December 12 / 14.10 Fontwell

14.10

Heavy

BetMGM: It’s Showtime Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3406.24
  • 2m 5f 164y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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BetMGM: It’s Showtime Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.20

Form: P94-71

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Short in the market for both his handicaps and was merely pushed out to collect the latest at Lingfield (2m3f, good to soft; 9lb lower); it was on heavy when disappointing the time before but connections clearly content to go again under these conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Herakles Westwood

11st 5lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Second-season chaser who took his form to new levels over about 3m1f-3m2f at Cheltenham initially this season but, after wind surgery, faded badly from three out when 10-1 for the Kim Muir there last month; needs to bounce back with another career best and he has more to prove on this third attempt at a marathon trip.

20/1

13th

8

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Herakles Westwood

11st 6lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Warren Greatrex

Second-season chaser who has run well here on his last three starts, finishing second of 16 under Finian Maguire (3m1f, heavy) then fourth over this C&D (good to soft; lost a shoe) before winning here (3m1f, good) on New Year's Day; has had wind surgery since and he's a solid contender.

9/1

5th

13

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Herakles Westwood

10st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

in touch with leaders, dropped to midfield 9th

16/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 5992-2

Last run: 213 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Off since May but that was his best run yet when going close in a 2m3f handicap at Warwick (good to soft; second run in a tongue-tie); 4lb higher and he's unproven on ground this testing, but hard to rule out.
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

20/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 053-P7

Last run: 26 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Can be keen; most effective performances have come on good ground when winning a bumper and finishing close up in a 2m4f handicap at Huntingdon earlier this year; uncompetitive this campaign, though did lose a shoe last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Bertie B

12st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Returned from break with three good runs towards end of 2024, including clearcut win at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft), but looked out of sorts on both outings this year and needs a boost from the refitted cheekpieces.

16/1

9th

1

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Bertie B

12st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Returned from break with three good runs towards end of 2024, including clearcut win at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft), but looked out of sorts on both outings this year and needs a boost from the refitted cheekpieces.

16/1

11th

3

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

17:05 Uttoxeter

Bertie B

11st 12lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Won well at Plumpton (2m5f, good to soft) in December but he was only seventh next time and then pulled up at Ascot; bit to prove all of a sudden.

12/1

Form: /03-88

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Well below her best in two runs over 2m this season; hopes rest on big step up in distance (could suit on pedigree) and the fitting of a tongue-strap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Worcester

Fortuitous Favour

11st 1lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Has not gone on since making a winning debut in a bumper at Wetherby in 2021; last of five in first-time blinkers (retained here) at Fontwell (3m2f, heavy) in March and needs to show more.

25/1

5th

2

18th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

16:48 Fontwell

Fortuitous Favour

11st 4lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

took keen hold, led, not fluent 5th, not fluent 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon weakened quickly

11/4

3rd

8

2nd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:55 Southwell

Fortuitous Favour

11st 0lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Won a bumper on debut but 22l is the closest she's finished in her five starts since; way behind the first three when tongue tied on handicap debut at Fontwell (upped to 2m6f, heavy) on latest; mark is unchanged.

12/1

Form: /534P-

Last run: 245 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Heavy-ground Irish bumper winner but has been a disappointment in Britain and was pulled up on her handicap debut in April (2m5f, good to soft); still early days, however, and perhaps she needs the mud (most British runs on good to soft); also had wind surgery.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

12th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

16:45 Plumpton

Bombay Sapphire

12st 0lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Nicky Henderson

prominent, disputed lead 5 out

7/1

0

1

15th Jan 2024

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

14:07 Hereford

Bombay Sapphire

12st 0lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Nicky Henderson

Low-mileage 7yo who ran considerably better than eventual 41l defeat might suggest on seasonal debut at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy) last month, weakening out of contention only on extended run-in; with today's much reduced emphasis on stamina probably in her favour, she's one to consider.

12/1

5th

3

12th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:10 Fontwell

Bombay Sapphire

11st 12lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Nicky Henderson

Heavy-ground Irish bumper winner but has been a disappointment in Britain and was pulled up on her handicap debut in April (2m5f, good to soft); still early days, however, and perhaps she needs the mud (most British runs on good to soft); also had wind surgery.

