December 31 / 14.20 Warwick

14.20

Soft

Poundland Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers’ Hurdle Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 3m 2f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Poundland Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers’ Hurdle Series Qualifier)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £1.80
  • Place: £1.10

Form: F6-3P2

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner for the O'Neill yard, for whom he signed off with a pulled-up over fences; had wind surgery prior to stable debut and stayed on well to go close at Exeter (2m5f, soft); went up 5lb for that but it's easy to envisage him finding extra over this longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

Land Genie

11st 3lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Wind surgery before second and first in soft-ground handicaps in December for new yard, latterly over 3m2f at Warwick; fourth of 11 there three weeks later was creditable on form but showed that he now needs improvement; withdrawn when the ground was officially good at Bangor four weeks ago.

3/1

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: U-2227 C BF

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Two respectable seconds in novice hurdles this autumn; made an early mistake when back chasing at Fontwell last time and never got involved; he's not badly handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

2nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

15:40 Doncaster

Hauraki Gulf

11st 3lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Deborah Cole

pressed leader, weakened after 2 out

4/1

9

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Hauraki Gulf

10st 5lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Deborah Cole

Scored twice over fences early last year (once on heavy); 0-10 over hurdles but runner-up in eight of those, including at Warwick (3m2f, soft) on latest start when he blundered at the final flight but looked booked for second anyway; this race looks too tough.

16/1

9

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Hauraki Gulf

10st 5lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Deborah Cole

Scored twice over fences early last year (once on heavy); 0-10 over hurdles but runner-up in eight of those, including at Warwick (3m2f, soft) on latest start when he blundered at the final flight but looked booked for second anyway; this race looks too tough.

16/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 135-35 C

Last run: 213 days

W: 10st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won twice at Plumpton (3m1f, soft) early this year and has held his form quite well; lacks a recent run though and younger rivals may have his measure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Im A Starman

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mark Rimell

Grand veteran with eight wins over hurdles, including two over C&D last summer; down to his last winning mark and should be sharper for his fifth at Hereford last month following a five-month layoff, but you have to think that one of his younger rivals should have his measure.

12/1

5th

4

16th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:30 Hereford

Im A Starman

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Mark Rimell

Registered a four-timer last April-June (3m1f/2m7f, good/good to soft); very in and out since and he's now a 13yo but he finished on the heels of the principals off today's mark at Warwick in November when last seen; more to prove after the break.

4/1

3

19th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Im A Starman

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Mark Rimell

Secured the second leg of a four-timer with wide-margin win over C&D (good) in May; now just 2lb above his last winning mark but generally well beaten since (the exception in a four-runner race) and he was tailed off last time; others look more likely.

16/1

Form: 7-P846

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
10lb lower than for her Ascot win 13 months ago but has been mostly disappointing in the meantime.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

27th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:20 Plumpton

Midnightreflection

12st 1lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Ben Case

10yo whose form had been in steady decline since winning an Ascot handicap off 11lb higher in November 2023, although recent efforts have been slightly more encouraging, including most recently when tried in blinkers (retained); undoubtedly on a good mark but still needs to find a little more.

6/1

1st

1

27th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:20 Plumpton

Midnightreflection

12st 1lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Ben Case

10yo whose form had been in steady decline since winning an Ascot handicap off 11lb higher in November 2023, although recent efforts have been slightly more encouraging, including most recently when tried in blinkers (retained); undoubtedly on a good mark but still needs to find a little more.

6/1

4th

1

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:00 Market Rasen

Midnightreflection

12st 1lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Ben Case

towards rear, headway and in touch with leaders 8th

9/1

Form: PP6P43

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden for Olly Murphy; made a rocky start for this yard (chases and hurdles) but better the last twice, here last month beaten only 2l over 3m1f; chance with a repeat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Sporty Jim

11st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Maiden hurdle winner in 2022 for Olly Murphy; recently beaten in staying handicaps won by I'm A Starman (runs earlier) at Warwick and Worcester and ran respectably in the latter when ahead of Faded Fantasy; every chance.

4/1

3rd

11

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Sporty Jim

10st 5lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Still to add to April 2022's Perth maiden success for Olly Murphy (2m4f, good to soft), and this would be a bit better race than the Warwick 0-100 in which I'm A Starman beat him 31l last time.

20/1

4th

5

5th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:50 Warwick

Sporty Jim

11st 4lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Rediscovered some form and made the frame on consecutive appearances in the autumn (once over C&D) but began this year with two disappointing runs and has it all to prove again now.

16/1

Form: 428-43

Last run: 49 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Without a win under rules since 2019 when in career-best form; mark continues to slide but it's questionable what he's achieved in small fields the last twice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Jatiluwih

12st 1lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

No longer the force of old but returned from 342-day absence with a pretty good third at Taunton (3m, good to soft) last month behind two next-time-out winners and competes off the same mark here; respected.

