November 06 / 17.20 Ffos Las

17.20

Soft

Follow vickers.bet On Twitter Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4683.56
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Follow vickers.bet On Twitter Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £21.80
  • Place: £4.30

Form: 765470

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Just modest form in seven runs in bumpers/hurdles, all on ground no worse than good to soft; down the field on handicap debut five weeks ago but dropped 5lb for that effort and the new trip and testing ground are both possible sources of improvement; market support would look significant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

30th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

15:00 Ffos Las

Blue Shark

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Strike-rate of 6-17 over hurdles and the latest of those wins was off a 3lb higher mark; however, there's been pretty much nothing to take from his last five appearances and would appear to be going chasing under a cloud.

12/1

0

8

25th Jan 2024

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

14:35 Huntingdon

Blue Shark

11st 10lb

J: James Smith

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Six wins between November 2022 and May 2023 included one over C&D (good); back to within 1lb of the final winning mark in that sequence, but too far below par the last four times to expect him to capitalise.

16/1

0

5

16th Dec 2023

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:48 Hereford

Blue Shark

11st 10lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Between November of last year and this May he won six times in seven starts (2m3f-2m4f); however, shot up the weights as a consequence and he's beaten only one finisher in his last three appearances; has stamina to prove.

12/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 07739-

Last run: 230 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Finished third of 15 on his handicap debut at Wetherby in February (2m3f, heavy; sent off favourite) but unable to build on it at Wincanton the following month; absent since but he retains potential and is more appealing than many.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

15:35 Wetherby

Roger Rarebit

11st 13lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Reappeared with a win at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft) on New Year's Eve and 8l second at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) since behind a rejuvenated winner; has won on soft/heavy ground; could give another good account.

11/2

2nd

4

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:02 Southwell

Roger Rarebit

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Gained second win over fences when scoring at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft) last time; up 5lb but has won on testing ground so further rain would suit and one to consider.

7/4

20/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: 6/805-

Last run: 332 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Unplaced in all nine starts but he didn't run too badly at Taunton when last seen 11 months ago (first-time visor, retained; new tongue-tie today); some promise on soft ground; career best required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

15:15 Haydock

The Imposter

11st 12lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Nigel Hawke

Made it a remarkable nine wins (heavy-good to soft) from his last ten starts when scoring at Chepstow (2m7f) last December; pulled up on his only outing since but that was a tough ask in a hot handicap here four weeks ago, after an absence of nearly a year, and he's not written off.

14/1

2

21st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

15:15 Haydock

The Imposter

11st 12lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Nigel Hawke

Made it a remarkable nine wins (heavy-good to soft) from his last ten starts when scoring at Chepstow (2m7f) last December; pulled up on his only outing since but that was a tough ask in a hot handicap here four weeks ago, after an absence of nearly a year, and he's not written off.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 81986- C

Last run: 249 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Ready winner of a course bumper (heavy; first-time tongue-tie) in January; unsighted in three maiden/novice hurdles at around 2m (no tongue-tie); had wind surgery in July; likely to prove a very different proposition off a paltry mark on his handicap debut with the tongue-tie back on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 3f 149y

Class 4

15:50 Fontwell

Captain Claude

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Dual course winner on slow ground last season (2m5f/3m2f); not quite at best on two starts this term and was behind Record High when fourth here on Boxing Day but has possibilities if perked up by change of headgear.

11/2

5th

5

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 3f 149y

Class 4

15:50 Fontwell

Captain Claude

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Dual course winner on slow ground last season (2m5f/3m2f); not quite at best on two starts this term and was behind Record High when fourth here on Boxing Day but has possibilities if perked up by change of headgear.

11/2

Form: 4036-7

Last run: 157 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
12-race maiden but there has been promise, including over this sort of trip and on testing ground; the addition of a tongue-tie could help and she isn't discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

28th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

18:15 Market Rasen

Saddlers Quest

10st 11lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Debra Hamer

Won three on the trot over 2m/2m1f last summer (good/good to soft); may have needed the race after a break and wind surgery when last of five at Newton Abbot (2m1f, soft) last time; better ground should suit as well.

7/1

5th

2

9th Sep 2024

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:25 Newton Abbot

Saddlers Quest

11st 9lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Debra Hamer

Completed a hat-trick when pipping Karannelle in this race a year ago and looked back in good form when close fourth over C&D (good); slightly disappointing later in June on latest outing but seems quite versatile regarding ground and features prominently in calculations; had wind op in July.

3/1

Form: 5-4465

Last run: 80 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Unplaced in all 11 starts; the odd bit of promise on good ground but today's underfoot conditions likely to pose a very different test; yard also runs The Imposter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

14:40 Perth

Inferno Sacree

11st 2lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

Front-runner; having his 40th career start but a first over 3m when successful at Taunton and he followed up at Plumpton (3m1f; again good to soft); subsequent defeat, again under Murray Dodd, suggests others in here might be better treated.

