December 21 / 11.58 Hereford

11.58

Good To Soft

Join The 2025 Hereford Racing Club Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 0f 53y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
SKY
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Join The 2025 Hereford Racing Club Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 16-13 D BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Useful in bumpers last season and came from a long way off the pace to score on hurdling debut at Carlisle (2m1f, good) last month; raced too freely when sitting closer to the speed at Doncaster (2m, good) three weeks ago and had to settle for third but remains an interesting prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

No Questions Asked

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Useful over hurdles and even better over fences; found a bit more improvement when coming from behind to beat Be Aware 1l in three-runner Grade 2 novice at Windsor (2m, soft; handles good) in January; well beaten next time in 2m4f handicap at the Cheltenham Festival, lack of stamina probably a factor; this drop back in trip looks a plus and he wears cheekpieces for the first time (has won when hooded); not ruled out.

12/1

17th

3

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

No Questions Asked

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Three hurdle wins at up to 2m1f last season but he was the last to finish in the Martin Pipe here (about 2m4f) last March; has proved his worth in small-field chases since, winning two from four starts, over 2m3f (good) and 2m (soft); he can raise his game further but a strongly run race on a track with a steep uphill finish raises a question.

14/1

1st

4

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 37y

Class 1

13:50 Windsor

No Questions Asked

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Won a handicap at Ascot (2m3f, good) in November on chase debut and has continued in good form in Grade 2 chases on next two starts (2m4f/2m3f, good to soft/soft), shaping as though this drop back in trip is well worth a go; could have a big part to play.

11/4

6/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 372-2

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran well in all three bumpers last season and was very close second on last month's hurdle debut at Sandown (2m, good to soft); ideally needs to learn to settle better but is a contender here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:58 Worcester

Big Ginge

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made the frame in four consecutive maiden/novice hurdles last season then wasn't beaten far when tenth from out of the weights in Imperial Cup on handicap debut at Sandown (2m, good to soft); back in much calmer waters for this reappearance run; good chance.

11/8

OUR TIP

9/2

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 454-16 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Delivered on promise shown in bumpers when narrow winner on hurdle debut at Warwick (2m, good) in October; predictably found Cheltenham Grade 2 too hot later that month but is back in calmer waters here and ought to play a significant role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:15 Wetherby

Strong Foundations

10st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Not obviously well treated judged on what he produced in his two handicap hurdles in the spring but this point runner-up and novice hurdle winner (2m, good) represents a trainer who has a much better strike-rate with chasers than hurdlers; possible improver now going over fences.

5/1

8

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:15 Wetherby

Strong Foundations

10st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Not obviously well treated judged on what he produced in his two handicap hurdles in the spring but this point runner-up and novice hurdle winner (2m, good) represents a trainer who has a much better strike-rate with chasers than hurdlers; possible improver now going over fences.

5/1

9

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

12:57 Fontwell

Strong Foundations

10st 13lb

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Form: 766

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Stoutly bred 5yo; not beaten far when midfield in Worcester bumper this summer and also showed some ability on last month's hurdling debut but is probably one for further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 5

13:03 Wincanton

Slide Rule

12st 0lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

in touch with leaders

5/1

6

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:15 Taunton

Slide Rule

11st 8lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

Showed some ability in his two bumpers and two hurdle races but plenty more is needed if he's to make an impact today; perhaps one for longer trips later on; stable also runs Eskimo Sam.

12/1

6th

6

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:15 Taunton

Slide Rule

11st 8lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

Showed some ability in his two bumpers and two hurdle races but plenty more is needed if he's to make an impact today; perhaps one for longer trips later on; stable also runs Eskimo Sam.

12/1

Form: 16 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Changed hands after winning good-ground Huntingdon bumper for Tom Weston on debut in May; made jumping errors and was just a respectable sixth of eight on recent stable/hurdle debut at Southwell (2m, good); can improve but others here have more pressing claims; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

16th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

17:05 Bangor-on-Dee

King Ulanda

11st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Productive autumn included a Carlisle hurdles win (2m1f, good) off 4lb lower; two flops either side of a late fall since March, however, and doesn't enter this chasing debut in the same good heart as some.

