December 28 / 12.28 Catterick

12.28

Soft

Betting Better With Sky Bet Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 3f 66y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
RTV
View Course
Betting Better With Sky Bet Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 1-34

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Successful in Wetherby bumper last season; has performed well over hurdles at same venue (2m) and Ascot (1m7f) this term; latter effort can be marked up (hampered by final-flight faller); all of his form stacks up well and he shapes as if this new trip will suit; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:00 Uttoxeter

Don Hollow

11st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, not fluent 3rd, pressed leader 4 out, led narrowly 3 out

10/1

1st

5

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:00 Uttoxeter

Don Hollow

11st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, not fluent 3rd, pressed leader 4 out, led narrowly 3 out

10/1

6th

5

5th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

14:05 Wincanton

Don Hollow

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced bumper and maiden hurdle winner who caught the eye when fifth at Carlisle in October following a long absence; well beaten at Sandown since but he's in top hands and is not written off.

14/1

OUR TIP

3/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 52

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful at up to 2m on Flat in 2018 and 2019, then had a long absence; switched to hurdles since returning to action and ran well at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) with reappearance under his belt; should be suited by this longer trip; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

1st Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:05 Worcester

Astromachia

12st 0lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland

Consistent since switched to hurdles late last year, including wins in a 2m maiden and 2m2f Fontwell handicap; latest third at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) was encouraging; chance.

11/4

3rd

3

2nd Jul 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:25 Uttoxeter

Astromachia

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

Reliable sort since switched to hurdles late last year, including wins in a 2m maiden and 2m2f Fontwell handicap; close third there (2m3f, good) on latest start and should be seriously involved again.

3/1

4

17th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

15:10 Hexham

Astromachia

11st 5lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland

3/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 245-22

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bred to do better still (dam triple winner for his yard); good second in Sedgefield bumper (2m1f, good) and Kelso novice hurdle (2m, soft) this season, suggesting his turn is near; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:30 Kelso

Chase A Fortune

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Won in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Wetherby (2m, soft) in December and has continued in good form, finishing second on his last two starts (1m7f/2m1f, good to soft); very solid claims.

4/1

2nd

2

25th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

15:10 Sedgefield

Chase A Fortune

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Record of 212 since switched back to hurdles from chasing, the win at Wetherby (2m, soft) in first-time cheekpieces; Musselburgh effort (1m7f, good to soft) last time resulted in a career-best RPR; should go well in the retained headgear.

11/2

1

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 5

14:45 Kelso

Chase A Fortune

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Both his wins have been over 1m7f at Catterick, the latest off this mark in February 2024 (soft); several fair efforts since, including after a 325-day break last time; each-way chance.

11/2

Form: 7/0

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual point winner in Ireland; beaten long way in 2m4f maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter on debut for new stable; needs to leave that effort well behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Worcester

Present Fair

11st 10lb

J: Dylan White

T: Donald McCain

Two wins and a second from five starts since April but he's not the easiest to predict and there have also been a couple of heavy defeats, including when coming home 65l adrift at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last time; will need to be on a going day.

8/1

10th

2

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:37 Uttoxeter

Present Fair

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Heavy-ground winner here in late 2023 and this year has added two Bangor handicaps on good to soft and good; only 4lb higher than for the latest (by a length) and the front two were clear.

7/2

1st

3

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

17:56 Bangor-on-Dee

Present Fair

11st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Scored over 2m3f here (good to soft) in April and was close second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) the following month; disappointed when last in action but, if back on song, could plausibly have untapped potential over today's longer trip.

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Justified favouritism in Irish point (3m, good) in May, albeit having been somewhat helped by half of the field failing to complete; heed the market signals on rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

Some Scope

11st 10lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Richard Hobson

Won from the front in first-time visor (kept since) at Doncaster in December; back to form when second at Newbury on latest start, his second run after his second wind operation; has a competitive mark but his inconsistency and going beyond 3m2f both introduce doubts.

5/1

2nd

7

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Some Scope

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Richard Hobson

Not easy to predict but he's only 2lb higher than when making all at Doncaster (3m, good) just after Christmas, and he probably went off too fast when beaten 33l there (3m2f, soft) three weeks ago; not discounted.

11/2

2nd

10

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Some Scope

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Physical issues came to light after disappointing in a cross-country race last time; wore just a tongue-tie then but the visor that worked so well when a 3l winner here the time before now returns, as does Charlie Maggs with his claim; however, he has become hard to predict and underwent further wind surgery only recently.

15/2

Form: 456-87

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-4 in bumpers last season; well held in a couple of 2m novice hurdles at Hexham this term; opposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Monaghan Boy

10st 3lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

midfield

6/1

10th

9

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Monaghan Boy

10st 3lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

midfield

6/1

3rd

9

27th Nov 2024

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

14:45 Wetherby

Monaghan Boy

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Won in first-time cheekpieces over 3m3f at Sedgefield in February but those aids are now missing after never going a yard at Hexham in April; 4lb out of the weights and others are safer.

