December 08 / 12.50 Warwick

12.50

Good To Soft

Heat Your Home With Alpha Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3539.9
  • 2m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 17 runners
RTV
View Course
Heat Your Home With Alpha Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: U

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Convincing winner of a Woodford maiden point in April (3m, good), though the form has taken knocks with the frame-fillers collectively 0-4 (best RPR 49) in hurdles since; have to hope last month's Exeter hurdles debut, when tailed off when unseating, was simply needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

28th Feb 2023

Good To Firm

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

15:30 Leicester

Also Known As

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Had little to beat when point winner last spring (good); well held in two hurdle completions on soft but this looks more his cup of tea, going handicapping over fences back on a sound surface; first-time aids fitted.

3/1

1

23rd Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Ffos Las

Also Known As

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Good-ground point winner; needs to improve on what he's shown in two rules starts (latest on soft) and looks likely to be more interesting when switched to handicaps.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth in both Irish pointing starts last spring (3m, good to yielding), running on again late having got outpaced; entitled on that basis to find the 3f shorter trip a negative on this stable/rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

4th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

13:28 Plumpton

Ballinoulart

10st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: David Dennis

in touch with leaders, not fluent 10th, soon lost ground

4/1

7

4th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

13:28 Plumpton

Ballinoulart

10st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: David Dennis

in touch with leaders, not fluent 10th, soon lost ground

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Breeding speaks more of effectiveness over 1m2f and below, but kept on well to land his sole Irish point start in October 2021 (3m, good) and changed hands for £100,000 subsequently; "does everything nicely", according to his trainer, and starts hurdling career at a realistic level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

24th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

13:30 Newbury

Ballyhigh

11st 5lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Nicky Henderson

Fetched £100,000 after comfortably winning an Irish point (3m, good); trainer was complimentary about him in his pre-season Stable Tour and he reportedly bled when pulled up on his hurdling debut at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft; 7-2); remains interesting.

33/1

5

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

12:40 Ffos Las

Ballyhigh

11st 0lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Nicky Henderson

Fetched £100,000 after comfortably winning an Irish point (3m, good) and the third has gone on to be placed in maiden hurdles; top trainer was positive about him in his Stable Tour.

12/1

Form: 58P

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Couldn't be confident judged on his efforts to date, pulling up over shorter latest (250-1); hood added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

14

24th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:47 Warwick

Beannaigh Do

10st 2lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Sheila Lewis

0-20 under rules; not as far out of the weights today as is sometimes the case but still makes only limited appeal in first-time blinkers.

25/1

13

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Worcester

Beannaigh Do

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Sheila Lewis

19-race maiden; modest form in 12 chase starts, although had a stiff task from a long way out of the weights last time; out of the handicap again but not entirely ruled out on the pick of past form.

16/1

10th

10

21st Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

17:10 Stratford

Beannaigh Do

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Sheila Lewis

18-race maiden who brings no form claims from so far out of the weights.

66/1

Form: 85-0

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Over 6l behind Peace Of Rome when last in a bumper here in April, and never recovered fully from a bad early blunder on his recent hurdling debut (250-1); rather more needed as things stand.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:37 Warwick

Best Mate Dave

12st 0lb

J: Mr Frederick Philipson-Stow

T: Oliver Edward Hayes

Sole success came over hurdles in June 2023; last of three finishers at Leicester (2m6f, heavy) in February and beaten three times in points since, including in a match; has his work cut out here.

20/1

3rd

2

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:25 Leicester

Best Mate Dave

12st 0lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Oliver Edward Hayes

Sole win came over hurdles in June 2023 off a basement mark; he's up against it on his second start back from an absence.

33/1

6

12th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

13:50 Hereford

Best Mate Dave

11st 1lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: D J Jeffreys

Remains 6lb above his sole hurdle win (2m4f, good) but he didn't run badly when tried in cheekpieces on second chase start when just over a 4l fifth here (2m5f) last month; each-way claims if responding well to the first-time blinkers back up in trip.

10/1

Form: 1-P

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
2-2 in bumpers around galloping tracks following successes at Barbury (point bumper; good to soft) and Chepstow (heavy) last winter; nice prospect on that evidence, but have to hope his Lingfield hurdles debut flop latest had more to do with an early mistake than the sharper circuit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

18:17 Fontwell

Churchills Boy

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Acts on good and soft ground; dual novice winner (2m4f/2m1f) in 2022-23 season and remains lightly raced but he returned after 666 days off with a heavy defeat at Stratford in February; tongue-tie is now added and he needs to bounce back near best.

25/1

10th

7

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

18:17 Fontwell

Churchills Boy

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Acts on good and soft ground; dual novice winner (2m4f/2m1f) in 2022-23 season and remains lightly raced but he returned after 666 days off with a heavy defeat at Stratford in February; tongue-tie is now added and he needs to bounce back near best.

25/1

9th

4

3rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:50 Southwell

Churchills Boy

11st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Dual novice winner (2m4f/2m1f) in 2022-23 season and remains lightly raced but has fitness to prove after 666-day absence; the betting market may point the way.