12/1

6th

1

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:00 Huntingdon

King Ulanda

11st 11lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Landed his second win over hurdles on his reappearance at Carlisle (2m1f, good) in October and ran well on his next three starts; pulled up at Haydock last month but was in the process of running a good race when falling two out at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) 16 days ago in first-time cheekpieces (retained); decent ground looks to be the key and he should run well.

6/1

1

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

17:10 Sedgefield

King Ulanda

12st 2lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won on reappearance at Carlisle (2m1f, good) in October and ran well in defeat on next three starts (about 2m, good/good to soft); pulled up at Haydock only a fortnight ago, when more was amiss than just the 2m3f trip, but he's a player if bouncing back from that blip; cheekpieces go on.

7/2

Form: 95C3

Last run: 165 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat racer who was placed for first time over hurdles when inheriting modest third at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) in July; not seen again since, though, and needs significant further progress here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

26th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:46 Huntingdon

Dartman

10st 8lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Well beaten when 50-1 for Ludlow handicap a fortnight ago and now 0-8 over hurdles; fitted with first-time tongue-tie here; difficult to enthuse over.

25/1

4

26th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:46 Huntingdon

Dartman

10st 8lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Well beaten when 50-1 for Ludlow handicap a fortnight ago and now 0-8 over hurdles; fitted with first-time tongue-tie here; difficult to enthuse over.

25/1

7th

7

11th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:50 Ludlow

Dartman

10st 10lb

J: Miss Jess Stewart

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Fair third in novice hurdle at Uttoxeter last July and he's dropping down the weights; however, he's struggled since that Uttoxeter run and was fading when falling three out at Chepstow last time; now 0-16 across both codes.

33/1

Form: F/

Last run: 1506 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fell at second flight on hurdling debut in November 2020 and quickly reverted to the Flat afterwards; won two low-grade AW races (1m2f/1m4f) for Laura Horsfall this spring but is probably best watched on hurdling return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

11:58 Hereford

Camacho Man

11st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Laura Horsfall

Fell at second flight on hurdling debut in November 2020 and quickly reverted to the Flat afterwards; won two low-grade AW races (1m2f/1m4f) for Laura Horsfall this spring but is probably best watched on hurdling return.

50/1

7th

4

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

11:58 Hereford

Camacho Man

11st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Laura Horsfall

Fell at second flight on hurdling debut in November 2020 and quickly reverted to the Flat afterwards; won two low-grade AW races (1m2f/1m4f) for Laura Horsfall this spring but is probably best watched on hurdling return.

50/1

100/1

Form: 6-4

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Regressive ten-race Flat maiden who was well beaten on hurdling debut in spring 2023; didn't run badly when fourth in Ludlow claimer (2m, good to soft) on recent stable debut, after a layoff, but still opposable here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

20th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:45 Huntingdon

Shabano

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Thomas Faulkner

Regressive ten-race Flat maiden; no real promise in three hurdles either and likely best watched on his handicap debut in this sphere.

33/1

100/1

Form: 59

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of unraced half-sister to useful bumper/jumps winner Cogry; soundly beaten in two bumpers this autumn and can only be watched on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

24th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

16:20 Fontwell

Cinderello

10st 11lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Alex Hales

Kept on well to score at Warwick (3m1f, good) three weeks ago and is now 2-7 over hurdles; that looked a modest race and she's 6lb higher here but at least we know she's in good nick.

2/1

1st

6

4th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 5

15:50 Warwick

Cinderello

10st 5lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Alex Hales

40-1 when making a successful handicap debut last summer and probably better again when beaten 2l at Plumpton the final time (3m1f, good); off since September which is a slight concern, but this race has no depth.

13/8

7

21st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:20 Plumpton

Cinderello

10st 6lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Alex Hales

Evidently suited by hike up in trip when causing 40-1 surprise on handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in July; subsequent Worcester fourth (2m7f, good) was perfectly respectable and further progress remains possible.

5/1

Form: 59

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
French-bred 5yo; with a good stable but was soundly beaten on his first two appearances, latterly at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) 11 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

14

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:05 Taunton

Kick For Touch

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

French-bred 5yo; dark horse as he was soundly beaten over 2m in his three hurdle races (200-1 at Hereford last time) but now tries blinkers and 3m for his handicap debut, representing a red-hot yard; market can guide.