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Twice raced in Irish points, finishing third on debut but disappointing (having made mistakes) next time; joined new yard for £22,000; the latest effort tempers enthusiasm.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:15 Kelso

Breakdance Kid

10st 12lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

Three-time chase winner who enjoys good ground and returned to form with a solid third at Carlisle (3m); off the same mark he merits attention.

5/1

8

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:15 Kelso

Breakdance Kid

10st 12lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

Three-time chase winner who enjoys good ground and returned to form with a solid third at Carlisle (3m); off the same mark he merits attention.

5/1

3rd

2

23rd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:20 Carlisle

Breakdance Kid

11st 11lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

in touch with leaders

12/1

Form: 5

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-3 in Irish points; modest fifth in 2m4f maiden hurdle at Market Rasen on rules debut; needs improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Not Staying Long

11st 4lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Patrick Neville

Confined to Catterick for her three runs over fences, winning two Class 5s before finishing second in a three-runner Class 3 handicap; has no apparent ground preferences but this is a rise in class for her.

10/1

7

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Not Staying Long

11st 4lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Patrick Neville

Confined to Catterick for her three runs over fences, winning two Class 5s before finishing second in a three-runner Class 3 handicap; has no apparent ground preferences but this is a rise in class for her.

10/1

2nd

2

25th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 51y

Class 3

16:00 Catterick

Not Staying Long

11st 5lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Patrick Neville

led

6/4

Form: 32

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in soft-ground bumpers at this venue and Sedgefield, shaping as if this longer distance will suit; still open to improvement; not without a chance on hurdles debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

15:57 Musselburgh

Boomslang

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

held up in last, good headway 14th, went second home turn

Evs

2nd

2

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

15:57 Musselburgh

Boomslang

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

held up in last, good headway 14th, went second home turn

Evs

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

Boomslang

10st 9lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

A better chaser than hurdler and defied 12st with a game performance at Carlisle (3m, good); 7lb rise might not be too damaging and he'll be fine back at 2m4f.

7/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made all for 2l success in Irish point (3m, soft) two months ago, beating three subsequent point winners; sold for £60,000 since; interesting recruit who needs a close look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

16:39 Kelso

Hashtag Boum

11st 3lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Ruth Jefferson

Her first three chase starts yielded wins at Sedgefield (2m5f, good to soft) and Ayr (2m4f, soft); only third of four at Ayr (2m4f, soft) since but that may not be the limit of her ability; won here over hurdles and she's not ruled out.

6/1

3rd

3

21st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:05 Ayr

Hashtag Boum

10st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Progressive over fences; won on Sedgefield debut (2m5f, good to soft) before career-best when scoring over C&D earlier this month (soft); runs off 7lb higher today; contender.

11/8

3rd

3

21st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:05 Ayr

Hashtag Boum

10st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Progressive over fences; won on Sedgefield debut (2m5f, good to soft) before career-best when scoring over C&D earlier this month (soft); runs off 7lb higher today; contender.

11/8

Form: 434-P

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in three bumpers last term; didn't fare nearly so well in 2m maiden hurdle at Newcastle (2m) on reappearance; first-time cheekpieces need to have positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

28th Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

12:28 Catterick

San Roch

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

Made the frame in three bumpers last term; didn't fare nearly so well in 2m maiden hurdle at Newcastle (2m) on reappearance; first-time cheekpieces need to have positive effect.

33/1

7

8th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 46y

Class 4

12:42 Newcastle

San Roch

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

midfield

10/1

Form: 788

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Holds very weak claims on her rules form (2m); combination of first-time headgear and new trip needs to make a difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

28th Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

12:28 Catterick

Buying Money

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Stella Barclay

Holds very weak claims on her rules form (2m); combination of first-time headgear and new trip needs to make a difference.

200/1

8th

2

20th Nov 2022

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

12:48 Uttoxeter

Buying Money

11st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Stella Barclay

Down the field at triple-figure odds on both rules starts.

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Scored twice on Flat in 2021; form has gone downhill for new yard this year; best watched on debut over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

14:50 Doncaster

Rhyme Scheme

10st 7lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Peter Winks

Her two Flat wins came in 2021 and she's 0-15 over hurdles; tailed on AW in November following an absence and is probably best watched.

100/1

3

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Wetherby

Rhyme Scheme

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Peter Winks

Has been operating off lowly marks in handicaps and is yet to win one; it would be a huge shock if she wins this.

200/1

3

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Wetherby

Rhyme Scheme

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Peter Winks

Has been operating off lowly marks in handicaps and is yet to win one; it would be a huge shock if she wins this.

200/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.80
Straight Forecast £5.39
Trifecta £23.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Don Hollow

WEST COUNTRY:

Some Scope

POSTDATA:

Astromachia

TOPSPEED:

Chase A Fortune

The Star:

Hashtag Boum

Telegraph:

Some Scope

D Express:

Some Scope

The Guardian:

Chase A Fortune

RP Ratings:

Don Hollow

The Times:

Don Hollow

Daily Mail:

Don Hollow

Daily Mirror:

Don Hollow

The Sun:

Astromachia

Daily Record:

Astromachia