December 15 / 12.05 Cheltenham

12.05

Soft

British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7920.97
  • 2m 0f 179y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
RTV
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British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £1.84
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 111-1 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
3-3 in bumpers last season, signing off with 9l romp in 20-runner Grade 2 at Aintree (good to soft) in April; 1-7 for a mares' novice hurdle at Huntingdon (2m, good) one month ago and the win was never in any significant doubt despite some room for improvement in her jumping; unraced on worse than good to soft but that Aintree run is the best form in this line-up and she's a very classy prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(3)

3rd Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Dysart Enos

9st 10lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Fergal O’Brien

Grade 2 bumper winner and useful hurdler, albeit underperformed in major Irish handicap most recently; made the frame at Kempton earlier in July (behind Whatamoon; Flat debut) and has potential under this code.

5/2

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 210-21 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who has raised his game switched to hurdling this season with a second at Chepstow and narrow win at Ascot, both over about 2m3f on good to soft; unraced on softer; back down in trip but has narrowly the best chance on hurdles form and must be on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Beat The Bat

11st 3lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Sometimes let down by his jumping and he was none too fluent at the final flight when beaten about 5l in the Coral Cup (2m5f); wasn't exactly strong through the line that day and others might see this out better at 3m.

10/1

5th

12

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Beat The Bat

11st 3lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Sometimes let down by his jumping and he was none too fluent at the final flight when beaten about 5l in the Coral Cup (2m5f); wasn't exactly strong through the line that day and others might see this out better at 3m.

10/1

4th

24

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Beat The Bat

10st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Has a largely solid record and ran well over 2m3f at Haydock on reappearance; back to 2m for both starts since and he ran as if in need of further, nevertheless finishing a good fifth of 17 in top handicap at Newbury (soft; has won on good) last time; could be a leading player if he can iron out the repeated sticky jumping he showed that day.

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.70

Form: 2525-1 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Some of his bumper form reads well, despite no win, and he got up close home from a 2-9 favourite in 12-runner maiden at Tramore (2m, soft) 17 days ago on first attempt over hurdles; now tongue tied first time; needs another step forward but impressed with his strong finish last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

17:35 Wexford

Soldante

11st 7lb

J: E Walsh

T: Ciaran Murphy

Tramore maiden hurdle winner in late 2023 and best of two recent runs over fences came at same venue last month when rallying third (In The Trenches fifth) in 2m novice handicap chase; could be capable of better over fences so one to consider.

11/2

3rd

7

19th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 110y

17:00 Tramore

Soldante

10st 13lb

J: E Walsh

T: Ciaran Murphy

Won a maiden hurdle here in November 2023 but no joy since; not disgraced on chase debut at Clonmel (2m, soft) last month but doesn't look obviously well treated for first handicap chase.

8/1

4th

4

26th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:12 Clonmel

Soldante

11st 12lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Ciaran Murphy

Maiden hurdle winner at Tramore November 2023 before good third in Cheltenham novice hurdle; few below-par efforts after but ran okay when sixth in a strong handicap hurdle at Thurles when last seen; off 431 days since but has the form to go close if ready on chase debut; one of two for a trainer in form.

5/1

Form: 2-11 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second on debut, before winning at Warwick in a bumper in May and a 2m3f, soft-ground novice hurdle in November; 4-6 in a 13-runner race last time when he didn't take the last two flights fluently and did not score with the authority that seemed likely; runner-up won next time but this 4yo, who's bred to stay well, needs to find improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Kintail

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Mel Rowley

Ex-Nicky Henderson; just 1-10 over hurdles and has struggled with consistency but he ran well to finish third at Hereford (3m2f; first-time blinkers) last month; ties in with Dwight K Schrute on that form and has claims if he can back that up.

9/2

3rd

3

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Kintail

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Mel Rowley

Ex-Nicky Henderson inmate who struggles with consistency; disappointing in his two runs for this yard but he's on a good mark should blinkers trigger something (he ran one good race when cheekpieces were tried).

12/1

10

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Kintail

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Proved unable to sustain early progress for previous yard but ran creditably over C&D last spring; dropped away on stable/seasonal debut, perhaps needing the run; check the market signals.

25/1

Form: 35-

Last run: 270 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
£33,000 buy after her second in an Irish maiden point; showed ability in her two bumpers but a lot more is required on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

20th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Warwick

Brendas Asking

11st 9lb

J: Aamilah Aswat

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Both wins have came at Ludlow when claimer ridden; ran respectably following 12 months off when third of seven at Haydock (1m7f, good) last month; all of her best form previously had been over right-handed tracks, so a question remains over her suitability for this course.

6/1

3rd

4

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

17:35 Haydock

Brendas Asking

11st 10lb

J: Aamilah Aswat

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Won a handicap hurdle at Ludlow in October 2024 (2m, good) and the following April a novice back at the same venue, after flying too high at the Cheltenham Festival; has the form to feature off this mark if on her game after a year out.

7/2

1st

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:38 Ludlow

Brendas Asking

10st 9lb

J: Nathan Andrews

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Ten hurdle races, winning a C&D handicap (good) in October under Nathan Andrews who today rides her for first time since; apparent best form when fifth in a Grade 2 for her sex at Ascot in January, but she hung right and eventually tailed off (after making the running) when 200-1 in the mares' novice at Cheltenham Festival; big player judged on her better efforts.

