December 21 / 15.45 Hereford

15.45

Soft

Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £2178.4
  • 2m 0f 53y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
42,000gns yearling; third foal; half-brother to a fairly useful 6f/1m Flat winner and an AW bumper winner; dam placed on Flat in Italy, half-sister to Group-placed 7f-1m1f winner; not bred to run over this far but stable has good bumper strike-rate (15%).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Alcedo

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

All four wins have been from 2m to 2m4f (on good to soft to heavy), two of those over fences; clearly in fair nick after a win and two seconds in his last three races (3m/2m4f; all in cheekpieces) but he'll be into unknown territory a long way from home over this distance; too risky.

14/1

2nd

1

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:05 Warwick

Alcedo

11st 11lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

8yo who is lightly raced for his age and won in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in November; close second at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) since; fully effective on testing ground and he holds leading claims.

13/8

15/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £50,000 soon after winning three-runner Irish point in April (good to yielding); joined good stable (17% strike-rate in bumpers) for rules career; interesting to see how he fares.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

12th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Worcester

Ballybeg Boss

11st 8lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Ran well when third (albeit well held in the end) on chase/handicap debut at Bangor (2m1f, heavy) in December 2023 but we haven't seen him again since and he encounters much faster ground here.

7/1

3rd

1

15th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

12:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Ballybeg Boss

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Runner-up on first two hurdling starts (2m/2m3f) and had excuse when beaten favourite on latest outing in March (finished lame); switched to fences for today's seasonal/handicap debut and has significant potential.

5/2

3/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£60,000 3yo; fourth foal; dam unraced half-sister to a French Listed hurdle winner; top stable has excellent 27% strike-rate in bumpers; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Kruger Park

11st 2lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Good fourth over C&D (soft) in November and outstayed next-time-out winner Jalisco Star when scoring at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; still on workable mark after latest 2lb rise; likely contender again.

5/1

1

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Kruger Park

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Took a hiding at the weights for Newbury win (2m4f, heavy) last March; he's run to a similar level in defeat twice since but was pulled up at Fontwell in February and 3m2f may be further than he wants to go.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 41 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Brother to useful Irish jumper Magic Daze; built upon promising debut when keeping on strongly to win by 10l over C&D (good to soft) last month; has penalty to shoulder in what looks a stronger race today but still a leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

17:35 Newton Abbot

Magic Seven

11st 11lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Three-time hurdle winner (2m-2m3f) who is still seeking a first chase success after four attempts over fences, though he's gone close on a couple of occasions; the drop in trip will not be an issue and he's not yet fully exposed, but he'll need to step up on those efforts if he's to break his duck.

10/1

5th

8

24th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 Worcester

Magic Seven

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Three-time hurdle winner (2m-2m3f); not one to rely upon heavily nowadays but ran well in defeat over fences at Stratford (2m3f, good to firm) last month and has possibilities if this new trip suits.

8/1

1

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

20:18 Stratford

Magic Seven

12st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Three-time hurdle winner, most recently off this mark at Exeter (2m, good) in November; made a promising chase debut in May when a staying-on second at Huntingdon (2m, good) but never involved at Newton Abbot (2m, good to soft) last month, shaping on both occasions as though a step back up in trip would help; player.

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
37,000euros yearling; 13th foal; half-sister to eight winners including high-class jumper Whisper and a Listed French hurdle winner; dam French 2m1f-2m3f hurdle winner, sister to smart French jumper Subehargues; interesting newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

22nd May 2023

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

17:45 Market Rasen

La Pagerie

10st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Neil Mulholland

prominent, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, ridden and lost position before 2 out, went modest third run-in

10/1

4th

7

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:45 Chepstow

La Pagerie

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

Half-sister to eight winners including the high-class 2m4f-3m hurdle/chase winner Whisper; some promise when fifth of nine in a Hereford bumper (2m, soft) on debut, but beaten 25l when 7-1 for a maiden hurdle at Doncaster (2m, good) three months later.

20/1

6th

3

17th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

14:40 Doncaster

La Pagerie

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Neil Mulholland

Half-sister to eight winners including the high-class 2m4f-3m hurdle/chase winner Whisper; quite promising when fifth in a Hereford bumper on debut (2m, soft, 12-1) and could go well.

10/1

Form: 2

Last run: 125 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made quite promising rules debut when close second at Stratford (good) in August but the form isn't anything to get excited about and she'll need to take a good step forward here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:50 Ludlow

Amidnightstar

11st 5lb

J: Miss Clara Brewitt

T: Tom Britten

33-1 when runner-up on her bumper debut for James Evans in 2022 and was 28-1 when winning a Hereford maiden hurdle by 10l in February 2023; back from a three-year absence when 8-1 but weakening quickly at Brocklesby Park (3m, good to soft; pulled up) four weeks ago; can probably do better with that outing behind her but she's impossible to assess accurately.

