January 26 / 13.15 Sandown

13.15

Soft

Cardinal Wolsey “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5446
  • 1m 7f 216y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
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Cardinal Wolsey “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Windy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Never out of the first two in Irish points and his latest conqueror has since made a winning debut for Fergal O'Brien; clearly possesses a good bit of ability and might go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

30th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

14:25 Newbury

Ballybentragh

10st 13lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Successful over a testing 2m on rules debut then twice finished second over 2m4f here, prior to facing a stiff task in 3m Grade 1; possibly not crying out for this marked drop back in trip.

33/1

4/6

  • Place: £1.02

Form: 1-1U CD BF

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won point (soft), bumper (good) and soft-ground maiden hurdle here in November, all of them with a nice bit in hand; sent off 11-8, he looked in a spot of bother when unseating two out in Grade 2 back at Sandown last month and it could be that heavy ground was troubling him; evidently held in high regard by top team and remains exciting.
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

10/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 10 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
It wasn't a great race in which he edged home at Warwick (2m, soft) with the next three home all 150-1; reportedly found good to soft not slow enough when tailed off at Plumpton; conditions more favourable here but he looks vulnerable under a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:37 Market Rasen

El Saviour

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Won two of his five starts over hurdles and returns to them having failed to take to chasing since returning from a mammoth absence in December; blinkers given a go this time, but still has plenty to prove.

25/1

4

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

15:47 Warwick

El Saviour

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Recovered from bad jumping error on final circuit to make winning handicap hurdle debut here (2m5f, soft) last March but looked out of sorts in two chases last month and it takes a big leap of faith to support him today.

20/1

6th

2

2nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:00 Ludlow

El Saviour

11st 13lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Lucy Wadham

Looked suited by step up to 2m5f when scoring on last month's handicap debut at Warwick (2m5f, soft; front pair clear) and is now 2-4 over hurdles; 7lb higher here but open to further progress over this trip; major player.

7/4

Form: /00-56

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ordinary bumper form; appeared to take a step forward when beaten 22l on hurdling debut at Hereford (good; first-time hood retained since) but he then trailed home tailed off at Aintree; others have shown more and it could be that he needs good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:15 Newton Abbot

Gower Prince

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Back to near best on first start for this stable when runner-up at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) with the hood back on; remains well treated on past form after 3lb rise and holds strong claims if able to repeat the effort.

2/1

2nd

2

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

15:58 Market Rasen

Gower Prince

11st 13lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Absent since pulled up over hurdles for Matt Sheppard last summer (wore cheekpieces) but was unlucky not to win a chase for him at Chepstow (2m, good) just under a year ago, and he's now 5lb below that mark; will need to be taken very seriously if strong in the betting before this stable debut; usual hood refitted.

6/1

2

25th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:12 Uttoxeter

Gower Prince

11st 13lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

In front when falling at the last over fences at Chepstow (2m, good) in April, but was pulled up in his next two starts and well beaten back over hurdles at Bangor (2m1f, good) three weeks ago; cheekpieces given a go but has plenty to prove.

40/1

Form: 763

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten 25l by a smart prospect on hurdle debut at Wincanton (2m4f, soft); could have been flattered by that margin of defeat and hard to envisage him winning this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:28 Warwick

Kingoftheswingerz

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Harriet Dickin

Won at 22-1 on chase debut at Worcester (2m4f, good) in September on first run since May; disappointing at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in October but often runs well after a break and he could be in the mix.

9/1

2

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:55 Uttoxeter

Kingoftheswingerz

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Harriet Dickin

Returned from break to cause 22-1 surprise on last month's chasing debut at Worcester (2m4f, good), keeping on strongly to reel in the leader on the run-in; nudged up only 2lb for that; high on the list.

6/1

12/1

Form: 7- BF

Last run: 636 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dropped away when beaten favourite in a Punchestown bumper on sole start for Willie Mullins in April 2022; returns from a long absence for new yard with headgear added and the market should be enlightening.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:20 Fontwell

Ballybay

10st 8lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Murty McGrath

This 9yo has raced seven times under rules for three different yards; completed for the first time for this one (including pulled up on chase debut) when fifth in 2m2f Plumpton handicap hurdle 19 days ago but it wasn't a performance which makes him of obvious interest.

33/1

5th

9

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 1f 169y

Class 5

14:55 Plumpton

Ballybay

10st 8lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Murty McGrath

9yo has raced six times under rules for three different yards; pulled up in both runs for this one, over hurdles and fences.

66/1

Form: 1-64

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Brother to high-class 2m-3m5f chaser I Am Maximus; after winning his first bumper he was a respectable sixth under a penalty at Ascot (both on soft); let down by his jumping when beaten 14l on hurdling debut at Lingfield and entitled to be sharper this time; stable won the last two runnings of this and he might be their number one hope here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

All Authorized

11st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Course bumper and hurdle winner who won Plumpton handicap hurdle off 18lb higher last April; subsequent starts over fences didn't go well and he resumes chase career having been well held over hurdles on last three starts.

8/1

4th

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:00 Plumpton

All Authorized

11st 9lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

He's had a disappointing season, initially over fences and more recently over hurdles, and has something to prove; however, he's now 10lb lower than when winning over C&D (good) last April and can't be written off; monitor the betting.

7/1

4th

6

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:30 Plumpton

All Authorized

11st 0lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Chasing did not go well this season (three runs) but he ran well until tiring on heavy ground over hurdles at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy) recently and is now 6lb lower than for an emphatic C&D win on good ground last April.

11/2

Form: 4/776-

Last run: 273 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No closer than 14l in his three bumpers; 33-1 for hurdle debut at Chepstow and was again well held; up against it once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:02 Hereford

Parsons Stone

11st 1lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

Unable to land any sort of blow in novice hurdles at major tracks on his two appearances this season but made fairly encouraging hurdle debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last April and has a lowly mark for his handicap debut; moves up in trip with usual hood removed.

20/1

11th

12

10th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

12:55 Newbury

Parsons Stone

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

took keen hold, always behind

100/1

Non-runners

Rock House

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.70
Straight Forecast £9.27
Trifecta £60.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Southoftheborder

RP RATINGS:

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WEST COUNTRY:

Gower Prince

POSTDATA:

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The Times:

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The Guardian:

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Daily Mail:

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D Express:

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Daily Mirror:

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The Sun:

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The Star:

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Daily Record:

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TOPSPEED:

Rock House

Telegraph:

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