January 18 / 16.00 Newbury

16.00

Heavy

Bloomfields Horseboxes Presents The Raceline Professional Open National Hunt Flat Race (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3812.2
  • 2m 0f 69y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Bloomfields Horseboxes Presents The Raceline Professional Open National Hunt Flat Race (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 1 D

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Came from off the pace and drew clear for a comfortable 3l success under Finn Lambert at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) two months ago when making debut; open to progress; leading player even with a 7lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Spirits Bay

10st 13lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Ran okay when seventh in this last year and he reappeared with a win at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) in October; however, his subsequent form has been mixed (fences/hurdles) and Top Jimmy looks the yard's chief hope.

33/1

7th

4

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Spirits Bay

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made a winning reappearance in Newton Abbot handicap hurdle (2m1f, good to soft) in October; switched to fences subsequently, matching his peak RPR over timber when fourth in 2m3f Exeter novice handicap (good to soft) five weeks ago; won his previous outing on heavy.

8/1

1

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

12:55 Warwick

Spirits Bay

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Two wins during his novice campaign included a handicap (2m, soft); 0-5 last season but ran well at the weights behind Constitution Hill at Cheltenham in January and comfortably regained the winning thread on his reappearance at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) three weeks ago; up 4lb but he's bred for fences and looks a player on debut in this sphere.

11/8

Form: 4

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Faded into modest fourth of seven, beaten 24l, at Carlisle (2m1f, soft; prominent in betting) in November but perhaps needed the run; represents major yard and looks open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Beachcomber

10st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Last win came in 3m Kempton handicap in Christmas of 2024; third to Bill Baxter in this race last year but not at best this season, chasing home a clear winner at Ludlow last time (only two finishers); 7lb lower than last year so don't rule out.

14/1

2nd

6

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

Beachcomber

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Appeared to get his campaign back on track when third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) and, when a 10l fifth over C&D since, he was softened up by getting competitive a good way out; he doesn't have a convincing profile but his pure ability is respected.

7/1

5th

1

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Beachcomber

12st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Out of form over fences this season but turned things around with creditable third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m good to soft) last month and it will be interesting to see whether he can build on that performance on this return to chasing.

7/1

Form: 9

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In excellent hands but doesn't look an imminent winner as he was always towards the rear, beaten 31l, at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) on debut; needs to step up plenty on that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 4

15:50 Market Rasen

Gods Own Getaway

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Last win was over 2m3f here in May of last year off 6lb higher; not quite hit the same heights this year and has been finishing his races rather tamely.

5/1

3

6th Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

14:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Gods Own Getaway

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Not really firing on all cylinders since returning from a break in the autumn and has developed a tendency to finish rather weakly but comes here after two respectable 2m4f thirds this spring (cheekpieces added last time) and continues to edge down the weights.

3/1

6

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Worcester

Gods Own Getaway

11st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Dual chase winner who was ridden much closer to the pace than is often the case when very respectable third behind Abingworth at Warwick (2m4f, good) last month; remains on a workable mark and features prominently in calculations; cheekpieces (tried once in early 2024) refitted.

3/1

Form: 4

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a three-time Flat winner (turf/AW) for his owner; shaped with promise in 2m AW bumper at Lingfield last month, keeping on for fourth; possibilities if building on that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

8th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

15:00 Huntingdon

Killarney Mountain

11st 4lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Simon Hodgson

Flat bred; built on a promising debut when winning a fair Kempton bumper in February 2023 but has not been sighted since; goes up in trip on hurdle debut but probably best watched returning from such a long absence, unless strong in the market; has been gelded.

8/1

1st

5

10th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Kempton

Killarney Mountain

11st 7lb

J: Mitchell Bastyan

T: Simon Hodgson

in touch with leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, steady headway from over 1f out, made strong challenge inside final furlong, led but hard pressed final 110yds, kept on strongly, just prevailed

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5

Last run: 85 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a sister to the stable's bumper winner and very useful hurdler/chaser Kings Palace; bought for 155,000gns after winning Irish point by 10l; didn't quite live up to expectations in Chepstow bumper (finished 13l fifth) in October but ought to do better; still an interesting prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Royal Defender

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.

14/1

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Royal Defender

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.

