December 26 / 13.40 Aintree

13.40

Good To Soft

William Hill Offers Top Price Guarantees Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £20812
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
RTV
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William Hill Offers Top Price Guarantees Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 6093-0 D

Last run: 240 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Won three times for Gordon Elliott in 2022 (hurdles/fences) and he's on a competitive mark on his peak form; however, he wasn't at his best last term and makes his seasonal/stable debut having changed hands for £21,000 in May; may be best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

22nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

15:55 Newcastle

Call Me Lyreen

12st 1lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Eloise Quayle

midfield

66/1

Form: 16-911 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Won three soft-ground novice hurdles last season and arrives on a hat-trick following quickfire handicap wins last month (2m4f/2m3f; good to soft/good); now 8lb higher than for those two victories but he's progressive and could take the rise in his stride.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Act Of Authority

11st 10lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

Finished fifth with cheekpieces applied at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft) for another sound effort in the Martin Pipe; broadly consistent; likely to give his running in the retained headgear.

16/1

5th

13

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Act Of Authority

11st 6lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

Hasn't won since November 2024 but he's a broadly consistent sort and posted a cracking effort in this race (good to soft) 12 months ago, beating all bar smart mare Wodhooh who was very well handicapped; only 1lb higher and again has each-way possibilities; wears first-time headgear.

14/1

8th

4

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Act Of Authority

11st 8lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

Acts on soft ground; on a 15-month losing spell but is a consistent sort, creditable fourth to Listentoyourheart at Windsor (2m4f) most recently; again has frame possibilities.

7/1

Form: 17-3P2 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Beaten 15l when second of four over fences here (3m1f, good) last month but the winner has followed up at Cheltenham and this drop back in trip could be a positive; won two in a row over hurdles early this year (2m3f, soft) and could have a part to play now back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Uncle Bert

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

1-6 over fences, the success at Aintree (2m4f) on seasonal debut; seemed a non-stayer in the Welsh National before eventually falling, then ran below form at Cheltenham (2m4f); return to this venue may have a positive effect but he ideally needs assistance from the weather, having gained all wins on soft ground.

20/1

7th

5

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:15 Cheltenham

Uncle Bert

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made much of the running when winning in dominant style at Aintree (2m4f, soft) in December; beaten when falling late on in the Welsh National three weeks later, lack of stamina a possible factor; back to a more suitable trip here but now off a career-high mark and others appeal more.

9/1

Form: 14/2-5

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Did well when sent handicapping in spring 2023 and ran well for a long way at Carlisle this month on his first outing since, when shaping as though he would improve for the run; this lightly raced 7yo is versatile ground-wise and on a handy mark; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Red Dirt Road

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

He can have his off days but he's 4-12 over hurdles and he ran well to be fourth in a Pertemps qualifier over C&D before dropping out in the final furlong after racing up with the pace; he was always likely to prove a sitting duck when it mattered at Cheltenham and better can be expected here.

15/2

19th

9

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Red Dirt Road

10st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Two wins last winter, latterly at Sandown (extended 2m7f, heavy; by 8l making all); pulled up on next two starts, with 322 days off in between, but fourth in the Haydock qualifier last month was a big step back in the right direction; now needs to make another but he's only 1lb higher than at Sandown.

33/1

4th

4

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:50 Haydock

Red Dirt Road

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Low-mileage 9yo; won at Aintree (soft) and Sandown (heavy; made all for an 8l verdict) last winter but pulled up at Uttoxeter on final start and suffered a similar fate on his Sandown reappearance a fortnight ago; needs to have come on a lot in a short time.

14/1

Form: 538-15 C

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Won Grade 2 bumper here in April 2023; 2-7 over hurdles, latest win in a Hexham handicap (2m, good) in October; has also won on soft ground; kept on for fair fifth of 15 in the competitive Greatwood Handicap at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month and today's trip could prove ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(4)

25th Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 35y

Class 4

20:00 Hamilton

Florida Dreams

10st 2lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Sandy Thomson

Grade 2 bumper winner in 2023; useful hurdler subsequently; he's run okay recently over about 1m3f on his first two Flat starts but will be of greater interest when tackling further in handicaps.

