December 26 / 14.38 Wincanton

14.38

Good To Soft

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10406
  • 3m 0f 150y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 113PP- D

Last run: 250 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
A leading staying novice hurdler two seasons back and the same as a novice chaser last term before his flops at the Cheltenham Festival (scoped dirty) and in Scottish National (respiratory issue); had wind surgery in July; this looks a sharper test than ideal but his chase mark is 6lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:50 Haydock

Stay Away Fay

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Had struggled badly in recent years but belatedly showed a smart level of ability remains when second over C&D (soft) in first-time blinkers (retained) four weeks ago; put back up 4lb but retains handicapping scope if building on that, with his top stable's good form providing hope that he can.

12/1

2nd

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

14:35 Haydock

Stay Away Fay

12st 0lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Won a Grade 1 novice hurdle and Grade 2 novice chase in 2023; his mark continues to tumble but for good reason and a major revival is required with first-time blinkers replacing cheekpieces.

25/1

25

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Stay Away Fay

10st 9lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Paul Nicholls

Won Grade 1 novice hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival (3m, soft) and made a promising start to chasing career last season, when he continued to look all about stamina; his career has taken a spectacular wrong turn since but there was a slight hint last time of getting back on track.

66/1

Form: /11FP/ D

Last run: 698 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Chasing two seasons back, winning twice in very small fields but his jumping failed the test in 3m Grade 1 at Kempton on Boxing Day and he pulled up at Cheltenham that January; had a minor tendon strain and he's been off since, also given wind surgery this July; bit to prove after the absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Gelino Bello

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Promising start to chasing career in late 2022, and returned from long absence with fair sixth over hurdles this winter; yard won this last year and he has his sights lowered after tackling the Kim Muir last month, but he's now been pulled up over fences the last twice and has something to prove.

16/1

1

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Gelino Bello

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Promising start to chasing career in late 2022, and returned from long absence with fair sixth over hurdles this winter; yard won this last year and he has his sights lowered after tackling the Kim Muir last month, but he's now been pulled up over fences the last twice and has something to prove.

16/1

5

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Gelino Bello

11st 8lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Grade 1 novice hurdle winner in April 2022 and well treated on novice chase form from late 2022; returned from long absence with fair sixth over hurdles in December; heavy ground may have been too much over fences at Sandown last month but he was pulled up and others have less to prove.

33/1

Form: 11P16/ C

Last run: 650 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Three out of five in his only season hurdling, including a 2m7f Ascot handicap win and his sixth to Stay Away Fay in the 3m Grade 1 novice at Cheltenham; absent 650 days and has left David Pipe (same owners); new yard won this in 2015, 2021 and 2023 and he's worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

13

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Thomas Mor

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Fifth in 2023 Albert Bartlett here for David Pipe; finally built on that when second to Kitzbuhel in Kauto Star on Boxing Day (3m, good); needs to improve on that and an abscess meant he missed an engagement at Ascot 25 days ago.

50/1

15th

1

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Thomas Mor

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

650 days off before taking the Wincanton qualifier (3m1f, good to soft; 5lb higher today) in tidy style at Christmas, always prominent; chase debut one month later wasn't great but he's respected on the former run.

50/1

Form: 1-34F5

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Swerved and ran out on his only go at this track (this April) but that seems a one-off and he won at Sandown next time; fell on second chase start this autumn (ran creditably on first) and tailed off back hurdling 19 days ago, albeit on heavy; needs to resume improvement, with stamina to prove; first ride in a hurdle race for four-time British champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:20 Aintree

Ike Sport

11st 4lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Neil Mulholland

Ran quite well in the Pertemps Final and then runner-up in a big field handicap here in April (2m4f, good to soft; in this new headgear combination), improving on his fifth place the previous season; also ran second to Fingal's Hill in this 12 months ago; has nothing in hand off his mark but every chance of being involved.

11/4

2nd

21

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Ike Sport

11st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Neil Mulholland

Ran respectably in this race 12 months ago (fifth off 3lb higher) and Cheltenham Festival handicap (3m) latest start; otherwise an exposed 8yo who is on a two-year losing spell; unlikely to come out on top.

