December 21 / 12.45 Hereford

12.45

Soft

Hereford Motor Group Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3539.9
  • 2m 3f 147y
  • Class 4
  • 16 runners
SKY
View Course
Hereford Motor Group Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1-22

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Doncaster bumper winner; runner-up on both starts over hurdles (Aintree form franked) and sets the benchmark on the strength of his most recent Newbury second to the Paul Nicholls-trained Stay Away Fay; this rates as a suitable opportunity to strike.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

12th Mar 2023

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Warwick

Heezer Geezer

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Bumper winner (2m, soft) who was runner-up on his first two hurdle starts before winning at Hereford (2m3f, soft) in December; faded when third over 2m7f at Chepstow latest and needs to prove his stamina, but this handicap newcomer has potential for his top yard; respected in first-time tongue-tie.

9/4

3rd

1

3rd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:30 Chepstow

Heezer Geezer

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Doncaster bumper winner; runner-up on first two starts over hurdles, including on good ground, and went one better in maiden at Hereford (2m3f, soft) in a very tight, three-way finish; sets the standard on hurdles form and he's entered in the 3m Grade 1 novice at Cheltenham Festival.

13/8

11/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 216- C

Last run: 256 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Narrowly beaten in a Wincanton bumper (solid level of form) before landing the odds in a canter here in February (2m bumper, soft); came up short in Grade 2 bumper at the Aintree Grand National meeting but should make into a fair hurdler (debut) on the basis of pedigree; noteworthy type.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 3

13:50 Carlisle

Shomen Uchi

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

prominent, led before 8th, not fluent and faced challenge 2 out, soon ridden, pushed along and led clearly run-in, pricked ears towards finish

7/2

1st

7

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:40 Chepstow

Shomen Uchi

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Sam Thomas

Creditable sixth in Aintree Grade 2 bumper last April having dotted up at Hereford the time before; went very close in maiden hurdle back at Hereford (2m3f, soft) on sole outing this term; leading player provided he stays this new trip (mixed messages in pedigree).

2/1

6

9th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 192y

Class 4

13:23 Ffos Las

Shomen Uchi

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Sam Thomas

Useful in bumpers last season and lost out only by a head in 15-runner Hereford maiden (2m3f, soft) on hurdle debut in December; that form aready sets a good standard here, and he ought to have a fair bit more to offer.

4/7

5/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1-2 BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£90,000 purchase; readily took a Uttoxeter bumper (2m, soft; on stable debut) in March, and drew well clear with a most determined winner on recent hurdles debut (seasonal reappearance) at the same Midlands venue (2m4f, soft); stays well and is clearly a promising type; much respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Worcester

Issuing Authority

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

towards rear, outpaced before 4 out, struggling when slow jump 3 out, soon pulled up

7/2

6th

8

30th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Issuing Authority

10st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Low-mileage 7yo who won three-runner beginners' chase on heavy ground during the winter; probably raced too close to hot pace when weakening fifth in Cartmel race won by Al Zaraqaan last month, and may still have potential.

12/1

Form: 03

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£80,000 purchase after finishing second in a point; made little impact on Rules/stable debut at Ascot (bumper) before faring much better when third on C&D hurdles debut (soft; beaten 15l; 28-1) four weeks ago; is likely to continue to progress with experience; stablemate of Big Blue Moon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

22nd Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

13:30 Ffos Las

Bannow Bay Boy

12st 0lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

prominent, led 3 out, pushed along and bumped rival before 2 out, ran green after 2 out, pecked on landing last, soon ridden and hung left, kept on but headed final 110yds

5/2

3

5th Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:00 Huntingdon

Bannow Bay Boy

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

3rd

5

30th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

14:25 Hereford

Bannow Bay Boy

11st 9lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Tom Lacey

Second in an Irish point last February (only two finished), after which he was sold for £80,000; two hurdle runs for this yard have seen him not get home over an extended 2m3f here; could rate higher now dropped in trip and handicapping but he will need more to defy this mark.