14/1

6

25th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

15:20 Exeter

Royal Defender

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Bought for 155,000gns after winning Irish maiden point (3m) in May 2022; his rules form has been patchy but he was a fair third in a Lingfield novice hurdle (2m, good to soft) last November and is open to improvement now up in trip in first-time cheekpieces on handicap debut; watch the betting.

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Horse

OR:

Form & Verdict
4,000euros foal; dam unraced half-sister to bumper/hurdle/chase winner Dominican Monk out of unraced sister to bumper/hurdle/high-class chase winner The Grey Monk; likely type on breeding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

24th Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

14:10 Hereford

Specialagent McGee

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Tailed off in a bumper in January and on this month's hurdle debut (100-1).

100/1

7th

5

4th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Specialagent McGee

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

held up in rear, no impression from 3 out

40/1

4

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:55 Warwick

Specialagent McGee

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Nicky Martin

Form: 7

Last run: 63 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished 24l seventh in big-field contest at Warwick (2m, soft) two months ago, offering a modicum of promise; bred to leave that form behind, being a half-sister to two bumper scorers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

Pollyonesock

10st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Showed her first piece of worthwhile form for a while when fourth at Huntingdon (near 2m4f, good) last month, albeit beaten 20l; failed to build on that when soundly beaten behind Karakoram 19 days ago; 6lb out of the handicap and difficult to recommend.

33/1

9th

12

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

Pollyonesock

10st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Showed her first piece of worthwhile form for a while when fourth at Huntingdon (near 2m4f, good) last month, albeit beaten 20l; failed to build on that when soundly beaten behind Karakoram 19 days ago; 6lb out of the handicap and difficult to recommend.

33/1

10

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

16:30 Ludlow

Pollyonesock

10st 5lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

This month's Huntingdon fourth (2m4f, good) broke a sequence of non-completions; shaped there as if ready for this longer trip now, though that's not wholly backed up by the pedigree (two point winners aside).

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; dam well held in French hurdles/chases, half-sister to 2m6f hurdle winner Sympa Des Flos and French 2m3f/2m4f chase winner Affaire Des Flos; yard has a good overall strike-rate in bumpers; gets a hefty 4yo allowance; heed the market signals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

17th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

2m 2f 110y

Class 3

14:15 Newton Abbot

Film DAction

10st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Anthony Honeyball

Began career with two very disappointing runs (bumper/hurdle) but, following a wind op, fared considerably better when third at Ffos Las (2m, good) last month; that form already makes him a leading contender here, and he has plenty of scope for further progress.

15/8

3rd

4

8th Jun 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:20 Ffos Las

Film DAction

10st 9lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Anthony Honeyball

Disappointing favourite in bumper and pulled up in juvenile hurdle; however, had wind surgery since last run and now goes in tongue-tie; those factors may prompt a much better effort.

12/1

4

21st Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

14:05 Market Rasen

Film DAction

11st 0lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Anthony Honeyball

French-bred; sent off 2-1 favourite for Fontwell bumper in January but disappointed, finishing only eighth of 14, beaten 53l; stable in good form; should do better on hurdles debut.

5/1

Form:

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Stablemate of Spirits Bay; made no impact in junior bumper at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) seven weeks ago; application of tongue-tie needs to prompt a big step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Josh The Boss

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Novice chaser who has several pieces of sound form at up to 2m4f this season, including a second at Aintree; however, below that level in major handicaps in two of his last three starts, seeming a non-stayer at Doncaster (soft) in the sole 3m attempt; stamina to prove back up in trip.

16/1

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Josh The Boss

10st 12lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Fairly useful novice chaser who scored easily at Doncaster in November and has performed creditably off current mark twice since, albeit failed to justify favouritism when sent up to Newcastle (2m4f) last time; goes into deeper waters at this level.

11/1

2nd

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Josh The Boss

11st 6lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Always ridden by Jamie Neild; walked over on his second chase assignment and easily made all in four-runner handicap at Doncaster (2m3f, soft) in November; another big run from the front when second of five at Aintree (2m4f) next time, before his first attempt at 3m did not work out in a Grade 3 handicap four weeks ago; he should be of renewed interest back at 2m4f.

4/1

Verdict

Six-figure purchase ROYAL DEFENDER could well improve on his Chepstow effort and take advantage of the 7lb he receives from Spirits Bay, who commands respect all the same and is a leading form contender as things stand. Killarney Mountain has clear place possibilities on bare figures, while a couple of the others are open to improvement. The two newcomers need a market check.[Steve Boow]