January 14 / 14.32 Wetherby

14.32

Soft

Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £8264.76
  • 2m 3f 154y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
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Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 4244-1 CD

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Built upon the promise shown in some tough juvenile hurdles last season (including on soft) when winning over C&D (good) on handicap debut and reappearance in November; up 7lb but he was clear with the solid yardstick Foster'sisland and is open to further improvement for a stable enjoying a fine season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

13

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Iroko

11st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Staying-on fourth in last season's Grand National (good to soft) off 5lb lower as just a 7yo; a second crack at it has been his main target this term but he looked better than ever when winning from Firefox in a hot, three-runner race at Ascot (2m5f; second run after wind surgery) in December and had an excuse (scoped dirty) at the Cheltenham Festival last month; has to be in serious calculations.

14/1

10th

1

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Iroko

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Fourth in last season's Grand National (4m2f, good to soft) off 5lb lower; the big one at Aintree is again his main target but this 8yo looked better than ever when winning a hot, three-runner graduation chase at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) in December and on that evidence he's entitled to considerable respect off his revised mark; won the Martin Pipe Hurdle at the 2023 Festival.

6/1

4th

18

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Iroko

10st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Noble Yeats three years ago showed a 7yo can still win the National; this one has spent most of his career at about 2m4f/2m5f and his three appearances over 2m7f-3m1f were defeats but they were among his best efforts (two were Grade 1 novice places here) and contained mouthwatering suggestions of stamina not yet called upon; it is today and there's almost no doubt he remains capable of better.

8/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 214-91 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Won two novice hurdles last season (including over C&D on soft) and recaptured that promise with a game handicap win from Foster'sisland here (2m5f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; just 3lb higher today and it's possible this lightly raced 8yo will improve further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

14:15 Carlisle

Raffertys Return

11st 4lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Defied much higher marks twice, including over C&D, a couple of years ago; has failed to repeat the form since and ran particularly poorly last time.

16/1

10th

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

13:50 Doncaster

Raffertys Return

11st 13lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Rebecca Menzies

Five-time hurdle winner who continues to drop down the weights; however, it's a long time since this 11yo has been competitive.

33/1

7th

8

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Carlisle

Raffertys Return

11st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Five-time winner, including over 2m3f here; hasn't been at his best in two runs this season and probably best watched in what looks a competitive event.

50/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.20

Form: P9352B D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Third over C&D (good to soft) in October and creditable fifth of 18 at Cheltenham (2m5f, good) next time; in touch when brought down four out here (2m5f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; might not be far away if handling conditions, but he may not want soft ground nowadays.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:50 Cartmel

Ashington

11st 3lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Mark Walford

Won this race on good ground under Becky Smith a year ago and defends his crown from a good mark but recent Flat/hurdling form has been underwhelming and conditions are not in his favour today.

33/1

9th

10

(9)

5th Jul 2025

Soft

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

19:42 Carlisle

Ashington

10st 0lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Mark Walford

Better known as a jumper and yet recent efforts in that scene haven't been great, and he was only midfield over C&D last month.

20/1

7th

5

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:57 Uttoxeter

Ashington

11st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Stuck on a losing run and finished last in two hurdle races before finishing only sixth off his low Flat mark 13 days ago; others much preferred.

25/1

Form: 32-282 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row in late 2021 (2m3f-2m5f, soft/good to soft) and he's finished second of three of his last four starts, most recently here on Boxing Day; every chance he'll be bang there once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 3

16:12 Kelso

Fostersisland

11st 6lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Good servant to connections over the years (six hurdle wins); on the downgrade now, though, and was just a respectable fifth in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at regular haunt Wetherby (2m5f, good) last month.

10/1

3rd

3

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 3

16:12 Kelso

Fostersisland

11st 6lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

prominent, no extra run-in

10/1

5th

3

28th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

15:32 Wetherby

Fostersisland

11st 11lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Has often run well here and he's well treated on course form as recent as November; however, his subsequent form has been patchy and this 10yo needs to raise his game in first-time cheekpieces.

20/1

Form: 45-746 CD

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 3lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
11yo who has regressed and was unable to threaten on his four starts in 2022; however, he continues to drop down the weights and didn't run badly when sixth behind Iroko over C&D (good) in November; today's softer ground could help and he's not ruled out in a first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

1st Jun 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

16:15 Hexham

Captain Zebo

12st 2lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

Goes well here as both a C&D winner and also a winner over 2m4f last time out; 3lb rise and the return to shorter will be a test for him but he's shown before that he can string a series of wins together.

100/30

1st

1

11th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

17:45 Hexham

Captain Zebo

12st 0lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

made virtually all, jumped badly right 5th, briefly headed 6th

16/1

1st

1

11th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

17:45 Hexham

Captain Zebo

12st 0lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

made virtually all

16/1

Form: 23-41F D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 8lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in November and was running well there last month when falling at the final flight; might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

14th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

14:32 Wetherby

Eternally Yours

10st 8lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

Won at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in November and was running well there last month when falling at the final flight; might not be far away.

