January 22 / 12.00 Lingfield

12.00

Standard To Slow

Winter Million Helen Keaney 70th Birthday Open National Hunt Flat Race (Cat 1 Elimination) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £21124
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Winter Million Helen Keaney 70th Birthday Open National Hunt Flat Race (Cat 1 Elimination) (GBB)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: NH Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Showers

Form: 41 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Built on his fourth at Ascot when proving too strong for the penalised Zonisty here in early December; bred to progress with his racing but a penalty could find him out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

13:40 Fontwell

Ledders

11st 5lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Nick Gifford

held up in rear, detached and niggled along 3rd, joined main group 5th, outpaced 7th, kept on from 2 out, went remote third run-in

20/1

3rd

2

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

13:40 Fontwell

Ledders

11st 5lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Nick Gifford

held up in rear, detached and niggled along 3rd, joined main group 5th, outpaced 7th, kept on from 2 out, went remote third run-in

20/1

7th

5

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

14:02 Fontwell

Ledders

11st 7lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Fairly useful in bumpers in 2022 but off 718 days before pulling up at Lingfield (2m3f, soft; 33-1) on hurdle debut last month; entitled to have improved for that and likely to make his mark over hurdles at some point given his bumper ability but probably best watched at present; tongue-tie added.

20/1

Form: 412 D BF

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Came clear to win over C&D in November and probably ran just as well on his return visit when conceding a penalty to Ledders; needs respecting on these more favourable terms, though he does have others to worry about.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

14th Feb 2023

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:30 Lingfield

Zonisty

11st 9lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Won easily here in November and then ran well under a penalty on his return visit in a race that's worked out well (winner promising; third and fourth successful since); should be hard to beat.

4/11

2nd

1

5th Dec 2022

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

12:25 Lingfield (AW)

Zonisty

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Half-brother to the smart Flat stayer Coltrane; promising fourth of 14 at Worcester and hugely on top over C&D three weeks later; gives at least 7lb all round but remains one to take very seriously.

5/6

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to three Flat winners (one of which also scored over hurdles); bought for £2,000 as a yearling; interesting to see what the market makes of her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found
OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 1 D

Last run: 78 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £80,000 after running out the 10l winner of an Aintree bumper (soft) for Richard Bandey, having made all; placed horses haven't done wonders for the form but he's related to middle-distance winners on the Flat and could be useful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Elogio

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Made a respectable start for this yard in 2m1f-2m6f handicaps but hasn't been so clever the last twice.

14/1

1

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Elogio

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Made a respectable start for this yard in 2m1f-2m6f handicaps but hasn't been so clever the last twice.

14/1

5

16th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:10 Uttoxeter

Elogio

11st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Started off for Lizzie Quinlan with three pretty good efforts last summer (one over C&D) and is versatile regarding ground; returned from layoff with quiet run in July but has possibilities here if that outing brought him on.

20/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 68 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won only a weak bumper at Fakenham (2m, good to soft) on sole start for Roger Varian but did it well; bought for £60,000 and open to progress for new connections.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

13

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

16:00 Cheltenham

Shinji

10st 12lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Came good over hurdles in low-grade Southwell handicap (2m, good) in June and has remained in good nick since (2m-2m5f) but others in this line-up have stronger form and/or more potential.

25/1

14th

13

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

16:00 Cheltenham

Shinji

10st 12lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Came good over hurdles in low-grade Southwell handicap (2m, good) in June and has remained in good nick since (2m-2m5f) but others in this line-up have stronger form and/or more potential.

25/1

5th

7

7th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

12:40 Ludlow

Shinji

11st 2lb

J: Mr Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Southwell winner in June (2m, good) but was no match for Parikarma next time and again wasn't at his best when a beaten favourite at Perth; cheekpieces are replaced by a hood that hasn't done wonders for him previously; stamina to prove over this far.

15/2

Form: 7

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dam the sister of a German 1m2f Group 1 winner; big market mover for a Listed bumper at Cheltenham (sent off 5-1) and after dropping out mid-race he stayed on quite well; has ground to make up on Mr Mackay but he should be all the wiser this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 2

15:55 Doncaster

Cloud Dancer

10st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

held up in rear, slightly hampered but lost ground 5th, outpaced on turn before 3 out, not fluent 3 out

6/4

4th

4

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:10 Wincanton

Cloud Dancer

11st 4lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

held up in rear final 110yds, headway from 3 out, went fourth 2 out, stayed on run-in

5/1

4th

4

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:10 Wincanton

Cloud Dancer

11st 4lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

held up in rear final 110yds, headway from 3 out, went fourth 2 out, stayed on run-in

5/1

Form: 36

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Encouraging third at Huntingdon but was beaten further by the winner when only sixth at Cheltenham, where he was behind Mr Mackay and just ahead of Cloud Dancer; perhaps placed at best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(3)

1st Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 6

19:32 Epsom

Dotties Star

9st 9lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Pat Phelan

Got up on the line to bag 1m4f AW classified event in March but he's made little impact in two subsequent handicaps and is 0-7 here.

