January 20 / 14.05 Haydock

14.05

Frozen

Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £31322.5
  • 1m 7f 144y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
ITV
View Course
Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 100-11 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Listed bumper winner on soft ground; 2-2 over hurdles since, cosily defying penalty in 14-runner race at Taunton (2m, good to soft) in December; remains unexposed and well worth his place in this higher grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Fiercely Proud

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Has gained both handicap wins in useful contests at Ascot (1m7f/2m3f); something to prove back at Aintree and finished behind some of today's rivals at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft) last time.

25/1

12th

9

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Fiercely Proud

11st 8lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Has gained both handicap wins in useful races at Ascot, including latest start when upped to 2m3f (good to soft) and back to best; back on career-high mark but is unexposed at this sort of trip and not necessarily track dependent; has bits of Cheltenham form, including a bumper success.

16/1

1st

5

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Fiercely Proud

11st 4lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Folded tamely last time when bidding to land a notable Ascot handicap (1m7f) for the second year running; capable of being involved on best form and has sometimes shaped as if this new trip is worth exploring.

12/1

Form: U1 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for 210,000euros after winning an Irish point; unseated rider early on hurdling debut at Ffos Las but quickly made amends in 18-runner maiden at Newbury (2m, soft; 9-1) eight days later, storming clear on the run-in; useful prospect; commands major respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

15

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Fortunate Man

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Began this campaign with 3m1f Aintree handicap win in December (good-to-soft) but hasn't repeated that sort of form in three runs since, including treated for post-race heat stress after Eider Chase fifth; most recently never nearer fourth under top-weight in lesser 3m2f Kelso contest; more needed but not one to rule out.

10/1

4th

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:13 Kelso

Fortunate Man

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Did well last season; kicked off this campaign with a 3l win at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) on Boxing Day and didn't run badly in valuable races on next two outings, last time in the Eider after which he was treated for post-race heat stress; he was joint-favourite for that and this race isn't as demanding.

2/1

Form: 3-3331 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Off the mark over hurdles (after three third places) in 14-runner maiden at Ayr (2m, heavy) 18 days ago; may not have reached his ceiling just yet, but this is a much stronger race and he'll need a personal best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

15:47 Carlisle

Joshua Des Flos

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Beat none other than last season's Ultima winner Myretown in a maiden hurdle in early 2024 but comfortably beaten next time and left Stuart Crawford for £10,000; he was struggling when unseating on chase debut here over a year ago for Rebecca Menzies; has since joined Sam England who fits a tongue-tie; bit risky.

20/1

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

15:47 Carlisle

Joshua Des Flos

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Beat none other than last season's Ultima winner Myretown in a maiden hurdle in early 2024 but comfortably beaten next time and left Stuart Crawford for £10,000; he was struggling when unseating on chase debut here over a year ago for Rebecca Menzies; has since joined Sam England who fits a tongue-tie; bit risky.

20/1

Form: 13-11 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Promising type, the winner of three of his four races; made it 2-2 over hurdles when easily landing the odds at Wincanton (1m7f, heavy; won bumper on good to soft) in December; hard to pin down but has to be taken seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 3

15:05 Uttoxeter

Lump Sum

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Smart hurdler who won Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) on last season's reappearance and was subsequently second in Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and William Hill Hurdle at Newbury; absent since below-par run in March but still commands respect on chasing debut.

13/8

1st

4

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 3

15:05 Uttoxeter

Lump Sum

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Smart hurdler who won Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) on last season's reappearance and was subsequently second in Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and William Hill Hurdle at Newbury; absent since below-par run in March but still commands respect on chasing debut.

13/8

Form: 1-1U D BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point (soft) and bumper (good) winner who made it 3-3 when cosily winning maiden hurdle at Sandown (2m, soft) in November; 4l down when unseating rider two out in Grade 2 novice there (2m4f, heavy; 11-8 favourite) the following month; on a retrieval mission here; remains open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

15th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Southoftheborder

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Finally came good over fences at Kempton (2m2f, good) and nearly followed up at Market Rasen, albeit when odds-on for a four-runner race; nudged up another 3lb for that defeat but still one to consider.

7/2

2nd

2

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 4

16:30 Market Rasen

Southoftheborder

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Henrietta C Knight

Took nine attempts to open chasing account but the form of his win at Kempton (2m2f, good) three weeks ago was nicely boosted by the runner-up on Saturday, and this fellow is still on a good mark after a 3lb rise.

2/1

1st

4

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Kempton

Southoftheborder

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Henrietta C Knight

Record of 0-8 over rules fences but form is largely consistent and this second run since wind surgery may be the time to catch him, especially with Sean Bowen up for first time; interesting today.

3/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Best of four point runs came when winning on last of them; made all in 13-runner maiden at Taunton (2m, soft; 7-1; jumped right) on hurdling debut 12 days ago; up steeply in grade and plenty of improvement required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

17:42 Hereford

The Gypsy Davey

11st 8lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: Mrs C Williams

Achieved nothing on return from layoff last time but may well prove resurgent returned to Hereford with the outing under his belt, being 3-3 here (2m/2m5f); new trip is the question mark.

12/1

4

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 2

16:30 Fontwell

The Gypsy Davey

10st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Mrs C Williams

Dual chase winner who has been running better than his recent heavy defeats may imply and he's on a good mark with Harry Cobden booked; off since October.

10/1

4

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 3

15:40 Plumpton

The Gypsy Davey

11st 0lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Evan Williams

Dual 2m5f chase winner at Hereford (good) in the spring; well beaten over 3m at Ludlow 12 days ago and needs to rebound quickly from that, but ran much better than bare form suggests when last of six (behind Alien Storm) at Fontwell (2m3f, good) two starts ago and can't be ruled out.

7/1

Form: 37-311

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Gradually going the right way over hurdles and he quickened smartly to defy a penalty at Newcastle (2m1f, good) just before Christmas; this is tougher but he hasn't been extended for his two wins and must not be underestimated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

The Kalooki Kid

11st 10lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Won last season's Scottish Champion Chase (2m4f, good to soft; his last win) off 5lb lower but only sixth in the same race when last seen two months ago and there were no clear excuses; this is a drop in grade but has never given the impression that he's a stayer in the making (unraced beyond 2m5f).

100/30

6th

4

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

The Kalooki Kid

10st 10lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

He needs to produce more than when fifth behind a couple of these over C&D (good to soft) on New Year's Day but that was just his second start of the season, after a 60-day break, and he could build on it today; won this last year (good to soft); has also won on soft here; possible contender.

7/2

4th

4

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

14:37 Carlisle

The Kalooki Kid

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Couldn't cope with the step up to Grade 1 level at Aintree in April (2m4f; 28-1) but had previously impressed when not overly troubled to win 2m3f/2m4f handicaps on good to soft; a sound jumper whose limitations wouldn't be exposed just yet.

11/2

Verdict

A fascinating Grade 2, all seven runners successful on their last completed outing. It’s not difficult to make a case for Fiercely Proud (second choice) or Lump Sum, both unbeaten over hurdles, but preference is for THE KALOOKI KID, an upwardly mobile type who could spring something of a surprise. Southoftheborder, favourite when unseating his rider two out in a similar event at Sandown last time, is another to consider.[Richard O’Brien]