20/1

Form: 9P4-

Last run: 260 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Last home when completing, including stepped up to this trip when last seen in March; positive response to debuted tongue tie required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

23rd Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:45 Ludlow

Cloudy Hills

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Paul Webber

Yet to beat a rival in five career starts and application of blinkers will need to provoke a radical upturn of fortunes.

100/1

3

20th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

13:30 Lingfield

Cloudy Hills

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Paul Webber

Struggled in his sole bumper and has been the same story in three runs over hurdles; has had wind surgery but was pulled up over C&D (heavy) when last seen in December and can only be watched after another break.

100/1

Form: 42P0-P

Last run: 219 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nearly made a winning hurdling debut for Nicky Henderson at Fakenham a year ago (2m4f), but struggling badly since (has bled), including in a handicap back over that C&D; best watched on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Commodore Miller

10st 7lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Maiden hurdle runner-up for Nicky Henderson in December 2021 but lightly raced since and he struggled on his three starts in 2024; returns from another absence today.

100/1

12th

11

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:30 Chepstow

Commodore Miller

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Ten-race maiden who has failed to complete in four of his last seven starts including when pulled up in a Worcester handicap (2m4f, soft) on his return last month; mark is tumbling but he has plenty to prove and can only be watched.

50/1

12th

11

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:30 Chepstow

Commodore Miller

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Ten-race maiden who has failed to complete in four of his last seven starts including when pulled up in a Worcester handicap (2m4f, soft) on his return last month; mark is tumbling but he has plenty to prove and can only be watched.

50/1

Form: 3

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fared much the best of the held-up horses when about 17l third on debut at Worcester in October (2m4f, soft), keeping on well; RPR of 104 for that is just about the best over hurdles here, and can be stepped up on yet; likely type for yard still very much in form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

1st Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

13:50 Newbury

Hercules Morse

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Won 2m4f Ffos Las maiden last January; looked a promising candidate for handicaps after that, but tailed off on handicap debut at Exeter (2m7f, again good to soft) one month ago when next seen, making the early running at 6-1; back down in trip and may strip fitter this time, for in-form yard.

9/1

6th

2

31st Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

16:45 Exeter

Hercules Morse

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Shaped with promise on first two hurdling starts, then took a big step forward to win a Ffos Las maiden (2m4f, good to soft); that win was last January and the layoff asks a question but he did look a promising candidate for handicaps and moving up in trip; one to note.

11/2

1

3rd Apr 2023

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

14:30 Ludlow

Hercules Morse

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Shaped with promise on first two hurdling starts then took big step forward to win Ffos Las maiden (2m4f, good to soft) ten weeks ago; that form already puts him right in the thick of things here, and he's open to further improvement.

2/1

Form: 48

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth in a 2m5f hunter chase for Shark Hanlon in April on only his second career start; faded to be beaten 33l on last month's stable/hurdling debut (2m4f, good), and might appreciate more time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

17:30 Newton Abbot

Jigginstown King

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

disputed lead, badly hampered and unseated before 1st

7/1

1st

4

30th Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

18:10 Fontwell

Jigginstown King

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

made all, jumped well, stayed on run-in, ridden out

8/1

10

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Worcester

Jigginstown King

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

disputed lead

6/1

Form:

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Found only the subsequent big money purchase The Gunner Yeats too good in his one Irish pointing start a year ago; unremarkable stable/bumper debut, but no surprise were 2m4f-2m5f and hurdles to suit this nephew of Oscar Whiskey rather better; check for market confidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

19th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 110y

Class 4

15:17 Ffos Las

Not Long Left

11st 9lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Signed off for Christian Williams with win in three-runner novice hurdle in spring 2023; unseated rider at second fence when reappearing for new stable in recent handicap chase and remains a tricky horse to weigh up, but it won't be a surprise if he plays a significant role here; unraced on ground slower than good to soft.

5/1

7th

6

19th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 110y

Class 4

15:17 Ffos Las

Not Long Left

11st 9lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Signed off for Christian Williams with win in three-runner novice hurdle in spring 2023; unseated rider at second fence when reappearing for new stable in recent handicap chase and remains a tricky horse to weigh up, but it won't be a surprise if he plays a significant role here; unraced on ground slower than good to soft.

5/1

8

10th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:12 Uttoxeter

Not Long Left

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Finished lame when beating one other finisher in a 2m5f Fontwell maiden hurdle in May 2023 (good); achieved more when second in his previous race, a 2m7f maiden at Chepstow (good to soft); same owners but in a new yard and interesting chase/handicap debutant despite the long absence.

2/1

Form: 62-2 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten favourite on all three bumper starts (one here), though greenness still evident each time and there was no real shame in failing to contain Zonisty on Polytrack latest; longer trip on hurdling debut is likely all to the good on that latest evidence, and he warrants respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:22 Kempton

Peace Of Rome

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Danni O’Neill

Showed some fair hurdling form in 2022-23 and returned from long absence with a reasonably encouraging run at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) last month but has quite a bit to find with his two rivals here.

