October 25 / 14.55 Bangor-on-Dee

14.55

Good

Nightingale House Hospice Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6535.2
  • 2m 0f 145y
  • Class 3
  • 14 runners
SKY
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Nightingale House Hospice Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £81.00
  • Place: £11.00

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
20,000euros 3yo; unraced dam a sister to smart hurdler/chaser Winter Escape; market may indicate what's expected on racecourse debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Gwennie May Boy

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Posted handicap hat-trick at the end of last season and was better than ever when comfortably landing a Grade 2 at Haydock (3m, good to soft) this February; a case can be made on that form but he was tailed off in a Grade 1 at Aintree (3m, good) just three weeks ago and needs to bounce back.

16/1

6th

2

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Gwennie May Boy

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Posted handicap hat-trick at the end of last season and was better than ever when comfortably landing a Grade 2 at Haydock (3m, good to soft) this February; a case can be made on that form but he was tailed off in a Grade 1 at Aintree (3m, good) just three weeks ago and needs to bounce back.

16/1

20/1

  • Place: £7.10

Form: 3

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £60,000 after finishing third on only Irish point start; 15l behind Keep Running on C&D hurdling debut last month; should improve but will need to benefit a lot from that effort to turn the tables.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

4th Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:32 Warwick

Iron DEx

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Ended last season in poor form but made quite encouraging reappearance when fourth (about 9l behind Ballynaheer) at Hereford (3m1f, good) three weeks ago; on very good mark now and has cheekpieces refitted today; dangerous to ignore.

4/1

2nd

4

4th Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:32 Warwick

Iron DEx

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Ended last season in poor form but made quite encouraging reappearance when fourth (about 9l behind Ballynaheer) at Hereford (3m1f, good) three weeks ago; on very good mark now and has cheekpieces refitted today; dangerous to ignore.

4/1

2nd

4

4th Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:32 Warwick

Iron DEx

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Ended last season in poor form but made quite encouraging reappearance when fourth (about 9l behind Ballynaheer) at Hereford (3m1f, good) three weeks ago; on very good mark now and has cheekpieces refitted today; dangerous to ignore.

4/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 8-4

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Talented on the Flat (posted RPRs of 100+ on several occasions) but yet to live up to expectations over hurdles; better when fourth at Worcester last month and trainer expects another step forward here, especially after recent rain; needs improvement but that may well be forthcoming.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(1)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:00 Southwell (AW)

King Ottokar

10st 2lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Nicky Henderson

midfield, dropped to rear and struggling from over 2f out

20/1

10th

1

(1)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:00 Southwell (AW)

King Ottokar

10st 2lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Nicky Henderson

midfield, dropped to rear and struggling from over 2f out

20/1

7th

11

18th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 113y

Class 4

15:40 Leicester

King Ottokar

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

midfield

7/2

Form: 1370- D

Last run: 199 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner on his debut a year ago; creditable efforts on next two outings but out of his depth when last seen at Aintree in April; plenty of hurdlers in his pedigree and he's worth a second look on his first attempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

10th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

16:30 Plumpton

Basford

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jennie Candlish

led, headed and raced in second before 11th, reminder after 12th, not fluent and dropped to rear 13th, rallied and went second 4 out, weakened after 3 out

2/1

5th

3

4th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 3f 123y

Class 4

14:05 Market Rasen

Basford

11st 8lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Three-time hurdle winner on good ground (2m5f-3m); still early days over fences and he's getting the hang of things judged on his second at Fakenham (3m5f), albeit in a very small field; thereabouts.

7/2

Form: 4-

Last run: 217 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in a point bumper but showed more temperament than ability when tried in maiden points earlier this year; best watched on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 136y

Class 4

15:50 Chepstow

Gingerbred

10st 8lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Carroll Gray

Runner-up twice in December (2m7f and near 3m3f) but right out of form since, way behind Lightonthewing last time; headgear first time.

