December 15 / 15.18 Ffos Las

15.18

Good

dragonbet.co.uk The Bookmaker Of Wales Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
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dragonbet.co.uk The Bookmaker Of Wales Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 41-15 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who collected by 7l on his hurdling debut over C&D and it was always going to be tough with a penalty at Warwick (made mistakes); Finn Lambert taking off a handy 5lb will help his cause this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

2nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

14:15 Clonmel

Spring Meadow

10st 10lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: E McNamara

Record of 2-18 over hurdles; soild efforts in three starts in this sphere this year (pulled-up in a chase); has to do more on these terms but could run well.

14/1

9

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 107y

19:08 Sligo

Spring Meadow

10st 13lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: E McNamara

Bumper winner; won his second race over hurdles when scoring over a slightly shorter trip than this at Limerick last October; a solid fourth at Listowel on return before things went wrong on chasing debut at Tipperary; soundly beaten third at Wexford a fortnight ago.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: U

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £70,000 after winning a point in April but he was tailed off when unseating at the last on his recent hurdling debut at Exeter (2m5f, good); needed to show more.
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: 3138-3

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beat the smart Knowsley Road during progressive bumper career; ran a positive first race over hurdles behind his market rivals over 2m here and he's bred for this longer trip; comes into it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:45 Newton Abbot

Astronomic View

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sue Gardner

Didn't appear to stay 3m5f at Bangor two starts ago but fared little better when pulled up at Exeter last month back at a trip that should have suited; had been in good form prior to those runs and would hold at least place claims if able to rekindle that earlier spark.

10/1

6

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

14:55 Exeter

Astronomic View

11st 9lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

In good form over fences prior to heavy defeat at Bangor where he failed to stay 3m5f; could go well now back down in trip on first hurdle start since December 2024.

16/1

6th

8

25th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

16:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Astronomic View

11st 4lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

0-7 over fences but has been running well, not beaten at all far the last twice in races at about 3m; however, although a 3m2f winner over hurdles, 3m6f appeared too far at Exeter in December.

10/1

Form: 57-

Last run: 279 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In good hands but twice finished down the field in Exeter hurdles (2m2f/2m; soft) and perhaps he's one for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

21st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

12:45 Hereford

Captain Rose

11st 4lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Some promise on February Exeter debut (2m2f novice hurdle, soft; fifth of 13) but failed to build upon that back there in maiden company (2m; 3-1; tailed off) the following month; questions to answer now returning from a 285-day absence.

33/1

Form: 7577-

Last run: 264 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten 10l in one of his bumpers but much further in the other three and he wouldn't be the obvious answer to this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Exmoor Forest

11st 9lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Placed in three consecutive chases during the winter (2m7f-3m, good to soft) but this first hurdling start since March 2024 comes after a five-month break, so his fitness must be taken on trust.

12/1

2

18th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:35 Taunton

Exmoor Forest

11st 10lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Creditable third over C&D (good to soft) in December, after a wind op, and probably bettered that performance when filling same position at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) last month; remains on a workable mark and seems likely to be right in the thick of things again.

9/2

Form: 38

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Good-ground point winner; well-held third on his hurdling debut at Worcester and was then beaten a lot further at Warwick when behind Spring Meadow; likely to remain vulnerable in races of this nature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Getupearly

10st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer; 18 defeats under rules equally divided between hurdles and fences; however, accepted the new cheekpieces when runner-up at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) last time and that run offers hope.

4/1

5th

4

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Getupearly

10st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer; 18 defeats under rules equally divided between hurdles and fences; however, accepted the new cheekpieces when runner-up at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) last time and that run offers hope.

4/1

2nd

5

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

18:38 Huntingdon

Getupearly

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer who is 0-17 under rules and 0-8 as a chaser; he does have placed form in this discipline but his last three efforts have been well below his best, the latest after wind surgery; bit risky with cheekpieces turned to.

2/1

Form: 5 BF

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sent off favourite for a reasonable bumper at Worcester (good) two months ago but couldn't go with the leaders late on; should improve for this longer trip and hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

20th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

18:05 Uttoxeter

Morning Line

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Nicky Henderson

raced in second, pushed along when lost second 6th, ridden when outpaced before 3 out, went modest third 2 out, no match for first two

13/2

7

30th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

13:50 Warwick

Morning Line

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

With a top stable and is a brother to recent Cheltenham Festival winner Impervious but showed only minor promise on bumper debut last autumn and was soundly beaten when switched to hurdling last month (2m3f); significant improvement required.

6/1

6th

11

20th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

13:30 Lingfield

Morning Line

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

78,000euros brother to smart 2m-2m3f hurdle/chase winner Impervious; didn't live up to market expectations in a Worcester bumper (fifth of 14) in October but he looked inexperienced and it wouldn't be a surprise if he showed a lot more over this longer trip on his hurdling debut.

