May 13 / 18.25 Warwick

18.25

Good To Soft

Warwickshire Golf & Country Club Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 3f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Warwickshire Golf & Country Club Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 7P011-

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Well beaten after racing too freely on handicap debut but is 2-2 since switching to front-running role, the latter win gained at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) last month; still has some quirks to be ironed out but open to more progress and both wins under Tristan Durrell; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

13:50 Market Rasen

William Of York

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Regressive 10yo who ran no race last time at Southwell when behind Gone In Sixty; hard to trust these days.

14/1

3

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:05 Southwell

William Of York

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Regressive 10yo who has poor completion rate over fences since returning from layoff in November; stopped the rot with fairly respectable hurdle run last month but needs to build on that performance here; swaps visor for refitted cheekpieces.

16/1

6th

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

William Of York

11st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Rebecca Menzies

Has won three times over hurdles and three times over fences, but was disappointing back over hurdles with a visor (retained) instead of cheekpieces at Hexham last time (2m7f, good; 40-1).

50/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 45992-

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Has not really progressed in five runs over hurdles and was beaten 21l when runner-up in a Newton Abbot handicap (2m1f, soft; tongue-tie added) last time; same mark here and he needs improvement back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

11th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:10 Taunton

Talimar Pearl

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Runner-up twice over hurdles last spring (2m1f/2m3f) and also at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy) in December, after a break; contender if judged on those exploits but not at best on either start this year and now 0-9.

10/1

5th

3

14th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

16:20 Fontwell

Talimar Pearl

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

took keen hold

12/1

7th

4

4th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

12:58 Hereford

Talimar Pearl

11st 9lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Runner-up in his last three handicaps and was beaten by an improver on his comeback run at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy); up just 1lb and entitled to be sharper all round this time.

6/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: /2523-

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in both bumpers and he's finished placed in the last two of his three hurdle runs; kept on well when a 2l third over C&D (good) last time and has claims if he can find something extra on his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

15:30 Huntingdon

Kankin

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Dual winner over fences including here (2m4f, good to soft); 5lb lower than when second of six over hurdles at Stratford (2m6f, good) in May, but well held in both subsequent outings; stable also runs Catalan King.

14/1

5th

9

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

15:30 Huntingdon

Kankin

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Dual winner over fences including here (2m4f, good to soft); 5lb lower than when second of six over hurdles at Stratford (2m6f, good) in May, but well held in both subsequent outings; stable also runs Catalan King.

14/1

Form: /3534-

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Most competitive show from six starts was an eyecatching third from off the pace in a Southwell maiden (2m, good) on penultimate run; no impact on handicap debut at Newbury since but he's had wind surgery since and is a possible improver on this step up in trip; one to keep an eye on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 3

18:50 Stratford

Forget The Way

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Has three wins in this sphere and made a solid return when runner-up at Warwick (2m, good) ten days ago following a six-month break; should be thereabouts.

5/2

2nd

3

20th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Warwick

Forget The Way

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

In decent form when last seen in November, winning a seller at Huntingdon and not beaten far in a better race there subsequently; this looks a competitive race for his return to action but he is not discounted.

6/1

2nd

5

2nd Nov 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

12:48 Huntingdon

Forget The Way

10st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Won this race in 2024 and has posted a couple of good efforts since returning from a layoff in the summer; major player if on song today but didn't really fire at Market Rasen last month and regular rider Alex Chadwick is on stablemate Mermaids Cave here.

7/4

Form: 0780P-

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Point bumper winner but struggled in five runs under rules and pulled up on handicap debut at Taunton last month; 3lb out of the weights this time and can only be watched until he shows some positive signs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

26th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:40 Worcester

Nordy Lordy

10st 7lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Bettered inauspicious handicap debut and arguably ran a fair bit better than eventual 22l defeat might suggest at Warwick (2m3f, good to soft) a fortnight ago, having made a forward move from the rear on the final circuit; drops back in trip here; interesting.

8/1

5th

9

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

18:25 Warwick

Nordy Lordy

10st 2lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Point bumper winner but struggled in five runs under rules and pulled up on handicap debut at Taunton last month; 3lb out of the weights this time and can only be watched until he shows some positive signs.

20/1

12

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:55 Taunton

Nordy Lordy

10st 7lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Point bumper winner; poor results under rules and has pulled hard on occasions; however, he's in good hands and may be capable of better now handicapping off just 79.

16/1

Form: P0805-

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Listed Flat winner in France but has not transferred that ability to hurdling and he's been tailed off switched to handicaps (2m3f/2m4f) on last two starts; represents major connections but needs a transformation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(4)

18th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Bath

Merveillo

9st 8lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won 1m4f Listed race (very soft) in France during 2021; wasn't beaten far in a better race than this over 2m at Haydock last spring but he's generally struggled under both codes since and was tailed off back at Haydock (1m7f, heavy) 18 days ago; lots to prove.

40/1

5th

3

(2)

30th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Haydock

Merveillo

10st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won 1m4f Listed race in France during 2021; wasn't beaten far in a better race than this over 2m (good) on this track in May 2022 but all at sea over hurdles since and that mark is now lower than his Flat one; no joy at Goodwood recently and has it to prove at present.

20/1

8th

6

(3)

5th Sep 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Goodwood

Merveillo

9st 5lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Listed winner on Flat in France; 0-12 in Britain, mostly over hurdles (well held off modest marks the last twice); well treated on best form in this sphere but is by no means guaranteed to reproduce it.

