December 17 / 13.00 Carlisle

13.00

Good To Soft

Rhino.Bet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 3f 61y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
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Rhino.Bet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 33-311

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Raced mainly in Scotland but goes back south of the border in top form, having won handicaps at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) the last twice; respected with further improvement possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

Eloi Du Puy

11st 3lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

These cheekpieces and a switch to prominent tactics have prompted good performances at Ayr (2m4f, soft) on his last two starts, finishing second then first; he's won three times here in the past (including on good to soft) and might be thereabouts.

9/1

1st

3

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:00 Ayr

Eloi Du Puy

11st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Third in this last year (heavy) and achieved his best result of this season when 6l second to Diamond Geezer in first-time cheekpieces (retained) over C&D (soft) last month; could be thereabouts.

10/1

2nd

3

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

13:43 Ayr

Eloi Du Puy

11st 3lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Four-time hurdle winner, including three over 2m5f at Kelso (good to soft/soft); disappointing start to chasing career in the autumn but he ran respectably back over hurdles at Kelso (extended 2m6f) last month; now back on last winning mark and he could be dangerous on this drop back in trip; cheekpieces added.

16/1

Form: 4624

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Still unexposed having raced just four times; not disgraced in Wincanton novice handicap (1m7f) most recently; dam's side suggests this longer distance will suit; possibilities off same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

12th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:05 Southwell

R S Ambush

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

prominent, outpaced after 3 out, rallied before 2 out, pushed along to lead when good jump last, ridden and went clear run-in, comfortably

2/1

1st

4

12th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:05 Southwell

R S Ambush

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

prominent, outpaced after 3 out, rallied before 2 out, pushed along to lead when good jump last, ridden and went clear run-in, comfortably

2/1

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

19:00 Taunton

R S Ambush

12st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Made the frame in three maidens (2m-2m4f) last summer but he's failed to complete in last two starts including when back in a handicap at Plumpton (pulled up) in September; hurdling record now stands at 0-12 and has something to prove on his return; change of headgear.

10/1

25/1

  • Place: £5.10

Form: 6776-9

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in Kelso handicap on reappearance, taking record to 0-5; has weak form claims as things stand but is bred to do better, being the first foal of a winning hurdler for her yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:40 Perth

Bollin Matilda

11st 6lb

J: Miss J Walton

T: Donald Whillans

Consistent mare who got off the mark for the season in a valuable race at Musselburgh last time (3m, good to soft); chance off this 4lb higher mark.

5/2

1st

14

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Musselburgh

Bollin Matilda

10st 2lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Donald Whillans

She's 3lb out of the handicap but has been running well since December, twice going close over C&D (good to soft/soft); each-way possible.

10/1

2nd

4

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 4

14:47 Ayr

Bollin Matilda

10st 7lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald Whillans

Made the frame on last three appearances, most recently when close/clear second to unexposed rival at Musselburgh (3m, soft; first-time tongue-tie) three weeks ago; nudged up only 2b for that; might be the answer.

6/4

Form: 534433

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Proving consistent, having made the frame in last five appearances, respectable third at Uttoxeter (2m4f) latest; seems sure to give his running but a success remains elusive; now 0-18.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

6th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Bushmill Boy

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-23 over hurdles but went very close on stable debut here (2m4f, soft) in July and also ran well when third (albeit well held) at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in August; drops back in trip with cheekpieces refitted here; no surprise if he comes good for Olly Murphy soon.

6/1

3rd

6

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

18:45 Fontwell

Bushmill Boy

10st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-22 over hurdles but very nearly made a winning stable debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) six weeks ago and will be fine on the forecast faster ground here; one to consider.

4/1

2nd

13

17th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:45 Uttoxeter

Bushmill Boy

10st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-23 but surely has a race in him, and did record a respectable C&D third (soft) last November; wind surgery since claimed for £6,000 from David Thompson and starts life for Olly Murphy back on a career-low mark.

