January 01 / 14.40 Cheltenham

14.40

Soft

Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 2m 7f 213y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV
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Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.70
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 212-11 C

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Won on soft ground in March, unraced on heavy; upped to 3m this season for front-running novice wins at Southwell (good) and Cheltenham (good to soft); in the latter he rallied well to regain the lead in the final strides, so looks a thorough stayer at the trip; needs further improvement in this handicap but has more to give with serious stamina tests.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 3

13:50 Carlisle

Butch

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

led narrowly, raced in second 3rd, briefly left in lead after 7th, pecked on landing 11th, not fluent and outpaced 3 out, rallied and disputed lead 2 out, no extra and lost second inside final 110yds

4/9

1st

2

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 3

12:15 Leicester

Butch

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

soon pressed leader, led narrowly or disputed lead from 3rd, led and going best before 4 out, went clear before 3 out, went further clear approaching last, readily

1/2

1st

2

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 3

12:15 Leicester

Butch

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

soon pressed leader, led narrowly or disputed lead from 3rd, led and going best before 4 out, went clear before 3 out, went further clear approaching last, readily

1/2

14/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 4-3184 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Often races prominently; won chase debut in June and ran creditably in a handicap chase (3m1f, soft; unraced on heavy) on latest start; back hurdling today off a 13lb lower mark than when good fourth in this race two years ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

My Bobby Dazzler

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Ended last season in good form, winning at Hereford (3m1f, soft) before good second at Haydock (3m1f, good); ran well (over hurdles) on only previous visit to Cartmel and has possibilities if this new trip suits; refused to line up and withdrawn at Aintree recently (8-1 at the time).

7/2

9

15th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:55 Aintree

My Bobby Dazzler

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Went up 5lb for winning a Class 4 at Hereford (3m1f, soft) and raised another 1lb for his second in a better race at Haydock (3m1f, good), finishing just ahead of Jacks Parrot; this 11yo is thriving and entitled to play a part in the finish.

5/1

2nd

12

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

My Bobby Dazzler

11st 1lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Mel Rowley

Put everything together when winning at Hereford (3m1f, soft) six weeks ago under a positive ride from Toby McCain-Mitchell; not discounted but he's up 5lb and this is a stronger race.

12/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 321-21 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Improvement every time, finding the most when upped to 3m for an impressive win in 12-runner handicap at Newbury (good to soft; acts on soft) one month ago; 9lb higher today but he could be a very useful prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Ed Keeper

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Improvement every time, finding the most when upped to 3m for an impressive handicap win at Newbury (good to soft; acts on soft) in December; may well have followed up at Cheltenham (3m, heavy) on New Year's Day but for blundering when travelling strongly at the final flight; 5lb rise rubs salt in the wounds but he could be a very useful prospect.

4/1

3rd

4

1st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

14:40 Cheltenham

Ed Keeper

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Improvement every time, finding the most when upped to 3m for an impressive win in 12-runner handicap at Newbury (good to soft; acts on soft) one month ago; 9lb higher today but he could be a very useful prospect.

11/4

1st

8

1st Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 2

15:35 Newbury

Ed Keeper

10st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Placed in two maiden hurdles on soft before winning one at Bangor (2m3f, good to soft) in March, prevailing in a good scrap with the front two drawing 21l clear; 7-2, tongue tied when good second of 11 in novice handicap at Ascot (2m3f, soft) four weeks ago, always close up and front two clear; up 6lb but looks set for further progress and well worth a go at this trip.

9/2

Form: 3116-1 C

Last run: 44 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Three novice wins last term; tends to race a bit freely but he found plenty for pressure, as well as travelling up smoothly to lead two out, when winning his handicap/seasonal debut here (2m5f, soft; unraced on heavy) in November; now tongue tied first time; up 6lb but bred to stay well and still looks to have significant potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

midfield

13/2

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

took keen hold, towards rear, mistake 11th, headway going easily from 3 out, led after 2 out, good jump last, went clear run-in, comfortably

3/1

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

took keen hold, towards rear, mistake 11th, headway going easily from 3 out, led after 2 out, good jump last, went clear run-in, comfortably

3/1

Form: /522-7

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Rarely seen on worse than good to soft, not disgraced however over 3m here (soft) last month on first run for 398 days; may be able to build on that and he is not fully exposed as a stayer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:30 Plumpton

Fontana Ellissi

11st 3lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Lightly raced in recent years and remains without a win since 2022; always behind when 33-1 for seasonal debut at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) in December and needs addition of blinkers to aid a revival.

14/1

3rd

4

30th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

17:05 Ascot

Fontana Ellissi

10st 12lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Well handicapped on his Cheltenham seconds (2m4f/3m) in late 2022; lightly raced in the meantime and he was still travelling with some purpose when slipping up before two out in a Class 2 handicap at Kelso a month ago (2m5f; in this first-time headgear combination); respected.

13/2

10

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

14:20 Kelso

Fontana Ellissi

10st 8lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Runner-up twice in a row at Cheltenham in autumn 2022 and well treated on that form; however, he wasn't at his best on two starts last season and returned from another absence with a heavy defeat at 40-1 at Newbury this January; major turnaround needed in first-time headgear combination.

