December 31 / 11.55 Warwick

11.55

Soft

Poundland Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3267.6
  • 2m 3f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 16 runners
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Poundland Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 44-F46

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Consistent level of form in all five runs and, given the RPRs that he's been posting, this mark looks okay; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Bashers Reflection

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Respectable strike-rate over hurdles; record of 0-6 since switched to fences but has place possibilities on most of that form.

11/2

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Bashers Reflection

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Respectable strike-rate over hurdles; record of 0-6 since switched to fences but has place possibilities on most of that form.

11/2

3rd

10

15th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:20 Kempton

Bashers Reflection

10st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Record of 0-5 since switched to fences but turn looks near, having finished second at Wetherby and Newbury the last twice; however, needs some improvement to go one better in this stronger grade.

8/1

3/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 3-1322 D BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Only 3lb higher than for his Stratford win in October (2m2f, good) and has continued to run well; withdrawn at Taunton last week after getting unruly and falling when heading to the start; he won't be far away if on better terms with himself here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(1)

19th Oct 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

16:27 Wolverhampton (AW)

Samatian

10st 0lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Kim Bailey

Winning hurdler but at a lowly level and he's been well beaten on all five Flat starts, including 13l fourth to Simiyann over 1m6f here 12 days ago.

10/1

4th

1

(1)

7th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Samatian

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Kim Bailey

Winning hurdler but at a lowly level and he's been well beaten on all four Flat starts, most recently on handicap debut at Chester.

14/1

9th

8

(1)

21st Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 87y

Class 5

16:45 Chester

Samatian

9st 8lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Kim Bailey

Ordinary hurdler/chaser who has struggled in 1m4f novice events at Southwell (200-1) in his last three runs; now goes up in trip on his Flat handicap debut but he needs to show a lot more; cheekpieces reapplied.

33/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 34

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Flat bred and the ground was fast when going close in a point; didn't look entirely at home on the soft ground at Bangor last time and he's got a lot of weight on his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Duke Of Moravia

12st 0lb

J: James Turner

T: Alexander Gibbons

Won over hurdles for Henry Daly here (2m5f, soft) last April and could appreciate the return to this sphere on today's stable debut (bought for £4,000); however, he was pulled up over fences in the autumn on his last two runs and there's a question mark regarding his current form.

20/1

2

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Duke Of Moravia

12st 0lb

J: James Turner

T: Alexander Gibbons

Won over hurdles for Henry Daly here (2m5f, soft) last April and could appreciate the return to this sphere on today's stable debut (bought for £4,000); however, he was pulled up over fences in the autumn on his last two runs and there's a question mark regarding his current form.

20/1

1

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:00 Market Rasen

Duke Of Moravia

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Ended last season with a hurdle win at Wincanton (2m5f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in April; pulled up on chase debut at Worcester (2m7f, soft) last month but that was without headgear and he may have needed the run; should have a future in this sphere and he needs watching in market with cheekpieces reapplied.

15/2

Form: 333-55

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Often placed for Lucy Wadham but he's 0-12 now and doesn't look at all progressive; beaten 38l and 13l in two handicaps for current yard, with his latest effort fairly respectable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

21st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:20 Plumpton

Tiny Tantrum

10st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Michael Keady

Ended last season with a heavy defeat over hurdles and was pulled up in consecutive chases in June/July; difficult to enthuse over.

33/1

12

25th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

14:37 Uttoxeter

Tiny Tantrum

10st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Michael Keady

1-23 under rules and pulled up in both starts over fences, including here (3m, good) last month; hard to recommend from 5lb out of the weights.

40/1

6

14th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 5

20:10 Uttoxeter

Tiny Tantrum

10st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Michael Keady

Just 1-22 over hurdles and was pulled up in his only previous chase (in March 2024); will cope better than some of these if the ground deteriorates considerably but, otherwise, he makes very limited appeal.

20/1

Form: 6/633-

Last run: 522 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced and she was a close third of four in 2m4f handicap at Uttoxeter (good to soft) before probably failing to see out 2m7f next time; off since the summer of 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

16th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:40 Hereford

Sa Alors

10st 13lb

J: Mr James Turner

T: David Bridgwater

Lightly raced maiden; shaped okay at Warwick (2m3f, soft) last month on return from lengthy layoff, albeit without suggesting she's crying out for this drop back in trip; others are more appealing at 2m.

