December 19 / 14.42 Ffos Las

14.42

Good To Soft

Gwyn Brace 86 Still Galloping Strong Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Gwyn Brace 86 Still Galloping Strong Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1 C

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won on Irish point debut last December (soft to heavy) and created good impression when scoring comfortably here (2m6f, good to soft) on stable/hurdle debut in October; penalised in a stronger race today but still commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Rosscahill

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Point winner (3m, soft to heavy) who was 2-3 over hurdles (wins at 2m6f/2m4f on good to soft/heavy); made a bad mistake and pulled up on chase debut at Ffos Las (3m1f, soft) in October; something to prove after that but he was sent off the hot favourite and this lightly raced 7yo retains potential.

13/8

3

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Rosscahill

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Easily won slow-ground Irish point on debut in December 2023 and launched rules career with two hurdle wins here (2m6f/2m4f) towards end of last year; just a respectable fourth on handicap hurdle debut here (3m, soft) in January and absent since but looks a good prospect for chasing.

7/2

9/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 37-18

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Reportedly unsuited by the good ground when running poorly over 2m4f last month but rewarded some good market support when winning on seasonal/stable debut at Chepstow (2m, soft) in October and is a contender here if judged on that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:32 Chepstow

Ben Solo

10st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

A regular here in this first season over fences and might have won for a second time in this discipline but for unseating three out over Christmas; never really sighted when 33-1 for the Jack Richards at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) in which he was 5lb out of the weights; retains potential and a tongue-tie is added.

4/1

20

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Ben Solo

10st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Rebecca Curtis

Has shown most of his form on Welsh tracks, latterly Chepstow since switched to chasing; ran well when bidding for a 2m3f double and was in a narrow lead, albeit being challenged, when falling three out last time; faces a much stiffer task from 5lb out of the weights at this level.

28/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 4C

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shaped well before fading into fourth on hurdling debut at Wetherby (2m3f, good to soft) in October and was still in contention when carried out at penultimate flight at Leicester (2m4f, good to soft) last month, in race in which Jakar Du Moulin finished second; still has potential; each-way claims at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

A Moments Madness

12st 0lb

J: Mr Albi Tufnell

T: Fergal O’Brien

Progressive in handicap chases last spring for Warren Greatrex (2m2f/2m3f, good/soft) and last month's third on stable debut in a hunter chase at Carlisle (2m5f, good to soft), after an absence, can be upgraded as he hung left at that right-handed track; has plenty to find but this 7yo is very lightly raced and, now going left-handed, could go well at sizeable odds.

25/1

3rd

1

8th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 198y

Class 5

17:35 Carlisle

A Moments Madness

12st 2lb

J: Mr Albi Tufnell

T: Fergal O’Brien

Low-mileage 7yo who opened account for Warren Greatrex with front-running success in Ffos Las handicap (2m3f, soft) last April; changed hands for £82,000 the following month and now makes his stable/hunter chase debut; could be hard to beat if fully tuned up.

9/4

1st

7

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

18:15 Ffos Las

A Moments Madness

11st 1lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Warren Greatrex

Still early days over fences and under rules; returning from a wind operation when runner-up at Fontwell (2m2f, good) and he stays this longer trip; in the mix.

5/2

Form: 2

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Joined Paul Nicholls after winning small-field Irish point on yielding ground in February; no match for clear winner when second on stable/hurdle debut at Leicester (2m4f, good to soft) but has plenty of scope for improvement here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:46 Haydock

Jakar Du Moulin

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Given wind surgery before handicapping on last three starts, on last two winning at Ascot (2m7f) in December and Doncaster (3m, again good to soft; from I Am Max) three weeks ago; the latter was by 7l from the front, since which he's been handed an 8lb rise but this 7yo retains potential.

7/2

1st

4

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

15:02 Doncaster

Jakar Du Moulin

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Unexposed 7yo; off the mark when winning 2m7f novice handicap hurdle at Ascot in December (good to soft; second run after wind op); up 5lb, but progressive sort who should go well again.

5/2

5

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

13:49 Chepstow

Jakar Du Moulin

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Won an Irish point last February before his £175,000 sale; second at Leicester (good to soft) in November and fourth of nine at Ffos Las (heavy) in December, both over about 2m4f, and he'll probably stay 3m; a tongue-tie is added and he can still improve, which is needed.

4/1

Form: 161

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual Irish pointer who is 2-3 under rules this season, the latter win gained on hurdle debut at Southwell (3m, good) in October; has more on his plate under penalty here but this trip-and-ground combination should also suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

Holokea

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Won bumper and maiden hurdle when on good ground; scored at Ffos Las (3m1f, soft) in October and runner-up in four of his other six chases, including when mown down late on in a big field at Windsor (extended 3m4f, soft) in January; ran poorly over C&D next time and well beaten at Cheltenham Festival on latest but both those races were much warmer than this.

5/1

8th

17

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Holokea

10st 8lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Won at Ffos Las (3m1f, soft) in October and runner-up in four of his other five chases, including when mown down late on in a big field at Windsor (extended 3m4f, soft) in January; progressive to that point but then ran poorly behind Grand Geste at Haydock on latest outing.

