December 26 / 14.38 Wincanton

14.38

Soft

Eastbury Hotel Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3376.52
  • 1m 7f 50y
  • Class 4
  • 16 runners
RTV
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Eastbury Hotel Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/1 (Won)

Form: 5-3419 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Goes well here, having won at the track on soft (1m7f) and good ground (2m4f) since March; well held off this career-high mark at Taunton but returning here has to be a good thing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

26th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

14:20 Taunton

No No Tonic

11st 13lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Mark Gillard

prominent

14/1

5th

7

9th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:40 Kempton

No No Tonic

11st 5lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Veteran who has done her winning at Wincanton; form dipped there on Boxing Day, following two placed efforts; first run at Kempton and isn't the percentage call.

14/1

Form: -22597 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Not badly handicapped but he's a hard horse to win with (2-45) and has not been in great form of late.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

John Betjeman

11st 13lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back.

11/2

9th

3

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

John Betjeman

11st 13lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back.

11/2

8th

2

6th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

17:00 Ffos Las

John Betjeman

11st 10lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Mark Gillard

pressed leader, chased clear leader after 2nd

7/1

8/1

Form: 3-2852 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Probably bumped into one when returning to form at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) as the winner was very well backed; that was only a Class 5 so this looks tougher, but he could still go well on ground he handles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

20:30 Huntingdon

Sambezi

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Mrs L Pomfret

Fair hurdler in his prime; returned to form when dead-heating with good hunter chaser in two-runner point in March and backed up that performance with very respectable third in Garthorpe open (3m, good; tongue-tie/cheekpieces refitted) last month; one to consider.

14/1

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

18:10 Fontwell

Sambezi

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Dual course winner, including at this trip (good to soft), but without a win since May 2023; inconsistent this year, a respectable run over C&D (good) in March coming in between two lesser efforts, including when favourite last time; tends to go well here but probably not the percentage call.

6/1

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

18:10 Fontwell

Sambezi

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Dual course winner, including at this trip (good to soft), but without a win since May 2023; inconsistent this year, a respectable run over C&D (good) in March coming in between two lesser efforts, including when favourite last time; tends to go well here but probably not the percentage call.

6/1

Form: 8PP-44

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Has shown no benefit for wind surgery in finishing a well-held fourth in two 2m4f handicaps; soft ground here might not be ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

18:50 Fontwell

West Orchard

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time winner over fences including here (about 2m 3f, good) in 2024; last ran over hurdles when second at Wincanton (about 3m, good to soft) and he returns to this sphere after a couple of errors at Plumpton last month; respected.

7/4

3rd

2

16th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

16:15 Plumpton

West Orchard

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time chase winner (2m3f/3m1f) in 2023 and 2024, two of them here, and shaped promisingly on hurdles return in December after a long absence; left behind a below-par run over fences later that month with a short-head defeat at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last month; back up 2lb but needs respecting with course form.

3/1

2nd

5

25th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

14:50 Wincanton

West Orchard

10st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Won three out of four chases in October-December 2024 (including C&D, good to soft; handles softer) and was an encouraging second over hurdles here (about 3m) on his comeback from a year's absence; return to fences didn't go well at Taunton later that month but could bounce back following two months off.

7/2

Form: 4862-

Last run: 304 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced and there was a bit of improvement shown when second in a soft-ground novice at Exeter in February (2m); quite possible that he will have more to offer now handicapping after wind surgery.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

9th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

14:15 Plumpton

Pachacuti

11st 12lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Stays 3m1f; has become inconsistent over fences and hurdles but ran encouragingly, clear second, in new headgear at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) most recently; still well treated on peak form; possibilities in the retained visor.

2/1

8

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:23 Newton Abbot

Pachacuti

11st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Inconsistent over fences last season and absent since a down-the-field hurdle run in March; resumes on a workable mark but he's 1-10 in this sphere and is probably not the percentage call; equipment reapplied.

14/1

8

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:23 Newton Abbot

Pachacuti

11st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Inconsistent over fences last season and absent since a down-the-field hurdle run in March; resumes on a workable mark but he's 1-10 in this sphere and is probably not the percentage call; equipment reapplied.