8/1

4

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 3

14:00 Ayr

Eternally Yours

11st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald Whillans

disputed lead, led 3rd

5/1

1st

2

9th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:55 Ayr

Eternally Yours

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald Whillans

prominent, on outer, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, rallied approaching last, kept on strongly and led towards finish

4/1

Form: /122-P

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle at Clonmel (2m, heavy) last January and was runner-up at Ayr in the spring on his first two starts for this yard (2m4f/3m, soft/good to soft); pulled up on chase/handicap debut at Ayr in November but he's no forlorn hope now back over hurdles in a first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

16:13 Sedgefield

Hasty Brook

11st 6lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Tailed off over hurdles on both starts this winter, after a long layoff; tongue tied last four starts and now also tries cheekpieces; well down the weights but with a big question to answer.

16/1

4

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

16:13 Sedgefield

Hasty Brook

11st 6lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Tailed off over hurdles on both starts this winter, after a long layoff; tongue tied last four starts and now also tries cheekpieces; well down the weights but with a big question to answer.

16/1

7th

2

6th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:10 Ayr

Hasty Brook

12st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

in touch with leaders, raced in second from 2nd

14/1

Form: 2-1PPP

Last run: 168 days

W: 12st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Won big-field handicap at Killarney last May and is one to watch in the betting on stable debut, but he was pulled up on his final three runs for Joseph O'Brien and is unproven on soft/heavy ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

22nd Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

14:30 Hexham

Celestial Horizon

12st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Dual Flat (at up to 1m6f) and dual hurdles winner (at up to 2m1f) when trained in Ireland; well beaten in all nine starts for this trainer and plummeting in the handicap; new headgear now tried (has won in blinkers); watching brief advised unless market vibes strong.

9/1

8th

6

22nd Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 3

17:00 Sedgefield

Celestial Horizon

10st 12lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Ben Haslam

His mark continues to tumble and he's worth a market check, but he was pulled up in summer 2022 on his final three runs for Joseph O'Brien and his struggles have continued for this yard.

16/1

Form: P1PP-P CD

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:23 Uttoxeter

Ballybegg

11st 11lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Dual C&D winner; went close off today's mark at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March but this regressive 10yo was soundly beaten over fences when last in action and would appeal much more on slower ground.

25/1

3

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

20:18 Stratford

Ballybegg

12st 1lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Inconsistent 10yo who was well beaten when back over fences in May (2m6f), then unsuited by the drop back to 2m on his most recent start at Newton Abbot last month when a well-held third of six; on a good mark if the mood takes him now back up to a more suitable test.

10/1

3rd

3

13th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

19:55 Newton Abbot

Ballybegg

11st 6lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Went close over hurdles at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March but this inconsistent and steadily regressive 10yo was well beaten when back over fences last month (2m6f); drops back to about 2m for first time since hurdle debut in 2020; has done all his winning on ground slower than good.

10/1

Form: 71/2-0

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Didn't jump with fluency and was tailed off at 28-1 on last month's handicap debut at Aintree; it's hard to be confident on the back of that but this very lightly raced 6yo was returning from an absence and had shown promise on heavy and soft ground previously; not written off; check market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

11th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

19:05 Warwick

Hardi Du Mesnil

10st 11lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Robert Waley-Cohen

took keen hold, led, headed 7th, lost ground quickly after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

40/1

13

11th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

19:05 Warwick

Hardi Du Mesnil

10st 11lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Robert Waley-Cohen

took keen hold, led, headed 7th, lost ground quickly after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

40/1

0

1

5th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

13:00 Ludlow

Hardi Du Mesnil

11st 13lb

J: Fergus Gregory

T: Robert Waley-Cohen

Lightly raced 7yo who won a hurdle in France; useful form when runner-up on British debut in a Newbury hurdle in late 2021 but has achieved nothing in just four subsequent starts, the last two in points; has a lot to prove now.

16/1

Form: 34-956

Last run: 100 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Two-time French hurdle winner who was a creditable fourth of 18 in a Grade 3 handicap chase at Auteuil (2m7f, soft) last April; on a handy mark on that form but his form went the wrong way on his next three starts (hurdles latest); he's perhaps best watched on this stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 4

15:08 Exeter

Polisud

10st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

Won a handicap hurdle for Micky Hammond, whom he left for £4,000; respectable first run for this yard at Lingfield (2m hurdle, soft) but he may still be a shade too high in the weights on this belated return to fences (won in France).

7/2

4

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 4

15:08 Exeter

Polisud

10st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

Won a handicap hurdle for Micky Hammond, whom he left for £4,000; respectable first run for this yard at Lingfield (2m hurdle, soft) but he may still be a shade too high in the weights on this belated return to fences (won in France).

7/2

Non-runners

Ballybegg

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.00
Straight Forecast £6.07
Tricast £50.62
Trifecta £58.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Iroko

TOPSPEED:

Foster'sisland

The Star:

Rafferty's Return

RP Ratings:

Iroko

The Times:

Iroko

Telegraph:

Iroko

Daily Mail:

Iroko

D Express:

Iroko

Daily Mirror:

Iroko

The Sun:

Iroko

Daily Record:

Iroko

POSTDATA:

Foster'sisland

The Guardian:

Foster'sisland