33/1

Form: 2-2211 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Won twice over fences in France (very soft/heavy) in 2022; competitive in all five British starts, with cheekpieces on last three and making all in novice hurdles at Worcester (2m7f, good to soft) and Newcastle (2m6f, heavy) on last two; respected on his return to a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Ikarak

11st 1lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Regular winner, including at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft) and Ayr (3m, soft) this season; very good third of 24 to Supremely West in the Pertemps at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month but Sean Bowen still deserts him in favour of Hold The Serve.

20/1

3rd

12

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Ikarak

10st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Below form on his only run at this track, albeit two years ago; regular winner, including at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft) and Ayr (3m, soft) in two of three starts this season, with a creditable third to Kikijo at Sandown in between; up another 6lb but if he's in contention he will be staying on.

50/1

4

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Ikarak

11st 1lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Two from two over C&D, both wins gained this season for new stable; nearly made the frame in Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow last time; commands respect back at Warwick.

5/2

Form: 223-21 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Chase win in 2021; kept to hurdling over about 3m last year, knocking on the door before he justified 11-8 favouritism by 19l in a novice at Chepstow (heavy) on latest outing; a career best is probably needed on this return to a handicap (off 7lb higher than when second here on penultimate start, under James Turner) but he needs respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

The Newest One

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

11yo who was runner-up at Warwick (3m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve but he's had a heavy defeat and a fall in two subsequent runs; new headgear is now tried but he's hard to predict and has not won since October 2024; down the list.

8/1

4

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

15:45 Uttoxeter

The Newest One

11st 13lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

11yo who was runner-up at Warwick (3m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve but he's hard to predict and was tailed off at Ludlow (visor added) last time; comes with risks attached and he needs to bounce back again.

12/1

6th

4

18th Feb 2026

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:35 Ludlow

The Newest One

11st 9lb

J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

11yo who has an up-and-down profile but finished second at Warwick (3m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; versatile ground-wise; major player if backing up that good performance with another; wears a first-time visor.

5/2

Form: 152P/6 CD

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Probably acts on heavy; won here in December 2020 and third in that season's Pertemps Final, both over 3m on the New Course; missed last season and well beaten here on return in November (25-1); should have come on since that run but others have more pressing claims in this strong field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

1st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

13:55 Carlisle

Come On Teddy

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Harry Derham

in rear on outer, midfield 4th, headway on outer after 3 out, weakened run-in

5/1

4th

4

1st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

13:55 Carlisle

Come On Teddy

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Harry Derham

Following a long absence this 10yo wasn't the force of old last season, and there's a doubt about his stamina nowadays (albeit he was a 3m winner over hurdles in 2020); however, having dropped down the weights he was a close third at Exeter (2m3f) in March on his final outing for Tom George, and he's respected on his first run for the up-and-coming Harry Derham.

5/1

Form: -91368

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Usually not seen on worse than good to soft and although he won a soft-ground novice in 2020, he was well beaten when trying to come from the rear on soft here on latest outing (often front-runs); that's two modest runs in a row, with wind surgery (his second) in between; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Shantou Express

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Five-time hurdle winner; seemed to respond well to first-time cheekpieces (retained) when very respectable third at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) this month but has become too inconsistent to rely upon.

12/1

3rd

5

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

19:48 Stratford

Shantou Express

11st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

5-32 over hurdles (2m-3m2f), including on good to firm; first run back from a break in April was encouraging but he's gone backwards since and has to be forgiven a poor effort latest; on a fair mark if first-time cheekpieces help.

14/1

7th

1

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Shantou Express

12st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Possible to say he's been temptingly handicapped for a while now, but dropping into a 0-110 here for just the second time; some hope if getting a less contested lead than last time (C&D), which isn't a given.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 44432- C

Last run: 263 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Peak RPR on heavy; no win under rules since November 2019 (here on soft); has settled at a lower level in recent seasons but there's been plenty of evidence over 3m that he is capable of being on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Jatiluwih

12st 1lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

No longer the force of old but returned from 342-day absence with a pretty good third at Taunton (3m, good to soft) last month behind two next-time-out winners and competes off the same mark here; respected.

6/1

3rd

2

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

15:26 Taunton

Jatiluwih

12st 1lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

No win under rules since 2019 (he took a point in 2020) but he's well down the weights and competitive often enough, including at Newbury last March on latest start, to be considered each-way even though he may have a bit more to prove at his age first time out.

6/1

3rd

2

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 4

16:37 Newbury

Jatiluwih

12st 0lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Still in touch when unseating four out at Ascot last time (2m7f, good; 50-1) but it was still a long way from home; hasn't won under rules since 2019 and much-reduced mark looks justified.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £41.70
Straight Forecast £34.84
Tricast £92.98
Trifecta £160.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ed Keeper

WEST COUNTRY:

Springwell Bay

The Guardian:

Butch

POSTDATA:

The Newest One

TOPSPEED:

Shantou Express

RP RATINGS:

Ed Keeper

The Times:

Ed Keeper

Telegraph:

Ed Keeper

Daily Mirror:

Ed Keeper

The Sun:

Butch

Daily Record:

Butch

Daily Mail:

Springwell Bay

D Express:

Springwell Bay

The Star:

Springwell Bay