December 26 / 15.45 Wincanton

15.45

Good To Soft

Longman Cheese Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 1m 7f 50y
  • Class 4
  • 15 runners
RTV
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Longman Cheese Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 4/F-32

Last run: 9 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Ideally needs to learn to settle better but he kept on well from the rear for second over C&D (good to soft) on recent handicap debut and could still have a bigger performance in him; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:08 Uttoxeter

Walk On High

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Low-mileage 9yo who completed a hurdle hat-trick when landing a Plumpton handicap (2m4f, good) in November; his winning streak came to an end at Taunton (last of five) in January but that was a Class 2 event and he travelled well to a point; returns after another break but he's out of a useful chaser and should have a future at this new discipline; needs a close look.

7/1

5th

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Taunton

Walk On High

10st 12lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Harry Fry

Low-mileage and consistent 9yo; odds-on in winning two minor races last spring (heavy/good) and back from 170 days off to take a Plumpton handicap (2m4f, good) without too much fuss; only 5lb higher and subsequent break might be a good thing.

5/4

1st

1

17th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

17:55 Uttoxeter

Walk On High

11st 10lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Harry Fry

Easy Newton Abbot maiden winner in the returning hood latest (2m3f, heavy), running back up to his previous best form level; more on under a penalty, but player assuming good ground is coped with.

6/5

Form: 2-24

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Scored on debut in France last year and came second on first two British starts; below form after refusing to settle at Taunton a fortnight ago but the first-time hood may help him to relax more on this handicap debut and he probably still has potential; tongue-tie also added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

19th Jul 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:50 Newton Abbot

Byzantium

12st 2lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Paul Nicholls

2m3f/2m5f winner last summer on good ground; he was in lead when he ran out before second-last at Wincanton (3m, good) but followed that a very underwhelming effort; some reservations for now but the ability is there to get involved.

7/2

5th

2

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:56 Newton Abbot

Byzantium

11st 11lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Two hurdle wins last June and latest was over C&D (good); no joy in just three runs since but he was in lead when he ran out and crashed through the rails before the second-last at Wincanton (3m, good) last month; has possibilities if he can maintain his focus this time and he's well handicapped on his best form.

7/4

3

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:20 Wincanton

Byzantium

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

All three wins on good ground; won a 2m3f handicap at Warwick pretty easily and followed up back in novice company; well held since but he was returning from a lengthy break when pulling way too hard to Ludlow last month (2m5f); will need to settle if he's to stay this far but Harry Cobden takes over.

6/4

OUR TIP

Form: 5362-2

Last run: 232 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on both hurdling starts, more recently at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in May; has fitness to prove on this handicap debut and the drop back in trip is not an obvious move but he's open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

16:02 Plumpton

Lumi Plugin

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Has taken well to fences this term and opened his account when scoring over C&D (soft) in January; ran up to that form when runner-up back over C&D and at Kempton since and must hold sound claims.

15/8

2nd

5

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton

Lumi Plugin

10st 9lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Back in much better form with a success and creditable second at Plumpton (3m1f) in last two starts; still has low mileage over fences and may be capable of further progress; upped in grade but receives plenty of weight all round; possibilities.

5/2

2nd

1

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

14:35 Plumpton

Lumi Plugin

12st 1lb

J: Mr Hezekiah March

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won over hurdles here (2m4f, good) last spring and he made it third time lucky over fences when landing a C&D handicap (soft) last month; up 5lb but he hit a clear personal with that comfortable win and he's still unexposed at this trip; strong contender.

4/6

Form: 4325

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Creditable second on handicap debut at Exeter (2m, good) last month and reportedly unsuited by the soft ground when below that form over C&D three weeks ago (first-time hood); contender if handling today's conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

15:10 Taunton

Sunninghill

11st 11lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

held up in last, took keen hold before 3rd, steady headway from 2 out, short of room and bumped after last, soon led, drifted left final 110yds, kept on well

3/1

Form: 40-314 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won Ffos Las maiden (2m, good) in May and made satisfactory handicap debut over C&D (soft) this month; that latest run might have brought him on and today's forecast less testing ground ought to be a plus; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

14th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

15:55 Newton Abbot

Double Dragon

11st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Strong favourite for a 2m handicap at Hereford in January but was only fifth and off since; that wasn't a bad run, though, and had gone close the time before; won his maiden on good; could have a part to play in first-time tongue-tie.