14/1

9th

24

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Ike Sport

10st 3lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Last won in April 2024; well beaten in the 2m5f handicap here last March; second to Absolutely Doyen at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) at Christmas was best effort this term; ran creditably in the Lanzarote at Kempton (2m5f) next time, before a modest show at Plumpton latest; others look more solid.

50/1

Form: 2112-6 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
One of his two novice wins was at this track and he went close on handicap debut at Huntingdon (3m1f, good; first-time cheekpieces, retained) in April; back on soft ground when disappointing at Newbury four weeks ago on reappearance; it's much too early to dismiss him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Largy Poet

11st 9lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Inconsistent and pulled up in first-time blinkers at Exeter (3m6f, heavy) in February; however, he's back in cheekpieces today in which he kept on for second of six at Wincanton (3m1f, heavy) in January; versatile ground-wise and this sort of trip may yet suit; not discounted.

12/1

1

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Largy Poet

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Won the novice handicap (3m, heavy) on this card last year on chase debut; October reappearance was better than his three subsequent efforts but there was some renewed encouragement under Freddie Keighley at Wincanton (3m1f, heavy; 11l second of six) last time, including for this second crack at a marathon trip; blinkers replace usual cheekpieces.

9/2

2nd

1

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

15:33 Wincanton

Largy Poet

12st 1lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

First (3m, heavy) and second in his first two chases before pulling up in a competitive race at Ascot; worrying that he didn't show too much spark back over hurdles here on Boxing Day; still, as an assured stayer who will handle conditions he's hard to dismiss.

6/1

Form: 122221 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won at Ffos Las in May and runner-up four times in a row before winning by 5l with waiting tactics at Cheltenham (upped to 3m, good to soft) 13 days ago; up 7lb but claimer Beau Morgan is recruited and there was plenty to like about that latest win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Long Draw

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Made very good progress last season, winning twice over 3m on New course here (good to soft/good); ended up with too much to do when finishing well for close third at Haydock (3m, good) in May and probably still has more improvement to come.

6/1

3rd

3

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Long Draw

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Made very good progress last season and had three of today's rivals behind when coming from off the pace for driven-out success at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month; 6lb higher today but could still have more to offer.

4/1

Form: -43112 C BF

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Down the weights before dominating from the front in good-ground handicaps at Sedgefield (3m3f hurdle) and Wincanton (3m1f chase) this autumn; creditable, always-prominent second in the Badger Beer back here on latest start; back hurdling off what remains a competitive mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:30 Warwick

Lord Accord

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival a fortnight ago when back from a break; this 11yo is back in much calmer waters today and he's a player if rediscovering the good front-running form he was showing on good/good to soft ground in the autumn when these blinkers first went on.

15/2

24

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Lord Accord

10st 10lb

J: Mr N McParlan

T: Neil Mulholland

Course winner who scored in first-time blinkers (retained since) at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) in October before 11l second at Ascot (3m5f, good); this 11yo returns from a break today and may find this too competitive.

50/1

Form: 2242-6 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
All starts on soft or good to soft; solid novice campaign, with his sole win at this track (1m7f) and staying-on fourth in the EBF Final at Sandown (2m4f); his jumping wasn't great over fences on reappearance (2m1f; tailed off) and there's a new trip for this return to hurdling, with enough stamina in the pedigree however to suggest he has possibilities; stable runs two.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Dartmoor Pirate

10st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Anthony Honeyball

Tongue-tie brought about improvement with wins over the winter in handicaps at Lingfield and valuable 3m Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster (soft); reportedly never travelled when unseating at latter venue in February however and given time off since; can't rule out.

14/1

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Dartmoor Pirate

11st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

He's 2-2 since the tongue-tie went on and, although it looked unlikely for much of the race, he stayed on much the best in the 3m Great Yorkshire Chase here a month ago (soft); he'll need to travel a bit better if he's to defy the 5lb rise but the extra 2f should help.

