December 13 / 15.07 Doncaster

15.07

Good To Soft

New Years Eve Gala Ball Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 2m 0f 128y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
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New Years Eve Gala Ball Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1-31 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner who got off the mark over hurdles at second attempt when left in front at final flight at Bangor (2m, good to soft) last month; that form was franked by the unlucky loser this week and this fellow should have more improvement to come in handicaps; also engaged 12.25 Bangor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:40 Perth

Gentleman Bill

12st 2lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Promising over hurdles last season and he's well handicapped on his chase form from the end of last year; however, he's finished down the field over fences/hurdles on his last two starts; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

12/1

5th

3

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

13:37 Bangor-on-Dee

Gentleman Bill

11st 11lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Dual 2m hurdle winner (once here) last season who showed considerable promise over fences towards end of last year; suffered a fall and a heavy defeat last month but now reverts to hurdling on a tempting mark; completely unexposed over this sort of trip under rules; interesting.

5/1

8th

10

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Gentleman Bill

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Fairly useful bumper/hurdles scorer who shaped well on his chasing debut when third in 2m Aintree handicap in October; has failed to build on it though in three subsequent outings, falling at the ninth fence at Doncaster (2m4f) nine days ago; has something to prove now.

8/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 975241 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Held narrow lead when left clear for wide-margin success at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) last month, his eighth hurdle run; won't mind if the ground is slower than good here and ought to remain competitive after a 6lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

Bathgate

11st 5lb

J: Ian Power

T: Philip Kirby

Yet to run well at Kelso (three attempts) and well beaten at Catterick last time; however, he had an excuse (bled from the nose) and he won three times in the winter (2m1f/2m3f, soft/good to soft); not written off.

16/1

6th

4

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 3

15:30 Catterick

Bathgate

11st 6lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Has won over C&D (good to soft/soft) on his last two starts to make it three wins from his last four outings; did it in good style a fortnight ago and a 7lb rise may not stop this thriving 6yo.

11/4

1st

7

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

15:00 Catterick

Bathgate

11st 3lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Has won two of his last three races, the latest over C&D last month (good to soft); back up another 4lb (10lb rise in total); each-way contender.

5/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 127/7- D

Last run: 279 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won twice as a novice for Mark Walford during 2022-23 season but was well beaten in a handicap on sole appearance last term; makes stable debut after another layoff and her current ability is hard to gauge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:10 Perth

Ruby Island

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

9yo who has been progressive during this first chasing campaign, winning twice (2m/2m4f, soft/good to soft); she's open to further improvement but it's necessary now back up in grade, and she needs to prove her stamina; soundly beaten over hurdles on sole previous run in these cheekpieces.

16/1

1st

2

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:45 Haydock

Ruby Island

11st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Has taken well to fences this term, a ready win at Ayr (about 2m, soft) in November preceding solid fourth of 15 in competitive 2m4f Cheltenham handicap (good to soft) the following month; creditable third in mares' Listed company last time and every chase she can notch a second win over fences, particularly if putting her jumping to good use.

10/11

Form: 87-410 D BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Dropped out very tamely at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) last month, after a break, but might have needed that outing and has claims if judged on his breakthrough win at Perth (2m, good to firm) in June.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:20 Ayr

Marty McFly

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

Prominent racer who made it 4-4 for 2026 (1m7f-2m4f, good to soft/good) at Carlisle last month; won by 3l last time and a 7lb rise may not stop this thriving 8yo, provided the forecast soft ground isn't an issue.

4/1

1st

4

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 2

15:17 Carlisle

Marty McFly

11st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

Improving chaser who has won his last three, the first two at 2m4f/2m3f but last time coping fine with the sharper test of 1m7f around Catterick (good); up in grade here with a 7lb rise to deal with but he's got major momentum behind him.