6/1

3rd

2

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

15:26 Taunton

Jatiluwih

12st 1lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

No win under rules since 2019 (he took a point in 2020) but he's well down the weights and competitive often enough, including at Newbury last March on latest start, to be considered each-way even though he may have a bit more to prove at his age first time out.

6/1

3rd

2

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 4

16:37 Newbury

Jatiluwih

12st 0lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Still in touch when unseating four out at Ascot last time (2m7f, good; 50-1) but it was still a long way from home; hasn't won under rules since 2019 and much-reduced mark looks justified.

25/1

Form: 64-17F

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Flopped in June after a clearcut win at Ffos Las (3m) the previous month; beaten when taking a heavy late fall at Hereford (3m1f) after a break but he travelled strongly through the race and perhaps overdid it; well handicapped with Benjamin Macey taking off 10lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Warwick

Spitalfield

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Ended string of heavy defeats when third in first-time cheekpieces here (3m1f, good; handes soft) last month but didn't find much in the closing stages, and it's hard to tell whether he'll build on that performance.

11/2

3rd

1

4th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 5

15:50 Warwick

Spitalfield

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Only 1-24 and that win was nearly two years ago; he was in no form earlier this year and plenty depends on whether cheekpieces can trigger something; he's dropped to a good mark.

9/2

8th

9

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

15:50 Haydock

Spitalfield

11st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Sole win came off just 1lb higher in May 2024; some creditable efforts subsequently but his hurdling has often held him back and he's been tailed off all three starts since January.

16/1

Form: 13-555 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Both handicap wins have come over 3m1f at Huntingdon; no closer than fifth this season but has been getting nearer, last time beaten 11l at Uttoxeter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

14:20 Warwick

Chris Cool

11st 5lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Both handicap wins have come over 3m1f at Huntingdon; no closer than fifth this season but has been getting nearer, last time beaten 11l at Uttoxeter.

14/1

8th

4

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

14:20 Warwick

Chris Cool

11st 5lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Both handicap wins have come over 3m1f at Huntingdon; no closer than fifth this season but has been getting nearer, last time beaten 11l at Uttoxeter.

14/1

6

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

12:12 Uttoxeter

Chris Cool

11st 4lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Both handicap wins have come over 3m1f at Huntingdon; hard to be confident on this season's two showings but not badly handicapped if staging a revival.

10/1

Form: 4133-7 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Won two staying handicap hurdles on soft/heavy last winter; prone to his off days, though 2m3f on good to soft wasn't ideal after a break last time; should do better here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Barricane

11st 2lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

He hasn't had masses of racing in the last four years and was rather quiet back from the latest layoff until successful in first-time blinkers at Warwick (3m2f, soft) in February; a 4lb rise shouldn't be a problem on past form but the blinkers need to work a second time.

11/2

10

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Barricane

11st 2lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

in rear

11/2

1st

3

21st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Warwick

Barricane

11st 13lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

midfield, steady headway after 4 out, pushed along after 3 out, joined leader 2 out, hit last, led final 110yds, kept on

6/1

Form: P1/63- D BF

Last run: 587 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Ex-French gelding who won a staying handicap hurdle for Dan Skelton; however, now makes stable debut after a long absence and will do well to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

17:05 Stratford

Grillon De Monty

10st 10lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Stephen Allen

Dual chase winner at Worcester (2m7f, good) last summer; absent since heavy defeat over hurdles in November, though, and resumes on fairly tough mark; hooded for first time.

25/1

14th

7

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Grillon De Monty

11st 11lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Stephen Allen

Both wins for this stable came over fences (officially rated 5lb higher) at Worcester (2m7f, good) in the summer, but his sole success over hurdles came over C&D (good to soft) for Dan Skelton in April 2023; still needs to show he can do it in this discipline, though; stable also runs Calagogo.

16/1

14th

7

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Grillon De Monty

11st 11lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Stephen Allen

Both wins for this stable came over fences (officially rated 5lb higher) at Worcester (2m7f, good) in the summer, but his sole success over hurdles came over C&D (good to soft) for Dan Skelton in April 2023; still needs to show he can do it in this discipline, though; stable also runs Calagogo.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.80
Straight Forecast £10.08
Tricast £77.00
Trifecta £94.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Land Genie

RP RATINGS:

Spitalfield

TOPSPEED:

Midnightreflection

POSTDATA:

Jatiluwih

The Sun:

I'm A Starman

The Times:

Land Genie

Telegraph:

Land Genie

The Guardian:

Land Genie

Daily Mail:

Land Genie

D Express:

Land Genie

Daily Mirror:

Land Genie

The Star:

Land Genie

Daily Record:

Land Genie