December 13 / 12.10 Cheltenham

12.10

Good To Soft

British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 2m 0f 179y
  • Class 3
  • 4 runners
RTV
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British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00

Form: 1-12 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Won bumper at Huntingdon (good) in April and novice hurdle at Ayr (2m, good to soft) in October, both with plenty in hand; could not get to grips with the warm favourite in Grade 2 novice at Haydock (extended 1m7f, soft) three weeks ago but a final-flight mistake played a major part in that and he still looks capable of better; highly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

12:00 Chepstow

Country Mile

11st 10lb

T: Dan Skelton

1

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

12:00 Chepstow

Country Mile

11st 10lb

T: Dan Skelton

OUR TIP

Form: 13-11 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden point and two of his three bumpers, latterly when making all at the Punchestown festival in May; switched to hurdles for another win four weeks ago, making all at 8-15 in a Navan maiden (2m4f, good to yielding) despite tending to jump out to his right; that's a concern for this left-handed track and the drop back in trip is a niggling worry too, but he has strong form and looks a good prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

5th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

13:55 Naas

Wingmen

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

prominent, disputed lead from 2nd, not fluent 3rd

10/1

3rd

8

5th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

13:55 Naas

Wingmen

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

prominent, disputed lead from 2nd, not fluent 3rd

10/1

2nd

3

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

12:10 Cheltenham

Wingmen

11st 6lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

raced in second and chased clear leader, pushed along and challenging last, ridden run-in, soon no chance with winner

2/1

Form: 95-1 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to plenty of winning jumpers including high-class Whisper; had wind surgery after debut and raised his game both starts since, showing himself in a much more positive light when he made all at 20-1 in 11-runner novice at Chepstow (2m, soft) two months ago on hurdling debut; that form puts him into serious contention and he has potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

13:15 Hereford

Palacio

11st 10lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

The pair were clear when he beat a dual subsequent winner at Chepstow (2m, soft) but he couldn't repeat those bold tactics in a good race at Cheltenham (good to soft); seemed to go off a bit too fast for his own good last time and this is a whole lot easier.

Evs

4th

1

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

13:15 Hereford

Palacio

11st 10lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

The pair were clear when he beat a dual subsequent winner at Chepstow (2m, soft) but he couldn't repeat those bold tactics in a good race at Cheltenham (good to soft); seemed to go off a bit too fast for his own good last time and this is a whole lot easier.

Evs

6

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

12:00 Chepstow

Palacio

11st 6lb

T: Sam Thomas

Form: 1

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish maiden point in February and 15-runner mares' novice hurdle at Warwick (2m3f, good to soft) three weeks ago; 10-11 in the latter and showed stacks of promise in scoring easily, despite rather getting messed around by the runner-up in the closing stages; this is much more of a test but no shock if she extends her unbeaten record.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

20th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

12:35 Warwick

Thats Nice

11st 12lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Best to forgive her Cheltenham effort last month (something looked amiss); cosily justified favouritism over C&D (good to soft) in November, following up her Irish point win, and sets a clear standard on that form; remains of interest.

8/11

1st

1

20th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

12:35 Warwick

Thats Nice

11st 12lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

prominent, lost position briefly when mistake 2nd, nudged along when challenging 2 out, led after last, cosily

8/11

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.60
Straight Forecast £16.99
Trifecta £31.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

That's Nice

RP RATINGS:

Country Mile

POSTDATA:

Wingmen

TOPSPEED:

That's Nice

LAMBOURN:

That's Nice

The Times:

That's Nice

Telegraph:

That's Nice

Daily Mail:

That's Nice

D Express:

That's Nice

Daily Mirror:

That's Nice

The Sun:

That's Nice

The Star:

That's Nice

Daily Record:

That's Nice