December 23 / 12.40 Ascot

12.40

Good To Soft

Ascot Racecourse Supports Schools Photography Competition Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £8264.76
  • 2m 7f 118y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Ascot Racecourse Supports Schools Photography Competition Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.10

Form: P-1131 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
3-4 with tongue-tie for new yard in handicaps this autumn, the latest win over 3m at Taunton; the defeat was the only one of those runs on softer than good, which asks a question today, and so does his latest 6lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

6th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:05 Market Rasen

Top Cloud

10st 9lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Won in October on first two starts for yard (about 2m6f, good/good to firm) before fair third at Huntingdon (3m1f, good to soft) and he's returned to winning ways the last twice (3m/2m7f, good); he'll have something to prove if the ground is slower than good but he's clearly thriving and his winning spree may well continue if conditions aren't an issue.

9/4

11/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 3322-1 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Progressive 221 record in handicap hurdles, well-backed favourite when winning a nine-runner race in gritty fashion here (nearly 3m1f, good) on reappearance four weeks ago; probably acts on soft; up 6lb but may continue with his improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

4th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 3

14:30 Plumpton

Scamallach Liath

11st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Started off for Harry Derham with two good hurdle runs (the first a 3m win) towards end of last year and was very respectable sixth in valuable handicap on latest outing in February; has an Irish point win on his CV and looks a very interesting recruit to chasing.

10/11

3

4th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 3

14:30 Plumpton

Scamallach Liath

11st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Started off for Harry Derham with two good hurdle runs (the first a 3m win) towards end of last year and was very respectable sixth in valuable handicap on latest outing in February; has an Irish point win on his CV and looks a very interesting recruit to chasing.

10/11

7th

13

3rd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Scamallach Liath

10st 8lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Progressive 2212 record in handicap hurdles; scored in gritty fashion at Ascot (nearly 3m1f) in November and put up another most tenacious performance when beaten a head, having made most, over an extended 2m7f there (again on good; probably acts on soft) one month later; up another 5lb but surely won't go down without a fight.

7/1

20/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: 944-82

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Had a mixed record in Ireland; upped in trip and fitted with cheekpieces on first start for new yard (same owner) in 3m1f maiden hurdle at Huntingdon four weeks ago, shaping as if he stayed okay even if it wasn't his best form; needs to build on that on today's handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Transmission

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Tapped back into last season's initial promising form, and then some, to win by 12l in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft; from Rock My Way) in February with a first-time visor, which has been kept since; ridden by 7lb claimer when fair third off this 8lb higher mark behind Havaila in the Sussex National at Plumpton 19 days ago but needs to hit new heights again.

16/1

3rd

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Transmission

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Neil Mulholland

Tapped back into last season's promising form, and then some, to win by 12l in a first-time visor at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft; Edinburgh National) in February; has also won on good ground and 2-2 over hurdles here; an 8lb rise may not stop him if the visor maintains its positive effect.

7/2

1st

3

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

15:05 Musselburgh

Transmission

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Cheltenham regular over fences and competitive off slightly higher marks than this last season, never-nearer fifth in the NH Chase when shaping as if he stayed 3m6f; that's not been the case this campaign and although a good deal closer at Ascot last time, he was still only eighth of ten finishers; needs to build markedly on that in new visor, replacing cheekpieces.

9/2

Form: 34

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Brother to useful hurdler Martator (stays 2m3f) and half-brother to a French 2m2f Grade 2 hurdle winner; second favourite when taking minor honours in novice hurdles (2m, good to soft) at Chepstow and Taunton, jumping much better on second occasion but seemingly paying the price for chasing a hot favourite; now tongue tied; with nearly an extra 1m, he's hugely unexposed for this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

25th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

13:30 Warwick

Zonda

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

prominent

3/1

15

25th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

13:30 Warwick

Zonda

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

prominent

3/1

2nd

6

10th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Warwick

Zonda

11st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Unexposed 6yo who bumped into a revitalised opponent when clear second on handicap debut at Wincanton (2m5f, heavy) three weeks ago; could still be on a good mark despite going up 4lb; strongly respected.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: 13-22 BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Easy winner of an Irish point and Exeter bumper (heavy) on first two starts; turned over at 8-13 on good to soft all three starts since, the last two when switched to hurdles over about 2m6f at Ffos Las and Exeter; put in his place last time but that was by a subsequent Grade 2 novice winner; has a realistic opening handicap mark and shapes like he's a stayer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

1st May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Wrappedupinmay

12st 0lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: S Curling

Four wins in five races in points, the defeat inflicted by Hunters Yarn at Moig South last autumn; that rival seemed to be getting the upper hand when they both fell three out in the Fairyhouse race won by Five Star Getaway; useful second-string for champion-elect points trainer.

