December 31 / 13.00 Warwick

13.00

Heavy

Poundland Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 3f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
RTV
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Poundland Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Abandoned

Form: 65-54

Last run: 66 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Ran his most encouraging of three qualifying races when keeping on steadily for fourth at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) in October; should have further improvement to come in handicaps; major player if this new trip-and-ground combination suits.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

I Got Stung

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey

in touch with leaders

9/1

5th

3

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

I Got Stung

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey

in touch with leaders, pulled up before 2 out

9/1

8th

2

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

17:40 Ludlow

I Got Stung

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey

Half-sister I Spy A Diva won the mares' novice on this card in 2022, and dam's brother was a C&D scorer also (all for the same connections); non-stayer of trips in excess of 2m last winter, and fate likely rests on how much he's come on during a six-month break.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0/PF-0

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Held narrow lead before falling heavily at penultimate flight on stable debut at Huntingdon (2m3f, good to soft) in January but struggled to competitive when reappearing here (2m5f, soft) last month and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Commodore Miller

10st 7lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Maiden hurdle runner-up for Nicky Henderson in December 2021 but lightly raced since and he struggled on his three starts in 2024; returns from another absence today.

100/1

12th

11

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:30 Chepstow

Commodore Miller

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Ten-race maiden who has failed to complete in four of his last seven starts including when pulled up in a Worcester handicap (2m4f, soft) on his return last month; mark is tumbling but he has plenty to prove and can only be watched.

50/1

12th

11

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:30 Chepstow

Commodore Miller

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Ten-race maiden who has failed to complete in four of his last seven starts including when pulled up in a Worcester handicap (2m4f, soft) on his return last month; mark is tumbling but he has plenty to prove and can only be watched.

50/1

Form: 8986

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Displayed at least some promise in three qualifying races this autumn (all over 2m on good to soft) and, if his Irish point form is a guide, today's stiffer stamina test will suit; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Fakenham

Bitsnbuckles

12st 1lb

J: Tom Hutsby

T: Olly Murphy

Slightly disappointing when only fourth on his latest outing, but posted career-best form when winning readily by over 6l at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) two starts ago and has an obvious claims if back at that level.

9/2

4th

4

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 181y

Class 4

16:20 Doncaster

Bitsnbuckles

11st 6lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Won for the second time over hurdles at Southwell last month (2m4f, good to soft); has a 7lb higher mark; each-way contender.

7/2

1st

8

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:52 Southwell

Bitsnbuckles

10st 13lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

Only win in 11 starts over hurdles was a Huntingdon handicap in January 2024 (2m3f, good to soft); three fair efforts when returning from over a year off in the autumn; each-way chance.

5/1

Form: 8-5432

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
0-10 over hurdles but gave very good account when close second at Newcastle (2m1f, heavy) this month and will be fine over today's longer trip; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:02 Hexham

Ingennio

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Dual chase winner in 2024; returned from one-year absence with low-key hurdle run for new stable in July but shaped with a lot more promise at Perth last month and should now be at concert pitch for this return to fences.

10/1

3

8th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:10 Perth

Ingennio

11st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Made a low-key stable debut over hurdles after a year off and he's likely to be back chasing (dual winner) sooner rather than later.

14/1

Form: P5-882

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in first two handicaps (both 2m) but fared considerably better when close second of 15 at Exeter (2m5f, good to soft) last month and has scope for further progress if he handles today's ground; respected; also declared for 2.40 Uttoxeter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Call Me Arthur

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Only his third run over fences when forging clear at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) in January; that resulted in a 10lb rise but he was only 9-2 when departing early at Taunton; seemingly on the upgrade.

7/2

4

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

14:50 Taunton

Call Me Arthur

11st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

All the sharper for his Hereford reappearance when making it third time lucky over fences in 2m7f Huntingdon handicap (soft) three weeks ago, forging 15l clear; that resulted in a 10lb rise but he should remain competitive if in the same form.

9/2

1st

5

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

13:30 Huntingdon

Call Me Arthur

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Temporary switch to front-running over a sharp 3m netted him a Southwell hurdle off this mark in May 2024 (soft), but rather lost in the crowd in big-field chases on only two starts since; tongue tie off.

