December 16 / 12.40 Plumpton

12.40

Soft

Dawson Hart Gallop Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 1m 7f 195y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Dawson Hart Gallop Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for 60,000euros after two promising runs pointing in Ireland; maintained his gallop to win by over 7l at Carlisle (soft) and looks a good prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Epic West

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Irish point winner who was 2-3 as a novice hurdler last season (wins gained on soft/good to soft); his three runs over fences since December include a close second at Warwick (2m, good to soft) but he was tailed off in both runs either side of that; still lightly raced but he has something to prove on this big step back up in trip.

9/2

3rd

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 3

14:05 Leicester

Epic West

11st 3lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Irish point winner who was 2-3 as a novice hurdler last season (wins gained on soft/good to soft); ran no race on chase/handicap debut at Kempton (2m4f, good) on Boxing Day, but he got back on track with a close second at Warwick (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago; up 3lb but that was a clear personal best last time and he's open to more progress over fences.

15/8

2nd

5

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:05 Warwick

Epic West

10st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Irish point winner who was 2-3 as a novice hurdler last season (wins gained on soft/good to soft); ran no race on chase/handicap debut at Kempton (2m4f, good) on Boxing Day but still looks a good prospect and will be fine over this shorter trip.

5/1

20/1

  • Place: £22.20

Form: 649

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish point at the third attempt; only beaten about 15l in his first two bumpers but took a backward step only 13 days ago; others much preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

13:38 Newcastle

Clearisthewater

12st 0lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Archie Watson

Irish point winner in May 2024 (3m, good); best rules run when second in a Plumpton novice hurdle in December last year (2m, good to soft); reportedly made a respiratory noise and stopped quickly when pulled up on chase debut at Hereford last time (2m5f, good); tongue-tie now tried; bit to prove.

12/1

2

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

13:38 Newcastle

Clearisthewater

12st 0lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Archie Watson

Irish point winner in May 2024 (3m, good); best rules run when second in a Plumpton novice hurdle in December last year (2m, good to soft); reportedly made a respiratory noise and stopped quickly when pulled up on chase debut at Hereford last time (2m5f, good); tongue-tie now tried; bit to prove.

12/1

1

13th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

15:12 Hereford

Clearisthewater

12st 0lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Archie Watson

Wouldn't have enjoyed the slow ground in two maiden hurdles before finishing a remote second in a Swedish hurdle three weeks ago, as was his second place in a Plumpton novice last winter; plenty too prove now sent chasing, though he did win a point.

4/1

100/1

  • Place: £18.80

Form: 6456

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Opposable on bumper exploits and hasn't improved for going hurdling, albeit on two visits to Ascot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

16th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

15:15 Plumpton

Kingston Bresil

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Lawney Hill

Shaped okay at massive odds (never-nearer third, 150-1) on last visit to Plumpton in December 2024; occupied same position when last in action at Cartmel (2m1f, good; beaten under 10l) last July; easing mark, with Charlie Maggs taking over in saddle.

9/2

5

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

14:15 Cartmel

Kingston Bresil

11st 7lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Lawney Hill

Ridden by Izzie Hill last seven starts; well beaten in his first two handicaps; back to form when 25-1 fifth of seven at Worcester (2m, good) on third attempt but needs to build on that.

9/1

5th

4

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Worcester

Kingston Bresil

11st 7lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Lawney Hill

Placed at triple-digit odds in Plumpton novice (2m, good to soft) in December but well beaten in both handicaps this year (2m3f/2m); not the most obvious answer.

33/1

Form: 9-05

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran okay in his first bumper but tailed off in the second and again on hurdling debut; Andashan is the yard's number one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

18th Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:45 Lingfield

King Of Highways

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Failed to display any fireworks over hurdles, his best run when an 11l fourth at Plumpton (2m, good to soft); however, he goes chasing with low mileage on the clock and this is his handicap debut.

