December 26 / 15.05 Kempton

15.05

Good

ladbrokeslive.co.uk To Win Free Music Tickets Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £11446.6
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
ladbrokeslive.co.uk To Win Free Music Tickets Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 5-312

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Progressed well in bumpers, winning in convincing style at Fontwell (good) in October; pleasing debut over hurdles six weeks later when second of 13 at Hereford (2m, good) behind a useful rival who has since followed up under a penalty; open to improvement and has rock-solid credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

30th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

17:05 Ascot

Court In The Act

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Bumper winner and two hurdle victories include a 2m handicap on good ground; latest Kempton run (2m5f, good to soft) hinted at some stamina limitations over this far but that was a competitive race and today's forecast drier ground should be favourable; every chance.

5/2

4th

6

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:15 Kempton

Court In The Act

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

in touch with leaders, headway going best 2 out

8/1

14th

10

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Court In The Act

10st 8lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Harry Derham

Lightly raced 6yo who showed improved form when making all by 8l on his reappearance in a handicap at Market Rasen (2m, good) three months ago; has also run well on soft ground; has received a 10lb hike for last time and he's up in grade today, but he may well take it in his stride.

10/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1/P2 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
7yo who won Worcester bumper (soft) in October 2021 before missing the next two years; showed much more than on hurdling debut when 1l second of 15 in Wincanton novice (1m7f, heavy; 9-2) two weeks ago; likely to be suited by longer trips in due course but he's unexposed and much respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

14:10 Down Royal

Onethreefivenotout

11st 6lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

One of three for yard; 3m2f handicap chase winner for Paul Nicholls off 5lb lower at Newton Abbott in May (3m2f, good); never travelled when pulled up at Fontwell in June (3m2f, good); preferred by Kennedy and goes on any ground; market can guide on debut for new yard.

17/2

7

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

14:10 Down Royal

Onethreefivenotout

11st 6lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

One of three for yard; 3m2f handicap chase winner for Paul Nicholls off 5lb lower at Newton Abbott in May (3m2f, good); never travelled when pulled up at Fontwell in June (3m2f, good); preferred by Kennedy and goes on any ground; market can guide on debut for new yard.

17/2

Form: 113 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promising type who followed two good-ground wins in bumpers with an excellent third of 12 in a Listed event at Cheltenham (soft; 7-2) in November; he's out of a triple 2m hurdle winner and should certainly make a jumper; very interesting candidate now switched to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

(3)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Moon Chime

8st 13lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Bumper and pretty useful hurdle winner, including at Haydock in the prestigious 2m Swinton 18 days ago when tongue tied for the first time; Flat career of just four races, latest when fourth of eight from the back when joint-favourite on Flat handicap debut at Southwell (1m6f, AW) in April; has more to offer in this sphere and is one to note.

7/1

1st

9

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Moon Chime

11st 2lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

In good form over hurdles last spring, winning at Stratford and Hexham (both 2m, good to soft); he's only 2lb higher than for the second of those wins, and a recent run on the Flat after six months off should have blown away the cobwebs; impossible to discount in first-time tongue-strap.

33/1

4th

2

(8)

15th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Moon Chime

9st 8lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Dual winner in bumpers and a four-time winner over hurdles; below his best over hurdles last time but he has shown promise in this sphere, including when third of seven in a Ffos Las novice (1m4f) last August, and is interesting on this Flat handicap debut.

9/2

Form: 353

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Solid second (form has substance) in an Irish point; gradually getting better under rules, keeping on despite hanging left when third of eight in maiden hurdle at Newbury (2m, good to soft) this month; more required here but he's moving in the right direction.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

19:39 Plumpton

Sea Invasion

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

All four wins have come here, three over fences at around 3m and one over hurdles at 2m4f; latest success over fences came here last month in this headgear combination, but he's just as effective over hurdles and a key player reverting to this sphere off a small rise.

15/8

1st

4

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

16:02 Plumpton

Sea Invasion

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Both wins over fences have been over C&D, the first in first-time headgear a year ago; not at his best when fifth in the Sussex National back here 13 days ago but must be taken seriously down in grade with visor replacing blinkers.

7/2

Form: 55

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten favourite in bumper on debut, then finished long way back in fifth in a maiden hurdle at Sandown; lots of improvement needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

29th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

16:00 Hereford

Too Much Hammer

11st 5lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Favourite for bumper debut at Ludlow in October but never in the picture; has run in better hurdle races than this in the meantime, at Sandown and Kempton, and has hinted at ability; considered down in class.

7/1

5th

9

26th Dec 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:05 Kempton

Too Much Hammer

11st 4lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Beaten favourite in bumper on debut, then finished long way back in fifth in a maiden hurdle at Sandown; lots of improvement needed.

