January 24 / 12.55 Chepstow

12.55

Soft

Betting.bet Free Members Club Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3812.2
  • 2m 3f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Betting.bet Free Members Club Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 2F BF

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Looked promising in Irish points last season and lost out only by a neck over C&D (heavy) on rules debut in November; fell quite heavily at third-last flight here 16 days later but is a major player today if that experience has not dented his confidence.
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

2/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Left clear to win soft-ground Irish point by 15l on debut in November; the last-fence faller in that race had not shown a great deal under rules beforehand but it will be very interesting to see what Nicky Henderson can do with this fellow.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

24th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

12:55 Chepstow

Ilfu Un Mome

11st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Left clear to win soft-ground Irish point by 15l on debut in November; the last-fence faller in that race had not shown a great deal under rules beforehand but it will be very interesting to see what Nicky Henderson can do with this fellow.

2/1

Form: 611

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to smart chaser Potterman; made low-key bumper debut in November but won two small-field Bangor bumpers last month (soft/heavy); that form isn't anything to get too excited about but he ought to have a future over jumps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Guard The Moon

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made a bad mistake at the fourth fence at Newbury in December and soon pulled up; clearcut winner of small-field novice handicaps at Aintree (2m4f, soft) and Windsor (3m, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in his other two chases and he shaped in the latter as if stamina was a strong suit.

20/1

1st

2

16th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 3

13:15 Windsor

Guard The Moon

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made a bad mistake at the fourth fence and soon pulled up at Newbury last month; however, prior to that he won in good style on his chase debut at Aintree (2m4f, soft) and he should be fine now back up in trip; likely player if minimising the blunders in first-time cheekpieces.

11/2

3

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

15:52 Perth

Guard The Moon

11st 10lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Struggled in the Pertemps Final and his previous run was no better; however, he beat recent Cheltenham winner Long Draw at Warwick earlier this season and followed that with two excellent seconds at up to 3m; if back in that sort of form he'd be a live contender.

6/1

Form: 2P

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in both Irish points last season and made pretty good start to rules career when filling same position in Wetherby novice hurdle (2m, soft) in November; did not get home and was pulled up over 2m4f at Hexham (heavy) last month but it would be folly to write him off after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

24th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

12:55 Chepstow

The Village Way

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Second in both Irish points last season and made pretty good start to rules career when filling same position in Wetherby novice hurdle (2m, soft) in November; did not get home and was pulled up over 2m4f at Hexham (heavy) last month but it would be folly to write him off after that.

10/1

0

6

13th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

14:15 Hexham

The Village Way

11st 4lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

led narrowly, not fluent and joined 3 out, headed after 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last

15/8

2nd

5

29th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Wetherby

The Village Way

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

led, mistake and briefly headed 4th, disputed lead 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon raced in second, not fluent last, outpaced run-in

6/4

Form: 5-

Last run: 311 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in all three Irish points in 2022 and was very respectable fifth of 12 in what has turned out to be a good course bumper on rules debut last March; makes hurdling debut after ten-month absence, though, and others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

16:10 Catterick

Isocrate

12st 2lb

J: Mr William Brown

T: W J Brown

Won a four-runner handicap chase for the O'Neills in June (2m4f, good); bought for £10,000 in October; good second to a subsequent useful winner in a point in January (3m, soft) but rather disappointing last time; each-way chance.

12/1

4

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Worcester

Isocrate

11st 11lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won at Warwick (2m4f, good) in June and bounced back from lesser run when 4l second to Zacony Rebel over this C&D (good) in first-time cheekpieces (retained); effective on soft ground earlier in career; could be involved.

8/1

2nd

3

24th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:10 Worcester

Isocrate

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Rallied well to open account in small field at Warwick (2m4f, good) last month, his fourth start over fences, but was well below that level on latest outing and needs to respond well to first-time cheekpieces here.

5/1

Form: /1U0-5

Last run: 67 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Just held on to win heavy-ground Uttoxeter bumper last winter but made underwhelming start to hurdling career when well-held fifth in 2m4f maiden there in November and will need to take a good step forward here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

25th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:30 Cartmel

Saint Bibiana

11st 0lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

The four-timer came up short when a close second to Pounding Poet over 2m7f at Uttoxeter (good) but that was no backward step; a 2lb nudge does her no favours but this C&D winner is shortlisted.