7/2

Form: 87-083

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Five-race maiden; showed signs of improvement in C&D handicap most recently, finishing third; however, ran to a very humble RPR and needs to take another step forward; 3lb out of weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

18th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 100y

Class 5

12:55 Kelso

Boyneside

10st 3lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Barry Murtagh

0-10; runner-up at Sedgefield (2m4f, soft) in March 2024 but has failed to better that, beaten when falling late on at Hexham (2m) last time; a guessing game as to how he'll fare after wind surgery and 521 days off.

16/1

9

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

16:17 Hexham

Boyneside

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Barry Murtagh

Placed in similar company at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) and Sedgefield (2m4f, soft); less productive on his last two appearances, with plenty of work to do in order to reverse course form with Huit Reflets; this drop back to 2m is certainly worth exploring; 5lb 'wrong'.

18/1

5th

6

1st Jun 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

18:35 Hexham

Boyneside

10st 4lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Barry Murtagh

Second to one who went on to complete a four-timer at Sedgefield in March (2m4f, soft); below that back at 2m last time (good, hung left); chance on that Sedgefield form.

6/1

Form: 34-U44

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden who has largely consistent form, creditable fourth at Doncaster (2m) most recently; may be capable of progress now handicapping over a new trip; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

15th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

12:58 Southwell

Easter Junction

11st 10lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

jumped right on occasions, prominent, led 4th, joined 4 out, headed after 3 out, stayed on but no match for winner

15/8

2nd

3

15th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

12:58 Southwell

Easter Junction

11st 10lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

jumped right on occasions, prominent, led 4th, joined 4 out, headed after 3 out, stayed on but no match for winner

15/8

5th

1

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Worcester

Easter Junction

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Safely held in first two handicaps but took step forward and ran well for a long way when fourth at Bangor (2m3f, good) last month; another 3lb lower here and enters calculations.

7/1

Form: 5317-3 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Three chase wins at 2m4f last term; reappearance defeat (2m) took hurdles record to 0-5 but this step back up in trip looks a plus; remains on an attractive mark in this sphere; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Lisloran

11st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Russell Ross

Won three times over fences in the 2022-23 season and well handicapped on that form; however, he struggled on his final two outings last term (hurdles/fences) and was pulled up over hurdles at Ayr on January 2 when back from an absence; others arrive with less to prove.

20/1

6

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Lisloran

11st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Russell Ross

Won three times over fences in the 2022-23 season and well handicapped on that form; however, he struggled on his final two outings last term (hurdles/fences) and was pulled up over hurdles at Ayr on January 2 when back from an absence; others arrive with less to prove.

20/1

8

2nd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Lisloran

11st 9lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Russell Ross

Returns from an absence on a handy mark and having had wind surgery, and he's won here twice over fences; however, he was tailed off on his last two starts (hurdles/fences) and his best form has come in chases.

40/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4089-5 BF

Last run: 219 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
0-6 in Ireland, disappointing favourite in Kilbeggan maiden hurdle when last seen; judged on bare form, he's not obviously well treated off top weight back in a handicap for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

29th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:20 Cartmel

Broadford Publican

10st 8lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

Yet to be placed after 13 starts, the last seven for this stable; only beaten about 10l when fourth in Hexham seller (2m, good to soft) this month but others have much more persuasive form.

16/1

10th

14

21st May 2024

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

21:00 Hexham

Broadford Publican

10st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

16/1

10th

14

21st May 2024

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

21:00 Hexham

Broadford Publican

10st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.90
Straight Forecast £14.66
Tricast £244.01
Trifecta £201.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Eloi Du Puy

SPOTLIGHT:

R S Ambush

D Express:

Easter Junction

POSTDATA:

R S Ambush

The Times:

R S Ambush

Daily Mirror:

R S Ambush

Telegraph:

Eloi Du Puy

The Sun:

Eloi Du Puy

The Star:

Eloi Du Puy

Daily Record:

Eloi Du Puy