November 05 / 13.26 Aintree

13.26

Good To Soft

Boylesports EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5446
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
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Boylesports EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.90

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In a 7l third when falling at the final fence on his debut in an Irish maiden point (3m, soft to heavy) in March; the first two have since joined leading Irish yards and this fellow was sold for £155,000 in April; there's every chance he'll have a bright future under rules and he's a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Man At Work

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: David Pipe

always behind, pulled up after 4 out

3/1

5th

4

2nd Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Man At Work

11st 2lb

J: Tom Scudamore

T: David Pipe

Shaped well in a point before changing hands for £155,000, and he made an immediate impact over hurdles when winning seven-runner novice at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft; 15-2) with plenty in hand; looks a useful prospect at least and needs to be taken seriously.

11/4

1st

8

5th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

13:26 Aintree

Man At Work

10st 13lb

J: Tom Scudamore

T: David Pipe

In a 7l third when falling at the final fence on his debut in an Irish maiden point (3m, soft to heavy) in March; the first two have since joined leading Irish yards and this fellow was sold for £155,000 in April; there's every chance he'll have a bright future under rules and he's a possible.

11/2

11/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 11-

Last run: 243 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beat dual subsequent scorer Sporting Ace to win on his debut in a bumper at Wetherby (2m, soft) last December and he followed up there (2m, heavy) in March; pedigree provides optimism he'll be fine now up in trip on this hurdle debut and his top trainer has won two of the last five runnings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

15:30 Aintree

Grey Dawning

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Two Grade 1 wins, namely the 2m4f novice chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival (soft) and this season's Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft); ran well for a long way before fading into fourth in last month's Gold Cup at Cheltenham (3m2f, good to soft); this drop back in trip could well be a positive move; effective here and respected in first-time cheekpieces.

2/1

4th

5

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Grey Dawning

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won the 2m4f novice chase at the 2024 Festival (soft) and added a second Grade 1 win in the Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) this season; a mistake two out proved costly when 5l third of four to Spillane's Tower in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase here (3m1f, soft) in January and he rallied up the hill; however, he may just lack the required class today.

12/1

3rd

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Grey Dawning

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Top-class 9yo, successful in ten of his 18 races; better than ever on his last two starts, winning Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) on reappearance with plenty in hand; has run well on both his outings at Cheltenham; again looks the one to beat.

8/13

Form: 1 CD

Last run: 176 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Despite jumping to the right he easily won a four-runner C&D maiden (good; 8-1) on his debut in May; this race is much tougher and he carries a 6lb penalty, but it remains to be seen where his limitations lie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Henrys Friend

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Seems best making the running or racing prominently; his six races in the last 14 months have been a mixed bag, with an Ascot win (3m, good) in November the highlight; just 1lb higher today and ran respectably on penultimate start, but his two earlier attempts at 3m6f/4m did not work out; a tongue-tie (worn twice in 2023, with a win on first occasion) returns.

16/1

9th

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Henrys Friend

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Back to form when 5l behind Deep Cave last time at Ascot (3m, good to soft) but he does look vulnerable to better-treated opposition, for all that he's just 2lb higher than for November's win at Ascot; likely to race on the front end.

14/1

2

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Henrys Friend

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Record of 4-9 over fences, his best form when winning by 6l at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft; 5lb higher today); disadvantaged when slowly away (from a standing start) in the Ultima at Cheltenham and yet still made a challenge three out before fading; never got competitive in the Scottish National but he wasn't alone; a stiff 3m around here looks up his street; shortlisted.

15/2

Form: 2-

Last run: 240 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in sole Irish maiden point (3m, yielding to soft) and went close on bumper debut at Carlisle (2m1f, good to soft) in March, form that has worked out well; has had wind surgery prior to this first hurdles start and he could have a part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Snowy Evening

11st 11lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Dual winner over fences at Doncaster on good; yet to win over hurdles and this is his first run in this sphere since March 2023; possibly better for this race before a summer campaign over fences.

12/1

3rd

1

21st Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 4

14:05 Doncaster

Snowy Evening

12st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

led

5/2

Form: 2

Last run: 178 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
8l second on debut in Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) in January and again showed promise when runner-up in Worcester bumper (2m, good to soft) in May; there's a suspicion others have greater potential but it will be no surprise to see another good run on this first hurdles start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Val Dancer

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Last season was one to remember, winning the Welsh National and later second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock; 0-4 this campaign but it's been anything but a washout and he should be dangerous off this mark, for all that he's made his name over further.

4/1

4th

4

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Val Dancer

10st 3lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Won last season's Welsh National (extended 3m6f, soft) off 3lb lower and second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock; near that form on second start this term, before a lesser show (weak in the market) in the Surrey National at Lingfield; needs to be back at his peak and there are mixed messages.

8/1

4th

4

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Val Dancer

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Bettered underwhelming seasonal debut when placed over the big Aintree fences (3m2f, soft) last month and remains only 4lb higher than when winning last season's Welsh National (3m6f, soft); high on the list.

6/1

OUR TIP

14/1

Form: 22-211

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Consistent front-runner who got off the mark on seventh rules start at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in May and followed up at Kempton (2m5f, good) recently; ran well in a point on yielding to soft; has had something in hand the last twice but may be vulnerable under a double penalty in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:35 Stratford

Glengeever

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Ben Lund

Sole chase success came in a match in October; had wind surgery afterwards and he stopped quickly at Southwell after a lengthy break; others safer.

10/1

7

14th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

15:00 Southwell

Glengeever

11st 10lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Ben Lund

travelled strongly, midfield

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish maiden point (3m, soft) by 6l in April on his second start, and he changed hands for 200,000euros later that month; brings considerable potential to this rules debut and could play a leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

5th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

13:26 Aintree

Fortunate Soldier

10st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won an Irish maiden point (3m, soft) by 6l in April on his second start, and he changed hands for 200,000euros later that month; brings considerable potential to this rules debut and could play a leading role.

3/1

Form: 521-1

Last run: 187 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at Chepstow (2m, soft) in February on third bumper start and easily followed up on hurdle debut at Warwick (3m1f, good) in May; no match for a very promising winner when second at Exeter (2m5f, good) yesterday; could give another good account if this doesn't come too soon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Sporting Ace

10st 8lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Reportedly appreciated the heavy ground when rallying to lead close home at Huntingdon (2m7f) last month; will be suited by the longer trip here but the ground will be much quicker this time and he's very unreliable now.

8/1

13

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Sporting Ace

10st 8lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Returned to form with narrow win in this race a year ago (heavy) and is now 1lb below that mark but well beaten all four starts since (three this season) and needs to bounce back again; headgear (worn for last two races) removed.

16/1

Non-runners

Sporting Ace

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.10
Straight Forecast £14.66
Trifecta £55.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Grey Dawning

TOPSPEED:

Henry's Friend

The Times:

Glengeever

POSTDATA:

Henry's Friend

WEST COUNTRY:

Henry's Friend

Telegraph:

Henry's Friend

Daily Record:

Henry's Friend

RP Ratings:

Grey Dawning

The Guardian:

Grey Dawning

Daily Mail:

Grey Dawning

D Express:

Grey Dawning

Daily Mirror:

Grey Dawning

The Sun:

Grey Dawning

The Star:

Grey Dawning