25/1

1st

8

5th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

13:33 Hereford

Amidnightstar

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: James Evans

Modest form when second in a Stratford bumper and tailed off since, latterly on her hurdling debut.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second reported foal; dam unraced granddaughter of a Group-placed sprint winner; rare bumper runner for stable; probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

6th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

13:15 Uttoxeter

Amico Amore

11st 4lb

J: Kai Lenihan

T: Gary Hanmer

Showed poor form (bumpers/Flat) for Lisa Williamson; remains with same owner; needs a massive step forward.

100/1

2

(1)

9th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

15:32 Wolverhampton (AW)

Amico Amore

9st 5lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Lisa Williamson

8yo who was tailed off in two bumpers in 2022 and he's struggled in two Flat runs (1m3f/1m) this winter; can only be watched.

100/1

7th

1

(2)

30th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Amico Amore

10st 2lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Lisa Williamson

Beaten a very long way in two bumpers at the end of 2022 and although fourth of eight in a Kempton novice (1m3f, Polytrack; 250-1) this month, was still beaten around 17l; little appeal.

66/1

Form: 19 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

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

9th

1

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

15:00 Uttoxeter

Roger Pol

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Won three 2m7f handicaps (all on good) in early part of last season, two over C&D; has failed to fire in two runs after a break but could be dangerous if all the better for a wind operation and new tongue-tie.

12/1

6th

1

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Roger Pol

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Won three 2m7f handicaps (all on good) in early part of last season; made low-key return behind Tranquil Sea last month but that race was competitive and, with that run behind him, he may yet have more improvement to come.

11/1

7th

4

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

Roger Pol

11st 8lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Absent since an October double (2m7f Class 3) that took his hurdles record to 4-12; returns to action off a stiffer mark in deeper waters and looks by no means certain to bag the hat-trick.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
£800 yearling; second foal; dam a point winner, half-sister to useful jumper Its Crucial; others look much more appealing on paper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

27th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

15:35 Leicester

Autumn Blaze

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Has had few realistic chances but yet to show much, well held in two handicap hurdles and pulled up in both chase starts; 10lb wrong.

100/1

12

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

15:30 Hereford

Autumn Blaze

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

towards rear

100/1

7

1st Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:30 Ffos Las

Autumn Blaze

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Showed no significant promise during five-race hurdling spell last April-July and is 8lb out of the weights for today's chasing debut; sports first-time blinkers; can't be recommended.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ninth foal; half-sister to Flat/hurdle winner Deepsand and hurdle winner Our Thomas; dam once-raced daughter of a US 1m Listed winner; bought for £2,500 in September; stable 0-10 in bumpers during last five seasons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

21st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:45 Hereford

Izza Wizza

10st 9lb

J: Danny Burton

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Ninth foal; half-sister to Flat/hurdle winner Deepsand and hurdle winner Our Thomas; dam once-raced daughter of a US 1m Listed winner; bought for £2,500 in September; stable 0-10 in bumpers during last five seasons.

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
82,000euros 3yo; sixth foal; sister to a French hurdle/chase winner, half-sister to two others French jumps winners; dam second in 2m2f Listed chase, half-sister to smart jumper Bounce Back; respected stable has 16% bumper strike-rate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:05 Southwell

Viva Valentina

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, towards rear

5/1

8th

8

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

14:55 Taunton

Viva Valentina

11st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Thrice-raced mare who looks far from solid, with her second-place finish at Market Rasen in November 2023 flanked by heavy defeats; return to the best form would give her frame possibilities.

16/1

8th

8

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

14:55 Taunton

Viva Valentina

11st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Thrice-raced mare who looks far from solid, with her second-place finish at Market Rasen in November 2023 flanked by heavy defeats; return to the best form would give her frame possibilities.

16/1

Non-runners

Roger Pol, Viva Valentina

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £33.20
Straight Forecast £29.65
Trifecta £93.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Magic Seven

TOPSPEED:

Roger Pol

D Express:

Viva Valentina

The Star:

Viva Valentina

RP Ratings:

Magic Seven

POSTDATA:

Magic Seven

WEST COUNTRY:

Magic Seven

Telegraph:

Magic Seven

The Guardian:

Magic Seven

Daily Mail:

Magic Seven

Daily Mirror:

Magic Seven

The Sun:

Magic Seven

Daily Record:

Magic Seven

LAMBOURN:

Roger Pol

The Times:

Roger Pol