Dawn Parade

10st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Second foal of a dam whose three wins for the Skeltons included a Worcester bumper (good); yard already among the winners this nascent jumps season and operates at about 15% in bumpers; among likelier ones.

6/1

Form: 3-

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to bumper scorer Gentle Slopes; ran as if the experience of his Taunton bumper debut was needed (2m1f, soft; early reminders), and chances rest as much on what he learned there as on the drier ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

17:35 Taunton

Berliath

11st 2lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

£65,000 3yo; half-brother to four winners including On The Slopes (useful 2m-2m2f hurdle/chase) and Gentle Slopes (bumper/2m hurdle); dam 1m Flat and 2m-2m5f hurdle/chase winner; had wind surgery; plenty to like for top yard but hard to ignore that Harry Cobden rides Sorceleur.

100/30

Non-runners

Sayva, Step Ahead, Lyndas Pet

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £55.20
Straight Forecast £54.80
Trifecta £192.10

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Berliath

POSTDATA:

Dawn Parade

The Guardian:

Octo Gane

The Times:

John Barbour

SPOTLIGHT:

Step Ahead

TOPSPEED:

My Boy Aaron

The Sun:

Dawn Parade

Daily Record:

Dawn Parade

Telegraph:

Berliath

Daily Mail:

Berliath

D Express:

Berliath

The Star:

Berliath

Daily Mirror:

Octo Gane