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

7th

7

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 3

16:55 Cartmel

Passengerontheship

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Big improver who won five consecutive good-ground chases in May/June, the latest over C&D; slightly disappointing when only fifth behind Sean Og here last month and will probably have slower ground to contend with today but further progress is not yet out of the question.

5/1

5th

3

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 4

17:30 Cartmel

Passengerontheship

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Major improver who made it 5-7 over fences when completing a five-timer over C&D (good) three weeks ago; up another 5lb but he's on a roll and this tough 7yo could continue on the upgrade; big player.

4/5

1st

2

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 4

15:18 Cartmel

Passengerontheship

11st 9lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

The tongue-tie has made a difference and he completed a Hexham four-timer five days ago (2m4f, good); only two others got round but he's on a roll and might be well in with a penalty.

6/4

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

1

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Worcester

Manowest

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

2m7f maiden hurdle winner here (good) and overall Worcester record reads 2531; this shorter trip is likely still manageable here, although he was below form at sharp Southwell over nearly 2m5f on chasing debut last time (beaten 19l); fair claims off 2lb lower; cheekpieces go on.

13/2

3rd

2

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:30 Southwell

Manowest

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Just 1-12 over hurdles and ran poorly when upped to 3m2f at Perth last month; makes chasing debut from a workable mark, though, and his Irish point win in 2024 bodes well for his prospects over fences.

6/1

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

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