December 22 / 15.25 Uttoxeter

15.25

Heavy

QuinnBet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3406.24
  • 1m 7f 168y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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QuinnBet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £29.00
  • Place: £4.70

Form: 445-35

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
0-7 under rules but made encouraging seasonal/chase debut in October, and his subsequent defeat against much stronger opposition is not viewed harshly; drops back in trip for today's return to hurdling and ought to handle the ground pretty well; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Worcester

Present Fair

11st 10lb

J: Dylan White

T: Donald McCain

Two wins and a second from five starts since April but he's not the easiest to predict and there have also been a couple of heavy defeats, including when coming home 65l adrift at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last time; will need to be on a going day.

8/1

10th

2

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:37 Uttoxeter

Present Fair

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Heavy-ground winner here in late 2023 and this year has added two Bangor handicaps on good to soft and good; only 4lb higher than for the latest (by a length) and the front two were clear.

7/2

1st

3

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

17:56 Bangor-on-Dee

Present Fair

11st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Scored over 2m3f here (good to soft) in April and was close second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) the following month; disappointed when last in action but, if back on song, could plausibly have untapped potential over today's longer trip.

7/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 55P-

Last run: 273 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 5yo who made quite encouraging debut at Newbury (2m, good) in February; not seen since two heavy defeats over 2m4f there the following month but still worth a glance in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

15:10 Hereford

Time To Dazzle

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Respectable second at Ludlow (2m, good to soft; 10lb lower today) in December but the rest of his chase form is poor and he fell early when tried in first-time cheekpieces on latest start, which are fitted again.

25/1

1

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

15:10 Hereford

Time To Dazzle

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Respectable second at Ludlow (2m, good to soft; 10lb lower today) in December but the rest of his chase form is poor and he fell early when tried in first-time cheekpieces on latest start, which are fitted again.

25/1

5

20th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 212y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

Time To Dazzle

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Ran respectably behind Famoso over C&D in December but the rest of his chase form is poor; chance largely depends on how well he responds to first-time cheekpieces; 7lb out of weights.

40/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 3-4573

Last run: 50 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Has a tendency to race too freely but caught the eye making headway from rear in all four novice/maiden hurdles this year (2m-2m1f) and should have some improvement to come in handicaps; seems fine on soft ground (unraced on heavy); had wind op last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

19:15 Hereford

Damarta

12st 0lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Began 2024 with quite stylish win for Olly Murphy at Southwell (2m, good to soft) but became rather disappointing during light campaign last season and was sold for 3,400gns in February; needs to have been revitalised by subsequent change of scenery.

12/1

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

19:15 Hereford

Damarta

12st 0lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Began 2024 with quite stylish win for Olly Murphy at Southwell (2m, good to soft) but became rather disappointing during light campaign last season and was sold for 3,400gns in February; needs to have been revitalised by subsequent change of scenery.

12/1

5th

4

10th Feb 2025

Good

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

15:00 Catterick

Damarta

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

towards rear throughout

8/1

Form: 956-P2 BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on last month's seasonal/handicap debut but, having been made favourite, succumbed only in closing stages after looking sure to win at Fontwell (2m1f, heavy) ten days ago; back in action before 3lb rise takes effect and could easily have more improvement to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

16th Mar 2025

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

14:52 Market Rasen

Smart Casual

10st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Anthony Honeyball

Not the best of jumpers and yet to win in four attempts over fences; spoilt chance with a bad error three out when second at Leicester last week (2m, good to soft; 6-5 favourite; cheekpieces tried); obvious contender.

6/4

Form: 057-24

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Second on last month's seasonal/handicap debut at Fakenham (2m, good to soft) and not discredited when fourth at Taunton (2m3f, good) three weeks ago; needs to prove he's effective on slow ground but enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

12:47 Stratford

Sailed Away

11st 4lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Sole success came in a Huntingdon handicap in March 2024 when trained by Stuart Edmunds; pulled up on chase/stable debut in May and tailed off when last of eight back over hurdles over C&D (good to firm) in July; drop in grade will help but he has questions to answer.

12/1

3

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

12:47 Stratford

Sailed Away

11st 4lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Sole success came in a Huntingdon handicap in March 2024 when trained by Stuart Edmunds; pulled up on chase/stable debut in May and tailed off when last of eight back over hurdles over C&D (good to firm) in July; drop in grade will help but he has questions to answer.

12/1

8th

5

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

19:18 Stratford

Sailed Away

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Rob Summers

Consistent in handicap hurdles for Stuart Edmunds but was pulled up on stable/chase debut last month; reverts to hurdles on a competitive mark with the step back up in trip a positive; handles most ground.

