December 26 / 14.45 Wetherby

14.45

Good To Soft

William Hill Extra Place Races Daily Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5545.05
  • 2m 5f 56y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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William Hill Extra Place Races Daily Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: 7-0916 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Back in good form since having headgear reapplied, making all in Pertemps qualifier at Newbury (3m, good) then sixth in competitive field at Cheltenham (2m5f); respected, especially with Callum Pritchard taking off a handy 7lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

American Sniper

11st 4lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Made all for 13l success at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) last time, ending a losing run that went back to 2024; still competitively handicapped on historical data and has won at up to 3m; not dismissed.

7/1

1st

1

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:56 Newton Abbot

American Sniper

12st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Has patchy profile but he's well handicapped on his Taunton second (2m3f, good) in December and he may have needed his reappearance run at Hereford this month; this step back up in trip is no problem and he's one to keep an eye on for in-form yard.

11/2

5th

1

5th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

19:17 Hereford

American Sniper

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Has become hard to predict, as his 16l fourth at Taunton (2m3f, good) in January would suggest, having failed to back up a decent effort there the previous month; back on his last winning mark and could play a leading role if at his best.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 2665-P D

Last run: 19 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 8yo who has bits of respectable chase form for current stable; achieved nothing in a Pertemps qualifier returned to hurdles on seasonal debut but has possibilities off current mark provided he takes well to new headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

15:05 Musselburgh

Grozni

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Sandy Thomson

With James Owen for 18 months (Scottish National fourth in April) before joining this yard; Borders National win at Kelso (4m, soft) in December was his best form for nearly two years and he kept jumping to his right, so reverting to a right-handed track today may well help; back up 5lb but shortlisted.

9/2

5th

7

25th Oct 2025

Good

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:55 Kelso

Grozni

10st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Sandy Thomson

Only 1-10 (hurdles win) during his spell with James Owen but ran respectably in the Scottish National on last appearance; sold for £24,000 since; headgear removed; heed the market signals.

10/1

4th

18

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Grozni

10st 5lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: James Owen

Won over hurdles in December in a first-time visor, which he also wore next time and returns today; well held with first-time blinkers in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham one month ago, taking sixth in that 3m2f race for the second year running; new trip but he's not persuasive.

50/1

Form: 543-20 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Has run in this contest for the last two years, going close in 2022 but running poorly in 2023; brings mixed messages as regards that Boxing Day record and is held by American Sniper on Cheltenham running last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 3

16:12 Kelso

Fostersisland

11st 6lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Good servant to connections over the years (six hurdle wins); on the downgrade now, though, and was just a respectable fifth in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at regular haunt Wetherby (2m5f, good) last month.

10/1

3rd

3

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 3

16:12 Kelso

Fostersisland

11st 6lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

prominent, no extra run-in

10/1

5th

3

28th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

15:32 Wetherby

Fostersisland

11st 11lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Has often run well here and he's well treated on course form as recent as November; however, his subsequent form has been patchy and this 10yo needs to raise his game in first-time cheekpieces.

20/1

Form: 2-0344

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Needs to raise his game, having finished only a modest fourth the last twice; however, has been running in better races since April 2023 and now drops back in grade looking attractively handicapped; interesting off 2lb below last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

19:28 Market Rasen

Willaston

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Narrow winner at Carlisle in April (2m3.5f, good; second had won two previous races); has not fared quite as well since, including with a visor tried at Uttoxeter last time; regular cheekpieces back on here but he needs to bounce back now back up in trip (stays 3m well).

10/1

5th

5

8th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

19:30 Uttoxeter

Willaston

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

2m3f success at Carlisle in April (good), his fifth career win; not at his best the last twice and a visor replaces cheekpieces.

14/1

6

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

18:28 Hexham

Willaston

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Five-time winner, the latest over 2m3f at Carlisle in April (good); below par when last seen out a month ago and needs to bounce back.

