December 22 / 15.40 Ffos Las

15.40

Good To Soft

Nadolig Llawen From dragonbet.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £2940.84
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 5
  • 18 runners
SKY
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Nadolig Llawen From dragonbet.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 18 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: P-5221 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
4lb well in when winning a weak four-runner handicap at Leicester (1m7f, good to soft); that first win had been coming and, off a 4lb higher mark this time, he's on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:50 Chepstow

Colonial Empire

11st 12lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

Close second of 16 at Taunton (3m, good) in December, after a break, and again ran well in defeat at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in January; more exposed than some of these but still respected.

7/1

14/1

  • Place: £4.60

Form: 5-060

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Poor so far, though did catch the eye of the stewards on his penultimate run; goes handicapping off a basement mark and may show more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:22 Ffos Las

Weavers Answer

11st 1lb

J: James Bowen

T: Tim Vaughan

Placed on final three outings last season, most recently when third of ten at Taunton (3m, good) in March; remains on career-high mark for this reappearance but won't be far away if fully tuned up.

5/1

3rd

1

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

Weavers Answer

12st 0lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Back on track with two good seconds this winter, the latter at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) last month, and ought to handle the faster ground here; can make his presence felt again.

4/1

2nd

3

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Lingfield

Weavers Answer

11st 10lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Dual hurdle winner who got back on track with a second at Hereford (3m2f, good to soft) in December and the first three pulled well clear in that race; looks interesting off unchanged mark and he's still unexposed as a stayer.

7/2

9/1

  • Place: £6.00

Form: /5-909

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Easily his best form was when runner-up in a Chepstow bumper (soft); beaten in the region of 70l in each of his hurdle starts but a tongue-tie is now fitted for handicap debut; another who might show some improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

8th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:50 Worcester

Barrier Peaks

11st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Chancing his arm at 3m2f didn't come off last month but previously in fine form this year, winning first four starts at about 2m5f (heavy and good to soft) then running at least as well in defeat at Chepstow in March; should go well again if latest run hasn't taken the sting out of him.

11/2

3rd

4

8th Apr 2023

Heavy

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

14:50 Newton Abbot

Barrier Peaks

11st 9lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: David Pipe

prominent in chasing group

11/4

2nd

3

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:45 Chepstow

Barrier Peaks

11st 13lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: David Pipe

midfield

9/4

Form: 88P-40 CD

Last run: 44 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner down the years but far from consistent in either code in recent times and he's worth taking on under a big weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

30th Dec 2022

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

15:45 Taunton

Borak

11st 2lb

J: Bradley Roberts

T: Deborah Faulkner

Multiple winner down the years but far from consistent in either code in recent times; tailed off the last twice (hurdling/AW).

40/1

1

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:40 Ffos Las

Borak

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Deborah Faulkner

Multiple winner down the years but far from consistent in either code in recent times and he's worth taking on under a big weight.

25/1

12th

10

(6)

14th Nov 2022

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Borak

9st 5lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Deborah Faulkner

slowly away and lost many lengths start, always towards rear

40/1

OUR TIP

Form: 73-308

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Well behind in both his handicaps (2m/2m5f) and reportedly hung right-handed in the latest; the visor needs to have some effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

12th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

13:40 Market Rasen

Syr Maffos

11st 0lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Tom Lacey

Generally disappointing since moving into handicaps but took good step in right direction when fourth at Taunton (2m, good to soft; first-time blinkers) last month, and that form has already worked out well; 3lb lower here; visored refitted this time; can make his presence felt.

7/2

4th

11

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:55 Taunton

Syr Maffos

11st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Six-race maiden; shaped better than bare result in first-time visor at Uttoxeter when last seen, eventually tiring on the heavy going; may improve back on better ground with blinkers now given a whirl.

14/1

5th

7

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:33 Uttoxeter

Syr Maffos

11st 3lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Well behind in both his handicaps (2m/2m5f) and reportedly hung right-handed in the latest; the visor needs to have some effect.

12/1

Form: 1-2645 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Clearcut winner at Newton Abbot in April off only 4lb lower and he wasn't far away from following up here; not sure what happened last time but there's a bold show in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

5th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:48 Ffos Las

Mind Hunter

10st 2lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Hasn't won for ages but latest 9l defeat over C&D was after a lengthy break; each-way claims.

10/1

4th

9

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:12 Ffos Las

Mind Hunter

10st 3lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Bernard Llewellyn

It's now 12 starts since his last success (2022) and he came in a below-par fifth of seven in 2m4f handicap at Leicester in November; others are preferred.