14/1

Form: 1-2456 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Has been running well enough in handicaps at about 2m and his mark is slowly edging back down; however, others are open to greater improvement and he would prefer drier ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(3)

6th Apr 2024

Standard

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Coolnaugh Haze

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: James Owen

in touch with leaders, outpaced but went third inside final furlong, no match for first two

10/1

3rd

2

(3)

6th Apr 2024

Standard

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Coolnaugh Haze

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: James Owen

in touch with leaders, outpaced but went third inside final furlong, no match for first two

10/1

7th

7

(3)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Chelmsford (AW)

Coolnaugh Haze

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: James Owen

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

12/1

Form: -41005 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Can handle soft ground but probably needs it good over hurdles, as when winning two novice events in the spring; beaten a long way in two handicaps since returning from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

29th Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:20 Worcester

Toronto

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

Formerly useful on the Flat and a dual hurdle winner in spring 2022; signed off for Brian Barr below form but was only 3-1 on debut for this yard at Bangor and after losing ground quickly it was reported that he bled; likely contender should the wheels stay on.

10/1

0

1

4th Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

17:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Toronto

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

Useful on the Flat in his prime, and a dual hurdle winner in spring 2022; ended last year with some disappointing hurdle runs for Brian Barr but makes stable debut from a very dangerous mark; can't be ignored.

7/2

5

15th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Toronto

11st 9lb

J: James Best

T: Brian Barr

Keen-going sort; two novice wins last spring but little impact in four handicaps since; continues to slide down the weights and may revive on good ground at some stage.

25/1

Form: 350-94

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Makes handicap debut on only his fourth run over hurdles and it was a likeable effort when he ran on into fourth at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last time; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

6th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:20 Exeter

Leissieres Express

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Progressive over fences last season when winning here and over 3m6f elsewhere; the glaring concern is his laboured reappearance a month ago over 3m2f at Chepstow, where he has form.

10/1

1st

7

6th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:20 Exeter

Leissieres Express

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Progressive over fences last season when winning here and over 3m6f elsewhere; the glaring concern is his laboured reappearance a month ago over 3m2f at Chepstow, where he has form.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: /4130- D

Last run: 293 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
The form of his third at Warwick (2m, soft) in January has been well advertised and something clearly went amiss next time; could be very interesting off this mark on his first run for Fergal O'Brien (formerly with Dan Skelton).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

21st Apr 2023

Good

2m 1f 109y

Class 5

19:05 Exeter

Greatest Star

11st 10lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

Looks well handicapped on some of his form and he ran his best race for this yard when second in a 2m handicap hurdle at Sandown (soft) last month; his only win came on good ground and there are winning chasers in the family; could be the answer.

4/1

2nd

8

7th Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

13:50 Sandown

Greatest Star

10st 7lb

J: Tpr Lucy Westlake

T: Fergal O’Brien

Well handicapped on some of his form for the Skeltons but he's finished tailed off in all three runs for this yard, despite travelling strongly to a point last time at Doncaster; could come good again but reservations for now.

20/1

9th

4

22nd Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

16:10 Doncaster

Greatest Star

11st 13lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

travelled strongly, jumped left on occasions, held up in rear

6/1

40/1

Form: 66-U77

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Twice runner-up in juvenile hurdles but nothing to crow about this season, including a quiet handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:40 Exeter

Girandole

10st 7lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Mark Gillard

Twice runner-up in juvenile hurdles at the end of 2021 but unplaced in four handicap attempts, the latest at Taunton last month.

25/1

7th

8

23rd Feb 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:35 Huntingdon

Girandole

10st 10lb

J: David Noonan

T: Mark Gillard

midfield

33/1

4th

4

9th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

13:58 Ffos Las

Girandole

11st 1lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Mark Gillard

took keen hold, disputed lead, pushed along 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened from last

20/1

Form: 863-23

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
gBang there in both runs for this yard, latterly only just missing out on handicap debut at Fontwell (2m5f, good); dropping back in trip on softer ground (third in a heavy-ground bumper) is probably no bad thing; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:00 Newton Abbot

Vengeance

10st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jimmy Frost

0-12 over hurdles and, while there have been hints of encouragement off a sliding mark, he hasn't looked like capitalising and now faces a stiff task from out of the weights on chase debut.

16/1

4th

3

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:10 Exeter

Vengeance

11st 1lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Jimmy Frost

0-14 under rules; sliding in the weights in four starts for this trainer and those efforts suggest he'll need a further favour or two from the handicapper to break his duck.

7/1

5th

7

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Vengeance

11st 3lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jimmy Frost

No wins in 13 but ran okay two weeks ago at Wincanton (2m4f, good), finishing under 8l behind the winner who comfortably followed up last week at Ludlow; each-way claims.