12/1

5th

12

31st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

11:55 Warwick

Sa Alors

11st 1lb

J: Mr James Turner

T: David Bridgwater

Lightly raced and she was a close third of four in 2m4f handicap at Uttoxeter (good to soft) before probably failing to see out 2m7f next time; off since the summer of 2021.

16/1

Form: 54-52P C

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Bumper form has not yet been repeated over hurdles and only four ran (and the winner scored easily) when she was runner-up at Bangor; something to prove now handicapping with cheekpieces enlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

7th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

13:45 Market Rasen

Bettys Belle

10st 6lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Tracey Leeson

Well handicapped on some of last year's placed form for Ben Pauling but has not been firing on all cylinders for a while and is now 0-16 over hurdles; seems best on good ground but handles good to soft.

16/1

12

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

19:10 Uttoxeter

Bettys Belle

10st 6lb

J: Chris Ward

T: Tracey Leeson

0-18 since making winning debut in a Warwick bumper (September 2021); back from a 174-day absence when fifth of seven in a Class 5 handicap at Plumpton (3m1f, good; beaten 15l) latest; others are more likely candidates.

33/1

5th

6

12th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:40 Plumpton

Bettys Belle

10st 12lb

J: Chris Ward

T: Tracey Leeson

reluctant to go to start, led at steady pace, not fluent 8th, increased tempo before 4 out, headed before 3 out

9/1

Form: 5P27/9

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
His second in a Newton Abbot maiden is miles clear of anything else he's achieved; absent for 594 days before finishing well beaten in a Taunton handicap when weak in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

21st Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

13:15 Wincanton

Mr Sociable

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

prominent, went second 7th, struggling when lost second 11th, weakened 4 out, pulled up 3 out

13/2

8

21st Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

13:15 Wincanton

Mr Sociable

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

prominent, went second 7th, struggling when lost second 11th, weakened 4 out, pulled up 3 out

13/2

3rd

14

27th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:52 Wincanton

Mr Sociable

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Chris Down

pressed leader early, raced in second after 3rd

16/1

Form: 44

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Goes handicapping on just his third run and, while he's not thrown in on his achievements to date, there has been promise and he should progress; handled soft ground fine last time; Jamie Brace takes off 7lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

16th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

15:21 Market Rasen

Highland Getaway

10st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Absent since finishing tailed off on handicap debut at Warwick (2m3f, soft) last December; however, he was sent off at just 4-1 and it will be interesting to see if this very lightly raced 5yo's supporters return.

10/1

8th

3

31st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

11:55 Warwick

Highland Getaway

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Goes handicapping on just his third run and, while he's not thrown in on his achievements to date, there has been promise and he should progress; handled soft ground fine last time; Jamie Brace takes off 7lb.

12/1

4th

4

25th Nov 2022

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

12:20 Ffos Las

Highland Getaway

11st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Half-brother to a bumper/hurdle winner but was never dangerous when a well-held fourth of ten in a Market Rasen maiden (2m, good to soft) on recent debut; ran green in that race but he needs to leave that form behind on his second start.

16/1

Form: 3U8

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Has not shown a lot in three non-handicaps from 2m to 2m4f and looked a tricky ride last time; entitled to improve as he gains experience and handicaps should now be a better fit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

31st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

11:55 Warwick

Higher Ground

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Has not shown a lot in three non-handicaps from 2m to 2m4f and looked a tricky ride last time; entitled to improve as he gains experience and handicaps should now be a better fit.

10/1

3

22nd Nov 2022

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:35 Southwell

Higher Ground

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Not shown a lot in three non-handicaps from 2m to 2m4f but he's in good hands and should do better at this level; the market may guide.

12/1

8th

2

9th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 3

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Higher Ground

11st 0lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

17l third on debut at Worcester (2m4f, good) and looks to have ability, but did pull hard there and looked trickier still when wandering and unseating early last time; has to help himself more; hood retained.

14/1

Form: 05-P6P

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Best Irish form brings her into it but she has offered little since arriving in Britain, despite going off favourite the once.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

31st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

11:55 Warwick

Cool Rain

11st 9lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Matt Sheppard

Best Irish form brings her into it but she has offered little since arriving in Britain, despite going off favourite the once.

25/1

4

8th Nov 2022

Good

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

15:45 Hereford

Cool Rain

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Matt Sheppard

Looks feasibly treated on her best form in Ireland but was pulled up when favourite on stable debut at Stratford (2m2f novice) in June before a well-held sixth of eight at Uttoxeter (2m4f handicap) the following month; overall record now stands at 0-16 and others are more convincing.

