December 14 / 12.45 Warwick

12.45

Heavy

Heat Your Home With Alpha Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4084.5
  • 2m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Heat Your Home With Alpha Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: 3/32-2 BF

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Solid bumper form; might have won at Wetherby (2m3f, good) on the switch to hurdles but for making a bad final-flight mistake (lost his advantage, unable to recover); holds leading claims, barring errors.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 4

14:20 Plumpton

Bob Bob Ricard

12st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Record of 3-6 over fences; only beat two rivals for the last of those wins (2m) but he ran well in a useful chase at Newbury a month ago (2m4f, good) and this is easier than that; respected.

100/30

3rd

1

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 4

14:20 Plumpton

Bob Bob Ricard

12st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Record of 3-6 over fences; only beat two rivals for the last of those wins (2m) but he ran well in a useful chase at Newbury a month ago (2m4f, good) and this is easier than that; respected.

100/30

4th

11

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Bob Bob Ricard

10st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won last May/June (2m/2m4f, good) in the first two of his five runs over fences, but it took a three-runner race for him to score again three weeks ago (Doncaster 2m, good) and he still threw in a blunder even then; in this company, others are a bit more persuasive.

4/1

Form: 0/PF-0

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Disappointing sort for Nicky Henderson; was in the process of running well when falling at Huntingdon (2m3f) on debut for new yard but never figured in C&D handicap since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Commodore Miller

10st 7lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Maiden hurdle runner-up for Nicky Henderson in December 2021 but lightly raced since and he struggled on his three starts in 2024; returns from another absence today.

100/1

12th

11

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:30 Chepstow

Commodore Miller

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Ten-race maiden who has failed to complete in four of his last seven starts including when pulled up in a Worcester handicap (2m4f, soft) on his return last month; mark is tumbling but he has plenty to prove and can only be watched.

50/1

12th

11

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:30 Chepstow

Commodore Miller

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Ten-race maiden who has failed to complete in four of his last seven starts including when pulled up in a Worcester handicap (2m4f, soft) on his return last month; mark is tumbling but he has plenty to prove and can only be watched.

50/1

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 4

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Opened his account at fourth attempt in Irish points; hung badly left and faded in the closing stages at Ffos Las (2m, heavy; novice hurdle) since but shaped with promise until that point and is open to progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

7th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

15:37 Huntingdon

Davidoc

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

0-8 over fences for Ben Pauling and seemingly a tricky horse to win with but scores good marks for his consistency and 2m4f on good ground suits him well; sports first-time hood on stable debut (same owners); probably won't be far away.

11/2

2nd

3

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:05 Worcester

Davidoc

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Winning hurdler who is 0-7 over fences but has been running well in defeat at up to 2m6f; must have every chance; cheekpieces tried last time are now dispensed with.

5/2

5

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:30 Stratford

Davidoc

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

0-6 over fences but has twice run well in defeat over 2m4f at Warwick (good) this spring, latterly behind A Dublin Job; moves up in trip and sports first-time cheekpieces here; major player.

9/4

Form: 2-33

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Flat-bred gelding who has posted consistent efforts in a bumper (here) and two maiden hurdles, most recently third to useful sort at Leicester (2m4f, heavy); holds solid claims and is one of the main players.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

28th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Globe Player

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

led, mistake 5th, good jump 6th, pushed along 3 out, soon headed, weakened quickly before 2 out

11/8

1st

2

2nd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

15:25 Southwell

Globe Player

11st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Second in his only bumper and third in two maiden hurdles; favourite for handicap debut in eight-runner race here (2m4f, good to soft) on latest outing but was floundering before the home straight and finished more than 20l behind the first two; needs much better than that and cheekpieces go on for yard among the winners.

3/1

Form: 23- BF

Last run: 248 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in spring bumpers at Ffos Las (good) and Chepstow (good to soft); beaten favourite last time but wasn't disgraced; should relish this scenario, being closely related to a 2m4f hurdle winner; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

16:42 Newbury

High Treason

12st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Started the season over fences and that didn't go well; his fifth over C&D in January was encouraging but again failed to fire at Ascot; there's a competitive show in him should the new cheekpieces (on for a visor) trigger something.

16/1

9th

8

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 123y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

High Treason

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Began season with two below-par chase runs in the autumn but gave good account when fifth of 17 over hurdles at Newbury (3m, good to soft; first-time visor) last month and will be fine on the slower ground here.

16/1

5th

3

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

High Treason

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Modest efforts this term, taking chase record to 0-6; rallied to win at Southwell (2m4f) on last hurdles attempt, taking strike-rate in this sphere to 2-5; revival possible, provided he takes well to added visor.

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat and hurdles winners on dam's side; showed promise in two British points in the spring, winning latest (2m4f, soft); Nico de Boinville is a positive booking on rules debut; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Mahland

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Returned to form with hurdle win at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last month and is now 2-8 in that sphere; set a daunting task on this chasing debut but has some pointing experience to call upon and is evidently in good nick.