9/1

Form: /2661-

Last run: 445 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Absent since winning a small-field novice hurdle on fast ground at Exeter in October 2021; even if returning in the same form for his handicap debut, these conditions might not be preferable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

12

11th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:10 Taunton

Battle March

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Lightly raced and generally very disappointing since winning small-field novice in October 2021 but proved some ability remains when third of 16 over C&D (good) five weeks ago; now needs to build on that performance.

8/1

3rd

14

6th Feb 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:50 Taunton

Battle March

10st 7lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

in touch with leaders, slow jump 1st, not fluent 3 out

66/1

0

5

13th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Battle March

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Won a small-field novice hurdle on fast ground over C&D in October 2021; off 445 days before failing to spark last winter, including with his jumping; dropped a total of 12lb as a result of those two runs.

33/1

16/1

Form: 33-6

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Only sixth when sent into a handicap on just his third start, hanging under pressure at Sandown (2m, soft); could still turn out to be feasibly treated as he learns his job.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

19:15 Ffos Las

Sadlers Bay

12st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

0-7 over hurdles and the same over fences but he's been a consistent sort for Tom Gretton, including a big run from out of the handicap in the Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, soft) last time; tongue tied on last two outings; needs each-way respect on this debut for new yard.

13/2

5th

2

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

19:15 Ffos Las

Sadlers Bay

12st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

0-7 over hurdles and the same over fences but he's been a consistent sort for Tom Gretton, including a big run from out of the handicap in the Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, soft) last time; tongue tied on last two outings; needs each-way respect on this debut for new yard.

13/2

3rd

11

10th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 102y

Class 3

15:45 Plumpton

Sadlers Bay

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Tom Gretton

midfield, in touch with leaders when not fluent 12th

20/1

Form: 25-P23

Last run: 23 days

W: 12st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Ran surprisingly well in what looked a good novice at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) this month but this dual Flat winner can race freely and these deeper conditions could see him vulnerable when it matters.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

15:05 Fontwell

Jaramillo

12st 1lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Won a three-runner contest at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in April but beaten 61l when sixth of seven at Stratford (2m3f, good to firm) five weeks ago; still 6lb higher than his last win and needs to return to form.

8/1

4

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:57 Stratford

Jaramillo

11st 3lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

Came good over fences with easy win in three-runner contest at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in April and stuck to his task pretty well when third of six at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in June; a possible.

5/1

2

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:05 Uttoxeter

Jaramillo

11st 1lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

The outsider of three when off the mark over fences at Newton Abbot in April (2m5f, good) and comfortably beat a course specialist; 7lb rise fair given the authority with which he won.

7/2

Form: 44FU32 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won twice last season at about this trip on sharp tracks and he's been running well of late on good to soft; even deeper conditions this time are probably not ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

30th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:00 Huntingdon

First Quest

11st 9lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Sheena West

A four-time winner over hurdles; made a slow start for this yard (Flat/hurdles) but the spark returned when second over 2m3f at Fontwell (good); wouldn't want much rain but fair chance otherwise.

7/2

6th

1

30th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:00 Huntingdon

First Quest

11st 9lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Sheena West

A four-time winner over hurdles; made a slow start for this yard (Flat/hurdles) but the spark returned when second over 2m3f at Fontwell (good); wouldn't want much rain but fair chance otherwise.

7/2

Form: 4P-855

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Never really fired for his previous British yard and joined this one for £5,000; well held in his two runs since but he was a winner in France and these softer conditions could make a difference; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

26th Dec 2022

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

14:38 Wincanton

Illico Des Places

11st 3lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Never really fired for his previous British yard and joined this one for £5,000; well held in his two runs since but he was a winner in France and these softer conditions could make a difference; respected.

20/1

5th

8

13th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 3

14:40 Fontwell

Illico Des Places

10st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Robert Walford

took keen hold, in rear, not fluent 1st, headway after 3 out, pushed along and in touch with leaders when mistake 2 out, beaten when not fluent last

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £239.82
Tricast £2955.75

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Jaramillo

RP Ratings:

West Orchard

POSTDATA:

First Quest

The Star:

Leissieres Express

D Express:

Vengeance

SPOTLIGHT:

Greatest Star

The Times:

No No Tonic

TOPSPEED:

John Betjeman

WEST COUNTRY:

West Orchard

The Guardian:

West Orchard

Daily Mail:

Jaramillo

Daily Mirror:

Jaramillo

The Sun:

Jaramillo

Telegraph:

First Quest

Daily Record:

First Quest