25/1

Form: 6326-1 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Placed in France and comfortably landed a moderate C&D event (good) on British debut last month, despite jumping markedly right; 5lb penalty but sets the standard on hurdling form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

15:05 Punchestown

Keep Running

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Had wind op prior to Carlisle in October, when pulled up and found to have a wound on his right hind; major improvement when easily making all at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) and Ffos Las (2m, soft), the latter effort marked up as he jumped to the right; couldn't dominate upped to 20.5f at Kempton but is on the shortlist back in trip.

16/1

13

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

15:05 Punchestown

Keep Running

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Had wind op prior to Carlisle in October, when pulled up and found to have a wound on his right hind; major improvement when easily making all at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) and Ffos Las (2m, soft), the latter effort marked up as he jumped to the right; couldn't dominate upped to 20.5f at Kempton but is on the shortlist back in trip.

16/1

2nd

5

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:10 Kempton

Keep Running

10st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Had wind op prior to Carlisle in October, when pulled up and found to have a wound on his right-hind; major improvement the next twice when easily making all at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) and Ffos Las (2m, soft); deserves extra credit for latest win as he jumped to the right at that left-handed track; seemed fine at 2m4f last March; thriving and could prove tough to catch.

9/2

Form: 0/

Last run: 580 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish; tailed off in a bumper but in the frame in four of six points; bought for £30,000 in May; stable tends to do well with such recruits but others appear to have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:20 Stratford

Imperial Alex

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Four-times winning chaser over around 3m; returned to his best when beaten a neck at Ffos Las (3m, good) 25 days ago with 15l back to the third; nudged up 4lb but holds claims if he gets home over this marathon trip.

7/4

2nd

4

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

16:18 Ffos Las

Imperial Alex

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

In career-best form last summer over 3m on good ground; soundly beaten in his last three races, disappointingly so at Warwick last time when back on his favoured surface (good); bit to prove now.

10/1

5th

4

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:30 Warwick

Imperial Alex

11st 5lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

In top form over 3m on good ground last May/June, finishing second at Uttoxeter then first at Perth; soundly beaten on both runs since but those were on heavy/soft going and perhaps today's return to a better surface will trigger a revival.

11/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Landed a gamble in a maiden point last December and was sold for £30,000 the following month; form of the win has little strength but he has joined a powerful yard for career under rules; worth keeping an eye on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

20th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

16:40 Market Rasen

Yeomen Warder

10st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

soon in rear, hit 4th

14/1

10th

5

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:23 Warwick

Yeomen Warder

11st 4lb

J: David England

T: Dan Skelton

always towards rear

15/2

5

31st Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 5

15:35 Lingfield

Yeomen Warder

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Hard to work up enthusiasm for what he achieved in novice hurdles but he won his only point completion last winter and this modest event could be a ripe plum for picking now he goes handicapping up in trip.

100/30

OUR TIP

Form: 2/1- C

Last run: 364 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper on this card 12 months ago (good to soft) on return from a year off; form of that looks modest and not seen since but he has proved he can run well after an absence; could play a part on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Oct 2022

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 3

14:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Gentle River

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

took keen hold, prominent, left in third and jumped right 1st, jumped right and lost third 2nd, jockey looked down to see if something was amiss and pulled up 3rd, finished lame (vet said gelding was lame on his left hind)

10/1

Form:

Last run: 3 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won the last of four starts in Irish points; backed at long odds on hurdling debut on Saturday but finished tailed-off last; probably best watched with Brian Hughes opting for Trick Of The Tail.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

13:35 Huntingdon

Heros De Moutiers

10st 13lb

J: Abbie McCain

T: Donald McCain

in touch with leaders

20/1

6th

7

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

13:35 Huntingdon

Heros De Moutiers

10st 13lb

J: Abbie McCain

T: Donald McCain

in touch with leaders

20/1

Form: 08-2

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten first two starts but something to work on after his second of five at Uttoxeter this month; still limited appeal in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