9/2

6th

6

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 3

13:15 Sandown

King Of Highways

11st 4lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Showed more last time at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) when beaten 11l but that form is no great advertisement for his prospects here.

20/1

6th

6

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 3

13:15 Sandown

King Of Highways

11st 4lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Showed more last time at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) when beaten 11l but that form is no great advertisement for his prospects here.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 15-15 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beat a disappointing horse by 7l over C&D (good to soft) in October and the hood was missing (now returns) when too headstrong at Ascot (tailed off); can do better this time and, although penalised, there's little depth to this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

15:00 Chepstow

Touquet

11st 6lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Seemingly aided by new tongue-tie when winning twice at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft/soft) during the winter, and was not discredited when second to revitalised subsequent winner at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) last month; sometimes races a bit too freely but should be fine on this left-handed track; respected.

5/2

2nd

1

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

14:37 Wincanton

Touquet

11st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Always the risk his reluctance to settle will temper his late effort, as it did when over 1l behind A Great Excuse at Lingfield in December; 2-2 at Huntingdon since, however, deriving the benefit of the tongue tie once again when making most there latest (soft); 5lb rise appears pretty fair.

11/8

1st

4

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

12:28 Huntingdon

Touquet

11st 7lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Last year wasn't all plain sailing but he delivered on previous chasing promise when scoring over C&D (good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) just before Christmas and should be fine on the slower ground today; respected.

5/2

Form: 3

Last run: 87 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Also hooded for his sole run in Ireland when a staying-on third in a Downpatrick bumper; should have a future for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 123y

Class 4

16:15 Ascot

Low Expectations

11st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Usually ridden by James Davies and won three 2m-2m4f handicaps in a row in November/December; backward steps on his two outings since and his free-going tendency is a concern for this longer trip.

11/1

8th

13

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

14:40 Huntingdon

Low Expectations

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Under James Davies he went 3-3 in 2m-2m4f handicaps following a break; up the weights but he pulled hard under different handling last time and can be given another chance.

20/1

6th

8

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:47 Fontwell

Low Expectations

11st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Third in an Irish bumper but beaten at least 22l in all five British hurdles races, including over C&D (good to soft; Decorated second) two starts back; 2m7f looked to stretch him last time.

14/1

Form: 363/

Last run: 622 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed promise in bumpers but essentially modest on the Flat (0-14) thereafter; wouldn't be the obvious answer on this switch to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(3)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Dotties Star

9st 1lb

J: James Glennon

T: Pat Phelan

Better known as a hurdler these days, but he made a successful return to the Flat when narrowly landing a classified event at Lingfield (1m4f, Polytrack) in March; never involved in a C&D handicap last time but that was against a pace bias and he has claims if things go more to plan this time.

6/1

7th

11

(9)

8th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Dotties Star

8st 10lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Pat Phelan

Better known as a hurdler these days, but he made a successful return to the Flat when narrowly landing a 0-50 classified event at Lingfield (1m4f, Polytrack) a fortnight ago; this will be harder, but he remains unexposed on the AW.

8/1

1st

3

(4)

25th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:22 Lingfield (AW)

Dotties Star

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Pat Phelan

His sole win was over hurdles 14 months ago but he looked a bit unlucky when runner-up in that sphere at Huntingdon (2m) 24 days ago; now returns to the Flat but conditions should be fine and he needs a close look in the market.

5/1

100/1

Form: P-38

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat form deteriorated this year and he was 250-1 when tailed off here a fortnight ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

13:05 Fakenham

Eklil

10st 10lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

held up in rear, not fluent 5th

40/1

7

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

13:05 Fakenham

Eklil

10st 10lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

held up in rear, not fluent 5th, outpaced and lost touch 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

40/1

8th

7

16th Dec 2024

Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

12:40 Plumpton

Eklil

11st 3lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Andy Irvine

took keen hold, didn't jump with fluency, always behind

100/1

Form: 55

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Given his quality Flat form he's been underwhelming in his two runs over hurdles; still early days and now tries blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Westerton

11st 11lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Jennie Candlish

Built on the promise of his seasonal return when a close second at Warwick (2m, good) last month, despite making a mistake at the last; a 5lb rise asks a little more, though Lewis Stones's 3lb claim helps offset that, and he still looks favourably treated on his best Flat form; with further progress likely, he's high on the shortlist.

