December 03 / 13.10 Southwell (AW)

13.10

Standard To Slow

BetMGM: It’s Showtime “Jumpers’ Bumper” National Hunt Flat Race

  • Prize money: £3696.7
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
SKY
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BetMGM: It’s Showtime “Jumpers’ Bumper” National Hunt Flat Race

Runners: 14 runners

Type: NH Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Sleet

OUR TIP

Form: 567-6

Last run: 136 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Very useful 1m6f winner for a previous yard but didn't do much over hurdles for Harry Fry and one of four Flat defeats for this yard came in a seller.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:13 Cartmel

Achnamara

11st 8lb

J: Ian Power

T: Philip Kirby

Didn't run badly in a low-grade Flat marathon last month but he ended the last jumps season with two disappointing runs (both 2m4f) and has a bit more to prove than some of these.

14/1

3rd

8

(1)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 139y

Class 6

16:32 Pontefract

Achnamara

9st 0lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Philip Kirby

Well beaten over hurdles on his last two starts but hasn't run badly on his last two Flat outings (1m4f/2m, AW) and his trainer has won two of the last six runnings of this race; not discounted.

14/1

9th

3

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:07 Newcastle

Achnamara

11st 11lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Philip Kirby

Scored twice over hurdles (at about 2m4f) in 2024-25 but has failed to fire this term and beat just two in 2m4f Sedgefield handicap hurdle ten days ago; others appeal more.

25/1

Form: P

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner in Poland; 200-1 when pulled up in a Kempton novice hurdle 20 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:33 Uttoxeter

Barbarosa

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy

Won basement-grade AW contest in February (1m2f, AW; RPR 56) but struggled when back over hurdles in May and can't be recommended here.

100/1

10th

1

21st May 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:40 Huntingdon

Barbarosa

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy

Won basement-grade AW contest for Clare Hobson in February (1m2f, AW; RPR 56) but struggled on both hurdling attempts last season; now back in the care of his owner-trainer.

66/1

10th

1

21st May 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:40 Huntingdon

Barbarosa

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy

Won basement-grade AW contest for Clare Hobson in February (1m2f, AW; RPR 56) but struggled on both hurdling attempts last season; now back in the care of his owner-trainer.

66/1

Form:

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in a Hereford maiden hurdle only 12 days ago but his Flat form earlier this year (at up to 2m2f) makes him a strong candidate in a race of this nature; the return of cheekpieces is a further positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:45 Worcester

Blow Your Horn

11st 11lb

J: Mr Alex Chadwick

T: Ian Williams

Flat winner who is 0-6 over hurdles but has responded positively to this headgear combination the last twice in handicaps over 2m5f and 2m3f (both on good); strong stayer on the Flat so this longer trip is worth a go.

7/2

Form: PP-234 BF

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed over hurdles but in fairly modest company and he remains a maiden; others look better equipped for this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

17:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Brians Jet

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

0-16 over hurdles but all five of this season's runs were respectable and he continues to edge down the weights; swaps cheekpieces for refitted blinkers here; probably won't be far away.

12/1

6th

10

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

19:50 Market Rasen

Brians Jet

10st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Brian Ellison

midfield, headway after 3 out, disputing fourth 2 out, no extra run-in

12/1

Form: 27882-

Last run: 263 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Threatened on occasions but couldn't win a race for Ben Pauling and it was a small-field handicap in which he was second in March; had wind surgery and changed yards; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

6th Feb 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:50 Taunton

Chadlington Lad

11st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Richenda Ford

towards rear

40/1

8th

11

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

11:45 Taunton

Chadlington Lad

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Richenda Ford

0-11 over hurdles for Ben Pauling; no match for winner when second of four at Huntingdon (2m, soft) in March and makes stable debut after 274-day absence; had wind surgery in October; others preferred.

12/1

Form: 23F136 D

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran poorly in his latest handicap hurdle but he's usually consistent and has AW experience from his early days; should give his running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Worcester

Choirmaster

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Won over hurdles at Bangor in August 2023; should strip fitter for his first run in 616 days when sixth of eight at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) last month but may be best watched for now.

10/1

6th

3

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Choirmaster

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Consistent once sent into handicaps until disappointing on his final outing in September 2023; something was evidently amiss given subsequent absence and trainer can get them fit at home; on a good mark.

10/1

6th

3

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Choirmaster

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Consistent once sent into handicaps until disappointing on his final outing in September 2023; something was evidently amiss given subsequent absence and trainer can get them fit at home; on a good mark.

10/1

Form: P-

Last run: 291 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Jumped poorly when pulled up in a juvenile hurdle at Wetherby in February, since when he's had wind surgery; returns in a tongue-tie; only went off 9-1 for his debut and he's still unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(4)

28th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Coco Loco

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Rebecca Menzies

Makes belated Flat debut after two non-completions over hurdles; very opposable.

66/1

0

4

17th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

11:50 Carlisle

Coco Loco

11st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Achieved nothing at Wetherby (2m) in February, having been hindered by greenness and a lack of fluency; had wind surgery since and now goes in/ tongue-tie; may do better this time.

20/1

Form: 1/20-P

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner; didn't run much of a race on his hurdle debut at Fakenham but left that form behind to finish a fairly close fourth at Doncaster on Saturday; this would be a quick reappearance but his ability is respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 4

16:30 Market Rasen

Cuban Court

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

3-4 over fences, the last two wins gained by wide margins in small fields at Doncaster (2m3f, good/good to soft); shooting up the weights but evidently in very good nick.