7/1

3rd

1

(5)

10th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 3

19:30 Hamilton

Florida Dreams

10st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Sandy Thomson

Grade 2 bumper winner in April 2023, who also won twice over hurdles (2m) for Nicky Richards; 22-1, lacked the pace to challenge when fifth of nine on Flat debut at Haydock (11.5f, soft; Yafreh about 1l ahead in fourth) three weeks ago; likely to be seen in a better light once handicapping.

8/1

5th

3

(2)

21st May 2026

Soft

1m 3f 140y

Class 3

14:30 Haydock

Florida Dreams

10st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Sandy Thomson

Grade 2 bumper winner at Aintree in April 2023; well beaten over hurdles on last two starts (stable debut latest) but he's shown some useful form in that code and is an interesting contender on this Flat debut.

12/1

Form: 10P3-U CD

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Things haven't gone to plan on his four starts since he won this last year (soft); however, he has the same mark as 12 months ago and was running pretty well when unseating two out on last month's reappearance at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft); not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

16:23 Newbury

Bingoo

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Lightly raced and inconsistent since completing a hat-trick in 2023; last off five finishers at Hereford most recently, failing to back up reappearance effort; others preferred.

33/1

5th

1

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

16:33 Hereford

Bingoo

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Four-time hurdles winner for James Moffatt but disappointing during light campaign for that yard last season; encouraging stable debut when clear second of four at Leicester (1m7f, soft) in December; well handicapped on older form, while he's won over this sort of trip and on heavy; considered.

7/1

Form: 32-25U D

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Consistent in novice hurdles in the spring (on heavy-good to soft) and although soundly beaten when fifth of 17 in the Silver Trophy Handicap at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) in October, that form has worked out very well; mid-race unseat at Haydock since; retains potential and is one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Patriotik

11st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Very well handicapped on staying form as recent as last March and it's possible the step back up in trip will be a positive; however, unable to pose a threat across his six runs this season and has to raise his game.

25/1

5th

6

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 3

14:50 Plumpton

Patriotik

11st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Has had a disappointing season so far, beaten 26l+ on first four starts before a more encouraging front-running effort in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Ascot (2m3.5f, soft) nine days ago; 6lb lower than latest win last March and eased in class so hard to dismiss completely.

8/1

6th

8

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:53 Ascot

Patriotik

10st 7lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

In good form last spring but woeful in three runs this season, beaten at least 34l each time; perhaps cheekpieces will rekindle his enthusiasm but he's difficult to recommend unless strong in the market.

16/1

Form: 81271- C

Last run: 258 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Hold-up horse who made it five wins for last season (2m-2m3f; soft/heavy) when landing a competitive handicap here at the Grand National meeting in April under Ben Smith; however, absent since (wind op in the interim) and needs to be at the very top of his game on his comeback.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 34-U61 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row early this year (2m4f/2m3f; soft) and returned to form to win at Leicester (2m4f, heavy) three weeks ago; this lightly raced 7yo could continue to improve and he's respected up 5lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

17th Feb 2026

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

16:30 Newbury

One Eye On Vegas

12st 1lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Won a Leicester handicap (2m4f, soft) for the second season running in early December, edging out Cast's Tasha; Wincanton was disappointing but remains on a fair mark if he can shrug aside that run.

8/1

6th

5

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:27 Wincanton

One Eye On Vegas

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Won a Leicester handicap (2m4f, soft) for the second season running in early December; the front two were clear but the second has disappointed since; this is likely to take more winning and he's 4lb higher.

7/1

9th

1

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:38 Doncaster

One Eye On Vegas

11st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

midfield

7/1

Betting Forcast

50/1 Call Me Lyreen, 9/4 Act Of Authority, 15/2 Uncle Bert, 8/1 Red Dirt Road, 3/1 Florida Dreams, 9/1 Bingoo, 6/1 Patriotik, 16/1 El Jefe, 8/1 One Eye On Vegas

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Florida Dreams

D Express:

Act Of Authority

RP RATINGS:

Bingoo

WEST COUNTRY:

Red Dirt Road

TOPSPEED:

Patriotik

Telegraph:

One Eye On Vegas

POSTDATA:

Florida Dreams

The Times:

Florida Dreams

Daily Mail:

Florida Dreams

Daily Mirror:

Act Of Authority

The Sun:

Act Of Authority

Daily Record:

Act Of Authority

The Star:

Bingoo

The Guardian:

Red Dirt Road