January 07 / 15.55 Plumpton

15.55

Soft

Zoe Davison Memorial Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 1m 7f 195y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Zoe Davison Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £29.00
  • Place: £4.00

Form: 31-606 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Beat Saligo Bay in a maiden hurdle here in April 2022 and it was again at this venue that he won his first chase a year on (2m1f, soft; same mark); offered little in that discipline since but could revive back over hurdles with new headgear tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:42 Fontwell

Alto Alto

11st 11lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Chris Gordon

All of his five wins have been gained at Plumpton but he's been well held at that track (2m1f/2m4f) in last three runs; now 9lb lower than for his last success but that that was 14 months ago and others are preferred.

8/1

3rd

1

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 5

14:17 Plumpton

Alto Alto

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Chris Gordon

All his five victories have been gained here but he arrives under a cloud, last of five in 2m1f handicap chase here last month; yard is back among the winners though so not totally dismissed.

11/2

5th

3

16th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 219y

Class 4

14:45 Plumpton

Alto Alto

11st 13lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

All five wins on this track, over hurdles and fences (good and soft); ran his best race for a while over C&D last month, but soundly beaten when last of four finishers (odds-on) here since; reservations now.

11/4

10/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: P4-17S CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Gained a hard-fought C&D win on November's return; further progress is not out of the question after only nine races but he weakened tamely at Lingfield next time and then slipped up mid-race back here when 15-2; some reservations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:45 Wincanton

Birdman Bob

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Andy Irvine

in rear, not fluent 4th

11/2

11/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 324/3

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced on the Flat last year and was first and second in two 1m2f handicaps; again made the frame on his belated return to hurdles at Kempton (2m, good) despite some novicey jumping; won't mind this softer ground and should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

3

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Bucephalus

11st 8lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Front-runner who regularly gives his all and was beaten off only on the run-in when third to Dance And Glance over C&D (good) five weeks ago; should make another bold bid but several of these look less exposed.

20/1

3rd

2

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 2

14:12 Haydock

Bucephalus

11st 13lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Front-runner who was second over C&D (good) in December and bounced back from being pulled up in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury (heavy) to make all in four-runner handicap at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft); has a career-high mark in this hotter race but he did it comfortably last time; could make a bold bid.

8/1

1st

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Bucephalus

11st 13lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Poached a nice advantage but unable to hold off a progressive rival at Haydock (2m, good; in added cheekpieces) on penultimate start; pulled up in deep in a Premier Handicap at Newbury (50-1) latest; chance back in calmer waters.

4/1

Form: 41-100 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Has dropped out to be tailed off on his last two starts, both on good to soft at 2m1f and 2m3f; however, on his day he can be a very effective front-runner, this place will suit his style (he goes on soft) and he wouldn't be handicapped out of it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

14:40 Perth

Inferno Sacree

11st 2lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

Front-runner; having his 40th career start but a first over 3m when successful at Taunton and he followed up at Plumpton (3m1f; again good to soft); subsequent defeat, again under Murray Dodd, suggests others in here might be better treated.

10/1

2nd

4

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

16:50 Taunton

Inferno Sacree

11st 2lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

Showed improved form when stepping up to 3m to land his sixth success over hurdles, over C&D (good to soft) in February and followed up at Plumpton (3m1f, good to soft) last month; remains unexposed as a stayer and holds strong claims to land a three-timer.

4/5

1st

2

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:30 Plumpton

Inferno Sacree

11st 13lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

Front-runner who has been consistent this season and ended a long losing streak at Taunton (3m, good to soft) 11 days ago; went up 5lb for that but this track also suits him and he remains unexposed as a stayer.

11/4

OUR TIP

Form: 64-8U5 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner who has lost his way since winning over fences two seasons ago and never threatened on his return to hurdles a month back when tried in cheekpieces; others carry fewer risks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

28th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Worcester

Zacony Rebel

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Won from well out of the weights at Ludlow and off only 3lb higher he followed up at the expense of three rivals (3m, good), taking his record there to 3-5; has another 6lb rise to contend with but has won here and has to be taken seriously.

