December 26 / 12.32 Fontwell

12.32

Soft

Stay Safe Players At BetMGM Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 1f 162y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Stay Safe Players At BetMGM Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 0-113 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who may not have achieved that much when justifying skinny odds from three rivals on hurdles debut at Southwell (2m, good) last month; could have jumped better when third of 13 under his penalty at Taunton (2m1f, good to soft) four weeks ago and may find a few too good again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Dance And Glance

10st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

5-14 strike-rate and steadily progressive form, gaining his latest success over this C&D (good ground; three of today's rivals behind) in convincing fashion; a 6lb rise does not look harsh, and with further improvement on the cards he has solid claims.

7/1

1st

5

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 2

14:12 Haydock

Dance And Glance

10st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

6yo who has shown improved form this season, winning at Ascot (1m7f, soft) in December then runner-up at Sandown (2m, good); well-beaten fifth in the gruelling William Hill Hurdle at Newbury (2m, heavy) in February; has had a break since and could play a leading role if back to his best.

4/1

5th

16

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

Dance And Glance

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Just held on from strong-finishing All In You at Ascot (1m7f, soft) and was unable to confirm the placings, albeit far from discredited, at Sandown (2m, good); that rival has the upper hand with further progress plausible; however, this consistent sort should go well.

16/1

Form: 4-12 D

Last run: 221 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
1-3 over hurdles in France, the win coming over 2m1f on very soft ground in May; interesting to see what the market says on stable debut after 221 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Hors Jeu

11st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

French hurdle winner in spring 2024; untidy round of jumping when fourth of six on chasing debut at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in November and unseated four out at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) last month; needs to polish up his jumping.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 121 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Irish bumper winner who followed up a promising stable/hurdles debut at Ludlow in October with victory at Wetherby (2m, good) last month; the slightly longer trip should suit and he seems sure to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 123y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Kalium

12st 0lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

3-5 as a novice hurdler last season; absent since encouraging third of seven on reappearance outing at Doncaster (2m3f, soft) in November but could quite plausibly have untapped potential over this new trip.

12/1

1st

6

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 183y

Class 3

14:05 Newbury

Kalium

11st 4lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Won bumper in sole Irish start; steady progress in his first three hurdle races brought two wins, making all at Fontwell (2m2f, soft) on last occasion, but he made a disappointing handicap debut at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) on latest outing.

16/1

Form: 13-U BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Noteworthy bumper form at the start of the year, winning at Kempton and finishing third of 20 under a penalty in a valuable race at Newbury (good to soft); got no further than the first on his recent hurdles debut at Plumpton but he remains an interesting prospect; stable won this in 2017 and 2018, including with the smart Highway One O One.
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

Form: 7-0

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
1-1 in Irish points but well beaten in a bumper and a hurdle race; best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Worcester

Ballela Blaze

11st 1lb

J: David Noonan

T: Thomas Gallagher

0-8 over hurdles but was making first appearance for 13 months when keeping on for third at Southwell (2m4f, good) in May and is sure to be suited by this move back up in trip; shortlisted.

8/1

3rd

11

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:47 Southwell

Ballela Blaze

10st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Thomas Gallagher

Runner-up in his last two races but those were at about 3m and over a year ago now; fully entitled to need this.

10/1

10

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:25 Southwell

Ballela Blaze

10st 7lb

J: David Noonan

T: Thomas Gallagher

0-6 over hurdles; evidently well suited by step up in trip when keeping on well for close second at Plumpton (3m1f, good) 12 days ago but that modest race was won in a slow time and others in this line-up have much more compelling form.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual winning sprinter on the Flat, though he ran well over 1m3f on the AW eight days ago; this still looks a stiff task on hurdles debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(4)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:20 Epsom

Beauld As Brass

11st 10lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: George Baker

Habitual slow starter who has had major blips in two of his last three runs, but he's also won five times (1m2f-1m6f) this season including at Haydock (good) on his penultimate run; still looks feasibly treated on that form and has claims if he can bounce back again with Patrick Mullins booked; tongue-tie added.

