January 11 / 13.10 Fontwell

13.10

Soft

Southern Cranes & Access Ltd. Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 3f 49y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Southern Cranes & Access Ltd. Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form:

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest form with one win (2m, AW) from ten starts on Flat for Sir Mark Prescott; tailed off on Flat debut for new yard and the same when 80-1 in 2m4f maiden hurdle at Plumpton last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Worcester

Captain Howse

10st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Karen Jewell

Sole win was an AW Flat race in 2022; easily his best show in eight appearances over hurdles was on latest start when second of six in handicap at Fontwell (near 2m6f, good) in June, giving some encouragement for this trip but he's now 4lb out of the handicap.

10/1

6

10th Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

20:50 Fontwell

Captain Howse

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Karen Jewell

Arguably ran a bit better than eventual 24l defeat suggests when sixth here (3m2f, good; Trevor's Lad close second) last month and may benefit from today's drop back in trip but, overall, his hurdling record is poor.

25/1

8

25th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:33 Fontwell

Captain Howse

10st 2lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Karen Jewell

Struggled over hurdles in the 2023-24 season and, following a layoff, was pulled up at Plumpton (3m1f, good) this month; might have needed that outing and remains unexposed over this sort of trip but is not easily recommended from 8lb out of the weights.

33/1

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 44

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£60,000 buy after easily justifying favouritism in a three-finisher Irish point; fourth over hurdles at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) and Exeter (2m, soft; led two out) which gives him a place chance today; tongue tied first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

7th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

15:37 Huntingdon

Davidoc

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

0-8 over fences for Ben Pauling and seemingly a tricky horse to win with but scores good marks for his consistency and 2m4f on good ground suits him well; sports first-time hood on stable debut (same owners); probably won't be far away.

11/2

2nd

3

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:05 Worcester

Davidoc

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Winning hurdler who is 0-7 over fences but has been running well in defeat at up to 2m6f; must have every chance; cheekpieces tried last time are now dispensed with.

5/2

5

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:30 Stratford

Davidoc

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

0-6 over fences but has twice run well in defeat over 2m4f at Warwick (good) this spring, latterly behind A Dublin Job; moves up in trip and sports first-time cheekpieces here; major player.

9/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; half-brother to French bumper and fair British 2m/2m3f hurdle winner Ginger Du Val; dam 12.5f AQPS Flat and 2m1f hurdle winner; ran in three Irish maiden points, runner-up on third occasion and sold for £25,000 later in May 2022; probably best watched after his break, unless he's strong in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:10 Plumpton

Hidalgo Des Bordes

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Impressed on chase debut at Exeter (2m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) in April and next race only six days on perhaps came too soon; ran better the following month and has had wind surgery during his break; might be on a tough mark but respected.

3/1

1

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:10 Plumpton

Hidalgo Des Bordes

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Impressed on chase debut at Exeter (2m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) in April and next race only six days on perhaps came too soon; ran better the following month and has had wind surgery during his break; might be on a tough mark but respected.

3/1

3rd

1

26th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

15:14 Fontwell

Hidalgo Des Bordes

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Made an impressive winning chase debut at Exeter (2m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) last month but disappointed under a 7lb penalty at Warwick (2m, good; 4-5) six days later; perhaps the race came too soon (he reportedly made a respiratory noise) and he is shortlisted, despite another 6lb rise, if back on song.

7/2

Form: 23-3

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in Wales in his two bumpers and plugged on when about 12l third of six in novice hurdle at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft); place claims but improvement is probably needed if he's to win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

16:42 Newbury

High Treason

12st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Started the season over fences and that didn't go well; his fifth over C&D in January was encouraging but again failed to fire at Ascot; there's a competitive show in him should the new cheekpieces (on for a visor) trigger something.

16/1

9th

8

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 123y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

High Treason

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Began season with two below-par chase runs in the autumn but gave good account when fifth of 17 over hurdles at Newbury (3m, good to soft; first-time visor) last month and will be fine on the slower ground here.

16/1

5th

3

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

High Treason

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Modest efforts this term, taking chase record to 0-6; rallied to win at Southwell (2m4f) on last hurdles attempt, taking strike-rate in this sphere to 2-5; revival possible, provided he takes well to added visor.

25/1

Form: 67

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£17,000 buy after his second in an Irish maiden point last April; had wind surgery in August; tongue tied when 13l sixth of 16 in bumper at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in October and when facing a very stiff task at 200-1 in novice hurdle at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft); a more prominent show should be forthcoming with this more realistic task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:00 Southwell

How And Ever

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

led, headed but pressed leader 15th, lost second 2 out, weakened approaching last

7/2

3rd

4

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:00 Southwell

How And Ever

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

led, headed but pressed leader 15th, lost second 2 out, weakened approaching last

7/2

Form: 57

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to same connections' useful chaser Golden Boy Grey; showed some ability in Sandown bumper (2m, soft) in November but tailed-off seventh of 13 at 14-1 in maiden hurdle at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft); needs to improve his jumping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

10th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:50 Fontwell

Jack Sparrow Grey

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Well beaten on handicap hurdle debut in January but 3-3 since switched to fences with tongue-tie/cheekpieces fitted this spring, with all three wins gained over C&D on good ground; comfortably pulled 10l clear of Summer In Milan 16 days ago and his latest 11lb rise is partially offset by Freddie Mitchell's useful 5lb claim today; makes obvious appeal.

11/10

1st

3

25th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:43 Fontwell

Jack Sparrow Grey

11st 8lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Well beaten on handicap hurdle debut in January but 2-2 since switched to fences in cheekpieces this spring, with both wins gained over C&D on good ground; might still be improving and makes obvious appeal.