8/1

Form: -79568

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Nothing positive to report so far and he was 25-1 when tailed off on his handicap debut at Huntingdon (2m4f); last five runs have been on good ground and he was tailed off in a soft-ground bumper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

Ipso Falco

11st 2lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Chris Gordon

Modest form in novice/maiden hurdles; soundly beaten in handicaps last twice; hard to fancy.

33/1

5th

5

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

Ipso Falco

11st 2lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Chris Gordon

Modest form in novice/maiden hurdles; soundly beaten in handicaps last twice; hard to fancy.

33/1

Form: 8395-0

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
No more than minor promise over hurdles but this is his first time outside of novice company and is entitled to show more; cheekpieces added to the tongue-tie tried last time; market vibes awaited with interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

7

23rd Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

13:35 Leicester

Letmetellusomethin

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

prominent, jumped left and mistake 4th, weakened after 5 out, pulled up after 4 out

10/1

7th

7

12th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:10 Fontwell

Letmetellusomethin

11st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo O’Neill

No more than minor promise over hurdles but this is his first time outside of novice company and is entitled to show more; cheekpieces added to the tongue-tie tried last time; market vibes awaited with interest.

8/1

Form: 16-98

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won his bumper on heavy, albeit a weak one; tailed off in all three qualifying runs over hurdles but at least he should go on the ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

28th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

14:40 Fontwell

The Cox Express

11st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

midfield, in rear when mistake 3rd, struggling 10th, detached when almost fell 11th

6/1

7

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 110y

Class 5

14:35 Lingfield

The Cox Express

10st 11lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Second of 15 on chase debut at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) in December and ran below market expectations next time (2m7f); question marks over today's distance but that penultimate effort commands respect.

7/1

8th

9

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

The Cox Express

10st 11lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Robert Walford

towards rear

4/1

Form: -U4345

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
0-10 but hasn't been too far away in his completed handicaps and now gets cheekpieces; conditions are a complete grey area as he's unraced on anything softer than good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:05 Stratford

Inspector Lynley

10st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

Beaten 20l by a handicap blot when second at Fontwell (2m5f, good) and was then a disappointing favourite at Southwell; however, he is on his last winning mark and Sean Bowen takes over.

7/2

7

2nd Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:15 Southwell

Inspector Lynley

10st 11lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Neil Mulholland

Just 1-17 over hurdles but returned from break with fairly good second at Fontwell (2m5f, good) last month, albeit no threat to a handicap blot; will be fine over today's longer trip; high on the list.

3/1

5

7th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:12 Fontwell

Inspector Lynley

10st 9lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Now back on same mark as for hard-fought success at Stratford (2m6f, good) last summer but returned from break with low-key C&D run in May and has been absent for another four months since.

10/1

Form: -PP7PP

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Has accomplished very little under rules, including a handicap 12 days ago when tried in blinkers; 3lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:58 Worcester

Crookbarrow

10st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Made low-key stable debut over hurdles last month and was unable to justify good market support when well beaten on subsequent chasing debut; 2lb wrong for this quick return to hurdling but it won't be a surprise if he gets his act together for his respected new training partnership soon; refitted blinkers replace cheekpieces

14/1

9

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:05 Market Rasen

Crookbarrow

10st 2lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Made a low-key stable debut over hurdles three weeks ago and is now 0-12 in that sphere but it won't be a surprise if he comes good for his respected new training partnership soon; swaps cheekpieces for refitted blinkers on this chasing debut; 2lb wrong; watch the betting.

7/1

12

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Crookbarrow

10st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Recorded only success in point in April when the sole finisher; sold for £8,500 since last run; poor claims on rules form; market may offer further guidance on stable debut.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.50
Straight Forecast £12.58
Tricast £87.24
Trifecta £54.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Herakles Westwood

WEST COUNTRY:

Talimar Pearl

D Express:

Fortuitous Favour

The Times:

Talimar Pearl

Daily Mirror:

Talimar Pearl

The Sun:

Talimar Pearl

Daily Record:

Talimar Pearl

RP RATINGS:

Herakles Westwood

POSTDATA:

Herakles Westwood

LAMBOURN:

Herakles Westwood

Telegraph:

Herakles Westwood

The Guardian:

Herakles Westwood

Daily Mail:

Herakles Westwood

The Star:

Herakles Westwood