December 26 / 15.27 Fontwell

15.27

Good To Soft

Claire Hogben Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 3f 49y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Claire Hogben Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

OUR TIP

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 547011 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Beaten a minimum of 28l in first five hurdling starts but came good at Chepstow two outings ago and stepped up on that when winning decisively at Newcastle; this is stronger and he's up another 8lb but major claims again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

30th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

15:00 Ffos Las

Blue Shark

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Strike-rate of 6-17 over hurdles and the latest of those wins was off a 3lb higher mark; however, there's been pretty much nothing to take from his last five appearances and would appear to be going chasing under a cloud.

12/1

0

8

25th Jan 2024

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

14:35 Huntingdon

Blue Shark

11st 10lb

J: James Smith

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Six wins between November 2022 and May 2023 included one over C&D (good); back to within 1lb of the final winning mark in that sequence, but too far below par the last four times to expect him to capitalise.

16/1

0

5

16th Dec 2023

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:48 Hereford

Blue Shark

11st 10lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Between November of last year and this May he won six times in seven starts (2m3f-2m4f); however, shot up the weights as a consequence and he's beaten only one finisher in his last three appearances; has stamina to prove.

12/1

16/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 8P-334 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Only win came over C&D more than three years ago; has run well here on occasions since but below best at Lingfield on latest two efforts; others are less exposed for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

14th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Lingfield

Kenny George

11st 5lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Sheena West

led narrowly or disputed lead, not fluent 2nd, headed and prominent 4th

5/1

3rd

2

2nd Nov 2023

Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:55 Stratford

Kenny George

12st 0lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Sheena West

Looks interesting on his best form last season including a close call at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft), but he has patchy record and his sole win was four years ago; probably best watched back from 234 days off.

20/1

5th

6

13th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

15:00 Plumpton

Kenny George

10st 3lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Sheena West

disputed lead, pushed along and lost position after 9th, not fluent 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out

5/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 442-52

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Yet to win but has made a decent fist of both handicap attempts, most recently when second at Ludlow last month (2m5f, soft); still open to progress after just six starts and she's a likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

7th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:35 Fontwell

Ma Belle Noire

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Harry Fry

Three-time winner in 2023, the last twice over 2m7f; signs of a revival with a 5l fourth at Taunton (3m, good) and needs considering.

7/1

7th

2

7th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:35 Fontwell

Ma Belle Noire

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Harry Fry

Three-time winner in 2023, the last twice over 2m7f; signs of a revival with a 5l fourth at Taunton (3m, good) and needs considering.

7/1

Form: 254-12 BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in good style at Chepstow in October and no disgrace when second off this 8lb higher mark at Hereford last month (2m3f, soft); those efforts put him firmly in the picture.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:30 Hereford

Walkinthewoods

12st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Best at about 2m4f and he's looked to have stamina limitations in the majority of his runs beyond that trip; below his latest winning mark, last May, but he's failed to complete in two of his last three runs since back chasing and some reservations remain.

6/1

1

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Walkinthewoods

12st 0lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Mrs C Williams

Unseated rider when returned to chasing in January and has suffered a heavy defeat since; on a workable mark and suited by this C&D/slow ground but has some questions to answer.

8/1

6th

1

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:50 Wincanton

Walkinthewoods

12st 0lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Evan Williams

Landed the odds in three-runner chase at Plumpton (about 2m3f, good; acts on soft/heavy) in May; solid hurdles second under Osian Radford in December and still on the premises when blundering that rider away over fences (also Ludlow, 3m, good to soft) last month; drops back down in trip; respected.

4/1

Form: F-346

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Shaped with some promise in novices but no improvement on last month's handicap debut at Hereford over this trip; tongue-strap needs to provoke some progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

11

21st Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:35 Exeter

Kays Light

10st 12lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Paul Henderson

Still a maiden but wasn't far away when sixth at Plumpton (2m4f, good) and would have each-way claims if staying this far.

12/1

6th

11

9th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

13:55 Plumpton

Kays Light

10st 13lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Paul Henderson

in rear

25/1

4th

9

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Warwick

Kays Light

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Paul Henderson

Only limited signs of ability so far; form of latest fifth of ten at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) over Christmas gives her plenty to find in this.

20/1

Form: 5P6-2

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Badly out of form on the Flat this year but different story when second of 17 on handicap hurdle debut at Chepstow in October; up 2lb but repeat of that puts him right in the shake-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

10th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Kempton

Optimistic Belief

10st 8lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Pat Phelan

Was in no form on the Flat before finishing second in a big-field handicap hurdle at Chepstow in October; disappointing that he failed to build on that at Fontwell and he's becoming hard to predict.