5/2

6

14th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

15:55 Newton Abbot

Double Dragon

11st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Strong favourite for a 2m handicap at Hereford in January but was only fifth and off since; that wasn't a bad run, though, and had gone close the time before; won his maiden on good; could have a part to play in first-time tongue-tie.

5/2

5th

5

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

15:58 Hereford

Double Dragon

11st 12lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

Won a Ffos Las maiden on good ground and has performed respectably in both handicaps (soft/good to soft) without looking ahead of his mark; did threaten in the latest at Wincanton and Chad Bament takes away 10lb this time.

100/30

Form: P-48F4

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
0-7 over hurdles and 0-15 overall; belied 66-1 odds when very respectable fourth in Plumpton maiden (2m, good to soft) this month but probably needs to better that performance on this handicap return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

1st Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

14:25 Newbury

Voix De Bocelli

11st 0lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Henrietta C Knight

held up in last, outpaced before 3 out, soon struggling

20/1

Form: 725

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat-racer; launched hurdling career with two encouraging runs this autumn, but was tailed off over C&D on latest outing five weeks ago and has a point to prove on this handicap hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

29th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

15:07 Fakenham

Golden Dove

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Dan Horsford

Not at best on the Flat the last twice, but her previous effort over hurdles at Bangor (2m, good) in September was encouraging, given she made a costly late error; unexposed in this discipline after just the five runs and not out of this.

12/1

1

29th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

15:07 Fakenham

Golden Dove

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Dan Horsford

Not at best on the Flat the last twice, but her previous effort over hurdles at Bangor (2m, good) in September was encouraging, given she made a costly late error; unexposed in this discipline after just the five runs and not out of this.

12/1

1

(12)

8th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

16:35 Kempton (AW)

Golden Dove

10st 1lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Dan Horsford

Record of 2-42 and her last win was in March 2023; didn't fire as favourite when back on the Flat here (1m3f) last month but that race wasn't run to suit and she looks interesting on some placed efforts on Polytrack (1m4f) in the spring; not ruled out off dangerous mark.

15/2

Form: 719505 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Now only 1lb higher than when winning at Worcester (2m, good) in the summer but has largely been disappointing since; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(10)

29th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:13 Salisbury

Afta Party

10st 10lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Mark Gillard

Struggling over hurdles last winter and lots to prove returned to the Flat after a break; 1m winner in October 2022.

50/1

Form: 3-4843 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Below best this season and has never won anywhere other than Ffos Las, but he took a step back in the right direction when placed at Fontwell recently and is now 17lb lower than when third in this race last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

John Betjeman

11st 13lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back.

11/2

9th

3

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

John Betjeman

11st 13lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back.

11/2

8th

2

6th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

17:00 Ffos Las

John Betjeman

11st 10lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Mark Gillard

pressed leader, chased clear leader after 2nd

7/1

Form: 6-3276

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Runner-up at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) in first-time visor for Syd Hosie in June but made a disappointing stable debut this month (no headgear, as today) and is now 0-8 over hurdles; others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

16:12 Newton Abbot

Ellerton

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Made it 2-4 for this stable when winning a 2m1f handicap hurdle here in May and followed that with a respectable second off 5lb higher back here a fortnight later; has plenty in his favour on this chase debut.

2/1

2nd

4

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:56 Newton Abbot

Ellerton

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Made it 2-3 for Joe Tizzard when scoring back from another break at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good; 100-30) two weeks ago; up 5lb but that was a comfortable win from off the pace and this step back up in trip should be fine (first hurdle win was over 2m4f); big player.

11/8

1st

3

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

19:00 Newton Abbot

Ellerton

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

First run for Joe Tizzard when justifying market confidence at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in March last year and unlikely he gave his true running when well beaten after a 7lb rise at Taunton in November; could be given another chance, though lengthy breaks have become a feature in his profile.

9/2

Form: 5-3677

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish maiden who was towards rear throughout on stable debut at Hereford last month; remains unexposed but clearly needs to produce a more dynamic performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 100y

15:45 Downpatrick

Doyen Magic

10st 10lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: P J Rothwell

Won a Kilbeggan handicap chase (2m4f, good to yielding) in July last year off 87; runner-up on heavy ground at Clonmel and Limerick at 2m/2m2f before a lesser effort back at Limerick last time (2m4f, good to yielding); capable of better.

8/1

Form: 65341U

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Suffered mid-race mishap when upped to 3m for latest outing but had battled on well to open account at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) last month and still has scope to build on that performance; drops back in trip today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

13th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

15:42 Newton Abbot

Ugo Bingo

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Two creditable efforts since returning from a short break, latest when a close fourth over 2m1f here last month off this mark; stays this far and enters calculations.