12/1

Form: 6U3-65

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Placed in run-of-the-mill mares' maiden on what was effectively her hurdling debut at Stratford (2m, good to soft) in April but didn't build on that performance on her next two outings and still needs to prove she's effective on soft/heavy ground; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

Pollyonesock

10st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Showed her first piece of worthwhile form for a while when fourth at Huntingdon (near 2m4f, good) last month, albeit beaten 20l; failed to build on that when soundly beaten behind Karakoram 19 days ago; 6lb out of the handicap and difficult to recommend.

33/1

9th

12

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

Pollyonesock

10st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Showed her first piece of worthwhile form for a while when fourth at Huntingdon (near 2m4f, good) last month, albeit beaten 20l; failed to build on that when soundly beaten behind Karakoram 19 days ago; 6lb out of the handicap and difficult to recommend.

33/1

10

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

16:30 Ludlow

Pollyonesock

10st 5lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

This month's Huntingdon fourth (2m4f, good) broke a sequence of non-completions; shaped there as if ready for this longer trip now, though that's not wholly backed up by the pedigree (two point winners aside).

20/1

Abandoned

Form: 524-F5

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
0-17 over hurdles but was very unlucky not to win off today's mark for Daniel Steele at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) in May and, following a break, did not run badly for new stable three weeks ago; not yet proven on heavy ground but handles soft; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(1)

4th May 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Goodwood

Clongowes

8st 7lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Daniel Steele

always behind

66/1

6th

7

(1)

4th May 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Goodwood

Clongowes

8st 7lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Daniel Steele

Back with his former trainer for this first start on the Flat since October 2021; no win since the summer of 2017 so not hard to oppose.

66/1

Form: 879

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Always in rear division in three maiden/novice hurdles this autumn (2m-2m3f) but displayed ability when placed in an Irish point in May and needs close attention in the betting before today's handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

18:50 Hexham

Passengerontheship

10st 11lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sam England

Second in three hurdles in early 2025 but is still 0-10 under rules; pulled up here (3m, good) 17 days ago on second chase start in first-time tongue-tie (retained); the jury is out at present.

15/2

7

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:45 Hexham

Passengerontheship

11st 1lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Maiden; fine second to a subsequent three-time winner in a handicap hurdle at Carlisle in April 2025 (3m1f, good); hasn't done as well since, although not disgraced when sixth on chase debut at Newcastle last time (2m4f, good to soft); tongue-tie now tried; chance back up in trip.

8/1

6th

4

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

Passengerontheship

11st 6lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Second in three consecutive races over hurdles at up to 3m on last three starts last season; should improve on his reappearance run over hurdles (over C&D earlier this month); quite interesting on chase debut.

7/1

Form: 5U5-P6

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on handicap hurdle debut in June but this month's sixth over fences at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) was a lot more encouraging and further progress is possible back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

18:50 Fontwell

Amalfi Skyline

10st 2lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Barry Brennan

Hereford winner over fences (2m5f, good to soft) in 2024 who was also second over hurdles at Plumpton (3m1f, good) that year; missed 2025 and fell on his stable debut in February but there were signs he retained ability despite finishing last of five here (about 2m5f, soft) last month; possibilities in a thin event.

9/2

5th

4

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:10 Fontwell

Amalfi Skyline

11st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Barry Brennan

Chase winner for Pat Murphy; was entitled to have needed his recent stable debut after almost two years off but was weakening out of it at Plumpton, behind Junior Des Mottes, when coming down at the second last.

8/1

4

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:45 Plumpton

Amalfi Skyline

10st 13lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Barry Brennan

2m5f chase winner and has the better form in that discipline, but he's not yet fully exposed over hurdles and his 7l second over C&D in May 2024 was a fair effort on final start for Pat Murphy; makes stable debut returning from a long absence and probably best watched.

14/1

Abandoned

Form: 6-300P

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Well beaten at huge odds in three 2m novice/maiden hurdles this autumn; upped in trip and fitted with cheekpieces for handicap debut; significant improvement required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

18th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

James Baie

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Max Young

Promise in bumpers for Harriet Dickin last spring; yet to achieve much over hurdles and no significance in the return of cheekpieces; 7lb out of the weights.

