January 04 / 14.05 Wincanton

14.05

Soft

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  • Prize money: £3696.7
  • 1m 7f 50y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Bet £20 Get £20 With Unibet Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Snow

Form: 215R83

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Has his quirks and refused to race in the past; ran a fair race here a month ago without ever really threatening; others are safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Sergeant

11st 8lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: Anthony Charlton

Refused to race at Wincanton in October so not without risk; won at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) last August and returned to form with 11l third under Anna Johnston at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) in December; the winner aside, that latest form is working out well and he could be thereabouts down 2lb.

16/1

10

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Sergeant

11st 8lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: Anthony Charlton

Refused to race at Wincanton in October so not without risk; won at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) last August and returned to form with 11l third under Anna Johnston at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) in December; the winner aside, that latest form is working out well and he could be thereabouts down 2lb.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: -12321

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Consistent sort who deserved his Exeter win (2m2f, soft) which had a degree of comfort about it; raised 7lb but Joshua Newman can claim his 5lb this time; solid contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Our Dylan

11st 12lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Kayley Woollacott

Veteran who has won three of his last five starts and was as good as ever when scoring on the step up to 3m at Wincanton (good) last month; up 4lb but he should have more to offer over staying trips and he's an interesting contender.

6/1

1st

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Our Dylan

11st 13lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Kayley Woollacott

In career-best form this season, winning here (2m4f, good) and at Taunton (2m3f, heavy); well beaten on latest outing, though, and remains on tough mark for first 3m attempt under rules.

16/1

9th

3

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

14:00 Newbury

Our Dylan

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Kayley Woollacott

In-form 10yo who has won two of his last three; raised another 4lb since scoring under a good 7lb claimer at Taunton (2m3f, heavy) this month, though, and may find younger rivals better handicapped here.

7/1

Abandoned

Form: 3124-4

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won a handicap hurdle for Micky Hammond, whom he left for £4,000; respectable first run for this yard at Lingfield (2m, soft) but he may still be a shade too high in the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 4

15:08 Exeter

Polisud

10st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

Won a handicap hurdle for Micky Hammond, whom he left for £4,000; respectable first run for this yard at Lingfield (2m hurdle, soft) but he may still be a shade too high in the weights on this belated return to fences (won in France).

7/2

4

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 4

15:08 Exeter

Polisud

10st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

Won a handicap hurdle for Micky Hammond, whom he left for £4,000; respectable first run for this yard at Lingfield (2m hurdle, soft) but he may still be a shade too high in the weights on this belated return to fences (won in France).

7/2

Form: 68-F9U

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Maiden who has failed to complete in two of his three handicaps and was an easy-to-back 12-1 chance when departing early at Taunton three weeks ago; has some questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Siam Park

12st 0lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Joe Tizzard

4-9 over fences but has departed mid-race in his last two chases and now reverts to hurdling off a 5lb lower mark; 0-10 in this discipline but he has been placed and could go well.

4/1

3

13th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

18:30 Newton Abbot

Siam Park

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

He's 4-8 over fences and fell in two of the defeats, including last time when he was still travelling nicely four from home; likely to be bang there if avoiding the mistakes.

11/4

2

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:42 Newton Abbot

Siam Park

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time chase winner, most recently at Plumpton (2m1f, good) in November before falling in a Sandown Class 3 in January; returned from a break with two solid placed efforts in March over hurdles, latest when a close second at Taunton (2m3f, good) 21 days ago; switches back to fences in a very small field and should go well.

11/4

Form: -48435 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Doesn't arrive here in bad form but he's extremely difficult to win with and has never won anywhere other than Ffos Las.
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: PP33P- CD

Last run: 283 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Can see out of only his right eye so restricted to racing right-handed; gave it a good go from the front when a rallying third at Ludlow (2m, soft) on his penultimate start before a lesser effort here in March; off since but ability is respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

7th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

15:45 Exeter

Odins Quest

11st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

1-9 over hurdles; ended last season on a low note and was again well beaten when back in action in January; makes chasing debut from a good mark but others look much less risky.

14/1

13th

8

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:00 Wincanton

Odins Quest

11st 10lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

visibility reduced by fog

10/1

Form: -24664

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
1-5 in bumpers and 0-6 as a hurdler; will need to improve on latest fourth here in a handicap (good to soft) and may prefer drier ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

18:00 Taunton

Dirty Den

12st 2lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Hooded when solid third over C&D (good) at the end of last year and scored at Plumpton (about 2m4f, soft) on next start in February; revised mark has seen him held in two subsequent starts but that doesn't tell the whole story as they were seriously competitive series qualifiers; cheekpieces (worn once over hurdles when second here 13 months ago) are reapplied and he needs a firm second look.