9/2

1st

1

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 145y

Class 5

15:10 Catterick

Marty McFly

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Sandy Thomson

Won novice handicaps at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) and here (2m3f, good to soft) in January; down in trip (won over 2m over hurdles) and on a career-high mark (went up 6lb for last win) but a contender.

2/1

Form: 2231-6 D BF

Last run: 223 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Delivered on earlier hurdling promise when scoring on handicap debut at Hexham (2m, heavy) in March; not seen in this sphere since a lesser effort there in May but went close on the Flat last month and could plausibly still have untapped potential over jumps; might be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

9th May 2026

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:47 Hexham

Two Auld Pals

12st 0lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Not really firing on all cylinders when last seen in the winter but returns from 12-week break on a good mark and is versatile regarding ground; gained his only hurdle win over C&D; no surprise if he features.

8/1

8th

12

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Two Auld Pals

11st 4lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Five-time Flat winner who has a consistent profile over hurdles; handles soft ground but has a bit to find with He's Bresilian on last month's Ayr form.

10/1

3rd

3

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:20 Kelso

Two Auld Pals

11st 10lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Showed fair form at a juvenile hurdler two seasons ago, winning at Hexham in March 2024 (2m, heavy); didn't progress in handicaps after that; has since won twice over 1m5f on the Flat at Hamilton (good/soft) but below his best on last two Flat runs.

5/1

Form: 967/

Last run: 623 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Showed no significant promise when a big-priced outsider for three novice hurdles (2m-2m4f) during 2022-23 season and makes handicap debut after a 623-day absence but is still worth a glance in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 5

13:05 Catterick

Call Him Now

11st 0lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

in touch with leaders, prominent halfway, lost position 7th, weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

10/1

7

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 5

13:05 Catterick

Call Him Now

11st 0lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

in touch with leaders, prominent halfway, lost position 7th, weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

10/1

13th

13

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

13:28 Doncaster

Call Him Now

11st 3lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Eventually faded but still showed improved form here (2m; handicap debut) last month on return from absence; may build on that effort.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-4040 D

Last run: 118 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Four-time hurdle winner, most recently off today's mark at Perth (2m, soft) in April; absent since poor run there in August but was given wind surgery (his second) last month and has possibilities if ready to roll.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

17:22 Kelso

Scots Poet

10st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Ewan Whillans

Gained a first win for two years at Sedgefield (2m1f) in April and backed it up with a good second of nine in 2m Hexham handicap 15 days ago when set a lot to do; this veteran is not taken lightly eased 1lb.

7/2

2nd

5

9th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:15 Hexham

Scots Poet

11st 5lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Ewan Whillans

Mainly in good form this year, gaining a well-deserved win at Sedgefield last time (2m1f, good; blinkers on for fourth time); up 4lb; could go well again.

3/1

1st

6

10th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

16:45 Sedgefield

Scots Poet

11st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Ewan Whillans

C&D winner (good); third on his last three starts, all at around 2m; chance but will need to raise his game to win this.

10/1

Form: 00000-

Last run: 253 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Unplaced all five hurdling starts in Ireland, the last twice in slow-ground handicaps in April (1m7f/3m); drops back in trip for this British debut; of interest only if lively in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:07 Ludlow

Ebony Jade

10st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Ryan Potter

Pulled up in two handicap hurdles for Sam England last winter and made a low-key chasing debut in the spring; reverts to hurdling and sports first-time cheekpieces on debut for latest new stable.

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.70
Straight Forecast £4.90
Tricast £14.81
Trifecta £24.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Two Auld Pals

RP RATINGS:

Gentleman Bill

Daily Mirror:

Bathgate

The Star:

Bathgate

Daily Record:

Bathgate

Telegraph:

Gentleman Bill

D Express:

Gentleman Bill

The Sun:

Gentleman Bill

TOPSPEED:

Two Auld Pals

POSTDATA:

Two Auld Pals

The Times:

Two Auld Pals

Daily Mail:

Two Auld Pals