January 23 / 14.05 Wetherby

14.05

Soft

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle (Go North Cab On Target Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £3168.6
  • 2m 3f 154y
  • Class 5
  • 16 runners
RTV
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William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle (Go North Cab On Target Series Qualifier)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 2F3-81 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 5yo who improved to make winning handicap debut at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) last month; 6lb higher in what looks a more competitive race here but may still have potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

15th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

16:07 Market Rasen

Aire Spray

11st 7lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Has responded well to cheekpieces and was up in trip when prevailing by a nose over C&D (soft) last month; 4lb higher, but still unexposed over this far and makes the shortlist.

3/1

1st

8

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:37 Market Rasen

Aire Spray

11st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Dual winner over 2m3f/2m4f on soft ground last winter and gradually working his way back to form this season, finishing runner-up at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) in December; has never attempted this far before, though.

11/2

16/1

  • Place: £6.40

Form: 4V-059

Last run: 50 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Displayed some promise in 2m4f Carlisle maiden in November and reportedly had breathing issue when well beaten over 3m last month; had wind surgery soon after that latest run and is open to improvement in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:00 Hexham

Balking

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Dianne Sayer

Very lightly raced 8yo who was 25-1 runner-up on handicap debut at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) last January; soundly beaten at Ayr this February on sole run since but may have needed that outing; not discounted.

10/1

8th

6

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:00 Ayr

Balking

11st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Dianne Sayer

Very lightly raced 8yo who had wind surgery prior to his handicap debut last January and finished second of 16 at Wetherby (2m3f, soft; 25-1); absent since but he'll be bang there if resuming where he left off.

12/1

2nd

1

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

14:05 Wetherby

Balking

12st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Dianne Sayer

took keen hold, in rear

16/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 0-5931 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Kept on from a long way off the pace for third on handicap debut at Hexham (2m, good) in November and opened his account over 2m4f there (soft) last month; still unexposed over this sort of trip and could easily have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

16

27th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

15:20 Wetherby

Forest Blaze

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mark Walford

Below par at Ayr last time, ending a consistent spell of form; rebound looks possible but this is a difficult task and he's still seeking a first win away from Hexham.

33/1

5th

7

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:20 Ayr

Forest Blaze

11st 3lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Placed on consecutive starts in cheekpieces here (2m4f/2m3f) in December/January and again ran well when close second in first-time visor at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) on latest outing; contests this competitive race from a career-high mark but still enters calculations.

8/1

20/1

  • Place: £6.20

Form: 879-

Last run: 426 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Did not get competitive in three maiden/novice hurdles in autumn 2023 (2m-2m3f) and makes his handicap debut after a 426-day absence but is still worth a glance in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

18:50 Hexham

Passengerontheship

10st 11lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sam England

Second in three hurdles in early 2025 but is still 0-10 under rules; pulled up here (3m, good) 17 days ago on second chase start in first-time tongue-tie (retained); the jury is out at present.

15/2

7

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:45 Hexham

Passengerontheship

11st 1lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Maiden; fine second to a subsequent three-time winner in a handicap hurdle at Carlisle in April 2025 (3m1f, good); hasn't done as well since, although not disgraced when sixth on chase debut at Newcastle last time (2m4f, good to soft); tongue-tie now tried; chance back up in trip.

8/1

6th

4

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

Passengerontheship

11st 6lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Second in three consecutive races over hurdles at up to 3m on last three starts last season; should improve on his reappearance run over hurdles (over C&D earlier this month); quite interesting on chase debut.

7/1

Form: F66-24 BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Seemingly boosted by first-time cheekpieces when clear second to a next-time-out winner at Southwell (2m4f, good) in November but was not in same form on soft ground last month and is now 0-9 over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:58 Uttoxeter

Elle Est Beau

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Cheekpieces have been installed this season, with a good second at Southwell (2m4f, good) on first occasion but she was not in quite the same form on soft ground on either start since; stamina to prove after one attempt at 3m (last March) and improvement is needed on this chase debut.

9/2

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:58 Uttoxeter

Elle Est Beau

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Cheekpieces have been installed this season, with a good second at Southwell (2m4f, good) on first occasion but she was not in quite the same form on soft ground on either start since; stamina to prove after one attempt at 3m (last March) and improvement is needed on this chase debut.

