January 10 / 12.50 Doncaster

12.50

Good To Soft

Download The At The Races App Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 0f 128y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
SKY
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Download The At The Races App Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

5/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 13

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won on rules debut at Warwick (2m3f, soft) in November despite a final-flight mistake, and the runner-up has franked that form; well-beaten third of five in Grade 2 at Sandown (2m4f, heavy) last month but nevertheless holds leading claims under a penalty today now back down in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Personal Ambition

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Won three-runner novice chase by 17l at Newbury (2m, soft; first-time blinkers) in February but that form is tricky to evaluate, and he was pulled up in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March; still needs to prove he can handle his current handicap mark and that he's fully effective on the forecast good ground.

4/1

15

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Personal Ambition

10st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

He's had jumping issues and should have won a Grade 2 novice chase at Ascot in December 2024 (2m3f, good to soft; bad mistake at final fence); beat just two rivals when getting off the mark in this sphere at Newbury (2m, soft) recently but that was still a very encouraging effort in first-time blinkers (retained); could make a bold bid if minimising the errors.

14/1

1st

3

17th Feb 2026

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

14:15 Newbury

Personal Ambition

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Three-time hurdle winner; 0-6 over fences but highly tried on occasions and unlucky not to win a Grade 2 at Ascot last season; disappointed in that same race two months ago but new headgear could help him turn things around.

100/30

2/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 411-33 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Two-time bumper winner (good/good to soft; including here) who jumped better in first-time blinkers (retained) here (2m3f, good to soft) last month on his second hurdle start, weakening into a soundly beaten third; unraced on soft; the drop back in trip could help today and he's a key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:30 Market Rasen

Inoui Machin

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

took keen hold, prominent, reminder and led after 2nd, not fluent 3rd, faced challenge after 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened from last

9/2

2nd

1

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:30 Market Rasen

Inoui Machin

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

took keen hold, prominent, reminder and led after 2nd, not fluent 3rd, faced challenge after 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened from last

9/2

3rd

2

24th Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

17:05 Ludlow

Inoui Machin

11st 6lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

Peak hurdling RPRs around Hereford and Kempton bode well with another flat right-hander awaiting him; last-time success over 2m5f at the latter venue is the furthest he's gone so far, and dual-purpose pedigree isn't abundant with stayers, but he'd be unfazed by a dryout.

2/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 1/P5 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won bumper at Stratford (2m, good) on debut in March 2022 then absent until pulled up on hurdle debut last June (2m, good); hung left throughout when soundly beaten fifth at Huntingdon (2m, good) in November, after wind op, but she's in top hands and things could click again at some stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Worcester

Lightfoot Lady

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Bumper winner who was third in a Doncaster novice before probably failing to give her true running on handicap debut at Hereford; could bounce back in new headgear; seems to enjoy good ground.

7/1

4

13th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Lightfoot Lady

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Lightly raced since winning good-ground bumper on debut in 2022 but seemed to be getting her act together over hurdles when keeping-on third in Doncaster novice (2m, good to soft) in January; upped in trip for today's handicap debut and open to significant further progress.

100/30

4

13th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Lightfoot Lady

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Lightly raced since winning good-ground bumper on debut in 2022 but seemed to be getting her act together over hurdles when keeping-on third in Doncaster novice (2m, good to soft) in January; upped in trip for today's handicap debut and open to significant further progress.

100/30

Form: 2-440

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran well last February/May in first two bumpers (good ground) but disappointing at Fakenham (good to soft) in November and soundly beaten on last month's hurdle debut at Newbury (2m, soft); has to raise her game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

8th May 2024

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

20:10 Fontwell

Charmians Place

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Neil King

Showed clear promise in bumpers but she's been well held in her completed starts over hurdles, including when a 21l third on handicap debut at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) last month; had wind surgery since but she needs improvement after a short break.

8/1

4th

2

8th May 2024

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

20:10 Fontwell

Charmians Place

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Neil King

Showed clear promise in bumpers but she's been well held in her completed starts over hurdles, including when a 21l third on handicap debut at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) last month; had wind surgery since but she needs improvement after a short break.

8/1

3rd

3

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

14:10 Huntingdon

Charmians Place

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Neil King

raced in second, not fluent 2nd

6/1

Form: 54

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
3m point winner who is one to watch in the betting in a first-time tongue-tie on this third rules start; has shown ability on both hurdle runs and is not ruled out each-way, but he may be of greater interest in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:25 Newcastle

Finn Lough

10st 12lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won two 3m handicap chases on good to soft last season; slow to find his form this term, but good run at Musselburgh last time (2m7f, soft); chance.

11/4

2nd

5

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 4

16:20 Musselburgh

Finn Lough

11st 4lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Has a slight question mark over current form but a revival would put him in the picture; gained most recent win off 1lb higher last February.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
14,000euros foal, 45,000euros 3yo; fourth foal; brother to 2m4f-3m4f hurdle/chase winner Tim Pat (RPR 129); dam unraced sister to 2m4f-2m5f hurdle winner Resolute Bay (126); in top hands and makes debut in race lacking depth; could play leading role, especially if strong in betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

12th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

14:08 Bangor-on-Dee

Skiffle Man

11st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, led 6th, prominent when headed 11th, struggling when mistake 14th, weakened after 2 out

5/1

4th

2

12th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

14:08 Bangor-on-Dee

Skiffle Man

11st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Disappointed when upped to 3m last month and is now 0-5 over hurdles but was close second in 16-runner handicap at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie/cheekpieces) two starts ago and will play a big role here if able to transfer that form to fences.

