January 19 / 13.20 Windsor

13.20

Soft

Winter Million Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Winter Million Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sleet

15/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: /413U2

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner during the summer; his tendency to race too freely is a concern but new jockey Gavin Sheehan settled him fairly well (albeit a long way off the pace) at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) last month, where he made smooth headway to challenge in the straight but just lost out to a determined rival (front pair clear); went up 4lb for that but still considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

12

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Guard Duty

11st 1lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Not the greatest jumper and he comes from the back, which risks trouble in running, but competitive in all six of his completed handicaps over this sort of trip; won three of them, in just a four-runner race at Doncaster on latest start, though, and further improvement is needed.

16/1

1st

2

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 2

14:15 Doncaster

Guard Duty

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Progressive last season and has continued the good work this term, finishing second of 15 at Newbury (2m4f, soft) then third of 12 at Windsor (2m4f, good); trainer won this last year and he's a major player.

6/4

9th

5

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Guard Duty

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Emma Lavelle

didn't always jump with fluency, held up in rear

15/2

11/2

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 53-512

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Kept on well to win Newbury novice (2m, good) by 4l in November and took another step forward when second in Sandown Listed contest (2m, soft) last month, albeit that was a substandard race for the grade; back up in trip for this handicap debut and enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

15

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Hartington

10st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Acts on any ground; ran as if something was amiss on penultimate start; consistent otherwise and ran creditably at Sandown (2m7f) latest; each-way possibilities in first-time tongue-tie.

10/1

3rd

6

31st Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 103y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Hartington

11st 1lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Joe Tizzard

Ran creditably sole start here; won at Carlisle (2m4f, soft) on reappearance in just his second handicap and stuck to his task extremely well when going close in a major handicap at Haydock (3m, good to soft) later in November; something seemed amiss at Windsor (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day but the Haydock performance ensures that he needs a second look.

4/1

1st

10

2nd Nov 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 218y

Class 2

14:02 Carlisle

Hartington

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Newbury novice winner who maintained his momentum when runner-up on handicap debut at Windsor in January (2m4f, soft); should progress further this season and there's upside to his current mark.

8/1

25/1

  • Place: £4.70

Form: 6F6-18 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Drew clear to win Fontwell maiden (2m3f, soft) on seasonal debut in October, but was soundly beaten on handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) the following month and comes here with a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:23 Newton Abbot

Super Sabre Sam

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

Dual hurdle winner who hit a personal best with his last success at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in May; 6lb higher on his return but he's a brother to a useful chaser and needs a close look on this switch to fences.

7/2

5

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:23 Newton Abbot

Super Sabre Sam

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

Dual hurdle winner who hit a personal best with his last success at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in May; 6lb higher on his return but he's a brother to a useful chaser and needs a close look on this switch to fences.

7/2

1st

1

15th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

19:10 Fontwell

Super Sabre Sam

11st 12lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Neil Mulholland

Won his maiden here over 2m3f on soft; hasn't look on that good a mark in handicaps but was beaten under 5l over C&D last time in first-time cheekpieces; each-way claims.

4/1

Form: U123

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won Plumpton maiden (2m, good) last spring and returned from a break with very respectable second at Ascot (1m7f, good) in November; not discredited when well-held third behind two useful rivals over C&D (good to soft) last month; no surprise if he features on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 3

13:30 Fontwell

Illegal dAinay

10st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Won a maiden hurdle (2m, good) in May 2024 but was well held in a Plumpton handicap (2m4f) in his final run last season; still lightly raced but this looks a tough starting point over fences and he has stamina to prove at this new trip.

11/2

7th

8

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 2

15:45 Plumpton

Illegal dAinay

11st 4lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Won a 2m maiden on good ground here last May and ran another good race to be fourth on handicap debut at Windsor three months ago (2m4f, soft); he doesn't look ahead of his mark but he's not had a lot of racing.

33/1

7th

8

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 2

15:45 Plumpton

Illegal dAinay

11st 4lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Won a 2m maiden on good ground here last May and ran another good race to be fourth on handicap debut at Windsor three months ago (2m4f, soft); he doesn't look ahead of his mark but he's not had a lot of racing.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4-31

Last run: 38 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Delivered on promise shown last spring when clearcut winner of Warwick maiden hurdle (2m5f, good to soft) last month; not obviously well treated for this handicap debut but should have further improvement to come; must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

16:00 Wincanton

Reallyntruthfully

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Chase campaign aborted after two forgettable efforts since a winning start in October (2m3f); on a fair mark for this return to hurdles and has a strike-rate of 2-6 in this discipline.

9/1

3

1st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 3

14:45 Huntingdon

Reallyntruthfully

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Absent since a November effort that failed to back up the form of his reappearance success (chase debut); however, may still have more to offer over fences and he certainly seems to benefit from a good rest, having gained two of his three wins when fresh.

9/2

Form: /022-2

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Four-time Flat winner; 0-7 over hurdles and more exposed than some of these, but bumped into very progressive rival when second in Newcastle novice (2m6f, good) in November; current handicap mark ought to be workable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Zanndabad

8st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: A J Martin

An unlucky, strong-finishing third in this race in 2024 (good to firm; his only run here) and has a 1lb lower mark today; flickers of that ability on occasions since, though had to have his sights lowered for two hurdle wins last autumn; tailed off at 40-1 in a Grade 1 novice hurdle four weeks ago, after a winter break, and could be more interesting this time.

