January 13 / 14.30 Huntingdon

14.30

Good To Soft

Arkle Finance EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4084.5
  • 1m 7f 171y
  • Class 4
  • 15 runners
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Arkle Finance EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £1.30
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 10-13 C BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Course bumper winner who drew clear to win by 6l on hurdling debut at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) in November and wasn't discredited when a well-held third over same C&D last month; leading contender here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

19

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Western Zephyr

10st 6lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Useful 2m form for Charlie Longsdon in autumn 2024, including on this course, but his season ended badly; off to a good start for new yard when runner-up at Haydock (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces, retained) last month but there's not much common ground between that run and what will be needed today.

40/1

2nd

3

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Western Zephyr

11st 9lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Made a winning return at Carlisle (2m) in October 2024 but his form nosedived later in the season, pulled up in the Topham at Aintree last spring on his final run for Charlie Longsdon; since changed hands for £20,000 and he needs to hit the ground running for his new yard after ten months off.

25/1

33/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: 6-5

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not beaten far in his two bumpers last year (both on good) and ought to have a future over jumps but has quite a bit to find with the principals on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Ayr

Welsh Charger

10st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Beaten only 2l when fifth in this last year and runs off just 1lb higher today (from 8lb out of the handicap); however, he hasn't been at his best this season and would be a surprise winner.

33/1

6th

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Welsh Charger

11st 3lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Yet to run here but has a good record on other sharp, right-handed tracks, including a win in the quite valuable Scottish County at Musselburgh last February; looked to have been primed for another bold bid in this year's renewal of that race (7-2 favourite) only to unseat at the start 12 days ago; has won on soft but yet to encounter heavy.

5/1

4

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

13:43 Musselburgh

Welsh Charger

10st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Didn't run badly at Cheltenham/Ascot on his two starts towards the end of last year, with mistakes not helping last time; 2-2 here (soft/good to soft) and has to be of interest now back at Musselburgh off a mark just 1lb higher than when winning this last year.

9/2

12/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 65

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on rules debut in November but last month's keeping-on fifth at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) was more encouraging; needs to improve again here but can be considered each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

2nd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

13:30 Wincanton

Torula

12st 0lb

J: Luca Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Had wind surgery after rules debut and has run better in two 2m novice hurdles since; improvement is needed on this handicap debut but he's now tongue tied and steps back up in trip, which will probably suit.

5/1

3rd

12

13th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:30 Huntingdon

Torula

11st 2lb

J: Luca Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Well beaten on rules debut in November but last month's keeping-on fifth at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) was more encouraging; needs to improve again here but can be considered each-way.

12/1

5th

15

27th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

12:00 Chepstow

Torula

11st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Runner-up on Irish point debut in January but made low-key start to rules career at Lingfield last month and needs subsequent wind op to have made a big difference.

25/1

Form: 3-50

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed significant promise in two bumpers last spring but raced too freely and was well beaten when switched to hurdling at Bangor (2m, soft) in November; had wind op soon afterwards; tongue-tie now added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:02 Hexham

Ingennio

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Dual chase winner in 2024; returned from one-year absence with low-key hurdle run for new stable in July but shaped with a lot more promise at Perth last month and should now be at concert pitch for this return to fences.

10/1

3

8th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:10 Perth

Ingennio

11st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Made a low-key stable debut over hurdles after a year off and he's likely to be back chasing (dual winner) sooner rather than later.

14/1

Form: 622P

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two bumpers last year, the latter on soft ground at Catterick in November, but the form isn't anything to get too excited about and he was pulled up on recent hurdling debut at Fakenham; hood left off today; cheekpieces remain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

17th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:10 Uttoxeter

City Roller

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Laura Horsfall

Still searching for first win (0-15) with form levels having dipped fractionally since finishing runner-up at Stratford (2m2f, good) in May; stays further than this and seems to handle soft ground; outside place claims.

8/1

5th

5

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

17:50 Stratford

City Roller

11st 8lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Laura Horsfall

0-10 over hurdles but ran big race from the front before succumbing to resurgent rival here (2m2f, good) last month, and his subsequent Newton Abbot sixth was perfectly respectable; one to consider.

4/1

6th

5

5th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:15 Newton Abbot

City Roller

11st 6lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Laura Horsfall

Exposed maiden but gave it a good go from the front at Southwell last month (2m2f, good) against a winner who was completing a double and has run well again since; solid candidate.