10/1

6th

10

27th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

15:20 Wetherby

Dirty Den

11st 7lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Gained his Plumpton success (2m4f) in small field and was only midfield in a deeper race at Wincanton later in February; opposed in another competitive contest.

25/1

7th

1

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

15:20 Wincanton

Dirty Den

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Knocking on the door on good ground this season prior to gaining a deserved win at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) recently; 6lb higher in a more competitive race today but he did it comfortably last time and has solid claims.

13/2

Form: 74F4-7

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Novice runs weren't devoid of promise but he looked on a fairly tough mark for his handicap debut at Leicester and was beaten 22l on heavy ground; less taxing conditions here might help his cause; down 4lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

15:08 Newton Abbot

Bredon Hill Dart

11st 7lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

Course winner who was in good form until pulled up in 3m Chepstow handicap 19 days ago; he may have found that run coming too quickly so is worth another chance in refitted cheekpieces.

4/1

10

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:50 Chepstow

Bredon Hill Dart

10st 12lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

Not always one to rely upon heavily but won at Exeter (2m5f, heavy) last month and stayed on for third (just behind Blue In The West) in big field there (2m7f, good to soft) nine days ago; could have a say.

12/1

3rd

12

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Bredon Hill Dart

11st 3lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

Returned to form with 4l win here (2m5f, heavy) last month but was safely held when fourth over C&D (good to soft) 11 days ago and is not one to rely upon; others preferred.

10/1

Form: 2P5297 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on two of his six starts for Keiran Burke but has looked a bit tricky at times and was well held here nine days ago.
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: 0672

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Made a promising start in handicaps when runner-up at Fontwell (2m1f, soft), finishing just ahead of John Betjeman; this 5yo still has untapped potential and he now tries a tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:40 Perth

Soldiers Leap

11st 5lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Won two in a row in the autumn (2m2f/2m, good to soft/soft) and, after a couple of respectable fifth placings, he was a close second at Stratford (2m2f, good) last month; in the mix if seeing out this longer trip; the hood worn on his last four starts is left off.

7/2

2nd

6

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

17:08 Stratford

Soldiers Leap

11st 8lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: T Ellis

Scored twice in the autumn, including over C&D, and comes here after a respectable fifth of 14 in 2m1f Carisle handicap last month; in the mix off a 3lb lower mark.

9/2

5th

3

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Soldiers Leap

11st 9lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Has progressed since wind surgery early last year, winning handicaps at Stratford (2m2f, good to soft) and Uttoxeter before decent fifth at Newbury (2m, good to soft) latest; 10lb higher than last winning mark but solid chance.

5/1

Form: 742

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Flat promise at 1m; struggled behind smart winners in his first two hurdles but nearly won a weak juvenile at Fontwell last month (2m1f, soft); armed with his 4yo allowance for handicap debut, he's in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

27th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:23 Newton Abbot

St Lukes Chelsea

11st 6lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Walford

Modest form in six Flat runs and he's 0-11 over hurdles; beaten 11l when fifth at Taunton (2m, good; 15-8 favourite) in March but he went close there on his penultimate run and has claims if he recapture that form.

9/2

5th

3

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:15 Taunton

St Lukes Chelsea

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Robert Walford

Remains winless after 16 races (six Flat, ten over hurdles) but the last four, latest over C&D, all suggest a major role today.

2/1

3rd

9

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

15:10 Taunton

St Lukes Chelsea

10st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Robert Walford

Remains winless but he was running well (still close up) when falling two out in 2m Wincanton handicap in January; he ought to be thereabouts off an unchanged mark.

14/1

Verdict

A good few of these have become hard to win with. OUR DYLAN scores highly on the consistency front and deserved his Exeter win. He’s effectively only 2lb higher with Joshua Newman able to claim his 5lb this time. Soldier’s Leap is another with some upside about him, while St Lukes Chelsea is armed with his age allowance now tackling his first handicap hurdle.[Alistair Jones]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Our Dylan

POSTDATA:

St Lukes Chelsea

TOPSPEED:

Polisud

The Times:

Soldier's Leap

Telegraph:

John Betjeman

Daily Record:

Soldier's Leap

Daily Mail:

St Lukes Chelsea

D Express:

St Lukes Chelsea

RP RATINGS:

Our Dylan

WEST COUNTRY:

Our Dylan

The Guardian:

Our Dylan

Daily Mirror:

Our Dylan

The Sun:

Polisud

The Star:

Polisud