100/30

3

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

15:37 Uttoxeter

Saint Bibiana

10st 12lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Progressive mare who kept on resolutely to win similar race to this over C&D (good; first-time cheekpieces) last month and has now won three in a row; another 7lb higher today but still makes obvious appeal.

4/1

12

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Uttoxeter

Saint Bibiana

10st 8lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Georgina Nicholls

Completed a hat-trick early last season and better than ever on her latest two starts for wins at Huntingdon (3m1f, good) and Warwick (3m2f, good); up 6lb into a much more competitive race and wears first-time cheekpieces after a fairly workmanlike display from the front last time.

11/2

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 80 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Joined Fergal O'Brien after beating Lowry's Bar (runs in 3.10 race) in slow-ground Irish point last February; no threat to impressive winner when second in Carlisle bumper (soft) in November but that was still a pretty good effort and he's an interesting prospect for novice hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Kempton

Denemethy

12st 1lb

J: Mr Harry O’Dwyer

T: Fergal O’Brien

Consistent since sole chase success and has solid handicap form this season; receives hardly any respite from the assessor but gets other help on this occasion, with Harry O'Dwyer taking off 7lb.

11/4

3rd

1

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Denemethy

12st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Consistent since sole chase success and has solid handicap form this season; latest effort, in Sandown Class 2, received a boost when the winner followed up in Grade 2 event on Saturday; respected at this level.

6/5

OUR TIP

Form: 0-75

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made reasonably encouraging seasonal/hurdle debut when midfield at Warwick (2m3f, soft) in November but his 2m5f run there a fortnight later was a backward step; needs subsequent wind op to have made a big difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

17:05 Ffos Las

Grand Escaparde

10st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Always behind when switched to fences and fitted with cheekpieces for handicap debut at Exeter (2m1f, good) last month; not bred to benefit from today's hike up in trip and clearly needs to take a big step forward but he represents a respected stable and remains very unexposed.

14/1

3rd

10

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

17:05 Ffos Las

Grand Escaparde

10st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Always behind when switched to fences and fitted with cheekpieces for handicap debut at Exeter (2m1f, good) last month; not bred to benefit from today's hike up in trip and clearly needs to take a big step forward but he represents a respected stable and remains very unexposed.

14/1

9th

9

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 5

19:00 Exeter

Grand Escaparde

10st 13lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Hasn't shown much in a bumper and three hurdles at up to 2m5f; cheekpieces now added to tongue-tie for chase debut; in good hands and on a workable mark but need to see more from him.

12/1

Form: 6

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a half-sister to two Listed Flat winners; unable to justify prominence in the betting when struggling in heavy-ground Exeter bumper this month and probably best watched on hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

6th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

14:15 Uttoxeter

Valfortore

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

didn't always jump with fluency, led, joined 5th, headed before 4 out, soon dropped to last, lost ground before 3 out, soon tailed off

50/1

3rd

3

6th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

14:15 Uttoxeter

Valfortore

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

didn't always jump with fluency, led, joined 5th, headed before 4 out, soon dropped to last, lost ground before 3 out, soon tailed off

50/1

8

19th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

14:30 Exeter

Valfortore

11st 7lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

prominent, weakened from 4 out

100/1

Form: 6-P

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made low-key bumper debut at Exeter last February and was pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) when 250-1 for recent hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

24th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

12:55 Chepstow

Cool View

11st 6lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Tom George

Made low-key bumper debut at Exeter last February and was pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) when 250-1 for recent hurdle debut.

100/1

0

4

1st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

14:10 Exeter

Cool View

11st 6lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Tom George

First foal from a point winner; beaten about 27l after racing too freely in good-ground Exeter bumper last February; not easily recommended.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.10
Straight Forecast £7.94
Trifecta £54.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Livin On Luco

LAMBOURN:

Ilfu Un Mome

POSTDATA:

The Village Way

Daily Record:

Guard The Moon

Telegraph:

Ilfu Un Mome

D Express:

Ilfu Un Mome

Daily Mirror:

Ilfu Un Mome

The Sun:

The Village Way

RP RATINGS:

Livin On Luco

TOPSPEED:

Livin On Luco

WEST COUNTRY:

Livin On Luco

The Times:

Livin On Luco

The Guardian:

Livin On Luco

Daily Mail:

Livin On Luco

The Star:

Livin On Luco