13/8

1st

3

25th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:43 Fontwell

Jack Sparrow Grey

11st 8lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Well beaten on handicap hurdle debut in January but 2-2 since switched to fences in cheekpieces this spring, with both wins gained over C&D on good ground; might still be improving and makes obvious appeal.

13/8

Abandoned

Form: 78

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten 25l in novice hurdle at Kempton (2m, good to soft) in November and over twice that at Newbury (2m5f, soft) three weeks ago; dropped in class but looks a longer-term prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

17:40 Cartmel

Jolyjump

11st 10lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: R Mike Smith

Winning hurdler/chaser for the Moores and still fairly treated on his runner-up efforts at Southwell (2m, good to soft) and Plumpton (2m1f, good) in the spring; picked up for £16,000 last month and shortlisted on stable debut, especially if market positive.

6/1

4th

7

13th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:30 Worcester

Jolyjump

10st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

1-7 over fences and not the easiest to predict; still ran well last time at Plumpton (2m1f, good; first-time cheekpieces) where his jumping got ragged late on; hard to rule out.

3/1

4th

7

13th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:30 Worcester

Jolyjump

10st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

1-7 over fences and not the easiest to predict; still ran well last time at Plumpton (2m1f, good; first-time cheekpieces) where his jumping got ragged late on; hard to rule out.

3/1

Form: 2F BF

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Went close last March on his second start in Irish points and again beaten only a neck in maiden hurdle at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) in November; evens and in contention when he fell three out back at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) 16 days later; the standout contender judged on his Chepstow second.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Livin On Luco

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Failed to fire in the Eider at Newcastle on penultimate start; commendable otherwise this season, making all in the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good to soft), fourth in Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (3m7f, good to soft) and short-headed at Exeter (3m7f, good) five weeks ago; raised another 2lb but has place claims.

12/1

2nd

4

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Livin On Luco

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Made all in Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good to soft) on seasonal debut in November and was commendable fourth in Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (3m6f, good to soft) just after Christmas; didn't fire in last month's Eider at Newcastle but still features prominently in calculations; placed the only time he raced on good ground.

11/4

6th

6

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Livin On Luco

10st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Made all under Callum Pritchard in the Southern National at Fontwell (extended 3m3f, good to soft) on reappearance in November, clear from four out and holding on by a neck from a strong finisher; came from mid-division when creditable fourth in the Welsh National at Chepstow (extended 3m6f) and having a crack at 4m+ now makes appeal; one to consider.

7/2

Form: 98-750

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful Flat stayer for Michael Bell, including on soft; first couple of hurdle runs (last February) were okay but he's suffered three heavy defeats this winter, the latest in a handicap; tongue tied three starts back; blinkered last two; Irish challenger with a fair bit to prove at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

13:25 Galway

Zeeband

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Winner of eight races (four Flat) and four over hurdles between March and June last year; rated a very respectable 136 over hurdles; pulled up before the last on his recent chase debut at Sligo, having made a bad mistake four out; beat watched for the moment.

20/1

9

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 120y

14:25 Sligo

Zeeband

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Dual Flat winner has won four over hurdles, with the last of those coming at Killarney in 2024; well beaten in a Grade 2 novice when last seen; needs to be at his best on chasing debut after a long absence.

16/1

8th

8

1st Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

13:35 Fairyhouse

Zeeband

11st 4lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

soon prominent

20/1

Form: 8

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
30,000euros 3yo; closely related to five winners, including four useful jumpers, and half-sister to a winner; improvement should be possible but her eighth of 11 in a steadily run mares' bumper at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) in October was modest form despite starting 9-1.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

17:20 Wincanton

Coco Brave

11st 8lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

prominent, in touch with leaders 4th, mistake 5th, reminders before 6th, overjumped and fell 3 out

15/2

5th

3

21st Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

13:20 Leicester

Coco Brave

11st 10lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

Glimpses of promise in a bumper and maiden hurdles; came in for some support on her handicap and seasonal debut at Southwell (2m4f, good) last month, when doing much of the work before weakening to be an 18l third; tongue-tie now goes on and no surprise if she finds an improved finishing effort.

11/2

Form: 52-5

Last run: 234 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
12l second of 11 at Hereford (2m, soft) last January in her second bumper; however, beaten 42l when last of five in maiden hurdle at Market Rasen (2m7f, good) last May; sister to fairly useful jumper Ellie Mac.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

7th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

19:30 Hereford

Ellies Sister

10st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Jamie Snowden

Showed promise in a bumper; little to show for her efforts in three maiden/novice hurdles at about 3m and 2m but should find this level more suitable and no surprise to see her involved back up in trip.

10/1

6th

7

7th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

19:30 Hereford

Ellies Sister

10st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Jamie Snowden

Showed promise in a bumper; little to show for her efforts in three maiden/novice hurdles at about 3m and 2m but should find this level more suitable and no surprise to see her involved back up in trip.

10/1

6th

4

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

13:10 Chepstow

Ellies Sister

11st 0lb

J: Will Featherstone

T: Jamie Snowden

No match for Casa No Mento when second in Hereford bumper last season and has struggled on both hurdling starts this term (2m7f/3m); drops in trip today.

100/1

Verdict

This looks like a fine opportunity for LIVIN ON LUCO judged on his close second at Chepstow, although it’s not forgotten that he fluffed his lines with a fall three out at that same course later in November. With Zeeband having such a disappointing campaign in Ireland, it may be High Treason who gives the selection most to do, with Davidoc and How And Ever also considered.[Richard Austen]