10/1

8th

14

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:05 Taunton

Kick For Touch

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

French-bred 5yo; dark horse as he was soundly beaten over 2m in his three hurdle races (200-1 at Hereford last time) but now tries blinkers and 3m for his handicap debut, representing a red-hot yard; market can guide.

10/1

Form: O9

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran out when unsteerable in a bumper in November and well beaten after racing too freely on hurdle debut two weeks later; far too risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

11th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

16:35 Huntingdon

Rochester Brinks

11st 4lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Quirky customer who ran out when unsteerable in a bumper in November and was well beaten on his first two hurdling starts.

66/1

5th

3

11th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

16:35 Huntingdon

Rochester Brinks

11st 4lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Quirky customer who ran out when unsteerable in a bumper in November and was well beaten on his first two hurdling starts.

66/1

11th

10

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

11:58 Hereford

Rochester Brinks

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Ran out when unsteerable in a bumper in November and well beaten after racing too freely on hurdle debut two weeks later; far too risky.

100/1

Form: 9

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ended 15-race Irish Flat career with big-field handicap win in October (1m2f, heavy; RPR 84) but did not get competitive on recent stable/hurdle debut and needs to leave that run a long way behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Wetherby

Master Dunraven

11st 1lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Two-time Flat winner who is 0-7 over hurdles; had been struggling to get competitive in this code prior to his third of seven at Plumpton (2m, soft) last month; firmly in the mix if backing up that latest effort.

2/1

Form: 8/9RP-

Last run: 239 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in both bumpers; refused to race on hurdling debut in April and virtually refused to race when reappearing a week later (tailed off when pulled up after first flight); can't be recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

11:58 Hereford

Maryah Island

11st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Oliver Signy

Well beaten in both bumpers; refused to race on hurdling debut in April and virtually refused to race when reappearing a week later (tailed off when pulled up after first flight); can't be recommended.

100/1

8

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

11:58 Hereford

Maryah Island

11st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Oliver Signy

Well beaten in both bumpers; refused to race on hurdling debut in April and virtually refused to race when reappearing a week later (tailed off when pulled up after first flight); can't be recommended.

100/1

5

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

19:10 Chepstow

Maryah Island

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Oliver Signy

Well beaten in both bumpers, then refused to race on last week's hurdling debut; can't be recommended.

100/1

100/1

Form: 6-25U6

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Belied 66-1 odds when second in good-ground Southwell bumper in May and bettered inauspicious hurdling debut when respectable sixth in recent Uttoxeter maiden (2m, soft), but is not the most obvious answer here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(2)

26th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Damzon

9st 3lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Carroll

Gained a breakthrough success for her current yard over 1m5f here in January and not disgraced both runs since, third of nine in 1m6f Southwell handicap 19 days ago; she ought to be thereabouts again eased 1lb.

7/2

3rd

2

(2)

7th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Damzon

9st 9lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Carroll

Made the breakthrough on her 19th start under rules at Chelmsford (13.5f) last month when scoring by 7l; unable to match that when fourth in a classified at Wolverhampton (1m4f) eight days later but remains in form and not out of this.

8/1

4th

1

(6)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Damzon

9st 13lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Tony Carroll

No win in her first 18 starts but she made the breakthrough when storming 7l clear in a Chelmsford handicap (1m5f) last week; now drops back to 1m4f but she hit a personal best with that success and is a major player again on this switch to a classified event.

15/8

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.80
Straight Forecast £5.71
Trifecta £13.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Big Ginge

SPOTLIGHT:

No Questions Asked

The Times:

Strong Foundations

POSTDATA:

Big Ginge

The Guardian:

Big Ginge

Daily Mail:

Big Ginge

Daily Mirror:

Big Ginge

The Sun:

Big Ginge

The Star:

Big Ginge

Daily Record:

Big Ginge

D Express:

Strong Foundations

WEST COUNTRY:

No Questions Asked

Telegraph:

No Questions Asked