2/1

1st

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 31y

Class 4

14:22 Doncaster

Cuban Court

11st 7lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Got right back on the up when making it 2-3 over fences in C&D handicap two weeks ago; hiked up 8lb but well on top at the finish there so he's a big player for stable well among the winners.

7/4

1st

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 4

14:20 Doncaster

Cuban Court

10st 9lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Disappointing at Taunton (2m, good to soft) last month but reportedly unsuited by that tight track; prior to that he won here (2m, good to soft) on his chase debut, and his last two hurdle wins came over 2m3f; has a strong record at this course and could play a leading role now back here.

3/1

Form: 6-

Last run: 341 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a 1m4f Newbury handicap in August 2022 for Ian Williams when in the same colours; well beaten over hurdles last Christmas but ran okay on last Flat run in June; hood sported the last twice is left off; perhaps placed at best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

15:05 Lingfield

Dark Mystery

11st 6lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: B F Brookhouse

Has had a couple of close calls at Wolverhampton (1m6f, Tapeta) this winter but he's now 1-26 on the Flat and his only hurdle run was at Kempton (well-held sixth) in December 2022; probably best watched back in this sphere.

25/1

4th

3

(6)

30th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

14:12 Southwell (AW)

Dark Mystery

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: B F Brookhouse

Only 1-26 but he's consistent and gone down narrowly over 1m6f at Wolverhampton the last twice; effective here and at this trip; chance.

100/30

4th

3

(6)

30th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

14:12 Southwell (AW)

Dark Mystery

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: B F Brookhouse

Only 1-26 but he's consistent and gone down narrowly over 1m6f at Wolverhampton the last twice; effective here and at this trip; chance.

100/30

Form: P

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Four-time Flat winner (1m4f-1m6f) at a lowly level; 50-1 when pulled up on last week's hurdling debut, having jumped poorly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(4)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Quest

8st 11lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

C&D winner in January 2024 and several fair efforts after that; ran his best race since a 590-day break when a good fourth at Catterick last time; each-way chance.

7/1

4th

8

(6)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

16:30 Catterick

Desert Quest

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Ewan Whillans

Well treated on his 2024 exploits and, having returned from a long absence in February, it's possible he's working his way back into form; however, this 8yo is not easy to fancy on the evidence of this year's two runs.

33/1

5th

10

(6)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

17:08 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Quest

8st 7lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Pulled hard when finishing last in a 0-55 handicap over C&D recently, his first start in around 18 months; entitled to improve but is very hard to recommend.

33/1

Form: 63-18 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Narrowly won a good-ground Worcester bumper in September but that was a modest race and he was tailed off on his hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(5)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Nottingham

Little Peter

9st 6lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

A fair 2m winner at his best but he came in last in 2m Newcastle handicap in December; won a point last month though so is no forlorn hope.

14/1

6th

5

(3)

9th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Ascot

Little Peter

9st 5lb

J: Harry Burns

T: John Berry

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

10/1

6th

5

(3)

9th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Ascot

Little Peter

9st 5lb

J: Harry Burns

T: John Berry

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

10/1

Abandoned

Form: 7-

Last run: 304 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Seven Flat wins at up to 1m4f include two on the AW; tailed off on his hurdling debut earlier this year and others might see this out stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(5)

11th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Pistoletto

9st 5lb

J: Jack Gilligan

T: John Ryan

Well below par in two runs since popping up at Kempton in July (1m3f); can start slowly.

33/1

Form: 4524-6

Last run: 4 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Had some useful hurdle form in Ireland for Joseph O'Brien but it's been a quiet start for this yard under both codes, including a heavy defeat at Kelso only four days ago; now tongue tied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

29th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

19:50 Cartmel

Libby

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Rebecca Menzies

0-5 over fences and 0-24 overall but has posted two pretty good efforts to finish third in a visor this month, latterly at Perth (2m, good to soft) a fortnight ago; major player if judged on that evidence.

5/1

3rd

5

15th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:22 Perth

Libby

10st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Rebecca Menzies

soon raced in second, not fluent 4 out, pressed leader 3 out, lost ground approaching last, lost second inside final 110yds

7/2

3rd

5

15th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:22 Perth

Libby

10st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ex-Irish, longstanding maiden who fared better at Sedgefield last Friday (first-time visor; has worn cheekpieces) despite again not jumping well; this mark should be within range when she puts in a decent round.

7/2

Form: 2O79P4

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in a turf bumper here in June; has proved limited over hurdles and it was a low-grade handicap in which she was close up 16 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

27th Jan 2024

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 1

14:05 Doncaster

Riccirella

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

held up in last, weakened after 2 out

100/1

7th

5

12th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

15:07 Sedgefield

Riccirella

10st 10lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Lightly raced 6yo who doesn't look the easiest of rides and best form thus far has come on good ground; however, she stormed home for 2l fourth on handicap debut at Doncaster (2m, good) in November, despite being hampered after final flight, and could prove well treated when things really click.

7/1

Verdict

Flat form could prove of greater significance than hurdling exploits and that angle makes BLOW YOUR HORN (nap) a strong contender. Choirmaster is the second choice.[Alistair Jones]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Blow Your Horn

Telegraph:

Dark Mystery

RP RATINGS:

Achnamara

POSTDATA:

Libby

The Sun:

Dark Mystery

The Star:

Dark Mystery

The Times:

Blow Your Horn

D Express:

Blow Your Horn

Daily Mirror:

Blow Your Horn

Daily Record:

Blow Your Horn