10/1

10

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 180y

17:30 Fairyhouse

Wrappedupinmay

12st 0lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: S Curling

Wide-margin point winner in 2023; useful hurdler for Paul Nicholls, sold cheaply after two failures over fences; beaten 8l by Hunters Yarn at Moig South on return to pointing; reversed form with the winner at Dromahane and won readily at Carrigarostig in January; intended runner at Cheltenham until withdrawn because of concerns about the ground; valuable 7lb off.

7/4

Form: 284-33

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a point and a bumper; work to do after his third in maiden hurdles at Ffos Las (2m6f, good to soft; 15l behind Wrappedupinmay) and Bangor (2m3f, soft) but should be set for better at some point and the Ffos Las run hinted that he could be a stayer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 12lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Rebecca Curtis

Not wholly straightforward, but appreciated the return to hurdling sufficiently to record a new personal best in victory at Uttoxeter latest (2m7f, good to soft); blinkers debuted there will need to work at least as well now returned to his previous highest mark; has won on good.

11/2

1st

8

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 8lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Rebecca Curtis

Completed a double over hurdles at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in November 2024 but he's been up and down since and was pulled up over fences at Chepstow (11-4 favourite) last month; new headgear is now tried and he comes with risks attached back in this sphere.

6/1

7

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Won over C&D (good) last season and has made the frame all three hurdling starts this term, the latest here (2m7f, good to soft) in December; seems versatile ground-wise and, from a workable mark, probably won't be far away.

6/1

Form: 664

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in both Irish points late last year; three runs over hurdles this autumn, improving markedly when about 11l fourth of six at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) last time; should still be capable of better (which is needed) and a market check is advised on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

15:43 Stratford

Illogical Logic

11st 2lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Landed his sole win off this mark at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) last June but has been tailed off on his last two starts; would be considered if operating at his best but needs to sharpen up.

7/1

6th

3

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

17:20 Taunton

Illogical Logic

11st 2lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Just the one win in 22 starts but three decent runs when placed prior to a below par effort when tailed off at Plumpton (3m1f, good to soft) last month; his poor win record does not inspire.

6/1

4th

4

16th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

16:15 Plumpton

Illogical Logic

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Back in form since pulling up twice earlier in the season, reaching the frame on his last three starts, most recently at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) in January when third of seven, beaten just under 6l; place claims off an unchanged mark.

13/2

Form: 33

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Irish point win (3m, soft) in April before £40,000 sale; third in maiden hurdles at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) and Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) this autumn; these are early days and it's a new trip, so finding the improvement he needs on this handicap debut can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

18:38 Huntingdon

Micro Millions

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sheila Lewis

Winning pointer who is 0-5 over hurdles and 0-6 as a chaser; hasn't been threatening to put that right, with and without headgear; found a weak race here but could do with upping his game.

6/1

5th

2

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

18:38 Huntingdon

Micro Millions

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sheila Lewis

Winning pointer who is 0-5 over hurdles and 0-6 as a chaser; hasn't been threatening to put that right, with and without headgear; found a weak race here but could do with upping his game.

6/1

5th

2

27th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:27 Warwick

Micro Millions

11st 11lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Winning pointer; ten defeats under rules divided between hurdles and fences; beaten 14l and about 10l in his last two races and needs extra.

10/1

Form: /52P-U

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Perhaps unsuited by soft ground when pulled up in March (2m7f maiden) on final start last term; did not last long when reappearing for chase/handicap debut at Doncaster (2m3f) three weeks ago, which sees him back over hurdles today and there is plenty of stamina in his pedigree.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

20th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 0y

16:55 Navan

Technology

10st 7lb

J: Ms E C Costello

T: John C McConnell

0-14 over hurdles but has run well at Wexford the last twice at 3m on good and good to yielding ground; has struggled in previous starts on softer than good so may need the forecast rain to miss.

6/1

2nd

3

8th Aug 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:03 Wexford

Technology

11st 5lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Maiden has run well recently without really threatening to get that breakthrough success; beaten over 8l when fourth at this venue on latest; now tried in a hood; yard won a division of this last year.

11/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.80
Straight Forecast £15.65
Tricast £153.74
Trifecta £138.60

Selections

POSTDATA:

Wrappedupinmay

SPOTLIGHT:

Scamallach Liath

The Star:

Zonda

D Express:

Idefix De Ciergues

The Times:

Top Cloud

WEST COUNTRY:

Wrappedupinmay

Telegraph:

Wrappedupinmay

Daily Mail:

Wrappedupinmay

The Sun:

Wrappedupinmay

Daily Record:

Wrappedupinmay

RP RATINGS:

Scamallach Liath

TOPSPEED:

Scamallach Liath

LAMBOURN:

Scamallach Liath

The Guardian:

Scamallach Liath

Daily Mirror:

Scamallach Liath