9/4

2nd

1

20th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Warwick

Westerton

11st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Sole success came on the Flat in a Sandown maiden in 2023 when trained by Alan King; beaten 29l on stable debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good) 18 days ago in his first handicap hurdle; best watched.

9/1

8th

5

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:45 Uttoxeter

Westerton

11st 8lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Jennie Candlish

Sole success on the Flat came in a Sandown maiden in 2023 when trained by Alan King; no joy in three runs over hurdles; sold for 10,000gns to join new yard in October; makes handicap debut and probably best watched for now.

8/1

Form:

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in a point but tailed off in a Ffos Las novice hurdle when 150-1.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 59y

Class 5

15:35 Fakenham

Chateau Du Lys

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Tom Gretton

0-6 over fences; seemed to respond well to first-time cheekpieces when second at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) last month but was only third best on merit there and was tailed off on his latest outing; 1lb wrong here.

5/1

5th

4

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

18:30 Huntingdon

Chateau Du Lys

10st 8lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tom Gretton

Low-mileage 7yo; pulled up on consective appearances towards end of 2025 and was only third best on merit when battling on for modest second of six at Market Rasen (2m1f, good; first-time cheekpiecs) last month but at least that recent run gives him something to build on.

11/2

2nd

6

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

15:55 Market Rasen

Chateau Du Lys

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Tom Gretton

Pulled up in two handicap chases this season (2m5f/2m) and now 0-8 under all codes; sports first-time cheekpieces here; 1lb out of the weights; leap of faith required to support him.

20/1

Form: 40-555

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Some bumper promise but has achieved nothing in his two runs over hurdles; very opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

5th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

14:20 Plumpton

Milan Milos

10st 6lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Tom Gretton

Maiden hurdler who was never that threatening in handicaps but his breeding offers plenty of hope that he'll do better over fences and over this longer distance; tongue-tie added; hard to dismiss.

8/1

3rd

5

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

14:54 Fakenham

Milan Milos

10st 2lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Tom Gretton

Mark is assuming more realistic proportions nowadays; closest finish to date when under 7l fourth at Warwick latest (2m3f, good to soft), but no obvious excuses there and likely a bit more is needed today.

13/2

Form: 13- D

Last run: 268 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Kempton bumper winner (soft) who carried a penalty when third of 20 in a valuable race at Newbury (good to soft) won by the exciting Regent's Stroll; makes hurdling debut in a race his yard has won three times since 2019.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

18

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Andashan

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Chris Gordon

Record of 321 switched to handicaps this term and the form has substance; ran well behind a notable rival on penultimate start (2m3f, good to soft) and subsequent Newbury performance (2m4f, good) took his strike-rate to 3-9; improving and remains particularly unexposed beyond 2m.

14/1

5th

4

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Kempton

Andashan

11st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Both wins have been here, on bumper debut (soft) and last time dominating from the front for a wide-margin maiden success; that represented a major spike in his form and he's hard to rule out.

8/1

1st

2

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Kempton

Andashan

11st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

took keen hold, made all

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £288.50
Straight Forecast £157.99
Trifecta £5382.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Epic West

SPOTLIGHT:

Andashan

POSTDATA:

Touquet

LAMBOURN:

Epic West

Telegraph:

Epic West

The Guardian:

Epic West

Daily Mail:

Epic West

Daily Mirror:

Epic West

The Sun:

Epic West

The Times:

Andashan

D Express:

Andashan

The Star:

Andashan

Daily Record:

Andashan

WEST COUNTRY:

Touquet