7/1

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Mahland

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Returned to form with hurdle win at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last month and is now 2-8 in that sphere; set a daunting task on this chasing debut but has some pointing experience to call upon and is evidently in good nick.

7/1

1st

1

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

17:05 Uttoxeter

Mahland

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

towards rear, steady headway and pressed leader before 4th, led when nudged along before 3 out, not fluent last, kept on

16/1

Form: 44

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown some ability with his fourth-place finishes in Sedgefield bumper and Fakenham maiden hurdle; however, has modest claims on the bare form and needs to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:32 Worcester

Melton Mossy

11st 4lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Multiple hurdle winner at up to 2m5f on a sound surface; 1-2 over fences; won a three-runner chase at Wincanton (1m7f, good) when last seen in March; encouraging record after a break; up 3lb and is unexposed as a chaser over this trip; player.

6/1

1st

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

15:47 Wincanton

Melton Mossy

11st 5lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

5-19 over hurdles, with all wins gained on good/good to firm; well beaten on last month's chasing debut at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) but will be much better suited by today's quicker conditions and may yet have a future over fences.

6/1

6th

9

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:17 Chepstow

Melton Mossy

11st 8lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

5-19 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Taunton (2m3f, good to firm) in November; makes chasing debut from fairly tough mark, though, and does not have a good record on soft ground.

16/1

Form: UP

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has poor claims on point and hurdles form, having mostly failed to complete; opposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:30 Southwell

No More No

11st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Lawney Hill

in touch with leaders, prominent 5th, led 12th, pushed along briefly 4 out, went clear going easily before 3 out, went further clear 2 out, ridden approaching last, easily

5/1

1st

2

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:30 Southwell

No More No

11st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Lawney Hill

in touch with leaders, prominent 5th, led 12th, pushed along briefly 4 out, went clear going easily before 3 out, went further clear 2 out, ridden approaching last, easily

5/1

7th

8

17th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 5

14:18 Wincanton

No More No

10st 9lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Lawney Hill

in touch with leaders, not fluent 6th

5/1

Form: P

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Odds-on in two British points, winning the second one (weak form); 100-1 shot at Ascot (2m3f) on rules debut and ran according to market expectations; may do better in due course.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Southwell

Pep Talking

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Bold-jumping front-runner with seven wins from 18 starts over fences; ideally served by further than 2m but won over this trip at Chepstow (good to soft) in April; ran well again when runner-up at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) last month and will be the one to catch.

5/1

2nd

4

7th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

13:45 Huntingdon

Pep Talking

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Took form to another new level when winning by 10l from the front at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last month and is now 7-17 over fences (includes course win); today's trip-and-ground combination will also suit; respected.

5/2

1st

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

13:40 Chepstow

Pep Talking

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Billy Aprahamian

Record of 5-12 for current yard; campaigned mostly at longer trips but the way he shaped over a sharp 2m2f last time (ran well on return from break) suggests this galloping 2m may not be a problem; in the mix.

11/4

Form: 5

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point form in the winter of 2021-22 has worked out well; ran to a modest RPR at Aintree (2m4f) on rules debut but was returning from a lengthy layoff and should improve with that outing under his belt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:13 Exeter

Theformismighty

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Held on well to exploit reduced mark in Newcastle handicap (2m7f, heavy) in January but was quickly back in the doldrums when pulled up (albeit in valuable race) at Doncaster last month; this hunter chase debut is much less competitive but it's hard to predict whether he'll warm to the task.

11/2

13

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Theformismighty

10st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Exploited what was a very good mark at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) and the front two pulled clear; raised only 3lb for that but consistent he is not; others safer.

12/1

1st

4

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:35 Newcastle

Theformismighty

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Represents top southern stable and he's very well handicapped on last season's best form; could stage a revival at some point but he struggled in the autumn on his last three starts and there's also a stamina query.

8/1

Verdict

On bumper/hurdles form BOB BOB RICARD has the best chance, and he can hopefully avoid the bad late error that cost him at Wetherby. Solid contender Globe Player is second choice, ahead of respected hurdles debutant High Treason, interesting rules debutant Mahland and possible improver Theformismighty.[Steve Boow]

Selections

The Guardian:

Globe Player

SPOTLIGHT:

Bob Bob Ricard

The Times:

High Treason

D Express:

Mahland

Telegraph:

Davidoc

Daily Mail:

High Treason

Daily Mirror:

High Treason

The Sun:

Globe Player

The Star:

Globe Player

Daily Record:

Globe Player

RP RATINGS:

Bob Bob Ricard

POSTDATA:

Bob Bob Ricard

WEST COUNTRY:

Bob Bob Ricard