9/2

5th

6

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

14:05 Wetherby

Elle Est Beau

11st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

in rear, steady headway from 5th

11/2

Form: /8P7P0 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Returned from long absence with fairly encouraging run last summer but has looked out of sorts since (four runs); blinkers the headgear of choice today; revival needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:49 Huntingdon

Good Bye

11st 1lb

J: James Best

T: Sara Ender

pushed along briefly soon after start, awkward jump 1st, in touch with leaders, lost position and reminders 4th, dropped to rear 5th, struggling 6th, kept on from 3 out, no telling impression

10/1

7th

6

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:49 Huntingdon

Good Bye

11st 1lb

J: James Best

T: Sara Ender

pushed along briefly soon after start, awkward jump 1st, in touch with leaders, lost position and reminders 4th, dropped to rear 5th, struggling 6th

10/1

OUR TIP

16/1

Form: 253044

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in first two handicaps (2m3f/2m4f) and lacked the pace to land a telling blow when fourth of five at Bangor (2m) last month; may benefit from this move back up in trip but still needs to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

13th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Manowest

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won a Worcester maiden hurdle last May (2m7f, good); creditable runs handicapping since; conditions suit; chance.

9/2

3rd

3

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Manowest

11st 4lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Won his maiden over this trip at Worcester last May and has since shown he can cope with this sort of mark; whether he'll cope with today's ground is another matter as his best form has been on good.

7/1

6th

5

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Manowest

11st 11lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

Returned from break with hard-fought maiden win at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May and probably bettered that performance when clear second in C&D (good) handicap last month; likely contender again.

9/2

Form: 33-652

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Made low-key stable/handicap debut in November but last month's second of 11 at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) was much better, albeit he may only have been third best on merit; further progress is possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

11th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

16:42 Southwell

Pottersjetamay

11st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Matt Crawley

Maiden over hurdles and fences; back hurdling for his last three starts and has to raise his game; the cheekpieces may help.

10/1

6th

12

23rd Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Warwick

Pottersjetamay

10st 9lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Matt Crawley

Maiden over hurdles and fences; two good efforts in small-field Fakenham chases last year but his placed form over hurdles since back from a break suggest he'll be pushed to get off the mark today.

10/1

2nd

4

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

15:17 Stratford

Pottersjetamay

11st 6lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Matt Crawley

0-18 but he posted a solid third of nine back hurdling in 2m Huntingdon handicap 17 days ago; considered off a 2lb lower mark.

7/2

Form: 33-7

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat racer who was placed twice over hurdles last season (1m7f/2m1f); never on terms in 2m handicap hurdle here last month but that run came after a break and he might have untapped potential over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

27th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

19:08 Cartmel

Rioja Alta

10st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

C&D winner off 2lb lower last summer (soft) and some respectable runs in the meantime; the latest at Perth wasn't one of them but he's hard to rule out.

8/1

5th

1

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:40 Perth

Rioja Alta

12st 0lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Micky Hammond

Winner off 3lb lower at Cartmel last summer (2m6f, soft); two good runs this year, latest when third in a stronger race at Wetherby (3m, good to soft); chance down in grade.

9/2

3rd

11

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Rioja Alta

10st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

Won at Cartmel (2m6f, soft) last July and he's worked his way back to form, finishing third of eight at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in January; faces tougher opposition today, however, and needs another step forward.

12/1

66/1

Form: 0608-P

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Seemed badly to lose his way on the Flat last year and was pulled up when 100-1 for last month's hurdling return (refitted cheekpieces); arrives here with a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 5

13:10 Carlisle

Gold Ring

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Neil Mechie

Two Flat wins, the latest at 2m in 2023, but he's shown very little in a handful of starts on the Flat and over hurdles since spring 2024.

66/1

Form: U770

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Maiden pointer; did not show a great deal in four 2m novice hurdles in the autumn but might get more competitive in low-grade handicaps, and today's move up in trip ought to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

5th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:48 Ffos Las

Dublin To Milan

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Seven-race maiden over hurdles who has shown no worthwhile form in three handicap chases since February; tries blinkers, but cheekpieces did nothing for him.

