April 05 / 16.00 Wincanton

16.00

Good To Soft

Blackmore Vale Hurdle 1867 ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4084.5
  • 1m 7f 50y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Blackmore Vale Hurdle 1867 ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 3-1U43 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Delivered on earlier promise when making all in run-of-the-mill bumper last spring; has made rather disappointing start to his hurdling career this year (three attempts) but will find this easier than his latest assignment and probably still has potential; hood removed; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

14th Feb 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

14:38 Fakenham

Diamond Egg

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Won maiden hurdle for Chris Gordon in spring 2023 but returned from long absence with two very disappointing handicap runs for new stable this season; drops in grade here and may be aided by the refitted tongue-tie but needs to prove some ability remains.

25/1

14

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Diamond Egg

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Henrietta C Knight

Bumper winner who landed a maiden hurdle at Wincanton (1m7f, good) in April 2023 for Chris Gordon; he was returning from a long absence when tailed off at 66-1 at Ascot six weeks ago (stable debut) and may have needed that run, but he needs to prove how much ability he retains.

25/1

14

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Diamond Egg

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Henrietta C Knight

Bumper winner who landed a maiden hurdle at Wincanton (1m7f, good) in April 2023 for Chris Gordon; he was returning from a long absence when tailed off at 66-1 at Ascot six weeks ago (stable debut) and may have needed that run, but he needs to prove how much ability he retains.

25/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 6F

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed promise before weakening out of contention in two 2m Sandown novice hurdles in February/March (fell on latter occasion) and contests an easier race here; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

8th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

15:35 Sandown

West End Boy

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Easy win on his handicap and seasonal debut at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) in October and readily followed up off the same mark at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) eight days later, when forced to switch; hit with 12lb rise but could still be ahead of the handicapper.

9/2

1st

8

6th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

15:37 Plumpton

West End Boy

10st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Displayed significant improvement on seasonal/handicap debut at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) eight days ago, drawing clear to win quite comfortably by 10l; escapes a penalty here and commands respect.

5/4

100/1

  • Place: £9.30

Form: 508

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed nothing more than minor promise in her two bumpers and was tailed off when switched to hurdling at Taunton last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

17:30 Exeter

My Lady Phoenix

11st 3lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jeremy Scott

always behind

33/1

9th

10

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

17:30 Exeter

My Lady Phoenix

11st 3lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jeremy Scott

always behind

33/1

0

14

24th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

My Lady Phoenix

11st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Jeremy Scott

Placed twice over hurdles but no match for easy winner when second in 2m novice here on seasonal debut in November and was pulled up when upped to 2m4f for last month's handicap debut; others have stronger claims.

20/1

Form: 0-65

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat-bred 5yo; in very good hands but was just a respectable fifth on hurdling debut at Ludlow (2m, good) six weeks ago and will need to build on that performance here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

2nd Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:00 Southwell

Royal Max

10st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

His near-9l fifth in this race last year (behind Clean Getaway) came at the end of a fairly busy spring/summer campaign; defied longer absence than today's for April's Sedgefield success, but yet to convince this higher sort of mark hasn't compromised him for further win purposes.

9/1

4th

4

18th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

15:55 Stratford

Royal Max

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Returned from break with win at Sedgefield (2m, good) last month, his fifth chase, and was placed off today's mark at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) a few days later; obvious contender in current form.

5/2

4th

4

18th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

15:55 Stratford

Royal Max

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Returned from break with win at Sedgefield (2m, good) last month, his fifth chase, and was placed off today's mark at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) a few days later; obvious contender in current form.

5/2

Form: 59

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Travelled well and arguably shaped with more promise than finishing position suggests when fifth of 11 on bumper debut at Ffos Las (heavy) in January but was beaten about 44l on recent hurdling debut at Taunton and is probably one for a bit further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

16th Mar 2025

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

14:52 Market Rasen

Smart Casual

10st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Anthony Honeyball

Not the best of jumpers and yet to win in four attempts over fences; spoilt chance with a bad error three out when second at Leicester last week (2m, good to soft; 6-5 favourite; cheekpieces tried); obvious contender.

6/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£9,000 3yo; second foal; dam unraced, out of a 2m hurdle/2m4f chase winner; doesn't have a daunting standard to reach on today's debut but is probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

12th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:03 Ludlow

Alfie Sharp

10st 3lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Heavy defeats on all five starts, the latest on handicap debut at Stratford (3m2f; 80-1) three weeks ago when tongue tied first time; while he may not have stayed the trip that day, others bring more pressing claims.

33/1

7th

11

12th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:03 Ludlow

Alfie Sharp

10st 3lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Heavy defeats on all five starts, the latest on handicap debut at Stratford (3m2f; 80-1) three weeks ago when tongue tied first time; while he may not have stayed the trip that day, others bring more pressing claims.

33/1

12th

14

21st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

13:40 Stratford

Alfie Sharp

10st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Struggled to get competitive in four maiden/novice hurdles (1m7f-2m3f) but combination of new trip and first-time tongue-tie may enable improvement on this handicap debut.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 68

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

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

2

5th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

16:00 Wincanton

Coogans Bluff

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

8th

2

17th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

17:05 Kelso

Coogans Bluff

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Beaten 9l when sixth of nine at 7-2 on debut at Southwell (2m, good) in December; improvement is needed but he's in top hands; respected.

11/2

6th

6

11th Dec 2022

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

13:23 Southwell

Coogans Bluff

11st 0lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, prominent, ridden and outpaced 2f out, held but kept on inside final furlong

9/2

Form: 11-632 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Dual bumper winner; doesn't help himself by tending to race too freely but, with a hood fitted, was placed in two Ludlow novice hurdles (2m, good/soft) last month; lost out only narrowly on latter occasion and strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:05 Taunton

Gallopade

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Warren Greatrex

led, mistake 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened after 2 out

11/2

8th

7

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:05 Taunton

Gallopade

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Warren Greatrex

led, not fluent 2 out, mistake 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened after 2 out

11/2

4

5th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

16:00 Wincanton

Gallopade

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Warren Greatrex

led, raced in second when not fluent and headed 2nd, pulled up before 2 out, lost action

4/5

Form:

Last run: 123 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a mare from the family of Champion Bumper winner Mucklemeg but was in rear throughout when 22-1 for bumper debut in early December and hasn't raced again since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

5th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

16:00 Wincanton

Hoodlum

11st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Tom George

in rear, struggling 3rd, tailed off when pulled up 2 out

50/1

13th

11

3rd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

15:22 Chepstow

Hoodlum

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Tom George

£15,000 3yo; second foal; dam (fourth in 2m hurdle only start) from the family of Champion Bumper winner Mucklemeg; makes his debut with the yard in decent form.

25/1

Non-runners

Coogan's Bluff

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.90
Straight Forecast £20.93
Trifecta £672.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Gallopade

WEST COUNTRY:

Smart Casual

D Express:

Royal Max

RP Ratings:

Gallopade

POSTDATA:

Gallopade

LAMBOURN:

Gallopade

The Times:

Gallopade

Telegraph:

Gallopade

The Guardian:

Gallopade

Daily Mail:

Gallopade

Daily Mirror:

Gallopade

The Sun:

Gallopade

The Star:

Gallopade

Daily Record:

Gallopade