8/1

Form: 38

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner (3m, good); subsequently changed hands for £60,000; stayed on to finish third on Rules/hurdles debut at Worcester (2m4f, soft; beaten 13l) in October before toiling at Warwick (2m5f) latterly; on balance, safer options lie elsewhere.
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: 3

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner for Christopher Barber; joined Anthony Honeyball for £23,000 and made a pleasing start under Rules when placed in a Chepstow bumper (2m; 4-1) five weeks ago; probably requires a fraction more now switched to hurdles for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:05 Taunton

Talkingtothemoon

10st 12lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

2m4f maiden point winner in 2022; third on rules debut in a bumper that November but singularly failed to reproduce the form in three starts over hurdles that season; returns from 671 days off and is tongue tied for handicap debut over a new trip; worth a market check.

14/1

4th

8

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:05 Taunton

Talkingtothemoon

10st 12lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

2m4f maiden point winner in 2022; third on rules debut in a bumper that November but singularly failed to reproduce the form in three starts over hurdles that season; returns from 671 days off and is tongue tied for handicap debut over a new trip; worth a market check.

14/1

8th

6

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:30 Chepstow

Talkingtothemoon

11st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Point winner; encouraging rules debut in a bumper here in November; minor promise in two hurdle starts since but handicaps likely to be his forte after this.

20/1

Form: 4-48

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth, a place behind today's rival Getupearly, on hurdles debut at Worcester (2m4f, soft) in October; disappointing next time when well down the field at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft; Issuing Authority a close second); plenty of work to do in order to figure positively.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

3rd Jul 2023

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:55 Southwell

Student Chap

11st 4lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Well down the field when upped to 2m7f for handicap debut in April and pulled up over 2m4f the following month; in good hands and remains unexposed but needs to take a big step forward here; tongue-tie added.

14/1

4

17th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Worcester

Student Chap

11st 9lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

midfield, outpaced and pushed along 7th

9/1

13th

2

21st Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:35 Exeter

Student Chap

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Fergal O’Brien

Fourth to a good rival in one of his maidens and has perhaps been waiting for drier ground to launch handicap career; could be interesting.

7/1

Form: 662-U

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Clear improvement for the fitting of a tongue-tie when runner-up in a Newton Abbot bumper (2m1f, soft) in March; had wind surgery subsequently but drifted in the market prior to unseating his rider at the fourth flight on hurdles debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft; 14-1) five weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

2

23rd Jul 2023

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

15:35 Newton Abbot

Sandalwood

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

raced in second, pulled up quickly after 3 out

9/4

1st

3

7th Jul 2023

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

15:15 Newton Abbot

Sandalwood

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

pressed leader, led 3rd, headed after 3 out, led again when ridden before 2 out, clear when not fluent last, stayed on

9/4

4

31st May 2023

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:40 Warwick

Sandalwood

11st 0lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

No match for easy winner when second at Plumpton this month, having refused to settle in first-time blinkers, but was first past the post in cheekpieces at Taunton (3m, good to soft; demoted to second) two starts ago and the cheekpieces are back on here; player if handling the forecast fast ground.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: 8

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Outpaced and seemingly in need of the experience when finishing in mid-division on debut at Chepstow (2m bumper; 9-1; Talkingtothemoon third); dam was a C&D winner back in 2006, so he should appreciate this extra yardage over hurdles; stablemate of Bannow Bay Boy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

3rd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:55 Warwick

Big Blue Moon

10st 5lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Off for nearly a year before pulling up on chase debut (jumped poorly) and when reverting to hurdles in March but subsequent efforts back on good ground yielded two wins at around this trip and he didn't run badly off this mark when third in May; needs to cut out the mistakes reverting to fences but interesting back from a break.

11/2

3rd

3

26th May 2024

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:00 Uttoxeter

Big Blue Moon

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

prominent, led 6th, headed before 2 out, weakened quickly approaching last

2/1

3rd

3

26th May 2024

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:00 Uttoxeter

Big Blue Moon

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

prominent, led 6th, headed before 2 out, weakened quickly approaching last

2/1

Form: P-3

Last run: 220 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on debut at Auteuil over hurdles, then run down late in an AQPS Flat race at Morlaix (1m5f, good); since left the care of David Cottin (for 42,000euros) and will become just a third ever jumps runner for the Muir & Grassick combination; let the market guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Took minor honours in a pair of spring Irish points (3m); has since joined current connections for £14,000 and appears to face a tough task now switching to Rules/hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

Ballinoulart

11st 0lb

J: Richard Upton

T: David Bridgwater

0-22 in points and now 0-18 under rules (0-14 over fences) after finishing a tailed-off runner-up in a novice hurdle at Newton Abbot.

