January 29 / 15.00 Southwell

15.00

Good

Follow @attheraces On Twitter Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Follow @attheraces On Twitter Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

4/5 (Won)

  • Win: £1.29
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1211 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sole defeat came in a Cheltenham bumper and he made it 2-2 over hurdles with a most taking display at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) where he defied a penalty; the second won easily this week; Supreme entrant who looks useful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Strong Leader

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Tailed off at Cheltenham in January but that's not his track and he's had a wind op since; prior to that he ran well when runner-up to Impose Toi at Newbury and Ascot, and his Aintree form figures read 1212 with his last two visits being in this race (good to soft/good); there can be considerable optimism that he'll be a key player back here; tongue-tie added.

4/1

6th

3

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Strong Leader

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Runner-up to Impose Toi on last two starts (3m, soft/good to soft), latest when beaten just over 1l off level weights (same today) in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot; his record at Cheltenham is patchy but he ran well when third in this in 2024; on form he's the stand-out danger to Impose Toi.

9/2

1st

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 1

14:22 Wetherby

Strong Leader

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Reappeared with a win in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) last November and finished second in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree (3m, good) in April, having won that same Grade 1 12 months earlier; leading claims despite conceding weight all round.

7/4

8/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 42 BF

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner, beaten 14l and 21 in his two runs over hurdles; this looks no easier; has had a wind op and is now tongue tied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

16:53 Bangor-on-Dee

Ballabawn

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Irish point winner; fairly consistent over hurdles and did well to finish third on his handicap debut at Ludlow given that he hung left-handed; should improve on that form.

3/1

3rd

2

2nd Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

13:15 Ludlow

Ballabawn

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Irish point winner who has made the frame on all three hurdling starts, most recently when remote second behind an exciting prospect at Southwell (2m, good) in January; open to improvement in handicaps and one to consider.

9/4

2nd

2

29th Jan 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:00 Southwell

Ballabawn

11st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Irish maiden point winner, beaten 14l and 21 in his two runs over hurdles; this looks no easier; has had a wind op and is now tongue tied.

8/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 82

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No match for a Nicholls odds-on favourite at Taunton but that was a big step forward from his debut effort; this has the look of a stronger race, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

4th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:00 Uttoxeter

Mammies Boy

11st 3lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Nick Scholfield

Despite again hanging left may have gone closer than a 2l third at Exeter latest (2m6f, good) but for whacking two out; stayers' trip asks a new question, but some appeal whilst still just below a winning mark.

9/2

3rd

4

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

18:40 Exeter

Mammies Boy

11st 6lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Nick Scholfield

A fair 2m5f hurdles winner at his best but he's yet to fire for his current yard, blinkered when unseated rider four out in 2m3f Fontwell handicap nine days ago; others appeal more.

11/1

Form: 798

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Uncompetitive in a bumper and two hurdles; looks the stable's third string.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:45 Chepstow

Kash Tara

11st 2lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

Displayed first glimmer of promise over hurdles when plugging on for modest fourth in 2m Southwell maiden in January; probably needs to improve again on today's handicap debut but is with a top stable and can't be ignored.

7/1

4th

5

29th Jan 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:00 Southwell

Kash Tara

11st 2lb

J: David England

T: Dan Skelton

Uncompetitive in a bumper and two hurdles; looks the stable's third string.

33/1

100/1

Form: 986

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in a bumper and two maiden hurdles; handicaps will be more like it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

15:10 Hereford

My Portia

11st 12lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Two good runs this winter, winning a novice handicap chase at Market Rasen (2m1f, soft; 8lb higher today) on second occasion; however, she made a bad mistake when tailed-off favourite next time and bled from the nose when pulled up on latest, so there are very mixed messages.

8/1

3

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

15:10 Hereford

My Portia

11st 12lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Two good runs this winter, winning a novice handicap chase at Market Rasen (2m1f, soft; 8lb higher today) on second occasion; however, she made a bad mistake when tailed-off favourite next time and bled from the nose when pulled up on latest, so there are very mixed messages.

8/1

4

25th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 145y

Class 5

15:00 Catterick

My Portia

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: L J Morgan

in touch with leaders, outpaced and dropped to rear 9th

4/1

Form: 6-599

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
British point bumper winner at Larkhill; quiet in two bumpers under rules and in as many novice hurdles; one for another day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

21st May 2023

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

16:05 Stratford

Maid Of The Night

10st 6lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Henry Daly

2-3 since switched to handicaps, and the form of last month's Ludlow success (2m5f, good to soft) has recently been well advertised by the close second; moves up in trip today; could easily have more to offer.