14/1

10th

8

(3)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Dotties Star

9st 1lb

J: James Glennon

T: Pat Phelan

Better known as a hurdler these days, but he made a successful return to the Flat when narrowly landing a classified event at Lingfield (1m4f, Polytrack) in March; never involved in a C&D handicap last time but that was against a pace bias and he has claims if things go more to plan this time.

6/1

7th

11

(9)

8th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Dotties Star

8st 10lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Pat Phelan

Better known as a hurdler these days, but he made a successful return to the Flat when narrowly landing a 0-50 classified event at Lingfield (1m4f, Polytrack) a fortnight ago; this will be harder, but he remains unexposed on the AW.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
13,000euros 3yo; eighth foal; half-brother to winners on the Flat and over hurdles; stable has occasional success in these races but this looks a tough starter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Elpologreg

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Three places before stopping quickly and pulling up at Newton Abbot (3m2f, heavy; handles that ground) last time and his jumping wasn't the best; not overly appealing from 5lb out of the weights.

10/1

Form: 24

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Very solid efforts in defeat at Wincanton (1m7f) and Cheltenham (1m6f), latterly finishing ahead of two of today's rivals; appealing form credentials and entitled to improve some more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

15:00 Wincanton

Mr Mackay

11st 8lb

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Pretty consistent over fences and hurdles on good/good to soft ground this season and has slipped to a good mark; campaigned mainly at around 2m but has won over an extended 2m3f; probably won't be far away.

5/2

5th

8

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

17:07 Doncaster

Mr Mackay

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Seemed in good form over fences before the turn of the year and reportedly suffered an overreach on his return to hurdling at Musselburgh; on a competitive mark.

12/1

5th

2

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Mr Mackay

11st 13lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Fair efforts in the autumn across first three chase starts, finishing second last time (2m, good) despite not jumping well; on a handy mark on last season's best hurdle form; could be a contender now back in this sphere.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£20,000 3yo; fourth foal; half-brother to 2m4f hurdle winner Bit On The Side; dam bumper/useful 2m-2m5f hurdle/chase winner; lacks experience and looks the stable second string on jockey bookings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Push The Button

11st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Mark Walford

Made a good start over fences for new connections, winning at Carlisle (2m, good) in October and second in a Grade 2 novice at Ascot (2m3f, soft); mistakes crept in when below that level twice since and he now reverts to hurdling; sixth of 17 in this last year off an identical mark.

25/1

3rd

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

17:10 Kelso

Push The Button

11st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Made a good start over fences for new connections, winning at Carlisle (2m, good) in October and finishing second in a Grade 2 novice at Ascot (2m3f, soft); let down by his jumping in competitive handicap at Cheltenham last time but he's in shallower waters here and should be thereabouts.

6/4

7th

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 2

12:05 Cheltenham

Push The Button

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Record of 122 switched to fences this term for new yard and the form has received a few boosts; ran well on the figures, albeit no match for winner, in Grade 2 at Ascot (2m3f, soft) most recently; brings solid claims back to handicap level.

4/1

Form: 6

Last run: 64 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Also hooded at Huntingdon and showed some ability in finishing midfield, only 11l off the winner; others have shown more, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

16th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

17:35 Huntingdon

War Bonnet

10st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Matt Crawley

held up in rear, headway over 2f out, went second over 1f out, ridden and outpaced inside final furlong

14/1

2nd

8

14th Feb 2023

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:30 Lingfield

War Bonnet

10st 4lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Matt Crawley

Hood sported for both his runs is now left off and he showed some ability first time at Huntingdon.

25/1

8th

11

29th Jan 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:25 Southwell

War Bonnet

10st 3lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Matt Crawley

Also hooded at Huntingdon and showed some ability in finishing midfield, 11l off the winner; others have shown more, however.

25/1

Verdict

Ledders and Zonisty are armed with experience of the track but they have to concede plenty of weight to some promising types. ELOGIO looked good when making all at Aintree and he’s bred to be effective on the AW. Mr Mackay (second choice) was ahead of Cloud Dancer at Cheltenham, though the latter could find plenty on that form.[Alistair Jones]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Elogio

POSTDATA:

Mr Mackay

NEWMARKET:

Zonisty

LAMBOURN:

Baby Spice

The Star:

Mr Mackay

RP Ratings:

Elogio

The Times:

Elogio

Telegraph:

Elogio

D Express:

Elogio

Daily Mirror:

Elogio

The Sun:

Elogio

Daily Record:

Zonisty