33/1

9

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Holokea

10st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

7yo who has improved for the switch to fences this season, winning at Ffos Las (3m1f, soft) in October and finishing second on his three starts since, most recently behind Neo King in a big field at Windsor (extended 3m4f, soft); progressive and he could be in the mix once more up 3lb for last time.

10/1

Form: 1/5FP/

Last run: 643 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Developed into very useful chaser during 2021-22 season and looked set to be placed before last-flight fall in Grade 2 novice hurdle at Haydock (3m, good to soft) in February 2023; absent since struggling in Cheltenham Festival Grade 1 the following month and today's drop back in trip is probably not ideal but he has strong claims if still as good as he was.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

16:00 Ffos Las

Saint Palais

11st 12lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

4-7 over fences but ended 2025 with two disappointing hurdle runs and made very underwhelming return to chasing when seventh of eight at Newbury (2m7f, soft) in February; needs to turn things around.

14/1

7th

1

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Saint Palais

12st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Well handicapped on his old chase form but this is a belated return to fences and recent hurdling exploits leave him with much to prove.

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Looked promising when winning 7f Leopardstown maiden (soft) as a 2yo for Aidan O'Brien but struggled in two 1m2f Group 3 races in spring 2023 and was sold for 16,000gns later that year; makes stable/hurdle debut after long absence and has good standard to reach.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

12:47 Stratford

Mohawk Chief

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Won a maiden at Market Rasen in July and a novice at Hexham the following month over around 2m4f but form has dipped since handicapping on his last two starts; blinkers replace cheekpieces on this drop in distance and he needs to be taken seriously in this low grade.

5/2

2

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

12:47 Stratford

Mohawk Chief

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Won a maiden at Market Rasen in July and a novice at Hexham the following month over around 2m4f but form has dipped since handicapping on his last two starts; blinkers replace cheekpieces on this drop in distance and he needs to be taken seriously in this low grade.

5/2

5

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 3

16:20 Hexham

Mohawk Chief

11st 1lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

In good form in the summer, winning over 2m4f at Market Rasen and here; only fourth of five at Newton Abbot last time but ran respectably on the figures; shapes as if he'll be suited by this step up in trip; respected.

6/1

Form: 2-

Last run: 263 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on Irish point debut in February and bumped into the very smart Potters Charm when second (albeit well held) in heavy-ground course bumper the following month; makes hurdling debut after 263-day absence but market support will bring him into the equation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

15:15 Fontwell

King Of Thieves

11st 4lb

T: Evan Williams

Beaten by Potters Charm in his bumper but finished tailed off in two runs over hurdles last winter; retains potential but probably one for another day.

25/1

5th

4

25th Jan 2025

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

13:57 Uttoxeter

King Of Thieves

11st 8lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

All three starts on heavy ground; no match for top novice hurdler Potters Charm in a Ffos Las bumper but was clear of a subsequent winning hurdler; may have needed the run but could still have shown more than he did in a 2m4f novice hurdle back there just before Christmas.

9/1

5th

4

25th Jan 2025

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

13:57 Uttoxeter

King Of Thieves

11st 8lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

All three starts on heavy ground; no match for top novice hurdler Potters Charm in a Ffos Las bumper but was clear of a subsequent winning hurdler; may have needed the run but could still have shown more than he did in a 2m4f novice hurdle back there just before Christmas.

9/1

Form: 6-P

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-6 in Irish points; made low-key stable/hurdle debut in June 2023 and was pulled up here (also 2m) when back in action last month; moves up in trip today; needs to take a huge step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:33 Worcester

Illico Du Breuil

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: David Rees

Maybe unsettled by early interference on April's chase debut (made mistakes after) but hadn't been showing enough over hurdles before to argue a clear case here, especially from 5lb wrong; cheekpieces added.

50/1

11

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

17:15 Ffos Las

Illico Du Breuil

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: David Rees

Placed in a soft-ground Irish point in March 2023 but showed only a glimmer of promise on hurdle debut the following June and, following a long absence, was pulled up twice here in the autumn; makes chase/handicap debut after another break and from 4lb out of the weights; had wind op in January; considered only if lively in the betting.

20/1

11

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

17:15 Ffos Las

Illico Du Breuil

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: David Rees

Placed in a soft-ground Irish point in March 2023 but showed only a glimmer of promise on hurdle debut the following June and, following a long absence, was pulled up twice here in the autumn; makes chase/handicap debut after another break and from 4lb out of the weights; had wind op in January; considered only if lively in the betting.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.50
Straight Forecast £11.05
Trifecta £119.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Rosscahill

The Times:

King Of Thieves

POSTDATA:

Jakar Du Moulin

TOPSPEED:

A Moments Madness

The Guardian:

Saint Palais

Telegraph:

King Of Thieves

D Express:

King Of Thieves

Daily Mirror:

Jakar Du Moulin

The Sun:

Jakar Du Moulin

RP RATINGS:

Rosscahill

Daily Mail:

Rosscahill

The Star:

Rosscahill

Daily Record:

Rosscahill