December 15 / 13.10 Ffos Las

13.10

Good

Lucky Chancer Golden Boy Ale “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 4
  • 16 runners
SKY
View Course
Lucky Chancer Golden Boy Ale “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 774/7

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; some promise on his second bumper start and again on hurdles debut (2m7f, good) in April 2021; tailed off on return from a 587-day absence (2m4f, good) last month; bit to prove, especially down again in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

20th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

14:00 Plumpton

American Legacy

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Made fairly encouraging hurdle debut over 2m7f in April 2021 but wasn't seen again until tailed off at Newbury last month (2m4f) and is not the percentage call today.

33/1

7th

3

25th Nov 2022

Good

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

13:20 Newbury

American Legacy

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Point winner who showed ability in a bumper and maiden hurdle in spring 2021, but improvement is required on this first outing since.

40/1

OUR TIP

Form: 032-69

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in three of his four bumpers; yet to show commensurate ability over hurdles in two attempts and this trip again looks likely to prove too sharp; should do better when his stamina comes more into play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

10th Jul 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Worcester

Barnards Green

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out

20/1

13th

7

6th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

15:50 Uttoxeter

Barnards Green

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Placed in three of his four bumpers in 2021-22 season but cut little ice over hurdles last term, most recently when well down the field on handicap debut in January (2m); tries a much longer trip today.

25/1

14th

7

27th Jan 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

16:20 Doncaster

Barnards Green

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Placed in three of his four bumpers last season (all on good to soft); soundly beaten in three soft-ground maiden hurdles this term (2m-2m4f) but is back on a less testing surface for today's handicap debut and has plenty of scope for improvement.

10/1

Form: 7

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
33-1 on debut in a maiden bumper at Market Rasen (good to soft) recently, when never able to threaten; makes immediate switch to hurdling; can improve for that first run but probably best watched again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

17:15 Chepstow

Coal Fire

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Won twice over hurdles in 2023 (July and October); missed 2024 and ran over fences on both starts for new yard this year, not disgraced on first occasion but tailed off on heavy latest; has a good mark if he's straight back to his peak returned to hurdles.

9/1

4th

4

25th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

14:45 Leicester

Coal Fire

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Signs of retaining ability, while seeming to need the run, at Ludlow (3m) this month on stable/seasonal debut and second chase attempt; may step up on that effort; nicely handicapped on best hurdles form.

7/1

5th

8

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

14:45 Ludlow

Coal Fire

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Pulled up in June 2023 on sole chase start and absent since that November; however, he's on a handy mark on his best hurdle form for Peter Bowen and he's one to watch in the betting on his stable debut.

11/1

Form: 931-28 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a Hereford bumper (good; fourth start) in March; improved significantly when second on his hurdles debut at Cheltenham (2m, good) in October; finished last of eight when stepped up to Grade 2 level over the same C&D (good) last month; should appreciate the return to this grade; contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

19:00 Chepstow

Deere Mark

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Promising novice who doubled his hurdling tally on handicap debut at Kempton (2m, soft) in January; weakened tamely after briefly looking dangerous in valuable event at Kelso (2m, good to soft) last month but is back in calmer waters here and still has potential.

3/1

12th

13

4th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

13:50 Kelso

Deere Mark

10st 10lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Sam Thomas

Good-ground bumper winner who scored at Hereford (2m, soft) in December on his third hurdle start and followed up on handicap debut at Kempton (2m, soft); today's assignment is much tougher but he travelled really well last time and could have plenty more left in the tank.

7/1

17

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Deere Mark

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Sam Thomas

Seeking a hat-trick having won Hereford novice event and Kempton handicap (driven out) the last twice, both over 2m on soft going; bumper winner on good ground; gets into this better race off a low weight; generally progressive; interesting contender.

16/1

Form: 53-P

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed ability in both bumper runs last winter; 40-1, never figured when pulled up on his hurdles debut at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) last month; not written off but clearly needs significant improvement to figure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Herakles Westwood

11st 5lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Second-season chaser who took his form to new levels over about 3m1f-3m2f at Cheltenham initially this season but, after wind surgery, faded badly from three out when 10-1 for the Kim Muir there last month; needs to bounce back with another career best and he has more to prove on this third attempt at a marathon trip.

20/1

13th

8

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Herakles Westwood

11st 6lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Warren Greatrex

Second-season chaser who has run well here on his last three starts, finishing second of 16 under Finian Maguire (3m1f, heavy) then fourth over this C&D (good to soft; lost a shoe) before winning here (3m1f, good) on New Year's Day; has had wind surgery since and he's a solid contender.