6th Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

16:45 Southwell

Meetmelater

12st 0lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Rosemary Gasson

took keen hold, held up in rear, jumped slightly left 1st

10/1

7

25th Oct 2022

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 3

14:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Meetmelater

11st 0lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Rosemary Gasson

took keen hold, always towards rear, hampered 1st, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

33/1

2nd

5

2nd Oct 2022

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

13:08 Uttoxeter

Meetmelater

11st 4lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Rosemary Gasson

in touch with leaders, left in second after 1st, led before 4th, increased tempo when mistake 3 out, pushed along but 1 length ahead 2 out, soon ridden and headed, held when not fluent last, eased run-in

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unplaced in four Irish points; bought for £10,000 in May; hurdling debut and others have much stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:07 Uttoxeter

King Of The Hill

10st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sam Allwood

Three nothing runs have followed since going close over fences at Warwick in March; returns to hurdling with cheekpieces added but he's 5lb out of the weights.

33/1

9

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:15 Worcester

King Of The Hill

10st 4lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sam Allwood

0-14 under rules; ran big race in defeat at Warwick (2m4f, good) in March, after a layoff, and has good claims if judged on that effort but but two non-completions have followed; others preferred.

7/1

5

9th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

King Of The Hill

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Sam Allwood

0-10 as a chaser but ran a good race in defeat at Warwick (2m4f, good) before falling early at Southwell; being 3lb out of the weights is not ideal but hard to rule out.

6/1

Form: 1- D

Last run: 236 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Looked a handful in the preliminaries before his Taunton bumper debut (soft) in March but different story in the race, romping home by 17l; fascinating contender now switched to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

16:45 Perth

Sergeant Wilson

11st 9lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: R Mike Smith

Left Nigel Twiston-Davies for £3,000 in May; easy to back, he was well beaten when sixth of eight on his stable debut over C&D ten days ago.

10/1

6th

4

4th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:48 Perth

Sergeant Wilson

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: R Mike Smith

prominent, raced in second after 2nd

10/1

5th

5

12th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:28 Ludlow

Sergeant Wilson

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Temptingly treated on the pick of his handicap form at about 2m on ground not too slow; Taunton last time was disappointing (2m3f, good) but coming back to a sharp 2m will help and could run well if his jumping holds up (can make mistakes).

7/1

Form: 3-4 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promising bumper debut in April but unable to justify favouritism on last month's return, both races here; half-brother to Dodging Bullets and likely to be seen to better effect over jumps for leading yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

18th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

18:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Trick Of The Tail

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Never looked dangerous when well-held fifth here (2m, soft) last month, after a break, and now 0-10 over hurdles; getting back on good ground ought to be in his favour but others have more pressing claims.

14/1

3rd

2

18th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

18:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Trick Of The Tail

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Never looked dangerous when well-held fifth here (2m, soft) last month, after a break, and now 0-10 over hurdles; getting back on good ground ought to be in his favour but others have more pressing claims.

14/1

5th

10

20th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Trick Of The Tail

11st 1lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

Placed off 2lb higher over C&D (good) on last summer's handicap debut but absent since a poor run in November and the ground may not dry out quickly enough for him today; had wind op in December; tongue-tie added.

16/1

Non-runners

Heros De Moutiers

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3483.40
Straight Forecast £1688.38
Trifecta £0.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sergeant Wilson

RP Ratings:

Keep Running

Telegraph:

Gentle River

The Guardian:

Sergeant Wilson

Daily Mail:

Sergeant Wilson

D Express:

Sergeant Wilson

Daily Mirror:

Sergeant Wilson

The Star:

Sergeant Wilson

Daily Record:

Sergeant Wilson

POSTDATA:

Keep Running

LAMBOURN:

Keep Running

The Times:

Keep Running

The Sun:

Keep Running