100/1

2nd

4

23rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

18:45 Newton Abbot

Ballinoulart

11st 1lb

J: Richard Upton

T: David Bridgwater

0-22 in points and 0-17 under rules; placed a few times off lowly marks in handicap chases in 2023/24 and also in points this year but another minor role is probably his best hope.

33/1

Form: 57-

Last run: 285 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 45

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner (3m, yielding to soft) prior to joining current connections for £78,000; gave a pleasing account on Rules/hurdles debut at Chepstow (2m3f; good to soft; fourth of 14; 3-1) before struggling on soft ground at Lingfield (2m) subsequently; possibilities if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Feb 2026

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:20 Southwell

Hot Rod Lincoln

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nick Scholfield

Beaten a whopping 127l when just 7-2 for Lingfield handicap hurdle (2m7f, heavy; first-time tongue-tie) 13 days ago; that's an obvious concern but maybe the added headgear backfired and he won off just 1lb lower at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) on his last chase start for Simon Hodgson about a year ago; Sean Bowen (4-5 for this yard) is an interesting jockey booking.

5/1

4th

2

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Lingfield

Hot Rod Lincoln

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Nick Scholfield

No trip or ground issues but consistency has been an issue over several years' fitful campaigning, and while this is easier than the C&D 0-120 of December's return from another eight months off, it's no certainty he'll step up sufficiently on that 35l last of six; regains headgear.

5/1

Form:

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Wore a tongue-tie when a tailed-off last of ten at Exeter (2m bumper; 66-1); blinkers go on for the switch to hurdles; safe to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

21st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

12:45 Hereford

Irish Ed

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Mitchell Hunt

Wore a tongue-tie when a tailed-off last of ten at Exeter (2m bumper; 66-1); blinkers go on for the switch to hurdles; safe to look elsewhere.

200/1

10th

6

2nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

15:45 Exeter

Irish Ed

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Mitchell Hunt

midfield, pushed along and ran green before halfway, dropped to rear 6f out, lost touch 5f out, tailed off

50/1

Form: 3

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful on the Flat in France; in the mix in a Class 2 Haydock Flat handicap (2m, good; sixth) on second start for Jonjo O'Neill after 160,000euros purchase; failed to settle when weakening tamely on recent hurdles debut (3m) so the decision to drop in trip is a perfectly logical next move.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(4)

18th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Bath

Merveillo

9st 8lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won 1m4f Listed race (very soft) in France during 2021; wasn't beaten far in a better race than this over 2m at Haydock last spring but he's generally struggled under both codes since and was tailed off back at Haydock (1m7f, heavy) 18 days ago; lots to prove.

40/1

5th

3

(2)

30th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Haydock

Merveillo

10st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won 1m4f Listed race in France during 2021; wasn't beaten far in a better race than this over 2m (good) on this track in May 2022 but all at sea over hurdles since and that mark is now lower than his Flat one; no joy at Goodwood recently and has it to prove at present.

20/1

8th

6

(3)

5th Sep 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Goodwood

Merveillo

9st 5lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Listed winner on Flat in France; 0-12 in Britain, mostly over hurdles (well held off modest marks the last twice); well treated on best form in this sphere but is by no means guaranteed to reproduce it.

16/1

Form: 5906

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

9th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

14:17 Hereford

Lady Berlais

11st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Made all at Fakenham (2m, soft) in December when 5lb lower; nothing since and the trip is a worry.

12/1

2

12th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

16:45 Plumpton

Lady Berlais

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, led, headed 5 out, weakened quickly after 4 out, pulled up after 3 out

5/1

Non-runners

Lady Berlais

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.40
Straight Forecast £9.08
Trifecta £14.50

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Issuing Authority

The Times:

Shomen Uchi

SPOTLIGHT:

Heezer Geezer

WEST COUNTRY:

Talkingtothemoon

RP Ratings:

Heezer Geezer

D Express:

Shomen Uchi

Daily Mirror:

Shomen Uchi

The Star:

Shomen Uchi

POSTDATA:

Issuing Authority

LAMBOURN:

Issuing Authority

Telegraph:

Issuing Authority

The Guardian:

Issuing Authority

Daily Mail:

Issuing Authority

Daily Record:

Issuing Authority