9/1

5th

13

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Herakles Westwood

10st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

in touch with leaders, dropped to midfield 9th

16/1

Form:

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dam maiden in France, half-sister to 2m3f-3m1f hurdle/cross-country chase winner Flash De Cheneau; 25-1 on debut in a Chepstow novice (2m, good to soft), when never involved; needs a big step up on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

14:35 Newton Abbot

Ideallko

11st 6lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Did his winning for Evan Williams in batches, latterly when notching a hat-trick the winter before last; on a fair mark back from a short break but needs a revival after a few poor efforts in recent times.

8/1

4th

4

4th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 65y

Class 5

14:07 Sedgefield

Ideallko

11st 11lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Enjoyed very good campaign last season with three wins (two over fences); he's on a handy mark on that form but has been well beaten in fourth on both outings this term; needs to turn things around.

10/1

9

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

16:35 Chepstow

Ideallko

10st 11lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Off since April but in was in the zone back then having delivered seasonal form figures of 111222; the latest near miss was over C&D and he's only 2lb higher for this; hard to dismiss.

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
18,000euros 3yo; second foal; dam 2m3f-2m7f hurdle winner, sister to bumper/high-class 2m3f-3m hurdle/chase winner The Storyteller and 2m4f-3m1f hurdle winner Alfie's Choice; likely to do better over further but in good hands and no surprise if he shows up well on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

23rd May 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Huntingdon

Imperial Admiral

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

With a good stable and is out of a sister to high-class jumper The Storyteller but didn't show any promise when pulled up on both hurdling starts last season and, following a wind op, unseating rider when veering right at first flight at Ludlow nine days ago; too risky.

33/1

8

14th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Imperial Admiral

11st 1lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

With a good stable and is out of a sister to high-class jumper The Storyteller but didn't show any promise when pulled up on both hurdling starts last season; needs subsequent wind op to have maed a huge difference.

40/1

5

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

16:00 Taunton

Imperial Admiral

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

midfield, not fluent 1st, ridden and dropped to rear 4 out, mistake and pulled up 3 out

16/1

Form: 488-30

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in his seventh and final French bumper; 25-1 and tailed off on hurdles and stable debut at Taunton (2m, good) last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

17th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

14:10 Southwell

Invincible De Mee

10st 5lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Tim Vaughan

Runner-up at Exeter (2m5f, good) last March on second handicap start but beaten 15l; pulled up on both runs since and others preferred.

33/1

Form: 6

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in an Irish point in April (second start); showed inexperience on hurdling debut at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in October; may benefit from that, in good hands and some improvement anticipated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

15th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:55 Ffos Las

Jacks Orchard

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

Made promising late headway over 2m on handicap debut in March and returned from break with 2m4f win at Uttoxeter (good; first-time cheekpieces) in August; open to significant further progress over staying trips and a major player here; unraced on ground slower than good to soft under rules but was placed in a soft-ground point.

4/1

1st

7

30th Aug 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

19:50 Uttoxeter

Jacks Orchard

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

Not beaten far on handicap debut at Exeter in March, despite looking unsuited by going right-handed (not for the first time); absent since but still unexposed and could well figure, especially if cheekpieces help.

8/1

Form: 65-6

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished second in two Irish points last winter; showed some ability on his hurdles debut at Newbury (2m, good) in April; unable to build on that on his reappearance at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in October; should be capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

13

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:35 Wincanton

Jet Marshall

11st 0lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 5th

8/1

3rd

13

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:35 Wincanton

Jet Marshall

11st 0lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 5th

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

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

Form: 3/

Last run: 632 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Cost £105,000 after winning an Irish point on debut; 17-2 and showed ability on his rules debut when third in a Huntingdon bumper (good to soft) in March 2021; not seen since and has had wind surgery in the interim; market check suggested to glean any confidence on this belated return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

6th Jan 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:05 Wincanton

Starevitch

11st 2lb

J: Will Featherstone

T: Jamie Snowden

Won a point and placed in a bumper before going absent for 638 days; minor form in three novice hurdles and a handicap chase last season; returns to hurdles with low mileage for an 8yo but others have more compelling credentials.

8/1

4th

2

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:35 Ludlow

Starevitch

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Irish maiden point winner; third in a bumper in March 2021 but, with wind surgery last August, he did not race again until well held in three novice hurdles this winter (latest at Newbury last month); now makes chase debut and goes beyond 2m3f for the first time under rules.