16/1

Form: 28600-

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in final Irish point and second on hurdles debut at Ffos Las (2m4f, good) last June, but beaten upwards of 35l in four starts since including in handicaps the last twice; down another 5lb but best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Of Corse I Can

10st 3lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Back-to-back 3m2f wins at Fontwell and Newton Abbot last October (good and good to soft) suggest he'll enjoy this sharp track but the drop back from a stayers' trip doesn't rate an obvious plus.

14/1

8

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

16:15 Fontwell

Of Corse I Can

10st 2lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

0-12 over hurdles but came good in C&D (good) chase this month, his second start over fences, and battled gamely to follow up in conditional jockeys' race at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good to soft) on Saturday; escapes a penalty here and has obvious claims.

7/4

OUR TIP

Form: 5030-

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
No impact in four starts and tailed off here (2m, soft) last time but he showed promise when staying on well to snatch third in a Newbury novice (2m, good) on his penultimate run; now goes handicapping back up in trip and needs watching in the market for leading yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

18:25 Warwick

Benefact

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

No impact in four starts and tailed off here (2m, soft) last time but he showed promise when staying on well to snatch third in a Newbury novice (2m, good) on his penultimate run; now goes handicapping back up in trip and needs watching in the market for leading yard.

9/2

10th

1

22nd Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:40 Warwick

Benefact

11st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Beaten favourite in his only bumper and achieved little on hurdling debut at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) last December; 66-1 when making a marked improvement on that, keeping on to be 19l third at Newbury (2m, good) last month; no surprise if he is able to build on that and be competitive.

9/2

3rd

6

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Benefact

11st 2lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Nicky Henderson

His dam has produced some pretty useful winners but he was muted in a bumper at Southwell (good; favourite) last May and novice hurdle at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft; 25-1) in December.

25/1

Form: 00/03-

Last run: 78 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in her sole bumper and same story in three hurdle runs at up to 2m2f; still early days but she didn't jump well at Exeter last time and is 6lb out of the weights on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

19th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:40 Newton Abbot

Emberscombe

10st 2lb

J: Miss Aimee Jones

T: Joe Tickle

Record of 4-8 in points but 16 defeats under rules include eight chases; ran no race last time and she's 2lb wrong.

20/1

6th

10

1st Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:50 Worcester

Emberscombe

10st 2lb

J: Miss Aimee Jones

T: Joe Tickle

Better known as a pointer, adding two more in the spring, and her challenge didn't last long over C&D three weeks ago; up against it from out of the weights.

33/1

4th

10

11th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:08 Worcester

Emberscombe

10st 5lb

J: Miss Aimee Jones

T: Joe Tickle

Won two four-runner points this spring but has poor record under rules (0-14) and makes only limited appeal here.

33/1

Form: 56UP4/

Last run: 484 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Nine-race maiden; ran respectably when fourth over fences at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) last January but off since and this looks tough from out the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:33 Worcester

Mistertommyshelby

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Ryan Potter

Old jumping issues resurfaced on April's chase third at Southwell (almost 3m2f, good) and a crashing late fall when still close up back over hurdles latest won't have helped his confidence; capable but risky.

9/1

10

5th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

19:55 Ffos Las

Mistertommyshelby

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Ryan Potter

18-race maiden who was out of sorts over hurdles last season but returned to some form back from break and reverting to fences when a close third of seven from 7lb out of the weights at Southwell (3m, good) in April; out of the weights again back over hurdles and others appeal more.

10/1

10

5th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

19:55 Ffos Las

Mistertommyshelby

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Ryan Potter

18-race maiden who was out of sorts over hurdles last season but returned to some form back from break and reverting to fences when a close third of seven from 7lb out of the weights at Southwell (3m, good) in April; out of the weights again back over hurdles and others appeal more.

10/1

Form: P94-

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Fortunate to win final start in Irish points (left clear when the likely winner fell); struggled in first two hurdle runs but wasn't beaten far at massive price in C&D novice (soft) in March; this is more realistic on handicap debut and he could get involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Warwick

Hitthekettle

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Michael Gates

Unplaced all nine hurdling starts; gave fairly good account before weakening into fourth of seven over C&D (good) in March but is effectively 9lb higher from out of the weights today; gained his point win on soft to heavy ground.

40/1

4th

8

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:58 Warwick

Hitthekettle

10st 10lb

J: James Turner

T: Michael Gates

Didn't run badly when fourth over hurdles at Stratford last July and he's now 9lb lower; this 10yo is now 0-12 under rules having struggled on his three starts since but those were over fences; not ruled out.

9/1

6

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

13:30 Leicester

Hitthekettle

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Michael Gates

Record of 1-7 in points and he's 0-11 under rules; still unexposed over regulations fences but he struggled back in this sphere in two runs at Worcester (2m7f, good) in the autumn; has lots to prove after four months off and he's well into the veteran stage.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.90
Straight Forecast £29.69
Tricast £104.99
Trifecta £100.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

William Of York

RP RATINGS:

Kankin

The Guardian:

Forget The Way

LAMBOURN:

Benefact

WEST COUNTRY:

Talimar Pearl

The Star:

Merveillo

Daily Mail:

Forget The Way

The Times:

William Of York

D Express:

William Of York

Daily Mirror:

William Of York

The Sun:

William Of York

Daily Record:

William Of York

POSTDATA:

Kankin

Telegraph:

Kankin