5/1

7th

5

18th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:10 Wetherby

Skiffle Man

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

midfield, headway 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, weakened before 2 out

3/1

Form: 1-P0 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won bumper at Bangor (2m, good) on debut last April and she's a half-sister to top-class chaser Presenting Percy; monitor the betting, but she's struggled on her first two hurdle starts (tailed off at 100-1 last time).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

20:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Mrs Tabitha

10st 9lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Made quite promising start to chase career in spring but now reverts to hurdling after lesser effort last month; all recent form is over 3m but she can cope with today's drop back in trip and her current mark is workable.

6/1

5th

5

4th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:40 Warwick

Mrs Tabitha

10st 10lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Bumper/hurdle winner who was a 10l second on chase debut at Bangor (3m, good) in April and produced another fair run when third behind two improving rivals there (3m, good) last time; might not be far away.

7/1

5th

5

4th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:40 Warwick

Mrs Tabitha

10st 10lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Bumper/hurdle winner who was a 10l second on chase debut at Bangor (3m, good) in April and produced another fair run when third behind two improving rivals there (3m, good) last time; might not be far away.

7/1

Form: 64

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Improved form when fourth in bumper at Ludlow (2m, soft) last month on his second start; could continue to progress but a bigger run is certainly needed if he's to make an impact on this hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

31st Jan 2025

Soft

1m 7f 145y

Class 5

14:35 Catterick

Badlands Boy

11st 8lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Maiden who showed patchy form over hurdles and was well beaten last time, but he was a good second at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) two starts ago in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) and his trainer's horses often make better chasers; this 6yo is not ruled out.

12/1

6th

2

31st Jan 2025

Soft

1m 7f 145y

Class 5

14:35 Catterick

Badlands Boy

11st 8lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

towards rear but in touch with leaders, weakened after 2 out, hit last

12/1

11th

10

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:35 Taunton

Badlands Boy

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Nine-race maiden who ran well in first-time cheekpieces at Ludlow most recently, finishing 1l second to El Vigaro; may build on that effort; possibilities in the retained headgear.

10/1

Form: 950

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hasn't shown enough across his first three starts to suggest he'll be making an impact today; lowly handicaps beckon after this run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

19th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:40 Exeter

Martalite

11st 3lb

J: Mr Tommie M O’Brien

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Responded to pressure to win at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) in October on his third handicap start; fair fourth at Southwell (2m4f, good) since, when making a bad mistake at the final flight; might not be far away.

10/1

Form: 4P

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair fourth on rules debut at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) in November and has had wind op since being pulled up here (2m3f, good to soft) last month; each-way claims if bouncing back to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

7th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

15:45 Fakenham

Ronaldoreturns

11st 10lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: James Owen

not fluent 1st, prominent

14/1

5th

3

7th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

15:45 Fakenham

Ronaldoreturns

11st 10lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: James Owen

not fluent 1st, prominent

14/1

5th

1

22nd Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Kempton

Ronaldoreturns

12st 0lb

J: Mr Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

took keen hold, held up in rear, brief headway after 3 out, weakened before 2 out

5/1

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Two-time Flat winner (1m6f/2m) who won't be found wanting for stamina over hurdles, but those victories came at a lowly level and he may be best watched on his first run in this code.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 5

13:10 Carlisle

Gold Ring

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Neil Mechie

Two Flat wins, the latest at 2m in 2023, but he's shown very little in a handful of starts on the Flat and over hurdles since spring 2024.

66/1

200/1

Form: 07-

Last run: 290 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off at big odds in both bumpers and he needs to be an entirely different proposition on this first hurdle start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

29th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

13:50 Plumpton

The Old Bull

11st 10lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Tom Gretton

Tailed off in both bumpers and was beaten out of sight at a massive price on his recent hurdling debut at Doncaster (2m, good to soft).

100/1

12th

10

10th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

12:50 Doncaster

The Old Bull

11st 4lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Tom Gretton

Tailed off at big odds in both bumpers and he needs to be an entirely different proposition on this first hurdle start.

200/1

7th

9

26th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Carlisle

The Old Bull

10st 9lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tom Gretton

28-1, tailed off on debut at Aintree (2m1f, soft) last November; a transformation is required in a first-time tongue-tie.

50/1

Form: 4

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three-time Flat winner (at about 1m2f) who was a fair fourth on his hurdle and stable debut at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) in November; that form has worked out well and he could improve for that first run since August; might not be far away in a first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

25th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

15:30 Catterick

Mafia Power

11st 7lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Patrick Neville

Far from solid on hurdles form and recorded a subsequent Flat success in a low grade (failed to back it up last time); others preferred.

20/1

6th

6

(4)

15th Feb 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 5

16:20 Newcastle (AW)

Mafia Power

9st 4lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Patrick Neville

midfield

100/30

1st

2

(6)

21st Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:10 Newcastle (AW)

Mafia Power

9st 12lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Patrick Neville

prominent

12/1

Non-runners

Creamoverpeaches, Zain Nights

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.80
Straight Forecast £3.61
Trifecta £15.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Personal Ambition

POSTDATA:

Inoui Machin

LAMBOURN:

Lightfoot Lady

Daily Mirror:

Zain Nights

RP RATINGS:

Personal Ambition

TOPSPEED:

Personal Ambition

WEST COUNTRY:

Personal Ambition

The Times:

Personal Ambition

The Guardian:

Personal Ambition

Daily Mail:

Personal Ambition

D Express:

Personal Ambition

Telegraph:

Inoui Machin

The Star:

Inoui Machin

Daily Record:

Inoui Machin