3/1

Form: 45-49

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
With a top stable and looked quite promising in bumpers last season but both hurdle runs last month were underwhelming and significant improvement is required here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

6th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 5

18:05 Warwick

Steal My Sunshine

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders

10/1

Form: 0/60P

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner in 2021 but struggled on both hurdling starts in the autumn and needs to learn to settle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:50 Fontwell

Superstylin

11st 10lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Three wins over fences this season and last two have been at Fontwell (2m2f/2m3f, good to soft); well-held second of four at Plumpton 19 days ago but that was behind an improver from the Nicholls yard; 10lb lower on this return to hurdling and he's an interesting contender in suitable conditions.

5/2

2nd

3

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 4

16:40 Plumpton

Superstylin

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Mostly in very good form since joining this yard and under a positive ride he held on comfortably when back from a break at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft), beating a reliable yardstick in the process; 4lb rise was fair; cheekpieces replace usual tongue-tie.

5/4

1st

7

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 2

16:30 Fontwell

Superstylin

10st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Made a winning debut for Chris Gordon in September and has continued to run well in defeat; this longer trip shouldn't be a problem but he has been edging up the weights and he's 2lb out of the handicap here.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 5976-

Last run: 316 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Safely held in two bumpers and two maiden hurdles in Ireland last season (all on slow ground) and is probably best watched on today's stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 12y

Class 4

13:45 Taunton

Any Biscuits

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Won twice over hurdles in spring 2023 (2m2f, soft/good) and returned from long absence with good second in October (2m2f, heavy); below form after racing too freely last time (2m3f) but remains one to be interested in and this drop back in trip could be a good move on chasing debut.

7/2

4th

5

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 12y

Class 4

13:45 Taunton

Any Biscuits

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Won twice over hurdles in spring 2023 (2m2f, soft/good) and returned from long absence with good second in October (2m2f, heavy); below form after racing too freely last time (2m3f) but remains one to be interested in and this drop back in trip could be a good move on chasing debut.

7/2

5th

3

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

14:35 Hereford

Any Biscuits

11st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Aided by addition of tongue-tie when winning twice over 2m2f towards end of 2022-23 season (soft/good) and, following a long absence, he ran a big race in defeat at Stratford (2m2f, heavy) last month; may still have more improvement to come; leading contender.

6/4

Form: 8-867

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made fairly encouraging hurdle debut when sixth over C&D (good) in November but Taunton last month was a backward step and he'll probably be of greater interest when qualified for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

7th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Let It Shine

10st 9lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Well beaten in both outings (hurdle/chase) for new yard this term, taking record to 0-13; has only one piece of placed form; treated as far from solid, unless the betting suggests better is expected.

16/1

8th

8

19th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:05 Worcester

Let It Shine

10st 9lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Unable to justify strong market support when well beaten on stable debut three weeks ago and now 0-10 over hurdles; drops back in trip and sports first-time cheekpieces for this chasing debut; may yet come good.

9/1

6th

6

30th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Warwick

Let It Shine

10st 9lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Placed just once (2m, good) in 11 starts at up to 3m when with Michael Scudamore; returns from a break for new trainer, needing to improve on his last few efforts to have a winning chance.

7/2

Form: 7

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed on Irish point debut last spring (yielding to soft) and not disgraced in Uttoxeter bumper (good) on rules debut in November but others in this line-up have much stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:12 Worcester

Warners Cross

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sophie Leech

Won at Market Rasen (2m4f, good) in June 2024 but he's not seen much action since and has struggled over hurdles and fences in last five runs; now 14lb lower than for his win but he needs a major revival back in this sphere.

11/2

5th

6

11th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:42 Southwell

Warners Cross

10st 11lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Clare Hobson

Has won over hurdles and finished second as a chaser; however, pretty poor in both disciplines since returning from a long absence.

40/1

5

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 5

15:10 Uttoxeter

Warners Cross

11st 3lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Clare Hobson

Runner-up on chase debut in summer 2024 but returned from long absence with two disappointing hurdle runs towards end of last year and was also well beaten when back over fences in March (2m5f; first run after wind op); upped to 3m for first time under rules; needs to prove his ability remains.

