January 19 / 14.25 Wincanton

14.25

Soft

Hatherleigh Farm Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4488.85
  • 2m 3f 179y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Hatherleigh Farm Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Abandoned

Form: 53-122 D BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
A winner on soft ground in France and there were plenty of positives to take from his Plumpton run (2m4f, soft), for all that the 20-1 winner was out of form going into that race and has pulled up since; 3lb higher for this and he's without Caoilin Quinn's handy 5lb claim, so he probably needs more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Le Patron

11st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase here (1m7f, heavy) in December 2023 and comfortably won handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) last November; the return to Sandown is an interesting angle but he's been well beaten the last twice and needs to be better than ever today; headgear applied.

16/1

8

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Le Patron

11st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase here (1m7f, heavy) in December 2023 and comfortably won handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) last November; the return to Sandown is an interesting angle but he's been well beaten the last twice and needs to be better than ever today; headgear applied.

16/1

5

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 8y

Class 1

15:37 Ascot

Le Patron

11st 10lb

J: David Noonan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Record of 4-7 over fences includes a Grade 1 novice win last term and impressive handicap performance at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance; perhaps unsuited by the return to Cheltenham last time; has something to find at the weights but looks interesting as a second-season chaser who could rate higher still.

16/1

Form: 2-1113 D

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Went unbeaten in three good-ground novice events early last summer but was tailed off on his Hereford handicap debut in November when perhaps softer ground was a factor; it's likely to be even slower this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

26th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

15:00 Fontwell

Fountains Chief

11st 13lb

J: Sean O’Briain

T: Anthony Honeyball

Front-runner; unbeaten in three novice events (2m4f-2m7f, good) last May/June; tailed off on handicap debut in November but his fourth of six at Southwell (2m4f) four weeks ago was a step back in the right direction.

9/2

4th

2

29th Jan 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:10 Southwell

Fountains Chief

11st 12lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Unbeaten in three novice events last summer but tailed off on November's handicap debut at Hereford; plenty to prove after that.

8/1

Form: -34191 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Seen to best effect around here under positive tactics, making it 3-3 at the track when breezing home on good to soft ground 24 days ago; this softer surface won't bother him but an 11lb rise might; still commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

26th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

14:20 Taunton

No No Tonic

11st 13lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Mark Gillard

prominent

14/1

5th

7

9th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:40 Kempton

No No Tonic

11st 5lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Veteran who has done her winning at Wincanton; form dipped there on Boxing Day, following two placed efforts; first run at Kempton and isn't the percentage call.

14/1

Abandoned

Form: 1P-17P

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Three wins from six starts when trained in France, including last May (2m2f, soft) on his final outing there; should be capable of better than he's shown in two British handicaps (2m; good and heavy), though was easy to back on both occasions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Issam

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Tom Symonds

Seemed a non-stayer over 3m on penultimate start; readily justified favouritism at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) latest, taking chase record to 3-6 and overall strike-rate to 9-25; largely progressive and a useful 3lb is claimed with Callum Pritchard back on board; one to consider.

8/1

1st

3

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Kempton

Issam

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tom Symonds

Out of the money over 3m at Ascot last time, seeming a non-stayer; solid record otherwise since switched to fences, winning twice and posting two sound efforts; may have more to offer back down in trip; not ruled out.

9/2

6th

2

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

Issam

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tom Symonds

Overall strike-rate is 8-23; solid set of form figures (1213) since switch to fences, keeping on for creditable effort at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) most recently; should be thereabouts provided he stays this new trip.

9/1

Form: 26426-

Last run: 507 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
All five of his hurdles wins have come in sellers or claimers; wasn't firing as he can when last seen and he's returning from a long absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

31st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:50 Ffos Las

Ballyellis

11st 2lb

J: Mr James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Strike-rate of 5-27 over hurdles but wasn't at his best during 2021 despite win/placed form; has a long absence to overcome.

33/1

Form: 3P5-32

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Hasn't won since March 2021 but he's started this season well with placed efforts at Lingfield and Fontwell; soft ground fine and he probably stays this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:17 Chepstow

Pyramid Place

11st 13lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

Nine-time hurdle winner who was useful in his prime and is versatile regarding ground; out of form since rejoining Harriet Dickin this season, though, and has left it late in the day to launch his chasing career; hood/cheekpieces removed; first-time blinkers tried.

33/1

8th

2

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

Pyramid Place

11st 12lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Harriet Dickin

Nine hurdle wins (various ground), including valuable C&D race in 2023; safely held on both starts since rejoining Harriet Dicken, though, and has much more to prove than some of these; cheekpieces added to usual hood.

33/1

1

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Pyramid Place

12st 0lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Harriet Dickin

Nine-time hurdle winner (including here for Harriet Dickin) who is below his last winning mark but struggled in the first half of this year for Olly Murphy; went through the sales ring for £13,500 in May and has plenty to prove, including stamina, on his first start since rejoining this trainer.

