December 28 / 12.10 Leicester

12.10

Heavy

Pertemps Network Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6807.5
  • 1m 7f 113y
  • Class 3
  • 13 runners
RTV
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Pertemps Network Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.50

Form: O36-2

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran well in two Irish bumpers early this year and was bought for £60,000 in May; moved with purpose for a long way over C&D 21 days ago (soft) but was unable to put the race to bed; it was still a promising effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Gardener

10st 6lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Bidding for a C&D hat-trick having won here on last two starts (soft/good); has gone up 9lb but has run well off much higher marks in the past; could go well.

6/1

1st

3

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Gardener

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Five races for his new trainer and back on track, following three third places with a tenacious C&D win (soft) under Charlie Maggs in 14-runner race 19 days ago; back up 4lb but one to consider seriously.

100/30

1st

4

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:11 Hexham

Gardener

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Ended his time with Olly Murphy under a cloud but back on track for his new handler and he posted a solid third of eight in 2m3f handicap at Catterick last month; considered from an easing mark.

9/1

7/4

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 1 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beat a decent horse in his Irish point (soft) and again in a maiden hurdle at Southwell (2m, good), with the front two clear; has a penalty but clearly talented and going up in distance should suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Red Dirt Road

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

He can have his off days but he's 4-12 over hurdles and he ran well to be fourth in a Pertemps qualifier over C&D before dropping out in the final furlong after racing up with the pace; he was always likely to prove a sitting duck when it mattered at Cheltenham and better can be expected here.

15/2

19th

9

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Red Dirt Road

10st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Two wins last winter, latterly at Sandown (extended 2m7f, heavy; by 8l making all); pulled up on next two starts, with 322 days off in between, but fourth in the Haydock qualifier last month was a big step back in the right direction; now needs to make another but he's only 1lb higher than at Sandown.

33/1

4th

4

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:50 Haydock

Red Dirt Road

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Low-mileage 9yo; won at Aintree (soft) and Sandown (heavy; made all for an 8l verdict) last winter but pulled up at Uttoxeter on final start and suffered a similar fate on his Sandown reappearance a fortnight ago; needs to have come on a lot in a short time.

14/1

Form: 373

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper promise and he saw his race out well over C&D three weeks ago after hitting a flat spot (soft); closely matched with runner-up Gardener; even deeper conditions this time could work in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 1

14:45 Chepstow

Cuthbert Dibble

11st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Strike-rate of 4-9 over hurdles and was third when favourite for last season's 3m Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival; stays 3m but he made a winning return here last season in a 2m3f handicap hurdle, so he's not slow; very much built for chasing.

5/2

15th

6

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Cuthbert Dibble

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Consistent 6yo who was better than ever when winning at Haydock (3m, heavy) in February and ran another cracker when third to Monmiral in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, soft; favourite; rallied) the following month; may still have more to offer and is high on the list once more.

13/2

15th

6

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Cuthbert Dibble

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Consistent 6yo who was better than ever when winning at Haydock (3m, heavy) in February and ran another cracker when third to Monmiral in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, soft; favourite; rallied) the following month; may still have more to offer and is high on the list once more.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 61 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
It was never really in much doubt when justifying a shade of odds-on favouritism at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) and he looks a nice prospect; respected even with a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Clonakilty

12st 0lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Well treated on 2024 winning form for Olly Murphy; last-time 11l fourth at Sedgefield (2m5f, good) rates a best for his current yard, but he can't afford to repeat that day's constant jumping right.

10/1

4th

2

10th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 4

13:57 Sedgefield

Clonakilty

11st 13lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Dual 2m4f chase winner on testing ground; well treated on his form of 12 months ago when with Olly Murphy; needs to be much better than in his three starts so far for this trainer; has had wind surgery since last month's Wetherby appearance.

12/1

Form: 4-61 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sixth in a good maiden at Chepstow when perhaps in need of the run (like a few from this yard back then) and he duly improved to floor the well-backed favourite over C&D a month ago; not without hope of defying a penalty if going on the ground (all runs on good to soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

12th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:52 Chepstow

Mount Tempest

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sophie Leech

Ex-Dan Skelton; started off for Sophie Leech with two disappointing French hurdle runs this summer (wore cheekpieces) but caused a 50-1 shock when back over fences at Worcester (2m4f, good to soft; blinkers) last month; subsequent 4lb rise is not insurmountable if he's in the same form.

11/2

1st

10

15th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Worcester

Mount Tempest

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Sophie Leech

Last win for the Skeltons was off this mark last December (1m7f, soft) but he's offered little since, including in two French hurdles for current yard.

20/1

4

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:19 Newton Abbot

Mount Tempest

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear

12/1

100/1

Form: 183

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish bumper winner; beaten 39l (good to soft) and 52l (soft) in his two runs under rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Lipa K

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Best known for his heroics at Bangor but showed career-best form when winning narrowly at Warwick (3m1f, good) last month; 3lb rise demands even more from him here; usual cheekpieces left off; tongue-tie added.

11/2

1st

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 3

14:30 Warwick

Lipa K

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Goes particularly well at Bangor but was runner-up at Aintree on final run in October (3m, good); however, a 3lb rise sees him on a career-high mark and he's been off a good while.

4/1

9

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Lipa K

11st 5lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Made it two wins from his last three starts when scoring at Bangor (2m7f, good) in September; however, his last four wins have come there and he was well beaten at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last time; has his first run here.