5/1

1st

11

26th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:23 Ludlow

Maid Of The Night

10st 7lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Henry Daly

Improved and rewarded heavy market support on handicap debut at Hereford (2m5f, good) in February; beaten when falling at Ffos Las (3m) latest but progress remains possible.

7/1

9

5th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

14:45 Ffos Las

Maid Of The Night

10st 9lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Henry Daly

Won a point bumper in January 2022; well held under rules until handicap debut 18 days ago when she won seven-runner race at Hereford (good) on step up from 2m to 2m6f; 5-4 favourite that day and plenty in that performance suggested she would stay further; raised 6lb but may well follow up.

7/4

Form: 27

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Smart Flat performer at about 1m2f and it was a strong novice hurdle in which he finished second at Huntingdon, having travelled and jumped well; soft ground hindered him at Kempton latest; had wind surgery since and now tongue tied; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

16:27 Chepstow

Father Of Jazz

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: James Owen

Completed a hat-trick in a 2m good-ground handicap at Aintree in June (2lb lower) but was turned over at odds-on back in a novice next time and has twice performed miserably on the Flat since; something to prove now.

8/1

14th

8

(8)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Father Of Jazz

9st 1lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Completed a hurdles hat-trick in 2023; failed to beat a rival last month on return from lengthy absence and needs to prove he retains ability; raced mainly over longer trips.

50/1

11th

3

(2)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 3

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Father Of Jazz

9st 12lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: James Owen

Progressive hurdler when last seen in 2023, although below best on final start that September; had smart AW form in Group 3 and Listed 1m2f races for Roger Varian earlier and his mark has dropped 8lb since last seen on the Flat; fascinating to see how the betting goes back from absence.

16/1

Form: U76

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
2021 Flat win but positives thin on the ground since sent over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

17

28th Jan 2024

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

15:35 Doncaster

Rainbow Jet

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: John Mackie

Sole win came on Flat in 2021; holds weak claims on hurdles form and latest defeat took record in this sphere to 0-10; opposed.

33/1

7th

8

26th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

15:20 Uttoxeter

Rainbow Jet

10st 5lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: John Mackie

prominent, led 3rd, headed 3 out, soon weakened

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal out of a 2m3f/2m6f chase winner but this is her debut at the age of six and a watching brief is best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

13th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

14:40 Fakenham

Aurelia Fadilla

10st 7lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tom Gretton

No serious involvement in four hurdles, most recently pulled up on handicap debut at Stratford in September (2m2f, good; out of the weights); runs off correct mark today but plenty more needed.

50/1

0

8

9th Sep 2023

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:30 Stratford

Aurelia Fadilla

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Tom Gretton

Showed no significant promise at triple-digit odds in three 2m novice hurdles during the winter; 9lb wrong for today's handicap debut and could be considered only if much stronger in the betting this time.

20/1

6th

6

22nd Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

15:35 Doncaster

Aurelia Fadilla

10st 9lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Tom Gretton

always towards rear, mistake 2nd, mistake 3 out (usual 4 out)

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5- BF

Last run: 353 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
1m2f maiden winner (good to soft) on the Flat in France for Alain De Royer-Dupre; appeared to perform below expectations on his hurdling debut at Doncaster nearly a year ago but managed fifth of 12 and reportedly made a noise; gelded since, had a wind op and now tongue tied; Harry Skelton prefers Father Of Jazz.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

1

(14)

4th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

17:12 Haydock

Beraz

10st 2lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

All three wins on good to soft, the latest in October 2023; third off 5lb higher at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in March but disappointing since.

16/1

5th

3

(6)

26th Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

15:40 Newcastle (AW)

Beraz

9st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Julie Camacho

Has become well handicapped, but is usually seen over further and the drop in trip didn't inspire him at Carlisle (7.7f, soft) last month; others preferred.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.30
Straight Forecast £9.78
Trifecta £45.20

Selections

RP Ratings:

Strong Leader

SPOTLIGHT:

Father Of Jazz

WEST COUNTRY:

Mammies Boy

TOPSPEED:

Strong Leader

POSTDATA:

Strong Leader

Telegraph:

Strong Leader

D Express:

Strong Leader

Daily Mirror:

Strong Leader

The Sun:

Strong Leader

Daily Record:

Strong Leader

The Times:

Father Of Jazz

The Star:

Father Of Jazz