December 26 / 13.05 Aintree

13.05

Soft

William Hill Formby Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Formerly Registered As The Tolworth Hurdle) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £45560
  • 2m 0f 103y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
ITV
View Course
William Hill Formby Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Formerly Registered As The Tolworth Hurdle) (GBB)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 1 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fetched £170,000 after finishing runner-up in an Irish point; 6-5, had to work hard to fend off Tellherthename on his Ascot hurdle debut (1m7f, soft) in November, but he deserves credit for rallying to get back up given how hard he pulled in the early stages and that reopposing rival has hacked up since; the likely stronger tempo of this race could help him to settle better and he's evidently highly regarded by a stable with a strong record in this race when it was run at Sandown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Jango Baie

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Kept on for close third to Impaire Et Passe in the 2m4f Manifesto here 12 months ago and has improved for longer trips this season; very close fourth in thrilling finish to the King George at Kempton (3m, good) in December and 8l second in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham (3m2f, good to soft) last month; leading claims if that hard race 27 days ago hasn't left a mark.

5/6

2nd

8

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Jango Baie

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Came from behind to win the Arkle here (2m, good to soft) 12 months ago and, as could be anticipated, was well suited by the step up to 3m when a very close fourth behind The Jukebox Man and Gaelic Warrior in the King George at Kempton (3m, good) in December; of the four involved in that thrilling finish he arguably shaped as the one most likely to improve for today's stiffer test; seems versatile ground-wise; could play a leading role.

4/1

3rd

6

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Jango Baie

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Short-headed in Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown (2m4f, heavy) in February on second chase start and rallied from a very unpromising position to win the Arkle at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) last month; unraced on good ground; ran big races over hurdles on both visits here and he's a leading contender with the step back up in trip likely to be in his favour.

9/4

OUR TIP

10/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 110-11 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
His only defeat in five starts came in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in March; looked to have a fair bit in hand when following up his Hereford hurdle debut success in an introductory event at Wetherby (2m, heavy) 38 days ago; smart prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Favour And Fortune

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Seen only twice this season but posted career-best performance when close third of 22 at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) a fortnight ago, despite Tom Bellamy's saddle slipping after the last; respected.

6/1

3rd

1

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Favour And Fortune

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Acts on any going; successful in major handicap at Ayr two years ago; his two attempts at Aintree were good efforts in the 2023 Formby (second to highly notable rival) and this race last year (finished third); each-way claims back here with Kempton reappearance under his belt.

11/1

6th

1

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:10 Kempton

Favour And Fortune

12st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Won the Scottish Champion Hurdle (2m, soft) in April 2024 and showed he stays 2m4f when a good third of 20 at Aintree last spring; not ruled out but he'll need a career best to defy topweight after 11 months off.

13/2

20/1

  • Place: £5.60

Form: 2-11 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point bumper winner who landed a bumper under rules at Bangor in October before making a successful start to his hurdle career at Cheltenham (2m, soft) 37 days ago, making all with more in hand than the neck winning margin suggests (travelled strongly); it'll be harder to dominate this field but he's promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 3

12:25 Kelso

Cannock Park

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Paul Robson

Hasn't appeared to fancy fences this season but he was a good novice hurdler last campaign and a revival would come as no surprise now back in this discipline; cheekpieces may also assist.

5/1

5th

3

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 3

12:25 Kelso

Cannock Park

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Paul Robson

Hasn't appeared to fancy fences this season but he was a good novice hurdler last campaign and a revival would come as no surprise now back in this discipline; cheekpieces may also assist.

5/1

4th

1

16th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 36y

Class 3

12:27 Wetherby

Cannock Park

11st 10lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Paul Robson

Useful novice hurdler last season; yet to threaten over fences but he ran respectably when fourth of six at Kelso (2m1f, good to soft) three weeks ago and could be a work in progress in this sphere; respected.

5/4

Form: 12 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Irish point recruit who made a winning start to his hurdle career at Carlisle (2m1f, heavy) in October before chasing home Kamsinas in 2m Haydock Grade 2 (good to soft) 31 days ago; Fergal O'Brien's charge looked to have a bit up his sleeve but there should be more to come from this lightly raced 5yo and the fact this race should place more emphasis on stamina is in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

22

12th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Making Headway

10st 11lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Two novice hurdle wins this term (2m1f/2m, heavy) along with a Grade 2 second, and he rallied for a near-9l fourth of 16 on handicap debut in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, soft) last month; this 3m point winner is open to improvement now up in trip and is one to consider; cheekpieces go on.

6/1

15th

22

12th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Making Headway

10st 11lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Two novice hurdle wins this term (2m1f/2m, heavy) along with a Grade 2 second, and he rallied for a near-9l fourth of 16 on handicap debut in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, soft) last month; this 3m point winner is open to improvement now up in trip and is one to consider; cheekpieces go on.

6/1

4th

7

9th Mar 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Making Headway

11st 4lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

3m point winner who scored on hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m1f, heavy) in October and, after making the frame in Graded races the next twice, won Newbury novice (2m, heavy) last month when back down in grade; improvement needed on handicap debut but that's possible from this unexposed 6yo, who could prove well suited by this big-field scenario and expected strong pace.

5/1

Form: 11-31 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
/Smart bumper performer, notably winning a Grade 2 here (2m1f, good to soft) in April; turned over at short odds on his Ayr hurdle debut but quickly got his career back on track when leading near the finish back there (2m, soft) 15 days ago; that bare form needs improving upon but there should be more to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(2)

21st May 2026

Soft

1m 3f 140y

Class 3

14:30 Haydock

Florida Dreams

10st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Sandy Thomson

Grade 2 bumper winner at Aintree in April 2023; well beaten over hurdles on last two starts (stable debut latest) but he's shown some useful form in that code and is an interesting contender on this Flat debut.