25/1

Form: -F6FP5

Last run: 97 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
A dual winner for the Skeltons in 2021 (3m/3m2f) but has lost his way big time; tongue-tie joins regular cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

20th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Lingfield

Starsky

12st 0lb

J: Mr Daniel Kyne

T: Barry Brennan

Winner of two staying events for previous connections but out of sorts over hurdles since falling over fences on debut for this yard in August; tongue-tie discarded; best watched for now.

66/1

3

1st Feb 2023

Heavy

1m 7f 113y

Class 4

13:25 Leicester

Starsky

11st 12lb

J: Mr Daniel Kyne

T: Barry Brennan

Won twice over hurdles (3m-3m2f) for Dan Skelton in 2021 but less productive for this trainer, including when struggling at Fakenham (2m4f) in October; drops back to 2m off a three-and-a-half month break sporting a tongue-tie/cheekpieces combination for the first time.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2-523

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Has been running okay in 2m novice/maidens won by decent horses and this stiffer test of stamina could well suit him now his attentions are turned to handicaps; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:00 Newton Abbot

High Game Royal

12st 0lb

J: Mr Nicholas Romain

T: Mrs R A Romain

Beaten between 17l and 33l in his last three hunter chases, getting outpaced at trips from 2m5f to 3m1f; tongue-tie is now added; probably playing for minor money.

16/1

3rd

2

1st May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

17:40 Warwick

High Game Royal

12st 0lb

J: Mr Nicholas Romain

T: Mrs R A Romain

Outpaced on all four starts this year, latterly in hunter chases at Stratford (2m5f) and Exeter (3m), on which evidence the marathon on this card might have been a more comfortable fit; others are more persuasive.

20/1

3rd

8

7th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

17:10 Exeter

High Game Royal

11st 12lb

J: Mr Nicholas Romain

T: Mrs R A Romain

Won over hurdles in 2023 for the Hobbs/White operation; beaten in two points before finishing well held at Stratford recently.

20/1

Form: 245-2F

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who is 0-6 over hurdles; however, he might have been placed at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) had he not taken a heavy fall two out (would have finished behind Le Patron); could still go well with it still early days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

18th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

17:20 Wincanton

Super Duper Sam

11st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

prominent, ridden before 2 out, weakened approaching last

16/1

9th

12

3rd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:05 Chepstow

Super Duper Sam

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Neil Mulholland

Won his only bumper; 0-6 over hurdles and he fell two out when disputing third in a handicap at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) on latest outing; arguably set to show his best form that day, so he needs improvement.

10/1

Form: 14-52U

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won his bumper easily on soft ground; this mark looks okay on his second in a Bangor novice (2m3f, soft; RPR 110) and he was only 7-2 for a Uttoxeter maiden 19 days ago only to unseat mid-race; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Rockinastorm

10st 10lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Dual course winner (3m/3m1f); not beaten far when fifth of six in C&D (good to soft) contest won by Ballycamus in December and didn't run badly in competitive Windsor marathon last month; can't be ignored off this mark.

6/1

7th

9

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 162y

Class 3

15:35 Windsor

Rockinastorm

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Front-runner who won two in a row in late 2024 (3m1f/3m, good/soft), on the second occasion off today's mark, and he ran pretty well over 3m4f at Haydock last March; hasn't run badly on either outing this season but needs something extra this afternoon.

20/1

11

24th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Cheltenham

Rockinastorm

11st 6lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: Henry Daly

Dual chase winner towards end of 2024 (3m1f/3m); only third of four behind Regarde at Haydock (3m4f, good) in March but wasn't beaten far; resumes on a workable mark and with Patrick Mullins a good jockey booking.

9/1

Abandoned

Form: 410057 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won two novice events on good ground last spring and is probably best under those conditions; finished a remote seventh behind No No Tonic at this track on his latest outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

29th Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:20 Worcester

Toronto

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

Formerly useful on the Flat and a dual hurdle winner in spring 2022; signed off for Brian Barr below form but was only 3-1 on debut for this yard at Bangor and after losing ground quickly it was reported that he bled; likely contender should the wheels stay on.

10/1

0

1

4th Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

17:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Toronto

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

Useful on the Flat in his prime, and a dual hurdle winner in spring 2022; ended last year with some disappointing hurdle runs for Brian Barr but makes stable debut from a very dangerous mark; can't be ignored.

7/2

5

15th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Toronto

11st 9lb

J: James Best

T: Brian Barr

Keen-going sort; two novice wins last spring but little impact in four handicaps since; continues to slide down the weights and may revive on good ground at some stage.

25/1

Verdict

No No Tonic is 3-3 here and he could take some reeling in despite an 11lb higher mark than last time. However, ROCKINASTORM has the potential to be better treated than most of these now he enters the handicap scene and the same comment applies to second choice High Game Royal. Le Patron probably has to improve on his Plumpton second but he had been absent for a while prior to that.[Alistair Jones]