12/1

10th

11

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Zanndabad

11st 7lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Won four-runner handicap at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) last October and followed up in a warm Newcastle novice (2m6f, good to soft), again with plenty in hand; he's useful on the Flat and could have more to offer in this code now things have started to click, but such improvement is necessary.

33/1

1

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 3

16:41 Sedgefield

Zanndabad

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: A J Martin

No win since 2022 in his French days but some good runs in defeat in big Flat handicaps, including last year's Chester Cup and a 1m4f race at York this August; he's a rather frustrating 0-9 over hurdles, with four seconds including on three of his last four attempts, but this is a drop in class.

15/8

Form: 1-43

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won small-field Chepstow bumper (heavy) last season and has made the frame on both hurdling starts (2m4f/2m3f); needs to improve to make winning handicap debut but has the potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:50 Chepstow

Devon Dude

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Mrs C Williams

Disappointing over fences this season (four attempts) and never really recovered from bad, first-flight error when back over hurdles last month; on dangerous mark for this first venture beyond about 2m6f, though, and has first-time cheekpieces and Harry Cobden enlisted; interesting.

14/1

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

16:10 Hereford

Devon Dude

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Evan Williams

Bumper winner who looked a promising hurdler last season when runner-up three times; hasn't taken to chasing this term and now switches back to hurdles; Harry Cobden looks to be a notable booking.

7/1

7th

2

20th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

15:32 Leicester

Devon Dude

11st 13lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Three good runs in maiden hurdles at up to 2m4f last spring but he's fallen, been pulled up and finished remote in three chase runs this winter; big turnaround needed for the step up in trip.

25/1

Form: 88-124

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Cantered clear to win low-grade Fontwell handicap (2m1f, good) by 12l in November; found one to good when penalised at Southwell (2m4f) a few days later, though, and was nearly 16l behind Guard Duty when fourth at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) last month; needs to kick on again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Lingfield

Officer Of State

11st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Fair hurdler who made a satisfactory chasing debut here (2m, good to soft) in December and created good impression when readily winning a competitive Windsor handicap (2m6f, soft) three weeks ago; does not look harshly treated by a 6lb rise and commands respect.

4/5

1st

12

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 3

16:05 Windsor

Officer Of State

10st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Two-time hurdle winner, the latest at Fontwell (2m1f, good to soft) in November, and ran respectably in the face of a very tough task on last month's chase debut at Lingfield (2m, good to soft); has hinted he could be suited by this sort of trip and he's not ruled out now back in a handicap.

16/1

Form: 4-2422 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Smart on the Flat in France in his prime and has made the frame in three handicap hurdles for Paul Nicholls this season, most recently when second of 18 at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) last month; only 1lb higher here and will be suited by the move back up in trip; probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

16th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Fasol

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Paul Nicholls

Largely consistent 7yo who gave it a good shot from the front when third in competitive Sandown handicap (2m4f, good) last month; eased in grade here and will be fine over the shorter trip; major contender.

9/4

3rd

9

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Fasol

10st 5lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Largely consistent 7yo who recovered from a jumping error at third-last flight to take fourth in Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton (2m, good) there weeks ago; also suited by 2m4f and this track; considered each-way.

12/1

4th

8

5th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Fasol

10st 13lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Has won at this trip but last four runs have been over further and he hasn't kicked on from his Musselburgh win in January (2m4f, good to soft; 3lb lower); probably has little margin for error mark-wise and unlikely the same is true about some of his rivals.

25/1

11/2

Form: 222F-2

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Ridden very patiently in C&D handicap (good to soft) last month and made good headway from poor position to chase home an improving rival; has to take a 4lb rise on the chin but remains unexposed after only four hurdling starts and can improve if he enjoys a more favourable tactical scenario today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Onewaywest

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Improved sort this season, winning handicaps at Warwick and Wetherby despite jumping to his right; wasn't at his best in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham, but the return to a right-handed track should suit so considered.

33/1

14th

22

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Onewaywest

10st 5lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Won from the front in 2m3f/2m4f, soft-ground handicaps at Warwick and Wetherby despite jumping out to his right; in contention when falling next time and second to Ace Of Spades at Huntingdon (upped markedly to 3m1f, soft) was creditable, but he keeps going up the weights and this return to a left-handed track is a concern.

33/1

2nd

3

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 2

15:15 Huntingdon

Onewaywest

11st 6lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Won 2m3f handicaps at Warwick and Wetherby (both on soft) despite jumping out to his right and, although headed, was still in contention when crashing out at the final flight at Kempton on Boxing Day (2m5f, good); raised an annoying 3lb for that and has stamina to prove over this far, but he's a 7yo on the rise.

4/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £42.90
Straight Forecast £42.88
Tricast £585.40
Trifecta £697.30

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Fasol

SPOTLIGHT:

Onewaywest

Daily Mirror:

Zanndabad

D Express:

Devon Dude

Telegraph:

Reallyntruthfully

RP RATINGS:

Onewaywest

The Star:

Onewaywest

POSTDATA:

Fasol

The Times:

Fasol

The Sun:

Fasol

Daily Record:

Zanndabad