12/1

Form: 44554-

Last run: 279 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
0-9 and beginning to look exposed, having been beaten 24l and 12l in her two handicaps before struggling back in a maiden; nothing to suggest that she's well handicapped unless cheekpieces make a difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

31st Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:10 Lingfield

Fiamette

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Jo Davis

took keen hold, prominent, ridden and dropped to rear 8th

33/1

Form: 4969

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Left Fergal O'Brien after finishing fourth in a Worcester bumper; modest efforts for this yard but low-grade handicaps of this nature should be more like it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:25 Worcester

Bensini

10st 3lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Back with previous trainer for whom he made his debut in a bumper; won a C&D handicap two years ago for Robbie Llewellyn but signed off for that yard in modest form; bit risky.

9/1

7th

15

31st May 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

21:00 Stratford

Bensini

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Yet to add to his win in July 2023 and returned from layoff with a disappointing run this month; goes without headgear again today; revival needed.

25/1

7th

15

31st May 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

21:00 Stratford

Bensini

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Yet to add to his win in July 2023 and returned from layoff with a disappointing run this month; goes without headgear again today; revival needed.

25/1

Form: 3PU36-

Last run: 244 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Not a lot to shout about in British novice/maidens but he could improve for the application of a tongue-tie (and wind surgery) on this switch to handicaps, and he was placed in a bumper when trained in Ireland; market needs checking.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

30th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

16:08 Ffos Las

Howdy Partner

10st 6lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Nikki Evans

Signs were more encouraging before falling here in February but he's been back into modest mode the last twice.

50/1

12

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

17:35 Ffos Las

Howdy Partner

10st 6lb

J: James Davies

T: Nikki Evans

Still in contention before falling at third-last flight over C&D (heavy) in February but was tailed-off 66-1 shot at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last month and is now 0-8 over hurdles.

50/1

11th

12

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

17:35 Ffos Las

Howdy Partner

10st 6lb

J: James Davies

T: Nikki Evans

Still in contention before falling at third-last flight over C&D (heavy) in February but was tailed-off 66-1 shot at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last month and is now 0-8 over hurdles.

50/1

Form: 0-7P78 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in three chasing attempts for this yard and suffered the same fate back over hurdles; very opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

11th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

20:10 Uttoxeter

Fou Diligence

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Max Young

Ex-Irish; has a poor strike-rate and has been out of form for current yard; others stronger.

40/1

4

1st Feb 2023

Heavy

1m 7f 113y

Class 4

13:25 Leicester

Fou Diligence

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Max Young

Sole win from 31 starts came at Naas (2m, soft) in early 2021; soundly beaten in all five runs (hurdles and fences) for this trainer; easily opposed.

100/1

8

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:40 Ffos Las

Fou Diligence

11st 1lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Max Young

Tailed off in three chasing attempts for this yard and suffered the same fate back over hurdles; very opposable.

50/1

Form: 784-26

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Cheekpieces are added after a poor effort at Exeter but he had shaped encouragingly in two previous handicaps; has to be of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

14

9th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

17:48 Ffos Las

Half The Freedom

10st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Has run with credit since beating 16 rivals at Doncaster (2m1f, good) in January; just 2lb higher than for that win, but he is fairly well exposed now and vulnerable to an improver.

8/1

4th

5

1st Apr 2023

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:10 Uttoxeter

Half The Freedom

10st 12lb

J: Sean O’Briain

T: Jonjo O’Neill

in touch with leaders, nudged along 5th, dropped to rear and pushed along 6th

11/2

3rd

6

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:50 Warwick

Half The Freedom

10st 11lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Jonjo O’Neill

His form has been up and down and he was a soundly beaten third at Doncaster (2m, good) last month; however, prior to that he won a big-field handicap over that C&D (good) and was runner-up on soft ground earlier in the season; capable of a bold show if at his best.

7/1

Form: 6/8P-U

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner for Ian Williams; after struggling on the AW for this yard he unseated midrace when 14-1 for a claiming hurdle at Ludlow; not crying out to be backed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(12)

3rd May 2023

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

13:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

Tribal Commander

11st 2lb

J: Miss Roisin Leech

T: Sophie Leech

Made all when winning easily for Ian Williams over C&D early last year off a 2lb higher mark; back in form on his recent course comeback (1m6f) for Roisin Leech, again from the front, and that gave something to build on.

6/1

2nd

2

(11)

8th Apr 2023

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Tribal Commander

11st 2lb

J: Miss Roisin Leech

T: Sophie Leech

Easy winner from 2lb higher here (16.5f; first-time tongue-tie) on his final start for Ian Williams in January last year, but form has regressed under both codes for this yard; best watched for now.

33/1

10

24th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:20 Hereford

Tribal Commander

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sophie Leech

Out of form on the Flat and over hurdles since last summer; his defeat on heavy ground in December can be overlooked but, nevertheless, he comes here with a lot to prove; 3lb out of the weights.