66/1

5th

9

12th Nov 2023

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

13:40 Sandown

Too Much Hammer

11st 4lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

pressed leader, led before 3rd, headed before 2 out, soon weakened

25/1

Form: 4-2

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In frame in two good-ground bumpers, going close when making the running at Hereford last month after over a year off; has a useful NH pedigree and is impossible to discount now sent hurdling; one of two runners for Ben Pauling and he looks the first string.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

27th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

14:40 Hereford

Wee Tony

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Bumper runner-up (2m, good) who kept on for eyecatching fifth at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) in January on second hurdle start; this half-brother to smart 2m4f-3m performer Black Op is open to further improvement now up in trip, provided the ground suits (unraced on soft/heavy).

9/2

Form: 07

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in bumper at Newbury and novice hurdle at Doncaster (25-1); stoutly bred and looks more of a long-term prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

20th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Warwick

King Of The Road

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Won three races in 2024; inconsistent since but ran well when second at Kempton (2m5f, good) on Boxing Day; two poor runs since but has undergone wind surgery and a first-time tongue-tie replaces cheekpieces; interesting if the market speaks favourably.

11/1

15th

4

27th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

15:20 Wetherby

King Of The Road

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Soft ground provides an excuse for two defeats of late; sole attempt in cheekpieces resulted in good second at Kempton (2m5f) on penultimate start; could go well in the reapplied headgear.

12/1

9th

1

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:27 Wincanton

King Of The Road

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Surprising to see the cheekpieces left off as they were on for the first time when pushing an improver close at Kempton (2m5f, good; all wins on good to soft); he was 12l clear of the third so a 4lb rise could have been worse; respected.

7/2

Form: 0-1 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Stepped up markedly on form of first run to win 13-runner bumper at Newbury (good to soft) in November by 6l; the runner-up has since won a maiden hurdle; jumps-bred and a leading player on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

16:42 Huntingdon

Gentlemans Relish

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

prominent, led narrowly or disputed lead from 14th, mistake 3 out, soon lost position, raced in second when pulled up quickly on turn before 2 out, looked to go wrong

5/1

4th

7

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:20 Kempton

Gentlemans Relish

11st 1lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

in touch with leaders, not fluent 1st, lost ground after 2nd

14/1

4th

7

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:20 Kempton

Gentlemans Relish

11st 1lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

in touch with leaders, not fluent 1st, lost ground after 2nd

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three times a winner on the Flat (7f-1m2f) but hasn't been in much form in recent months; difficult to recommend on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

7

26th Dec 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:05 Kempton

Seattle King

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Phil McEntee

Three times a winner on the Flat (7f-1m2f) but hasn't been in much form in recent months; difficult to recommend on hurdling debut.

100/1

9th

9

(1)

13th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

13:00 Lingfield (AW)

Seattle King

8st 13lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Phil McEntee

took keen hold, prominent, outpaced and lost position over 3f out

50/1

6th

11

10th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

15:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

Seattle King

9st 6lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Phil McEntee

Triple turf winner at up to 1m2f; 0-17 on AW; has been placed on Tapeta; 3lb lower than when a close second at Lingfield in March but hard to make a strong case judged on his last six starts.

33/1

Form: P

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful on the Flat in France last year, winning three times (1m2f-1m4f), but well beaten on both British Flat starts this May/June and folded tamely on hurdling debut over C&D (good; 33-1) six weeks ago; plenty to prove but recent wind surgery may well have had a positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Selwan

11st 12lb

J: James Davies

T: Christopher Kellett

Three-time Flat winner and twice competitive in that scene during the summer; made an okay return to hurdling when an 18l third at Market Rasen and now tackles his first handicap.

10/1

3rd

4

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

17:50 Market Rasen

Selwan

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Christopher Kellett

Exposed as a fair Flat performer at best these days; pulled up twice and tailed off on the other occasion when tried over hurdles two seasons ago when with Alan King; best watched for now.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.50
Straight Forecast £15.96
Trifecta £41.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Court In The Act

LAMBOURN:

Gentleman's Relish

TOPSPEED:

Onethreefivenotout

Daily Mirror:

Moon Chime

The Star:

Moon Chime

RP RATINGS:

Court In The Act

The Times:

Court In The Act

The Guardian:

Court In The Act

Daily Record:

Court In The Act

Telegraph:

Gentleman's Relish

Daily Mail:

Gentleman's Relish

D Express:

Gentleman's Relish

POSTDATA:

Onethreefivenotout

WEST COUNTRY:

Onethreefivenotout