10/1

10

18th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

James Baie

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Max Young

in rear

10/1

8th

12

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

19:50 Stratford

James Baie

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Max Young

Promise in bumpers on good to soft for Harriet Dickin last spring; yet to achieve much over hurdles, held back by his jumping, but getting back on a sounder surface may help and new blinkers could spark extra too.

33/1

Form: 423363

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Stuck to his task pretty well when third off today's mark at Wincanton (2m4f, soft; also has form on heavy) last month and has each-way claims again here but he's 0-13 over hurdles and others have more potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

22nd Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

16:47 Exeter

Robbers Bridge

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Dan Horsford

Career best when winning by 11l over 2m5f here in January (good to soft) and for whatever reason he didn't turn up at Newbury (2m4f; handles soft); has to bounce back from that but wouldn't put it past him; there are niggling stamina doubts at this trip, however.

7/1

7

17th Feb 2026

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

16:30 Newbury

Robbers Bridge

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Dan Horsford

His 24th race over hurdles at Exeter last month (2m5f, good to soft) but produced career-best form in winning that handicap by some 11l; respected off 7lb higher with heavy ground no issue for him.

4/1

3rd

7

29th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

16:13 Fontwell

Robbers Bridge

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Dan Horsford

Placed on both outings since winning in pretty good style at Market Rasen (2m2f, good) on stable debut in April; will be fine over today's trip and won't mind what the weather does; likely contender.

5/1

Form: 8P7-P4

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on last month's seasonal/chase/handicap debut; fared much better and ran well for a long way when fourth over hurdles at Lingfield (2m3f, good to soft) three weeks later but is effectively 4lb higher here and needs to take another step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

14:33 Stratford

Getaway With You

11st 10lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Bagged a fourth success of the season at Chepstow (2m3f) in February; seemed unsuited by dropping back to 2m when a solid fourth of ten at Hereford 13 days ago and not out of things over this more suitable distance.

12/1

4th

5

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

14:45 Hereford

Getaway With You

11st 10lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Won three in a row in November/December (2m3f-2m4f) and scored at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) in February; well-held fourth eight days later at Ffos Las, possibly finding the quick turnaround too much; may resume progress, though the drop in trip is a slight concern.

8/1

4th

2

1st Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ffos Las

Getaway With You

12st 0lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Won three in a row in November/December (2m3f-2m4f) and took his form to another new level when battling on well to score at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) eight days ago; latest 4lb rise does not look excessive and further progress is not out of the question.

5/2

Form: 58-064

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Beaten about 20l when fourth at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) this month and has now been unplaced all eight hurdling starts; 10lb out of the weights here; difficult to enthuse over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

13th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:50 Worcester

Call Me Sainte

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

Modest fifth on chasing debut at Ffos Las (19.5f, heavy) in April and now 0-12 under all codes; may appreciate this better ground but is 1lb wrong and has a tough task.

20/1

5th

8

16th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:05 Ffos Las

Call Me Sainte

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

Has struggled in her handicap hurdles and goes chasing from a long way out of the weights.

50/1

5th

8

16th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:05 Ffos Las

Call Me Sainte

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

Has struggled in her handicap hurdles and goes chasing from a long way out of the weights.

50/1

Verdict

Ingennio and Call Me Arthur both ran well in defeat when last in action but this may be fought out by two of the handicap debutants. Former Irish pointer Bitsnbuckles goes beyond about 2m for the first time under rules here and is not opposed lightly but today’s stiffer stamina test might also unlock significant improvement from I GOT STUNG, who is narrowly preferred.[Chris Wilson]

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Ingennio

SPOTLIGHT:

I Got Stung

The Times:

Call Me Arthur

POSTDATA:

Bitsnbuckles

D Express:

Pollyonesock

RP RATINGS:

I Got Stung

Daily Mirror:

I Got Stung

Telegraph:

Call Me Arthur

The Sun:

Ingennio

The Star:

Ingennio

Daily Record:

Ingennio