December 26 / 14.17 Fontwell

14.17

Soft

Golden Era Of Betting: BetMGM Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 3m 1f 166y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Golden Era Of Betting: BetMGM Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: /P45-1 CD

Last run: 44 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won this race in 2022 (good to soft) when 9lb lower and returns here after short-head success at Lingfield (2m7f, good) last month; usual tongue-tie and first-time cheekpieces latest; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

19th Feb 2026

3m 3f 9y

Class 4

14:33 Sedgefield

Spike Jones

11st 12lb

J: Mr Sam Burton

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Two sound runs in the autumn but fell at Cheltenham in January and hasn't run quite as well since; this a significant drop in grade and with the ground in his favour, is one with a chance.

4/1

4th

10

31st Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 103y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Spike Jones

10st 3lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

2-4 on heavy going, admittedly all in 2021 or 2023; ridden last five starts by Benjamin Macey; fell in the early stages on penultimate start and below form on latest, having registered two good places earlier this term; others preferred.

20/1

7th

16

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Spike Jones

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Fell in the early stages at Cheltenham last time; couple of good efforts otherwise this term but is more exposed than some of these rivals and 3lb higher than when midfield in this race 12 months ago.

20/1

Form: 31-7

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won sole Irish point start; improving under rules; won a Lingfield maiden hurdle (2m3f, heavy) in February; seventh of 17 on handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f) and might have finished closer but for a mistake late on; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Hidden History

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Below par on last three starts, most recently at Uttoxeter last month following wind surgery; however, he won off this mark on his reappearance at Aintree in November and first-time cheekpieces might give him a boost; in top hands and not written off.

6/1

9th

16

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Hidden History

10st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Dan Skelton

Has switched to chasing this term, winning on reappearance but disappointing in two subsequent starts; had wind surgery since latest; may rebound, having won over hurdles on this card last year.

14/1

7th

6

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Hidden History

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced 8yo who rallied to lead close home on seasonal/chase debut at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) in November; well below that form after racing too freely last month but Dan Skelton is evidently very keen to move him up in trip.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 15PR-0

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won sole Irish point; added a Bangor novice hurdle (2m7f, good) and a Wetherby handicap chase (3m, soft) for previous yard; well beaten in an amateurs' chase at Cheltenham (3m1f, good; first-time cheekpieces) latest on stable debut; back on a handy mark but a revival is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

31st May 2026

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:37 Fakenham

No But I Will

11st 4lb

J: Miss Jessica Milly Smith

T: Julian Smith

Just held on to make winning stable debut over C&D (soft) in December but failed to build upon an encouraging reappearance run when tailed off at Market Rasen last month; others have more persuasive profiles.

10/1

6th

5

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

No But I Will

11st 9lb

J: Miss Jessica Milly Smith

T: Julian Smith

Just held on to make winning stable debut under Jessica Milly Smith at Fakenham (2m5f, soft) in December and returned from break with fairly good fourth at Wetherby (2m3f, good to soft) last month; will also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; no surprise if he features.

7/1

4th

2

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

14:37 Wetherby

No But I Will

11st 10lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Julian Smith

Won at Cartmel (2m1f, good) last August on penultimate run for Robbie Llewellyn and he scored on his stable debut at Fakenham (2m5f, soft) in December; he didn't look straightforward on that latest outing but this course winner is entitled to respect nevertheless.

6/1

Form: UU-436

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
3m chase winner (soft); well below par over hurdles on his last two starts; each-way player if he can bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:25 Southwell

Heaven Smart

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: L J Morgan

In good form over fences in the autumn, bar a blip at Perth in October; 0-11 over hurdles but twice finished second in this sphere and often runs well after a break; entitled to respect.

9/2

1

21st Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

15:35 Perth

Heaven Smart

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: L J Morgan

Showed the benefit of a wind op when dominating from the front here (2m4f, good) last month, his second start for Laura Morgan, and ran big race in defeat under penalty at Southwell (2m4f, good) a few days later; effectively another 5lb higher today but sure to be suited by the move back up in trip; good chance.

7/4

1

2nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:05 Southwell

Heaven Smart

12st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: L J Morgan

All-the-way Kempton 3m winner in early 2024 and, with stamina to spare at intermediate trips and the benefit of wind surgery, was played equally aggressively in victory at Perth last week (good); 2lb badly in under the penalty but still superbly handicapped on that previous winning form.

9/4

Form: 0/511/

Last run: 756 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Arrives seeking a protracted hat-trick after wins at Exeter (2m5f, good to soft) and Wincanton (3m, good to soft) when last seen just over two years ago; returns just 2lb higher than latest start and now tongue tied; market could be informative and, if ready, he's a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

28th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

17:05 Newbury

Shutupshirley

10st 10lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

in touch with leaders

7/1

6th

12

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Shutupshirley

10st 5lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won twice late in 2022 and reappeared at Fontwell (extended 3m2f, soft) six weeks ago to complete his hat-trick, with tongue tied first time and drawing 11l clear from two out; up 8lb and in grade, for second run since a long layoff, but there was plenty to like about that latest performance.

6/1

6th

12

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Shutupshirley

10st 5lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won twice late in 2022 and reappeared at Fontwell (extended 3m2f, soft) six weeks ago to complete his hat-trick, with tongue tied first time and drawing 11l clear from two out; up 8lb and in grade, for second run since a long layoff, but there was plenty to like about that latest performance.

6/1

Form: 17-685 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who acts on soft; back on the same mark as he won from at Plumpton in March but has been a long way below that level in three starts since a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

6th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:52 Plumpton

San Pedro

10st 13lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

prominent, not fluent 4 out, soon lost ground, struggling from 3 out

10/1

4th

5

6th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:52 Plumpton

San Pedro

10st 13lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

prominent, not fluent 4 out, soon lost ground

10/1

Form: 381/86

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who won a mares' novice handicap hurdle (2m3f, good) at Taunton two years ago; well beaten in both starts since a layoff; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

6th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:42 Fontwell

Gata Ban

10st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

Hasn't kicked on from a second on chase debut but did some good late work behind Boys Of Wexford at Taunton the last time; that was over 2m7f and now goes further.

11/2

4th

6

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

17:20 Taunton

Gata Ban

10st 13lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Second on her chase debut at Fakenham (2m5f, good to soft) in October but has failed to back up that run since; no improvement following wind surgery last time and has been dropped another 5lb.

7/1

Betting Forcast

9/4 Spike Jones, 3/1 Hidden History, 9/1 No But I Will, 5/1 Heaven Smart, 4/1 Shutupshirley, 12/1 San Pedro, 10/1 Gata Ban

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Hidden History

SPOTLIGHT:

Spike Jones

D Express:

San Pedro

TOPSPEED:

Hidden History

The Times:

Hidden History

Telegraph:

Hidden History

The Guardian:

Hidden History

The Sun:

Hidden History

The Star:

Hidden History

POSTDATA:

Spike Jones

Daily Mail:

Spike Jones

Daily Mirror:

Spike Jones

Daily Record:

Spike Jones