14/1

Form: 20P4-P

Last run: 193 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Tailed off or pulled up in his last three races over hurdles and again failed to complete on his switch to fences in June last time; plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

8th Feb 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:10 Southwell

Crawford

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Mark Bradstock

Second in Uttoxeter maiden (2m4f, good) in November 2021 but very disappointing since; pulled up in two handicaps this season (chase/hurdle); needs the first-time cheekpieces to make a big difference.

66/1

8

31st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

11:55 Warwick

Crawford

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Mark Bradstock

Tailed off or pulled up in his last three races over hurdles and again failed to complete on his switch to fences in June last time; plenty to prove.

40/1

Form: P75/0-

Last run: 579 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer; still early days over hurdles but he was well held on his handicap debut which was back in May 2021; absent since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

31st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

11:55 Warwick

Second Chapter

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Max Young

Winning pointer; still early days over hurdles but he was well held on his handicap debut which was back in May 2021; absent since.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 977-02 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in 6f-1m2f races on the Flat before returning to hurdling at Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft) and only narrowly failing to justify strong market support; that was a big step up in trip for him but dropping back to this far shouldn't be too damaging; raised 4lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:20 Taunton

Lucky Bounce

11st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Ryan Potter

Returned from 903-day absence with win at Ffos Las (3m, good; heavily backed) in May but was much weaker in the betting when pulled up over 2m4f on consecutive appearances in the autumn; perhaps the market will again provide a good guide here.

25/1

10

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Lucky Bounce

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Ryan Potter

Backed into favouritism when defying a mammoth absence to make all at Ffos Las (3m, good) in May; this unexposed 8yo may be able to take a 6lb rise in his stride; interesting to see if there's similar market confidence.

5/1

2

22nd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:40 Ffos Las

Lucky Bounce

11st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Ryan Potter

Returns from a mammoth absence but only narrowly failed to justify strong market support in a 2m7f handicap at Market Rasen when last seen; returns off 1lb lower; the market could be instructive.

5/1

Form: 744-

Last run: 283 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Qualifying runs were nothing to shout about but he's handicapped accordingly and now goes further; one to note in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

13th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:49 Leicester

Yellow Jacket

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Narrow chase win over 2m1f at Bangor (heavy) last February; has been off and had wind surgery since well beaten over hurdles that April; this is a warm race for the grade.

10/1

8th

6

6th Apr 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

13:40 Uttoxeter

Yellow Jacket

10st 8lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

Placed in one of his two handicaps over hurdles but his improvement has come as a chaser, winning at Bangor (heavy) and second at Huntingdon (soft); off the same mark as last time and shouldn't be far away.

4/1

8th

6

6th Apr 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

13:40 Uttoxeter

Yellow Jacket

10st 8lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

Placed in one of his two handicaps over hurdles but his improvement has come as a chaser, winning at Bangor (heavy) and second at Huntingdon (soft); off the same mark as last time and shouldn't be far away.

4/1

Form: 267366

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Standout piece of form remains his second in a Huntingdon bumper; otherwise uninspiring in that scene and he's finished tailed off in three novice hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:50 Worcester

Solid Fuel

10st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy

Caused 40-1 shock over C&D (good) in early part of last season and posted a couple of good efforts here in June but was pulled up at Market Rasen last month and is not easy to predict.

25/1

8

19th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 4

15:50 Market Rasen

Solid Fuel

10st 3lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy

Ran well behind Rocks Up Late three starts back and again back at Worcester when well out of the weights; a poor run behind Greenways since was a reminder of his inconsistency.

66/1

Form: 080-FP

Last run: 77 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish mare who is 0-7; no worthwhile form in three handicaps since moving to Britain; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

31st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

11:55 Warwick

Little Brown Mouse

10st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Adrian Wintle

Ex-Irish mare who is 0-7; no worthwhile form in three handicaps since moving to Britain; tongue-tie added.

50/1

Non-runners

Lucky Bounce, Yellow Jacket

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £35.40
Straight Forecast £27.06
Tricast £87.75
Trifecta £139.40

Selections

The Times:

Lucky Bounce

SPOTLIGHT:

Highland Getaway

Daily Mail:

Duke Of Moravia

POSTDATA:

Samatian

RP Ratings:

Highland Getaway

Telegraph:

Highland Getaway

D Express:

Duke Of Moravia

Daily Mirror:

Duke Of Moravia

The Guardian:

Lucky Bounce

The Sun:

Lucky Bounce

The Star:

Lucky Bounce

WEST COUNTRY:

Samatian

Daily Record:

Samatian