13/2

1st

5

10th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:27 Ludlow

Zacony Rebel

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Veteran who bounced back with 33-1 success from well out of the weights over C&D (good) most recently, taking Ludlow record to 2-4; just no certainty to follow up, having been inconsistent for a while.

7/2

1st

8

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Zacony Rebel

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Won a five-runner handicap at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) in December but this veteran has struggled in five subsequent runs; has lots to prove and he's a long way out of the weights.

40/1

Form: 42-226

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
French Flat winner and signed off there with two seconds over hurdles; again ran well when finding one too good (10l inferior) in a Taunton maiden and a struggle on heavy ground at Sandown (handicap on latest start) is always readily forgiven; dangerous to leave out of calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

18:10 Fontwell

Sun Joy

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Back in prime form when last seen in the autumn, winning at Ludlow before running well in defeat at Kempton (also 2m5f, good); contender if ready to roll after six-month break.

6/1

1st

2

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:07 Ludlow

Sun Joy

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Comeback run was better than latest effort but, as on his reappearance, he just goes in a tongue-tie here; no surprise should he bounce back.

5/2

16/1

Form: 524-F5

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Would surely have won at Newton Abbot last May (2m2f, good; acts on soft) had he not come down at the last; that was a missed opportunity for one with an overall strike-rate of 2-40 and he could have run better on his recent return from an absence (stable debut).
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: 4-1 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Backed out of it only late on when fourth of 23 in a Naas maiden hurdle on yielding to soft last March; signs of inexperience but still won nicely on his British debut at Lingfield (2m, good to soft); dangerously unexposed now sent into handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: P126-P D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Shock winner of a Wincanton novice last March and bumped into a useful mare next time at Ludlow (2m, soft); however, has been uncompetitive in handicaps since, one for former yard and one for her new one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:10 Taunton

Stopherandgo

10st 2lb

J: James Robottom

T: Kevin Pickard

On a lengthy losing sequence and she has been pulled up in handicap chases at Wincanton (3m1f) and Ludlow (2m4f) either side of Christmas; reverts to hurdles with lots to prove.

25/1

12

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 5

14:17 Ludlow

Stopherandgo

10st 2lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Kevin Pickard

Regressive mare who was pulled up when returned to fences and tried in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) last month; drops back in trip with tongue-tie added here; 7lb out of the weights.

33/1

Form: 464-21 CD

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
A winner on Flat and over hurdles, securing his third success as a jumper when strolling home in a C&D seller in November; mark left alone after that and he didn't run badly when beaten about 9l in this last year off a 6lb higher mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

13:43 Musselburgh

Saligo Bay

10st 7lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won three in a row (1m7f/2m, good-soft) prior to heavy defeat at Windsor a fortnight ago; however, the ground was soft, heavy in places last time which may have been too demanding, and he's not written off today.

16/1

11th

12

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Saligo Bay

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Sam England

Won on the Flat in September and also successful on four of his five hurdle starts since, including on soft ground and in good style at Haydock (1m7f, good to soft) last time; he's 7lb higher than last time and in a hotter race today, but he's clearly thriving and could go well once more.

11/1

10

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Wetherby

Saligo Bay

10st 6lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Beaten favourite when third to Max Of Stars over C&D 17 days ago but still ran creditably and that followed Flat and hurdles wins in September; tough, reliable and unlikely to be far away.

11/4

Non-runners

Master Dancer, One Last Glance

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £248.20
Straight Forecast £240.79
Tricast £887.40
Trifecta £1469.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Saligo Bay

SPOTLIGHT:

Colours On Canvas

The Times:

Bucephalus

The Sun:

One Last Glance

D Express:

Clongowes

The Star:

Colours On Canvas

Daily Record:

Colours On Canvas

TOPSPEED:

Saligo Bay

POSTDATA:

Saligo Bay

Telegraph:

Saligo Bay

Daily Mirror:

Bucephalus