10/1

2nd

4

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

16:50 Taunton

Inferno Sacree

11st 2lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

Showed improved form when stepping up to 3m to land his sixth success over hurdles, over C&D (good to soft) in February and followed up at Plumpton (3m1f, good to soft) last month; remains unexposed as a stayer and holds strong claims to land a three-timer.

4/5

1st

2

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:30 Plumpton

Inferno Sacree

11st 13lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

Front-runner who has been consistent this season and ended a long losing streak at Taunton (3m, good to soft) 11 days ago; went up 5lb for that but this track also suits him and he remains unexposed as a stayer.

11/4

Form: -34052

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner in Ireland (yielding); ran right up to his best when second of seven at Plumpton three weeks ago (2m, good to soft); runs off the same mark today and likely to stay this far but the ground is a potential concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

2nd Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:00 Southwell

Henry Box Brown

10st 9lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Mrs C Williams

Last win came in December 2024 off 6lb higher; hasn't been firing on all cylinders recently but is down to a career-low mark and cannot dismiss.

7/1

6th

11

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:42 Ffos Las

Henry Box Brown

10st 5lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Mrs C Williams

Returned from three-month break with respectable fourth here (2m3f, soft) in March last time and will be fine over this longer trip, but he's not really been firing on all cylinders since last summer; others appeal more.

14/1

4th

5

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Henry Box Brown

11st 2lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Mrs C Williams

Seemingly aided by addition of cheekpieces when making the frame three consecutive times (2m7f-3m) towards end of last year but still wasn't really firing on all cylinders; should be fine over this shorter trip but the headgear is missing today and he needs to have been refreshed by his three-month break.

8/1

Form: 545-9

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Winning Flat handicapper (1m4f, AW) for Richard Fahey; only modest form over hurdles for this yard but he was returning from a long absence when ninth on last month's handicap hurdle debut; testing ground a potential stumbling block.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

21st Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

17:10 Stratford

Lions Vigil

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

AW winner but 0-12 over hurdles and he's not bred for chasing; this looks a big ask from out of the weights.

25/1

6th

7

5th Jul 2024

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

14:15 Newton Abbot

Lions Vigil

11st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

AW winner over 1m4f but 0-11 over hurdles; respectable efforts off low marks in handicaps at Ludlow (3m, good) and Newton Abbot (2m2f, soft) but up against it on these terms.

50/1

Form: P46

Last run: 14 days

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Promise in his second point run; has shown some aptitude for hurdling, including over C&D a fortnight ago when keeping on in the straight; couldn't say he was thrown in for this handicap debut on racecourse achievement but he brings untapped potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

17:00 Market Rasen

Dan Daly

11st 6lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

Third in a decent Irish point last March (3m, yielding to soft); disappointing over hurdles for current yard (pulled up on soft ground last twice) and needs first-time cheekpieces to bring about significant improvement.

10/1

8

23rd Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:30 Ffos Las

Dan Daly

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

No more than minor promise in his novices and off what looked a tough mark he was pulled up here on his handicap debut (2m4f); this longer trip may help but he's a risky one for now.

14/1

1

6th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ffos Las

Dan Daly

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Promise in his second point run; has shown some aptitude for hurdling, including over C&D a fortnight ago when keeping on in the straight; couldn't say he was thrown in for this handicap debut on racecourse achievement but he brings untapped potential.

9/2

Form: /0-P4P

Last run: 115 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Her best effort came over C&D in June but it is just modest form and she has something to prove now handicapping on the slowest ground she will have faced.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

24th Nov 2022

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Good Greef

10st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Robert Luke

Has shown very little across her seven starts and she was pulled up at 125-1 on her recent handicap debut at Ffos Las.

100/1

7

6th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ffos Las

Good Greef

10st 5lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Robert Luke

Her best effort came over C&D in June but it is just modest form and she has something to prove now handicapping on the slowest ground she will have faced.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £113.50
Straight Forecast £89.12
Tricast £1037.45
Trifecta £1401.00

Selections

RP Ratings:

Henry Box Brown

SPOTLIGHT:

Captain Claude

D Express:

Roger Rarebit

WEST COUNTRY:

Captain Claude

Telegraph:

Captain Claude

POSTDATA:

Henry Box Brown

The Times:

Henry Box Brown

Daily Mail:

Henry Box Brown

Daily Mirror:

Henry Box Brown

The Sun:

Henry Box Brown

The Star:

Henry Box Brown

Daily Record:

Henry Box Brown