16/1

Form: 9-8670

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Has shown very little so far and not even this low a mark looks lenient now he enters handicaps; only of interest if lively in betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:50 Hexham

Watchoutitscookie

10st 6lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

2m4f hurdle and 2m7f chase winner (both good to soft); has struggled with consistency, but a leading player if reproducing his latest third of eight at Exeter last month.

9/2

3rd

6

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:10 Exeter

Watchoutitscookie

10st 8lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

2m4f hurdle and 2m7f chase winner (both good to soft); versatile regarding going but yet to race on good to firm; on a competitive mark if he can shrug off a lesser effort over C&D latest.

11/2

Form: 95U-0P CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Regressive 7yo who has a modest 1-32 strike-rate and has finished tailed off in his last two hurdle runs, both of them handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

22nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Ffos Las

The Wire Flyer

10st 4lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Alison Thorpe

Won by 5l over C&D (good) this month but that was a surprise outcome at 66-1 and, rather typically, he couldn't replicate the form at Worcester since; that was under a penalty and he's now 4lb higher.

16/1

5

22nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Ffos Las

The Wire Flyer

10st 4lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Alison Thorpe

Won by 5l over C&D (good) this month but that was a surprise outcome at 66-1 and, rather typically, he couldn't replicate the form at Worcester since; that was under a penalty and he's now 4lb higher.

16/1

6th

8

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

The Wire Flyer

10st 7lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Alison Thorpe

Only his second win in 42 career starts when doing it easily last week at Ffos Las (2m4f, good), defying odds of 66-1; that was from out of the weights so only 3lb higher here with a penalty; whether he'll replicate the form is the glaring concern.

7/2

Form: 6P-147 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Has regressed since scrambling home in a 2m1f good-ground handicap at Sedgefield in May, albeit over 2m4f; dropping back in trip is probably the right move and he's only 3lb higher than for his win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

17th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:15 Uttoxeter

Mac Be Lucky

10st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Won off 1lb lower at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in May 2022 but he's been lightly raced since; returned after a long absence with a close third at Chepstow (2m, soft) in March but he's not kicked on from that and has something to prove again; visor added.

16/1

7th

10

5th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:15 Newton Abbot

Mac Be Lucky

10st 6lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

7yo with just ten runs behind him; won off 2lb lower at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) two years ago; his second run back from an absence wasn't as good as the first (close up over 2m on soft) but he could rebound and fair shout if he does.

12/1

11th

11

16th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

Mac Be Lucky

10st 4lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Sedgefield win off 2lb lower two years ago (2m1f, good) was owed to the sharp track, and this would be the speediest circuit he's encountered since; fine return after 15 months out latest, and a live chance here.

4/1

Form: 07-03

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
First worthwhile form came on her handicap debut at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) when beaten about 8l; that performance brings her into the equation here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

7th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

16:50 Exeter

My Granny Lily

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Won on heavy ground at Ffos Las (2m; wore cheekpieces) last season but has been out of form this term (three runs) and needs to respond very positively to a change of headgear today.

12/1

11

21st Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

13:20 Leicester

My Granny Lily

10st 2lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Nigel Hawke

Won on heavy ground at Ffos Las (2m) last February but struggled on her two outings in the autumn and needs to get back on track.

14/1

11

21st Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

13:20 Leicester

My Granny Lily

10st 2lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Nigel Hawke

Won on heavy ground at Ffos Las (2m) last February but struggled on her two outings in the autumn and needs to get back on track.

14/1

Form: 0663-P

Last run: 221 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Due to try blinkers for the first time at Lingfield on Wednesday but was a non-runner; will need to show something new.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:40 Ffos Las

Hoochygoochyman

10st 2lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Simon Earle

Due to try blinkers for the first time at Lingfield on Wednesday but was a non-runner; will need to show something new.

66/1

13

21st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Lingfield

Hoochygoochyman

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Simon Earle

Nothing in his profile to suggest he'll be competitive from out of the weights on his handicap debut, unless blinkers make the world of difference.

100/1

Form: 00P-00

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Beaten huge distances over hurdles, including two handicaps; too far out of the weights to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Borak, Syr Maffos, Tribal Commander

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.60
Straight Forecast £21.32
Tricast £293.48
Trifecta £632.20

Selections

RP Ratings:

Colonial Empire

SPOTLIGHT:

Half The Freedom

WEST COUNTRY:

My Granny Lily

Daily Mail:

Mac Be Lucky

The Star:

My Granny Lily

The Times:

Half The Freedom

D Express:

Half The Freedom

POSTDATA:

Colonial Empire

Telegraph:

Colonial Empire

The Guardian:

Colonial Empire

Daily Mirror:

Colonial Empire

The Sun:

Colonial Empire

Daily Record:

Colonial Empire