12/1

8th

8

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Florida Dreams

11st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Thomson

Ex-Nicky Richards; smart bumper performer; has won two of his 17 races over hurdles, but disappointing on last two starts; makes debut for Sandy Thomson.

12/1

6th

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

15:30 Kelso

Florida Dreams

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Nicky Richards

Has won only one of his 13 handicaps but twice went very close at the start of the season and 3m possibly stretched his stamina at Musselburgh last time; back to a more suitable trip here and unlikely to be far away.

3/1

Form: 13-121 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner who went in at the first time of asking over hurdles with the minimum of fuss at Worcester in October; built on that when second in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham next time and advanced his form again when accounting for Making Headway in another Grade 2 at Haydock (2m, good to soft) last month; impressed with the way he got to the front at the other Merseyside venue and should continue to progress; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

Kamsinas

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has faced a couple of difficult tasks since returned to hurdles but was beaten when taking a late fall returned to handicap level most recently; can be opposed off current mark in this deeper field.

16/1

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Kamsinas

11st 11lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Second in two small-field chases this season before reverting to hurdles at big odds for two Cheltenham Grade 2s, soundly beaten on latest occasion; runner-up off the same mark in this race last term; 5lb claimer takes over and they are considered each-way.

4/1

5th

5

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Kamsinas

11st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Some progressive form in handicap hurdles last season at up to 3m and, after two defeats over fences, he reverted to hurdles and finished fifth of six in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle (2m4f) here on New Year's Day; that was a respectable performance but he faces another tough task today.

33/1

Form: 15-11 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beat a useful yardstick in 2m3f Clonmel maiden (heavy) on reappearance and built on that in no uncertain terms when seeing off seven rivals in the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse (2m, soft) 23 days ago, probably deserving extra credit considering he was short of room going to the second-last and also wasn't fluent at the final flight; likely capable of even better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

25th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 72y

16:30 Ballinrobe

Farren Glory

11st 2lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

2-10 over hurdles and rated 143; Grade 1 novice winner at Fairyhouse in December 2023 but that was his last win in this sphere; vast majority of best form is on soft and heavy ground, so could probably do with some rain; would be getting 9lb from Daddy Long Legs in a handicap; place claims.

15/8

6th

7

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 180y

15:50 Fairyhouse

Farren Glory

11st 3lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Grade 1-winning novice and won over fences last season; hasn't really reached the heights he once promised and was beaten in races won by Glen Kiln and Storm Heart before pulling up in the 2m5f handicap at Cheltenham when tried in cheekpieces (retained).

16/1

Form: 21 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Sold for £200,000 after winning a 3m Irish point in March; very promising start to his rules career when edged out by Jango Baie at Ascot (1m7f, soft) and duly had little difficulty going one better at Huntingdon (2m, good) three weeks later; the fact horses well beaten by him in that race have won since suggests he could be good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

15:20 Cartmel

Tellherthename

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Both wins came at Huntingdon when trained by Ben Pauling; made his stable debut in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, when not beaten far, and he wasn't disgraced when hooded and held up out the back in the Swinton at Haydock (favourite) two weeks ago; this will feel like a drop in the ocean in comparison and, although turned over at a short price last October in his only chase, he should make light work of these two rivals on his return to fences.

1/3

8th

6

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Tellherthename

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced for his age; caught the eye in no uncertain terms when twelfth of 23 in the County at Cheltenham on first start for current yard, travelling smoothly but short of room in straight and finishing full of running; very best efforts for previous stables came on good ground and he missed the Scottish Champion when the rain came; still unexposed and a fascinating contender in a first-time hood.

3/1

Form: 19-112

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Down the field in Grade 2 bumper here in April (only run for Henry de Bromhead) but has done very well in France either side of that, winning first two hurdles this autumn and second in Grade 1 over an extended 2m3f last month (all Auteuil on very soft/heavy).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

16:50 Punchestown

July Flower

11st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won Grade 2 Arkle Trial over 2m at Cheltenham in November before finishing third in 2m1f event at Leopardstown in December; appeared not to stay the extended 2m4f in the Grade 2 mares' chase at the Cheltenham Festival; however, she was placed in a Grade 1 hurdle around this distance in France two seasons ago.

20/1

5th

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

July Flower

11st 5lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Made it 2-2 over fences in the Grade 2 Arkle Trial here (2m, soft) in November before finishing third in Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown in December (2m1f, yielding; albeit no match for the first two); has won over 2m4f but faded up the hill in the 2m4f Mares' Hurdle here 12 months ago; probably needs a career-best performance if she's to run into a place.

10/1

4

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 50y

17:22 Limerick

July Flower

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Dual bumper winner in France including a Grade 1 event and also won two hurdle races there; won a Leopardstown Grade 3 hurdle on second spell with this yard and respectable efforts in Grade 1 mares' races since; should be too good for these if jumping adequately on chasing debut.

2/1

Non-runners

Jackpot D'Athou

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £73.70
Straight Forecast £86.89
Tricast £3176.08
Trifecta £1468.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Farren Glory

LAMBOURN:

Jango Baie

WEST COUNTRY:

Tellherthename

The Guardian:

July Flower

The Times:

Florida Dreams

The Star:

Tellherthename

Telegraph:

Jango Baie

Daily Mail:

Jango Baie

D Express:

Jango Baie

RP RATINGS:

Farren Glory

TOPSPEED:

Farren Glory

POSTDATA:

Farren Glory

Daily Mirror:

Farren Glory

Daily Record:

Farren Glory