10/1

11th

8

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

16:20 Ffos Las

Dublin To Milan

10st 12lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Pulled up in both starts switched to chasing this term but can't be written off; remains the type who should do better in this sphere, having shown some promise in points.

10/1

5

11th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:55 Huntingdon

Dublin To Milan

11st 2lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Consistency remains an issue and he had barely started the final circuit when pulling up on his chase debut here (2m4f, heavy) three weeks ago; maybe the ground was an issue that day and cheekpieces, which his half-brother wore to win five of his six races, are now fitted; hard to be confident but his yard's ticking along and this is uncompetitive.

13/2

Form: 25P68

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on all three hurdling starts (2m-2m5f) towards end of last year but last summer's bumper second was promising (winner has done well on the Flat since) and he remains unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

24th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:42 Worcester

Montana Golden

11st 1lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Richard Hawker

Signed off for previous yard as an eight-race maiden but was beaten under 6l in a Uttoxeter handicap the final time (2m4f, good); since changed hands for £7,500.

25/1

4th

6

17th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

20:31 Uttoxeter

Montana Golden

11st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Couldn't justify favouritism upped to 3m1f at Huntingdon latest, palpably not staying; this intermediate trip may suit better on good (wouldn't settle on last attempt at trip/ground combination), and he could be on a rather higher mark on last summer's bumper form.

5/2

4th

6

17th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

20:31 Uttoxeter

Montana Golden

11st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Couldn't justify favouritism upped to 3m1f at Huntingdon latest, palpably not staying; this intermediate trip may suit better on good (wouldn't settle on last attempt at trip/ground combination), and he could be on a rather higher mark on last summer's bumper form.

5/2

Form: 073

Last run: 40 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Displayed improvement and belied 66-1 odds when third in Doncaster maiden (2m3f, good to soft) in December, form that has worked out very well in recent days; could be on a good mark for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

16:33 Doncaster

Maxiboy Dagrostis

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Progressive before last month's handicap debut flop, his mark comparing very favourably to the RPR of his previous third over this C&D (good to soft); player if reacting the right way to the tongue-tie.

8/1

Form: P-6F5P D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Scored off today's mark at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy) a year ago but not much has gone to plan since; reverts to hurdling after failing to complete two of his three chases; needs a good boost from the first-time blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

14:05 Wetherby

Ismael

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

prominent early, niggled along and in touch with leaders after 1st

20/1

13

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

14:05 Wetherby

Ismael

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

prominent early, niggled along and in touch with leaders after 1st

20/1

5

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

12:28 Southwell

Ismael

11st 3lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

ran in snatches, prominent early, slow jump and dropped to midfield 5th

10/1

Form: 00/0

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
A well-beaten outsider in three maiden/novice hurdles (2m-2m2f), the latest last month after a long absence; has tongue-tie fitted for handicap debut; considered only if lively in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

14:05 Wetherby

Monklaw

10st 11lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

in rear, mistake 1st

25/1

15

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

14:05 Wetherby

Monklaw

10st 11lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

in rear, mistake 1st

25/1

Form: 072P66

Last run: 55 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
0-11 over hurdles and 0-24 overall; gave good account when second at Kelso (2m5f, good) in October but has not been in the same form again since and needs help from the first-time cheekpieces today; 1lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

14:05 Wetherby

Swift Reply

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Simon Waugh

prominent

33/1

17

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

14:05 Wetherby

Swift Reply

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Simon Waugh

prominent

33/1

Non-runners

Lone Star

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £170.70
Straight Forecast £119.69
Tricast £329.28
Trifecta £690.20

Selections

The Times:

Aire Spray

RP RATINGS:

Maxiboy Dagrostis

SPOTLIGHT:

Forest Blaze

Daily Mail:

Elle Est Beau

POSTDATA:

Lone Star

Telegraph:

Maxiboy Dagrostis

Daily Mirror:

Maxiboy Dagrostis

The Sun:

Forest Blaze

The Star:

Forest Blaze

The Guardian:

Aire Spray

D Express:

Aire Spray

Daily Record:

Aire Spray