10/1

6th

5

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 49y

Class 5

15:27 Fontwell

Optimistic Belief

11st 5lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Pat Phelan

Badly out of form on the Flat this year but different story when second of 17 on handicap hurdle debut at Chepstow in October; up 2lb but repeat of that puts him right in the shake-up.

11/2

2nd

16

25th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Optimistic Belief

10st 10lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Pat Phelan

held up in rear, good headway before 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and kept on approaching last, no impression run-in

40/1

Form: 485-63 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Four wins early in 2021 but no success since; signs of a revival when third over shorter trip here this month and enters the argument if building on that a little; stays this trip and has won on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

27th Feb 2023

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:30 Plumpton

Mr Jack

11st 7lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Andy Irvine

held up in rear, shaken up early

14/1

6th

4

14th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Lingfield

Mr Jack

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Andy Irvine

midfield, pushed along after 5th, ridden after 4 out, no impression before 3 out

8/1

5th

2

2nd Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

14:00 Plumpton

Mr Jack

12st 0lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Andy Irvine

Won four times between January and March (twice on soft) in 2021 but 0-7 subsequently and Fontwell last time was a backward step from his third there the run before; looks vulnerable to younger legs.

10/1

Form: 6439-8

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in novices and tailed off in two handicaps; down another 5lb but others hold far more obvious claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

21st Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:55 Fontwell

My Ticketyboo

10st 13lb

J: Mr Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Really got his act together with cheekpieces added when scoring here (2m5f, good/good to soft) in January/February but he was laboured in his hat-trick bid at Southwell (3m, good) last month; has bit to prove again after that and needs to resume his progress.

7/1

3rd

6

20th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:05 Southwell

My Ticketyboo

10st 13lb

J: Mr Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Showed little until springing a surprise at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) in January; defied penalty over same C&D (good) latest; just 1lb higher and should be thereabouts.

2/1

Form: 5078

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; unplaced all four hurdling starts, the latest when beaten 24l on her handicap debut at Taunton this month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

13:55 Southwell

Ya Know Yaseff

10st 11lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Hit the ground running when first tried in blinkers, winning twice (2m7f, good; 3m2f, good to soft); patchy since but two runs back she was runner-up on soft at Wincanton (3m1f) and that brings her into it.

7/2

0

6

15th Jan 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

13:37 Hereford

Ya Know Yaseff

10st 11lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Won twice when fitted with blinkers in September (2m7f/3m2f) and looked as good as ever when second at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) last month; not one to rely upon heavily but will be fine on today's ground and features prominently in calculations.

7/2

Form: 3-5360

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Some ability in bumpers and not beaten far on hurdling debut in June but two heavy defeats since; handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

15th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

15:35 Hereford

Kentford Swansong

10st 13lb

J: Daniel Sansom

T: Seamus Mullins

Maiden; third on first attempt over hurdles but well beaten next two and fell on handicap debut latest (80-1); plenty to prove.

14/1

8

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 49y

Class 5

15:27 Fontwell

Kentford Swansong

11st 2lb

J: Daniel Sansom

T: Seamus Mullins

Some ability in bumpers and not beaten far on hurdling debut in June but two heavy defeats since; handicap debut.

20/1

10th

7

14th Nov 2022

Good

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

15:30 Exeter

Kentford Swansong

11st 0lb

J: Daniel Sansom

T: Seamus Mullins

Has finished respectable thirds in a bumper and a novice hurdle but RPRs in the 90s put those efforts into some perspective; ran moderately in a hood last time and is unlikely to be good enough.

33/1

Form: 3096P3

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Maiden; best of three starts since arriving in Britain when third at Leicester last month but requires a great deal more to threaten in this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

13th Sep 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Eaton Lady

11st 3lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Gary Brown

Off the mark over hurdles at 18th attempt in May, prevailing narrowly for Isabelle Ryder over C&D (good), and backed up that performance with close second at Worcester (2m4f, good) in July; each-way claims at least.

7/1

2nd

4

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:28 Worcester

Eaton Lady

11st 3lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Gary Brown

Has improved in recent starts and came out on top in a tight finish at Uttoxeter in May, her first win at the 20th attempt; only 2lb higher and Isabelle Ryder again takes off 10lb; shorter trip of no real concern.

4/1

Non-runners

Eaton Lady

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £32.10
Straight Forecast £29.51
Tricast £107.93
Trifecta £151.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Blue Shark

POSTDATA:

Walkinthewoods

WEST COUNTRY:

Ma Belle Noire

The Times:

Optimistic Belief

RP Ratings:

Blue Shark

Telegraph:

Blue Shark

The Guardian:

Blue Shark

Daily Mail:

Blue Shark

D Express:

Blue Shark

The Sun:

Blue Shark

The Star:

Blue Shark

Daily Record:

Blue Shark

Daily Mirror:

Walkinthewoods