5/2

Form: 130-25 D BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
His best form from three bumpers was a Listed third at Newbury (good); no match for the winner on hurdling debut at Stratford (2m, good) in October; perhaps failed to stay 2m4f when a well-beaten front-running favourite at Fakenham (good to soft) last month but needs major overall improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

13

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

16:00 Cheltenham

Shinji

10st 12lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Came good over hurdles in low-grade Southwell handicap (2m, good) in June and has remained in good nick since (2m-2m5f) but others in this line-up have stronger form and/or more potential.

25/1

14th

13

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

16:00 Cheltenham

Shinji

10st 12lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Came good over hurdles in low-grade Southwell handicap (2m, good) in June and has remained in good nick since (2m-2m5f) but others in this line-up have stronger form and/or more potential.

25/1

5th

7

7th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

12:40 Ludlow

Shinji

11st 2lb

J: Mr Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Southwell winner in June (2m, good) but was no match for Parikarma next time and again wasn't at his best when a beaten favourite at Perth; cheekpieces are replaced by a hood that hasn't done wonders for him previously; stamina to prove over this far.

15/2

Form: 6

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£17,000 buy after his second in Irish maiden point in April; had wind surgery and reappeared in a tongue-tie when 13l sixth of 16 in bumper at Chepstow (2m, good to soft; 25-1) in October; tough task on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:00 Southwell

How And Ever

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

led, headed but pressed leader 15th, lost second 2 out, weakened approaching last

7/2

3rd

4

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:00 Southwell

How And Ever

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

led, headed but pressed leader 15th, lost second 2 out, weakened approaching last

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 1251-1

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
2-4 in bumpers (with a good second here on soft) and made a successful start to hurdling career in a nine-runner novice at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) five weeks ago, always prominent and scoring comfortably at 10-11 despite some wandering; looks set for further improvement with that experience under his belt, so one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Ffos Las

Meatloaf

11st 11lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Placed off 1lb lower at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) in January and is also suited by faster ground but weakened tamely on latest outing and has basically become a shade disappointing; sports first-time cheekpieces.

12/1

6th

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 181y

Class 4

16:20 Doncaster

Meatloaf

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Won twice in his novice season (2m/2m3f, good to soft/good); yet to win a handicap but fair third at Wincanton last time (2m4f, soft); suited by drier ground.

4/1

3rd

2

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:27 Wincanton

Meatloaf

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Not in top form in two handicaps (at about 2m) since returning from lengthy absence and wind surgery; this could be more his trip but he has questions to answer now.

10/1

Form: O

Last run: 183 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Achieved little in Irish maiden points in spring 2022 but showed a lot more on rules debut in a ten-runner maiden hurdle at Worcester (2m, good; 40-1) this June, leading at the fifth and 2l clear when running out at the final hurdle; while that run, as far as it went, showed significant ability, this field is a lot stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

14:08 Newcastle

Ascension Day

10st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Ex-Shaun Lycett; maiden under all codes; well beaten or pulled up in all his races this year so has plenty to prove.

33/1

Form: 5B-93

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
10l winner in his Irish point; opposable on what he has shown under rules, although his third of eight at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) last time was better than his hurdling debut form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Royal Defender

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.

14/1

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Royal Defender

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.

14/1

6

25th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

15:20 Exeter

Royal Defender

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Bought for 155,000gns after winning Irish maiden point (3m) in May 2022; his rules form has been patchy but he was a fair third in a Lingfield novice hurdle (2m, good to soft) last November and is open to improvement now up in trip in first-time cheekpieces on handicap debut; watch the betting.

5/1

Form: 131-2 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
2-3 in bumpers on good to soft; made a good start to hurdling career when second of nine in maiden at Sandown (2m, soft) last month, coming from the rear behind a hot favourite; that makes him one of the top contenders on hurdles form and he has plenty more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Spirits Bay

10st 13lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Ran okay when seventh in this last year and he reappeared with a win at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) in October; however, his subsequent form has been mixed (fences/hurdles) and Top Jimmy looks the yard's chief hope.

33/1

7th

4

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Spirits Bay

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made a winning reappearance in Newton Abbot handicap hurdle (2m1f, good to soft) in October; switched to fences subsequently, matching his peak RPR over timber when fourth in 2m3f Exeter novice handicap (good to soft) five weeks ago; won his previous outing on heavy.

8/1

1

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

12:55 Warwick

Spirits Bay

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Two wins during his novice campaign included a handicap (2m, soft); 0-5 last season but ran well at the weights behind Constitution Hill at Cheltenham in January and comfortably regained the winning thread on his reappearance at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) three weeks ago; up 4lb but he's bred for fences and looks a player on debut in this sphere.

11/8

Non-runners

Micks Jet

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.20
Straight Forecast £3.82
Trifecta £65.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dysart Enos

TOPSPEED:

Spirits Bay

LAMBOURN:

Kintail

RP RATINGS:

Beat The Bat

The Star:

Brendas Asking

Daily Record:

Soldante

Telegraph:

Kintail

POSTDATA:

Spirits Bay

The Guardian:

Spirits Bay

D Express:

Spirits Bay

WEST COUNTRY:

Dysart Enos

The Times:

Dysart Enos

Daily Mail:

Dysart Enos

Daily Mirror:

Dysart Enos

The Sun:

Dysart Enos