6/1

1st

8

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

14:05 Doncaster

Dartmoor Pirate

10st 12lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

7yo who produced a career-best to win at Lingfield (2m6f, good to soft) last month, in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) in his third chase; had just four rivals to beat and he's up 7lb in a hotter race, but he had plenty in hand and could have more to offer over fences; effective on soft.

9/1

Form: 4/124/

Last run: 697 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Impressed on hurdling debut at Chepstow (near 2m4f, good to soft) and creditable second at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) before 2m2f on good looked too short at Fontwell; however, this first attempt at 3m comes after 697 days off; stable runs two; interesting if there's market strength behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Firestream

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Chester Williams

Maiden/handicap wins for Anthony Honeyball; long absences a feature in his profile but there were positives at Uttoxeter last month (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) where he ran well for a long way; stays this far; chance if the wheels can stay on.

15/2

5th

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Firestream

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Chester Williams

Won twice over hurdles for Anthony Honeyball; pulled up on his stable debut following a year's absence at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) three weeks ago; first-time cheekpieces go on but hard to fancy.

25/1

7

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Firestream

10st 8lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Chester Williams

Maiden winner here who returned from 718 days off to score on handicap debut at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last January; there was some awkward jumping that day and again when creditable third in this race next time; absent since, has changed hands and left Anthony Honeyball; it may not be enough even if he returns in peak form.

7/1

Form: 4433-4 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
His last win was over hurdles here (2m5f, heavy; probably stays 3m) in February 2021 and his last hurdle race was that March; 0-15 over fences since, not at his best last season and beaten 32l on reappearance five weeks ago but he's slipped to what should be a dangerous mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

20:40 Cartmel

First Lord De Cuet

12st 0lb

J: Miss Thomasina Eyston

T: David Pipe

Useful handicapper in his prime and versatile regarding ground; badly out of form under rules last season but easily won five-runner point on latest outing in March, and it will be interesting to see whether he enjoys a new lease of life in hunter chases.

6/1

Form: 1132-O CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Claimer ridden on last five starts; a revelation with two wins when upped to 3m in the mud in February, at this track on first occasion; two good places afterwards for Syd Hosie and can make the running, but he ducked out at the seventh flight on reappearance at Doncaster four weeks ago; position 11lb out of the handicap is nevertheless the chief concern today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Rivers Corner

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Easy win at Wincanton (3m2f, heavy) in January and bounced back from Haydock flop to win at Exeter (3m6f, good) recently, despite a bad mistake; clearly on the up and his stable has won two of the last six runnings.

9/2

1st

3

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Rivers Corner

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Tended to jump left on last two outings but that didn't stop him beating recent Midlands Grand National winner Isaac Des Obeaux by 21l at right-handed Wincanton (3m2f, heavy; first-time tongue-tie) on first occasion; pulled up in valuable Haydock marathon since but will be fine on the forecast good ground here and is a contender if back on song.

9/2

8

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Rivers Corner

10st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Running well in defeat this season, including over an extended 3m4f, before producing a career-best in a first-time tongue-tie to win easily at Wincanton (extended 3m2f, heavy); hit with a 9lb rise but he was impressive last time and could have more to offer in the tongue-tie; respected.

8/1

Betting Forcast

6/1 Stay Away Fay, 12/1 Gelino Bello, 7/1 Thomas Mor, 7/1 Ike Sport, 12/1 Largy Poet, 5/2 Long Draw, 6/1 Lord Accord, 14/1 Dartmoor Pirate, 10/1 Firestream, 14/1 First Lord De Cuet, 20/1 Rivers Corner

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Long Draw

SPOTLIGHT:

Dartmoor Pirate

Daily Mail:

Stay Away Fay

WEST COUNTRY:

Firestream

D Express:

Largy Poet

POSTDATA:

Lord Accord

The Times:

Long Draw

Telegraph:

Long Draw

The Sun:

Long Draw

The Star:

Long Draw

Daily Record:

Long Draw

TOPSPEED:

Dartmoor Pirate

Daily Mirror:

Stay Away Fay

The Guardian:

Firestream