9/2

Form: 624

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Improved to finish second in a Tramore bumper (good) on his second and final start for Sean Doyle; 14-1 and no serious impression when fourth in a Hereford bumper (soft) on stable debut last month; can probably step up on that this time.; first attempt over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:50 Worcester

Up For Appeal

11st 9lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Christian Williams

2m5f good-ground winner last summer off 6lb higher; hardly consistent though and never went a yard at Warwick last month; now tries cheekpieces.

14/1

8th

7

5th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Warwick

Up For Appeal

11st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Christian Williams

Scored at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) last June and was in contention before penultimate-fence fall at Sedgefield (2m5f, soft) in December but last season's record was rather mixed and we haven't seen him since a poor performance in January.

10/1

8th

7

5th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Warwick

Up For Appeal

11st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Christian Williams

Scored at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) last June and was in contention before penultimate-fence fall at Sedgefield (2m5f, soft) in December but last season's record was rather mixed and we haven't seen him since a poor performance in January.

10/1

Form: 0-P

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Big prices and well beaten in both a mares' bumper (good) and, after wind surgery, a mares' maiden hurdle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

31st Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Ffos Las

Libertarian Royale

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

No worthwhile form in a bumper and two hurdles; very opposable for now.

200/1

Form: 4/4-42

Last run: 114 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed improvement in her most recent bumper, when second in a mares' contest at Worcester (good) in August; returns from a break to tackle hurdles for the first time; market check suggested to glean any confidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

17th Oct 2023

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

15:35 Hereford

Orange Gina

10st 2lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Nikki Evans

Showed some ability in bumpers last year but unplaced all five hurdling starts; pulled up when upped to 2m7f at Worcester last month and effectively 6lb higher here; very difficult to enthuse over.

33/1

0

11

3rd Sep 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Worcester

Orange Gina

10st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Nikki Evans

Not beaten far when ninth of 12 here (2m4f, good) on handicap debut two months ago, having made the running, but is effectively 1lb higher today and needs to improve for the step up in trip.

33/1

9th

12

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:28 Worcester

Orange Gina

10st 7lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Nikki Evans

Little to show for three efforts over hurdles but may do better now handicapping, bearing in mind she showed ability (including a second) in bumpers at this track last summer.

25/1

Form: 06

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Marginal improvement from her debut to her more recent bumper run here (soft) last month but beaten a long way on both occasions; sister to a French 2m1f hurdle winner, so may see more from her now tackling obstacles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

18

5th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Ffos Las

Palmagreen

10st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Showed no significant promise at triple-digit odds in three qualifying runs (1m7f-2m5f) and is 12lb out of the weights for today's handicap debut; sports first-time cheekpieces; considered only if lively in the betting.

20/1

14

23rd Jan 2023

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:30 Ffos Las

Palmagreen

11st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

No worthwhile form in two bumpers and as many hurdles; one for handicaps further down the line.

100/1

Betting Forcast

50/1 American Legacy, 25/1 Barnards Green, 25/1 Coal Fire, 2/1 Deere Mark, 25/1 Herakles Westwood, 25/1 Ideallko, 5/1 Imperial Admiral, 25/1 Invincible De Mee, 12/1 Jacks Orchard, 8/1 Jet Marshall, 14/1 Rare Bear, 6/1 Starevitch, 10/1 Up For Appeal, 50/1 Libertarian Royale, 10/1 Orange Gina, 25/1 Palmagreen

Non-runners

American Legacy, Herakles Westwood, Orange Gina

Verdict

There should be a fair bit to learn from this but for today the suggestion is DEERE MARK, who has shown ability and should appreciate the return from Grade 2 to this level. It would be no surprise if newcomer Imperial Admiral is capable of being very competitive, while Starevitch is interesting returning from a lengthy absence. Jacks Orchard, Up For Appeal and Orange Gina are other potential improvers.[Jonathan Doidge]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Deere Mark

WEST COUNTRY:

Imperial Admiral

Daily Mirror:

Starevitch

The Times:

Up For Appeal

LAMBOURN:

Herakles Westwood

D Express:

Imperial Admiral

RP Ratings:

Deere Mark

POSTDATA:

Deere Mark

Telegraph:

Deere Mark

The Guardian:

Deere Mark

Daily Mail:

Deere Mark

The Sun:

Deere Mark

The Star:

Deere Mark

Daily Record:

Starevitch