December 07 / 13.30 Wincanton

13.30

Soft

Weatherbys & Birdie Calendars Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 1m 7f 50y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
RTV
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Weatherbys & Birdie Calendars Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Qualifier)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: P2115/

Last run: 597 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Had 11 starts in France on soft or heavy ground, winning a chase and three hurdles; bought earlier this year for 10,000euros; has a long absence to overcome but it makes sense to check the market; the hood is new.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

15

1st Mar 2025

Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Prince Quali

10st 3lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Mid-race faller last time (2m); consistent sort otherwise and ties in with two of these opponents on Ascot running (2m3f) in December; could go well off a low weight, provided he takes to first-time cheekpieces.

16/1

4

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

15:07 Chepstow

Prince Quali

10st 7lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won this race and another C&D contest last season, and has remained in good form this term; probably doesn't have much margin for error off current mark but the return to this track is an obvious plus and he copes very well with slow ground; major player.

4/1

2nd

4

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

15:40 Haydock

Prince Quali

11st 10lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won at Chepstow on final two starts last season (2m, heavy/soft) and respectable third on both starts this term (2m/2m3f, good to soft); perhaps the return to more testing ground will be in his favour; one to consider.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: 4712-5

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
RPRs of 119 when first and second in two 2m novice hurdles at Taunton earlier this year (good to soft); ran well for a long way before weakening on handicap debut at Sandown (soft) and can leave that run behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Aurigny Mill

12st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Goes well at Taunton where he won comfortably a month ago (2m, heavy; second run in cheekpieces), and has shown he can deal with this 3lb higher mark and this sort of ground; has won going left-handed and, with a strike-rate of 6-18 over hurdles, this 9yo is likable.

9/2

1st

2

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Aurigny Mill

11st 11lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Decent course record, including second in this last year off 4lb higher; showed himself none the worse for his chase debut fall at Kempton in November when third to Celtic Art over 2m3f here in first-time cheekpieces (retained) last month; claims if he can build on that; has won on heavy.

9/1

Form: 49-863 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Never better than when winning two handicaps here last winter with plenty in hand (2m4f/1m7f); has since threatened off higher marks than today's and it was a welcome return to form when third at Taunton three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

26th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

14:20 Taunton

No No Tonic

11st 13lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Mark Gillard

prominent

14/1

5th

7

9th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:40 Kempton

No No Tonic

11st 5lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Veteran who has done her winning at Wincanton; form dipped there on Boxing Day, following two placed efforts; first run at Kempton and isn't the percentage call.

14/1

Form: 310-35 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who won twice as a juvenile; finding life tougher this season but his mark has slipped and this sharper test will suit him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:20 Newton Abbot

Despereaux

11st 9lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Five-time hurdle winner who ended last year with a brave success at Hereford (3m2f, good to soft); well held there in both runs this spring but he got involved in a battle up front last time; a player if he can get back near his best.

13/2

5th

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

15:20 Hereford

Despereaux

11st 10lb

J: James Best

T: Jane Williams

Steadily worked his way back to form this season, culminating in a narrow win over C&D (good to soft; 5lb higher today) in December under 7lb claimer; reverted to a lesser show 19 days ago but perhaps he needed that run after more than three months off.

3/1

5th

4

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Despereaux

11st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Had been struggling but has steadily got himself back on track and prevailed narrowly over C&D in December on latest appearance; 6lb higher for this and connections claimed another 7lb last time through Isabelle Ryder, but he had dropped to a fair mark anyway.

2/1

Form: 6F2-11 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Drew clear for a 10l success over C&D (soft) in October and had no trouble following up at Plumpton (good to soft) where he escaped a penalty; the second from that race has won since; an 11lb rise could be very manageable.
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

Form: F23-

Last run: 283 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to six Flat winners but never raced for Mick Channon; made a pleasing start over hurdles and finished well for a close third in a 2m good-ground maiden at Plumpton in February (has also run well on soft); that form has worked out very well so he's potentially well handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

22nd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

14:43 Fakenham

Chandlers Bay

11st 12lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Very lightly raced 5yo who showed promise for Alan King on soft and good ground in early 2023; however, he finished down the field in handicaps on his two runs last season and has plenty to prove on this stable debut.

10/1

1

22nd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

14:43 Fakenham

Chandlers Bay

11st 12lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Very lightly raced 5yo who showed promise for Alan King on soft and good ground in early 2023; however, he finished down the field in handicaps on his two runs last season and has plenty to prove on this stable debut.

10/1

8th

6

6th Feb 2024

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:50 Taunton

Chandlers Bay

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Shaped well when placed over 2m at Ffos Las (soft) and Plumpton (good) early last year in his first two completions, but soundly beaten on handicap debut at Lingfield (2m, good to soft; weak 11-1) in December on his only start since; could have come on since that run.

16/1

Verdict

He’s been off since February but CHANDLERS BAY (nap) is potentially very well handicapped given how the form of his close third at Plumpton has worked out. West End Boy has clicked in a big way this season and looks a major threat despite his hike in the weights. Not that three-time course winner No No Tonic is opposed lightly after returning to form at Taunton, while this track will suit Despereaux and Aurigny Mill should leave his reappearance run behind. Even Prince Quali is dangerous to rule out with him relatively unexposed.[Alistair Jones]

Selections

RP RATINGS:

West End Boy

SPOTLIGHT:

Chandlers Bay

TOPSPEED:

West End Boy

POSTDATA:

West End Boy

WEST COUNTRY:

West End Boy

The Times:

West End Boy

Telegraph:

West End Boy

The Guardian:

West End Boy

Daily Mail:

West End Boy

D Express:

West End Boy

Daily Mirror:

West End Boy

The Sun:

West End Boy

The Star:

West End Boy

Daily Record:

West End Boy