10/1

Form: 6

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Posted a useful RPR of 92 when winning over 1m2f on soft ground in October 2021; not in the same form in just two Flat runs this year and he was well held on his hurdling debut at Haydock, albeit in a decent race (on soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Kempton

Thunderclap

12st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

Only 4lb higher than when a convincing winner of this race last year (on soft) and ran as though his run 15 days ago would bring him on; couldn't discount.

8/1

5th

1

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Kempton

Thunderclap

12st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

Only 4lb higher than when a convincing winner of this race last year (on soft) and ran as though his run 15 days ago would bring him on; couldn't discount.

8/1

6th

3

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

13:55 Huntingdon

Thunderclap

11st 9lb

J: David Bass

T: Hughie Morrison

towards rear

10/1

Form: 51

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat horse who got off the mark at the second attempt over hurdles in a 2m1f maiden at Sedgefield (good to soft); won that with a bit in hand but has a penalty and this is stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

18th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 3

16:00 Perth

Berties Wish

11st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

led, headed and fell last

4/1

1st

4

(6)

12th May 2023

Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:15 Ripon

Berties Wish

9st 8lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Jennie Candlish

pushed along briefly to lead soon after start, headed but raced in second after 1f, pushed along and led again 3f out, ridden and drifted right 2f out, keeping on against far rail 1f out, ridden out final 110yds

4/1

10

29th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:05 Sandown

Berties Wish

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Jennie Candlish

Free-goer who is 2-7 over hurdles, the latter win gained in first-time hood on handicap debut at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in February; both subsequent runs (one on soft ground) were perfectly respectable but it seems that others in this line-up have more potential.

33/1

Form: 5

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Remote fifth on his debut here and has plenty of ground to make up on both Gardener and Cuthbert Dibble.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

3m 1f 10y

20:00 Roscommon

General Hubble

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Won off 6lb lower at Punchestown last November (24.5f, good); latest third at Killarney was a remote one; best form is on a sound surface so the forecast rain is a worry.

9/1

3rd

4

18th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

16:15 Killarney

General Hubble

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Won twice in the space of four days over fences in November 2024; came on from return with a 3l defeat at Punchestown last month despite some errors; however, subsequent effort at Tipperary wasn't encouraging; 7lb above last winning mark.

10/1

10th

9

1st Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 35y

15:18 Tipperary

General Hubble

10st 13lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Gordon Elliott

Posted consecutive chase wins last November; best run since at Punchestown last time and has a shout off the same mark.

6/1

Form: 462

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bled from the nose on his second run but plenty of promise either side of that, last time only narrowly missing out in a C&D maiden; these conditions will be new having raced on good or faster ground so far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

8th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

16:15 Sedgefield

The Geordie Ginge

10st 9lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Hannah McMahon

0-16 and he came in a well-held sixth in 2m Perth handicap hurdle 13 days ago; blinkers are reached for now.

50/1

100/1

Form: 8/6-95

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
For a 200-1 outsider he didn't run badly here the last time when 14l behind Mount Tempest; perhaps one for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Warwick

Adamhill

11st 4lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Henry Oliver

Yet to be placed after ten starts under rules but ran well when ninth of 15 over C&D (good; beaten under 9l) in first-time visor last month and has possibilities off a 3lb lower mark today; tongue-tie refitted.

10/1

9th

5

27th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:40 Warwick

Adamhill

11st 5lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Henry Oliver

Made quite promising chase/handicap debut in February but his second chase run was disappointing and, following a wind op, he was tailed off over hurdles 12 days ago; needs help from the first-time visor here.

14/1

9th

4

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:22 Chepstow

Adamhill

11st 7lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Henry Oliver

Made promising chase/handicap debut in February but his second chase run was disappointing and he now reverts to hurdling; comes here with a point to prove but had a wind op last month and remains unexposed.

10/1

Form: 53

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shaped with some promise in hurdle races won by shorter-priced stablemates, latterly at Uttoxeter behind Clonakilty; finished 18l behind so unlikely to be reversing those places.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:49 Leicester

Hokelami

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Two chase wins wins at 2m1f (good to soft and soft) in early 2024; back on latest winning mark as a result of some lesser efforts, in cheekpieces last twice, but has something to prove at present.

14/1

Form: P5

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in points but he was 100-1 when a remote fifth at Hereford (2m3f, soft) and handicaps will be more like it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:00 Wincanton

Concetto

11st 6lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Sam Allwood

Four-time chase winner for Greenall-Guerriero stable; has a patchy record but he's run well in two of his three starts for current yard, including a clear second at Market Rasen (3m, soft) last month; has claims if he can back that up and his last win was off 1lb higher.

8/1

2nd

4

16th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Concetto

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Sam Allwood

Four-time chase winner (once over C&D) for Greenall-Guerriero stable; made quite pleasing seasonal/stable debut when second of four at Ludlow (3m1f, good) in November but ran very poorly at Hereford last month and needs to bounce back from that.

12/1

2

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

14:35 Market Rasen

Concetto

11st 9lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won over C&D (soft) last season and has twice finished second over 3m3f here this term (good to soft; including Lincolnshire National); also suited by good ground and current mark is workable; respected.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.80
Straight Forecast £14.59
Trifecta £56.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cuthbert Dibble

TOPSPEED:

Gardener

RP Ratings:

Red Dirt Road

Daily Mirror:

Mount Tempest

Daily Record:

Clonakilty

POSTDATA:

Cuthbert Dibble

Daily Mail:

Cuthbert Dibble

D Express:

Cuthbert Dibble

The Sun:

Cuthbert Dibble

WEST COUNTRY:

Red Dirt Road

The Times:

Gardener

Telegraph:

Gardener

The Guardian:

Gardener

The Star:

Gardener