16/1

Form: 9P0

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well-beaten at triple-digit odds on first two hurdling starts (2m3f/2m); similar outcome very likely again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

23rd Feb 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:35 Huntingdon

Trudiemadlydeeply

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Robbie Llewellyn

pulled hard, midfield, not fluent 5 out, ridden and dropped to rear before 4 out

25/1

11th

15

13th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:30 Huntingdon

Trudiemadlydeeply

10st 9lb

J: Mitchell Bastyan

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Well-beaten at triple-digit odds on first two hurdling starts (2m3f/2m); similar outcome very likely again here.

100/1

10th

16

20th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:25 Ludlow

Trudiemadlydeeply

10st 7lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Well beaten in sole bumper and pulled up at 200-1 on hurdle debut.

100/1

Form: 68

Last run: 123 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a point bumper last spring but struggled in two subsequent rules bumpers; can't be recommended on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 7y

Class 5

13:58 Bangor-on-Dee

Bury Walls

10st 12lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Simon Edwards

Came second in a point bumper last May, but well beaten at huge odds in three maiden/novice hurdles this year (2m-2m7f) and needs to take a good step forward on today's handicap debut.

33/1

8th

1

6th Mar 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:35 Southwell

Bury Walls

11st 7lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Simon Edwards

held up in rear

200/1

6th

2

11th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

13:00 Uttoxeter

Bury Walls

11st 6lb

J: Alex Edwards

T: Simon Edwards

Runner-up in a point bumper last spring but struggled in two subsequent rules bumpers and was pulled up when 300-1 for recent hurdle debut (2m); moves up in trip today.

100/1

Form: 6 BF

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
From a French jumping family; beaten about 39l when sixth of nine on bumper debut at Hereford (good to soft) in November but was made favourite for that race and is presumably thought capable of much better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

5th Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

13:50 Huntingdon

Galaxy Moon

11st 5lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Didn't live up to market expectations on sole bumper start; has failed to improve in two attempts over hurdles; may do better when switched to handicaps.

40/1

7th

4

8th Feb 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:10 Southwell

Galaxy Moon

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

raced in second, jumped slightly right 1st, pushed along and lost position after 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out

16/1

5

13th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:30 Huntingdon

Galaxy Moon

11st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

From a French jumping family; beaten about 39l when sixth of nine on bumper debut at Hereford (good to soft) in November but was made favourite for that race and is presumably thought capable of much better.

12/1

Form: 1-3

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to top-class jumper Delta Work; won French bumper on debut in October 2021 and made promising start to British hurdling career when third (albeit well held) at Newbury (2m, soft) two weeks ago; big player in less competitive race here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

24th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

15:43 Perth

Inneston

12st 0lb

J: Miss Roisin Leech

T: Sophie Leech

Useful novice hurdler for Gary Moore in 2022-23 season, winning two of his six starts; given good chance by the handicapper before this stable debut but difficult to evaluate after 900-day absence; market helpful.

10/1

1st

2

8th Apr 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

13:40 Newton Abbot

Inneston

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: Gary Moore

prominent on inner

8/11

2nd

5

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 2f 183y

Class 3

13:30 Newbury

Inneston

11st 10lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: Gary Moore

Two solid performances at Sandown (2m4f) since switched to handicap level, winning narrowly in February then close second (clear of remainder) in the EBF Final; looks the type to improve further; commands respect.

3/1

Form: 83-

Last run: 286 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has a fairly good jumping pedigree but showed nothing more than minor promise in two bumpers last season and is not the obvious answer here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

My Gift To You

10st 9lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Successful when last seen over hurdles but this looks a tougher assignment and his most recent win (penultimate start) was achieved in a 4m1f hunter chase; others preferred.

14/1

5th

1

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

15:55 Cartmel

My Gift To You

12st 0lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Resumed winning ways after six months off in 4m1f hunter chase at Warwick (good) 22 days ago; effective over this much shorter trip and this likeable front-runner is not out of things.

11/2

Non-runners

Inneston

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.30
Straight Forecast £15.74
Trifecta £33.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Inneston

POSTDATA:

Western Zephyr

WEST COUNTRY:

Torula

RP Ratings:

Inneston

TOPSPEED:

Inneston

The Guardian:

Inneston

Daily Mail:

Inneston

D Express:

Inneston

The Sun:

Inneston

Daily Record:

Inneston

The Star:

Torula

The Times:

Western Zephyr

Telegraph:

Western Zephyr

Daily Mirror:

Western Zephyr