11/2

4th

6

23rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

17:35 Newton Abbot

Ugo Bingo

10st 8lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Joe Tizzard

Beaten under 10l when seventh in recent C&D (good) contest won by Cogital and continues to slip down the weights, but has not been firing on all cylinders in recent months and needs to up his game.

8/1

Form: 82P529 D BF

Last run: 5 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on two of his five starts for Keiran Burke since October, latterly over C&D (good to soft) last month, but didn't look very enthusiastic when well beaten at Hereford on Saturday and needs to rebound quickly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

12th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:40 Worcester

Penna Rossa

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Yet to add to his juvenile hurdle win in 2022 and has not shown a great deal on two appearances for new stable this spring (2m4f/2mf); swaps blinkers for first-time visor here.

25/1

9

5th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:05 Uttoxeter

Penna Rossa

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Record of 1-18 over hurdles; fair third at Ffos Las in January (2m4f, soft) but well beaten over same trip here after a break on stable debut last time; blinkers and tongue-tie back on (no improvement last time he wore them); others stronger.

16/1

5th

9

5th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:05 Uttoxeter

Penna Rossa

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Record of 1-18 over hurdles; fair third at Ffos Las in January (2m4f, soft) but well beaten over same trip here after a break on stable debut last time; blinkers and tongue-tie back on (no improvement last time he wore them); others stronger.

16/1

Form: 6153U4

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Gave a pretty good account when fourth at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft) 24 days ago and will be suited by this drop back in trip but has a modest hurdling strike-rate (1-17) and is 1lb wrong today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

16:45 Taunton

Ryders Rock

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Made a winning chasing debut at Newton Abbot (2m5f) in May; failed to stay 3m1f when fourth there subsequently but shaped encouragingly reverted to hurdles after seven months off when third in 2m2f Exeter handicap 18 days ago; merits serious consideration back in this sphere.

7/2

3rd

8

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

17:18 Exeter

Ryders Rock

10st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has switched to fences this term, winning in May but regressing in two summer starts; only 1-18 over hurdles and she has never won away from Newton Abbot.

12/1

4th

4

21st Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:20 Newton Abbot

Ryders Rock

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Battled on from unlikely position to score by 8l here (2m5f, good) on chasing debut in May, an eventful race in which the clear leader fell two out, but it's wise to treat that piece of form with a degree of caution; only fourth of six at Fontwell (2m3f, good) last time; tries a new trip today.

7/1

Form: 50-0P3

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Proved he retains some ability when 66-1 third over C&D (good to soft) five weeks ago but is effectively 9lb higher from out of the weights today and his overall profile remains unconvincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

5th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:48 Ffos Las

Prince Rhinegold

10st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Linda Blackford

Only win came in a novice back in 2023; nearly added a handicap in March (good to soft) but he has his share of off days.

12/1

4th

7

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

17:00 Wincanton

Prince Rhinegold

10st 6lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Linda Blackford

Had Ugo Bingo behind when second over C&D last month but his run here 11 days ago was pretty miserable and he can be up and down.

9/1

9th

9

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

16:50 Wincanton

Prince Rhinegold

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Linda Blackford

Just one win from starts over hurdles but he returned after a short break with a close second here (1m7f, good to soft) last month; up 2lb but he seems effective at this trip and he's on the shortlist.

4/1

Betting Forcast

6/1 Walk On High, 6/1 Byzantium, 11/2 Lumi Plugin, 13/2 Sunninghill, 10/1 Double Dragon, 16/1 Voix De Bocelli, 16/1 Golden Dove, 25/1 Afta Party, 10/1 John Betjeman, 14/1 Ellerton, 12/1 Doyen Magic, 12/1 Ugo Bingo, 14/1 Penna Rossa, 10/1 Ryders Rock, 25/1 Prince Rhinegold

Selections

Telegraph:

Lumi Plugin

WEST COUNTRY:

Byzantium

Daily Mail:

Ryder's Rock

RP RATINGS:

John Betjeman

SPOTLIGHT:

Double Dragon

D Express:

Doyen Magic

POSTDATA:

Walk On High

TOPSPEED:

Afta Party

Daily Mirror:

Lumi Plugin

Daily Record:

Lumi Plugin

The Times:

Byzantium

The Sun:

Byzantium

The Star:

Ryder's Rock

The Guardian:

John Betjeman