6/1

8th

7

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 97y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Beauld As Brass

8st 7lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: George Baker

Habitual slow starter; badly overdid it on penultimate outing (tailed off) but otherwise having a cracking season; that's despite another markedly slow start when upped to 1m6f at Haydock (good; not proven on softer) on latest outing, in which he got up by a neck in a slowly run race; raised another 3lb but it's the extra 6f which gives him far more to prove.

16/1

2

(3)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Haydock

Beauld As Brass

9st 8lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Blew the start and was tailed off at Epsom last month; has done well over middle distances otherwise this season, completing four-timer prior to a good effort at Newbury in May; still has scope for further progress but has bit to prove after that last run and this is a new trip.

13/2

Form: 3

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up behind a nice prospect in an Irish point in May and showed ability when third of six on hurdles debut at Leicester (2m, heavy) three weeks ago; this slightly longer trip should suit and he makes the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

17

8th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Malinificent

10st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

One of several runners who are still seeking a first win; however, has shown ability at about 2m under rules and pedigree suggests this new trip is a likely source of improvement; could prove best of the maidens and is one for the shortlist.

25/1

2nd

6

7th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 3

14:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Malinificent

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Second of 13 in an Irish point; promising 5l third at Leicester (heavy) was followed by a heavier defeat at Ffos Las but should be capable having having some say in a race of this nature, especially as two of his rivals are penalised.

10/1

2nd

6

7th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 3

14:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Malinificent

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Second of 13 in an Irish point; promising 5l third at Leicester (heavy) was followed by a heavier defeat at Ffos Las but should be capable having having some say in a race of this nature, especially as two of his rivals are penalised.

10/1

Form: 3-

Last run: 273 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Some promise when third of six in a bumper here (1m6f, heavy; 22-1) in March and the first two have since won over hurdles; this looks a warm contest on hurdles debut but the stable won three consecutive runnings of this race between 2019 and 2022 (no race in 2020).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 232213 BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Has plenty of experience over hurdles (1-12) but he should have done better in a Fakenham handicap last time and looks vulnerable to less exposed rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 4

16:40 Plumpton

Sanitiser

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Doing surprisingly well over fences as he's not bred for them; he might just be a shade high in the weights now after his hat-trick bid came up shy in a three-runner race but he must still have some sort of chance on ground he handles.

3/1

2nd

4

23rd Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

15:47 Wincanton

Sanitiser

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Not bred for fences but has collected small-field chase wins on soft ground at Plumpton (2m1f) and Fontwell (2m2f) in recent weeks, and may be even better suited by the forecast good ground on this hat-trick attempt.

4/5

1st

3

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 1f 165y

Class 4

16:20 Fontwell

Sanitiser

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Plenty of short-priced defeats to go with his sole win over hurdles; ended a losing run when winning over fences at Plumpton (2m1f, soft) last time, off a 4lb lower mark, but needs to build on that against a couple of progressive rivals.

3/1

Form: 6400

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Some ability in both her bumpers but poor at huge odds in two starts over hurdles; best to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

15:27 Stratford

Polly Pi

10st 11lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Well beaten in first three handicaps, most recently when never on terms at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) last month, but tries a new trip here and connections are persisting with her; worth a glance in the betting.

20/1

8th

8

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:07 Newton Abbot

Polly Pi

10st 13lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

50-1 and 33-1 when well beaten in her first two handicaps (2m4f/2m3f); could be considered only if much stronger in the betting on this first start for 134 days.

25/1

Form: /1214/ D

Last run: 844 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Dual winner over fences in France in the summer of 2022 but 0-4 over hurdles; market should indicate what is expected on stable debut after 844 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Betting Forcast

11/2 Dance And Glance, 7/1 Hors Jeu, 100/30 Kalium, 9/4 Andashan, 100/1 Ballela Blaze, 25/1 Beauld As Brass, 9/2 Malinificent, 20/1 Pearls Pirate, 10/1 Sanitiser, 100/1 Polly Pi, 20/1 Xyle Enki

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Kalium

SPOTLIGHT:

Andashan

RP RATINGS:

Malinificent

The Guardian:

Hors Jeu

The Times:

Kalium

Telegraph:

Kalium

The Sun:

Kalium

Daily Record:

Kalium

D Express:

Hors Jeu

POSTDATA:

Malinificent

LAMBOURN:

Malinificent

Daily Mail:

Andashan

Daily Mirror:

Andashan

The Star:

Andashan