4/1

Form: 242-

Last run: 274 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran well in one of his bumpers; only three ran when beaten 10l by the winner (longs odds-on) on his switch to hurdling at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) and his jumping wasn't the best even in that small field; could be vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

15:55 Ludlow

Propelled

11st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Runner-up at Stratford in July (3m2f, good) but remains a maiden and he soon capitulated after a mistake three out at Fontwell a month ago; blinkers go on for cheekpieces.

5/1

5

24th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:05 Fontwell

Propelled

11st 1lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

led at steady pace

3/1

2nd

4

21st Jul 2024

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

14:25 Stratford

Propelled

11st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Beaten in six handicaps from 2m3f to 3m and latest 10l defeat here is the closest he's been; not without hope if he can find something on that off an ever-reducing mark.

4/1

Form: 8/2/2

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
850 days divided his two seconds over hurdles, latterly unable to go with a comfortable winner at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft); fully entitled to find something on that run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

17:10 Hexham

Sponthus

12st 0lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: W H Easterby

in rear

11/4

4th

6

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

17:10 Hexham

Sponthus

12st 0lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: W H Easterby

in rear

11/4

5th

3

26th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

13:07 Exeter

Sponthus

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Very lightly raced 8yo who made pleasing return from long absence when second (albeit no match for winner) in Chepstow maiden (2m3f, good to soft) in November; below that form after racing too freely at Huntingdon on Boxing Day but should have some improvement to come in handicaps.

11/2

Form: 5-206

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
His second in a Market Rasen bumper isn't great form and he's since finished tailed off in two hurdles; one for another day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:05 Market Rasen

St Patricks Bridge

12st 0lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alexander Gibbons

Made all for Fergal O'Brien here (2m5f, good) six weeks ago, his third start since returning to racing under rules; subsequent 5lb rise ought to be manageable if he continues in good form for new stable.

5/2

1st

3

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

18:53 Market Rasen

St Patricks Bridge

11st 11lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Winning UK pointer (2m5f/3m; good); beaten 24l by Ribeye over 3m here last time (soft) but is now 8lb better off and should fare better on this faster ground.

5/2

4

6th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:55 Market Rasen

St Patricks Bridge

11st 11lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Early promise in a bumper and novice hurdle for this yard but failed to fulfil it; two point wins for another trainer (along with some lesser efforts) over an 18-month spell ending in May but he dropped out back with Fergal O'Brien in June and goes chasing with a question to answer.

9/1

Form: 756-UP

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Low-level form in her bumpers and has yet to complete over hurdles; no appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

31st May 2023

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

17:03 Newton Abbot

Lady Amy

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Ella Pickard

Struggled in bumpers and has been the same story in four hurdle runs since November; now goes handicapping after wind surgery but this is a tough task from 9lb out of the weights.

50/1

7th

4

9th Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

14:05 Wincanton

Lady Amy

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Ella Pickard

held up in rear, not fluent 2nd

100/1

6th

3

5th Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

13:00 Ffos Las

Lady Amy

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Ella Pickard

held up in last but in touch with leaders, lost touch home turn, tailed off

100/1

Form: 57

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fifth in a field of seven in a bumper here but was soon on the back foot with novicey jumping when tailed off at Doncaster.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

8th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

13:30 Hereford

Our Flying Angel

10st 2lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Has offered little in her five hurdle races, including the latest (her handicap debut) when tried in cheekpieces (3m, good); more new headgear enlisted but she's 8lb out of the weights.

20/1

6th

14

12th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

17:13 Ludlow

Our Flying Angel

10st 5lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Not beaten far in her only bumper but tailed off or pulled up on her four hurdle races; makes handicap debut over new trip and first-time headgear but a transformation is needed, including as she's 12lb out of the handicap.

33/1

Betting Forcast

4/1 Spring Meadow, 40/1 Also Known As, 4/1 Astronomic View, 20/1 Captain Rose, 50/1 Exmoor Forest, 20/1 Getupearly, 3/1 Morning Line, 6/1 Propelled, 9/4 Sponthus, 33/1 St Patricks Bridge, 100/1 Lady Amy, 40/1 Our Flying Angel

Verdict

This doesn’t look a particularly strong race and ASTRONOMIC VIEW may provide the answer. His bumper form was above average, and it was a nice start over hurdles here three weeks ago. Sponthus is entitled to come on for his belated return to action when chasing home a promising horse at Chepstow.[Alistair Jones]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Astronomic View

The Times:

Sponthus

RP Ratings:

Spring Meadow

LAMBOURN:

Morning Line

POSTDATA:

Spring Meadow

Telegraph:

Spring Meadow

TOPSPEED:

Astronomic View

WEST COUNTRY:

Astronomic View

Daily Mail:

Astronomic View

Daily Mirror:

Astronomic View

The Sun:

Astronomic View

The Guardian:

Sponthus

D Express:

Sponthus

The Star:

Sponthus

Daily Record:

Sponthus