20/1

3rd

3

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:22 Kempton

Peace Of Rome

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Danni O’Neill

Showed some fair hurdling form in 2022-23 and returned from long absence with a reasonably encouraging run at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) last month but has quite a bit to find with his two rivals here.

20/1

4th

5

4th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

14:35 Market Rasen

Peace Of Rome

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Danni O’Neill

raced in second behind clear leader, in touch with leaders with one circuit to go, outpaced after 3 out

25/1

Form: 6784-5

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has outrun his odds since switching to hurdles, posting another personal best RPR when fifth at Chepstow latest (2m3f), but current rate of improvement ought not be enough to trouble all of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:10 Chepstow

Prince Des Malvaux

11st 4lb

J: Mr Daniel Kyne

T: Katharine Davis

Bettered uninspiring point/bumper form when respectable fourth on hurdling debut at Warwick (2m3f, good to soft) in April but hasn't raced again since and others here look much stronger.

66/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Gelded homebred second foal of a point/hunter chase scorer for the Martins, the first having yet to offer anything much in five bumper/hurdles starts; likelier one for further down the line and fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

27th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

12:30 Chepstow

Rare Bear

11st 4lb

J: James Martin

T: Andrew J Martin

Second foal; dam point and 2m3f/2m6f hunter chase winner, out of unraced half-sister to fairly useful bumper, 2m2f hurdle and 2m5f chase winner Django and to 2m1f-2m5f hurdle/chase winner Millcroft Riviera; probably best watched on debut.

100/1

Abandoned

Form: 690

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten 22l or more in three bumper starts this autumn (one here); no great encouragement on breeding for the switch to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

3rd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:30 Chepstow

Sabaarelli

10st 7lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tony Carroll

Soundly beaten in bumpers and refused at the first on hurdle debut.

200/1

12

30th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 4

13:15 Hereford

Sabaarelli

10st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tony Carroll

Hurdles debutante who has poor form claims having been soundly beaten in three bumpers.

100/1

Form: 8-9

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Received a wind operation after finishing a well-held favourite in a bumper last March, but was never meaningfully enough involved to test its effectiveness on last month's hurdling debut, following early mistakes; can do better and longer trip a possible plus, but a bit to take on trust.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:30 Taunton

Sister Saint

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Down the field in sole bumper and well beaten on her three hurdle starts; improvement needed but she's in top hands and goes handicapping off a basement mark; interesting, all the more so if strong in the betting.

100/30

7th

11

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 49y

Class 4

15:25 Fontwell

Sister Saint

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Half-sister to winners including the stable's smart jumper Irish Saint; disappointing in a bumper last March and heavy defeats in her two hurdle races this term; Mullins Bay looks the stable first string.

25/1

7th

14

21st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

13:00 Lingfield

Sister Saint

10st 11lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Paul Nicholls

Half-sister to five winners, notably the stable's smart jumper Irish Saint; didn't live up to market expectations in sole bumper in March and she made a low-key start over hurdles at Exeter (2m2f, good; tailed off) last month; still very early days but she needs a transformation on this switch to slower ground.

10/1

Form: 0/

Last run: 651 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Rising ten, and unseen since 50l defeat on sole previous outing over 21 months ago (300-1); hard to make a case for.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

5th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 199y

Class 5

15:20 Ffos Las

Whiskey Times

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Katharine Davis

300-1 for all three maiden hurdles and showed very little; 4lb out of the weights, as she is today, when 100-1 for her handicap/chase debut at Warwick (2m4f, good) nine days ago and beaten 37l; no form claims.

100/1

5th

9

24th Feb 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Warwick

Whiskey Times

10st 2lb

J: Mr James Turner

T: Katharine Davis

300-1 for all three maiden hurdles and has shown very little; this is more realistic but is 4lb wrong on her handicap/chase debut.

33/1

11

10th Jan 2023

Good

2m 4f 181y

Class 4

12:45 Doncaster

Whiskey Times

11st 3lb

J: Mr Daniel Kyne

T: Katharine Davis

Well beaten in two maiden hurdles and would be a surprise winner.

100/1

Non-runners

Not Long Left

Verdict

Nico De Boinville presumably had the choice of the still green Peace Of Rome and the once-raced Irish point winner BALLYHIGH, and the latter, subject of a brief but encouraging mention during Nicky Henderson’s Stable Tour, can convert a realistic opportunity if ready to roll after a 418-day absence. Hercules Morse sets a conquerable standard of those to have tried hurdles already but retains potential and is next preferred. [Jeremy Grayson]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ballyhigh

POSTDATA:

Hercules Morse

WEST COUNTRY:

Also Known As

Daily Record:

Peace Of Rome

D Express:

Churchills Boy

LAMBOURN:

Ballyhigh

The Times:

Ballyhigh

Telegraph:

Ballyhigh

The Guardian:

Ballyhigh

Daily Mail:

Ballyhigh

Daily Mirror:

Ballyhigh

The Sun:

Ballyhigh

The Star:

Ballyhigh