12/1

Form: 2-2673

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Yet to match his bumper form over hurdles but ran well for a long way when third (albeit well held in the end) in Fakenham maiden (2m4f, good to soft) last month; drops back in trip for today's handicap debut; a possible if suited by the slower ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 2

16:30 Fontwell

Alright Dai

10st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Won over hurdles prior to his successful chase debut over C&D (soft) and when a 6l third off this mark at Sedgefield his jumping could have been better; needs considering.

4/1

3rd

4

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

15:38 Sedgefield

Alright Dai

11st 6lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Just did enough to win over hurdles at Taunton (3m, good; refitted cheekpieces) in December and bettered that form when scoring by over 6l on chasing debut at Fontwell (2m3f, soft) the following month; still unexposed over staying trips and over fences; respected.

9/4

Form: 887/2-

Last run: 356 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in three maiden hurdles in February/March 2022 but, with cheekpieces fitted, was close second over C&D (heavy; front pair well clear) on handicap debut just under a year ago; not seen again since but can evidently go well when fresh and is only 1lb higher today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

26th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

14:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Staar

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

Lightly raced since going close over hurdles at the end of 2022 and didn't show enough on his return from another absence over fences at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in December to make him of interest here; 3lb out of the weights.

25/1

7th

8

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

12:45 Leicester

Staar

10st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

visibility reduced by fog, in touch with leaders

10/1

7th

8

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

12:45 Leicester

Staar

10st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

visibility reduced by fog, in touch with leaders

10/1

Form: 7P7

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Displayed minor promise when midfield in two of his three qualifying races (2m/2m3f); pulled up on heavy ground in between but, nevertheless, he's a possible improver on today's handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

19:15 Hexham

Mademewhatiam

10st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Annabelle Sowray

!6-race maiden; two fair runs at Wetherby in December (2m3f, soft); well beaten since (tried over hurdles last time); no easy task from 5lb out of the handicap.

33/1

6th

10

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

14:00 Hexham

Mademewhatiam

11st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Annabelle Sowray

7yo who is a longstanding maiden and it will be a surprise if he gets anywhere close to getting off the mark today.

200/1

5th

6

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

15:20 Musselburgh

Mademewhatiam

10st 3lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Annabelle Sowray

0-14 under rules and 0-2 in points but returned from break with two respectable runs at Wetherby (both 2m3f, soft) in December and should be okay on this right-handed track; could have a say.

11/2

Form: 7-848

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Very respectable fourth in C&D maiden (good to soft) in October, after a break, but tailed off in 2m5f Hereford handicap since; not yet proven on slow ground and not the most obvious answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

20th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:00 Warwick

Yes And Yes

11st 8lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Appreciated the step up in trip when landing his second race over fences at Stratford (3m3f, good) last month; up 5lb and needs to back that up over this slightly shorter distance.

7/2

1st

7

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

15:43 Stratford

Yes And Yes

10st 8lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Sole success over fences came at Chepstow in March last year off 2lb higher; soundly beaten since and steps up to beyond 3m for the first time; down to a career-low mark and needs this extra test of stamina to bring out improvement.

5/1

Form: 33-P

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat-racer who was second on consecutive 1m2f AW starts for Richard Hughes in September; unexposed over hurdles but struggled on last month's stable/handicap debut (2m4f, heavy) and probably wants better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

7th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:12 Stratford

Tessy Lad

10st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Sam England

Good second over fences in July but failed to complete his next two chases and both subsequent Flat runs were also disappointing; reverts to hurdling with questions to answer.

16/1

4th

6

(3)

18th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 1f 27y

Class 3

17:15 Pontefract

Tessy Lad

8st 11lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Sam England

Ex-Richard Hughes; four Flat wins (one on the AW) at up to 1m4f; yet to race at this sort of trip on the Flat and not shown a great deal for his new yard; hood now tried; not an obvious candidate.

33/1

9th

3

(8)

31st Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

15:15 Redcar

Tessy Lad

10st 0lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Sam England

Hasn't looked a natural over hurdles/fences and has enough to prove back on the Flat here having failed to complete the last twice; tongue-tie retained; blinkers added.

20/1

Non-runners

Howdy Partner, Lovin Jukebox

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £241.30
Straight Forecast £294.71
Tricast £1061.70
Trifecta £1749.20

Selections

Daily Mail:

Smart Casual

SPOTLIGHT:

Damarta

The Times:

Staar

D Express:

Time To Dazzle

The Sun:

Smart Casual

The Star:

Smart Casual

Daily Record:

Smart Casual

RP RATINGS:

Damarta

POSTDATA:

Damarta

Telegraph:

Damarta

The Guardian:

Staar

Daily Mirror:

Staar