11/1

Form: 831679

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Quite a useful 2m hurdler on his day but has regressed since landing a notable prize at Market Rasen in July; something to prove over this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

17:45 Market Rasen

Castel Gandolfo

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won small-field C&D event in June and was not beaten far in Summer Hurdle (a race he won in 2024) here in July; needs to up his game after two lesser efforts elsewhere but the return to this track is sure to suit.

33/1

1

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Worcester

Castel Gandolfo

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Had a win and two placings from three starts here (2m) in his younger days; won four-runner Market Rasen handicap (2m, good) off reduced mark in June and was not disgraced in competitive Summer Hurdle over that C&D in July; form took a dip at Cartmel last time, though, and he's untried at this trip.

10/1

1

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

16:30 Cartmel

Castel Gandolfo

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won four-runner Market Rasen handicap (2m, good) off reduced mark in June and was not disgraced in competitive Summer Hurdle over that C&D last month; ran quite well on only previous visit to Cartmel (in 2023); could have a say.

12/1

Form: 8111/P D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Achieved nothing at Uttoxeter this month on first run since her productive summer campaign in 2022; best form at 3m1f/3m2f; opposed back down in distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

12:12 Uttoxeter

Liffeydale Dreamer

12st 0lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Excels around Cartmel, completing a hat-trick when successful at that venue on final start in August 2022; returns off the same mark but wellbeing is clearly an unknown; market could be informative.

16/1

Form: 644-3P C

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Ran as if something was amiss last time; better judged on solid third off this mark at Perth (2m4f, good; split subsequent scorers) in September; still unexposed beyond 2m and remains of interest at this sort of level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:10 Perth

Bois Guillbert

11st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Three-time hurdle winner who has dropped to a mark 5lb lower than when winning on his chase debut last February; he may stage a revival at some stage but has struggled over fences/hurdles on his three runs this season.

50/1

10th

5

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

14:30 Musselburgh

Bois Guillbert

11st 12lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Returns to hurdles off a workable mark but, judged on his chase efforts this term, has a doubt over current form.

25/1

3

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Bois Guillbert

11st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Jumped okay when winning at Newcastle (chase debut) but lacked fluency when disappointing at Wetherby since; not sure what to expect.

10/1

Form: 7112-0 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 1120 since switched to handicaps, the latest effort possibly best forgiven as he seemed to need that reappearance run; could still have further progress in him; Charlie Maggs takes off a handy 7lb; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:00 Hexham

Eire Street

10st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jackie Stephen

Won two in a row in February 2024 and very well treated on that form, but pulled up/tailed off on his last three starts; a visor goes on.

20/1

8th

5

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:50 Wetherby

Eire Street

11st 7lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Jackie Stephen

Too risky when he's pulled up in four of his last five races and over two years since he last won.

25/1

8

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

13:35 Newcastle

Eire Street

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Jackie Stephen

Pulled up in three of his four races this season and didn't look an easy ride when he completed.

33/1

Form: 20-945 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Mixed results this term in October/November but may be ready to peak today, as he was 2-2 in December last season (continued in good form until March); on a workable mark and not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Feb 2026

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:43 Sedgefield

North Parade

12st 0lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Course winner; last three wins were over 2m4f at Newcastle in 2023/4; sound run when fourth at Haydock last time (2m3f, good to soft); now 2lb lower and interesting with cheekpieces tried.

9/1

Betting Forcast

5/2 American Sniper, 9/2 Grozni, 10/1 Fostersisland, 8/1 Willaston, 10/1 Castel Gandolfo, 20/1 Liffeydale Dreamer, 11/2 Bois Guillbert, 11/2 Eire Street, 7/1 North Parade

Selections

RP RATINGS:

American Sniper

POSTDATA:

North Parade

SPOTLIGHT:

Bois Guillbert

Daily Record:

Eire Street

TOPSPEED:

American Sniper

The Times:

American Sniper

Telegraph:

American Sniper

The Guardian:

American Sniper

Daily Mail:

American Sniper

Daily Mirror:

American Sniper

The Sun:

American Sniper

D Express:

North Parade

The Star:

North Parade