January 24 / 12.25 Doncaster

12.25

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet EBF “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6535.2
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet EBF “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 522 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Improved form on his second and third attempts over hurdles when runner-up at Kempton and Huntingdon, both over 2m on good to soft; under pressure some way out when favourite in the latter but he went down by just a length and it looks as if this longer trip will suit; he already brings the best form, so should be in with a huge shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Georges Lad

11st 3lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Emma Lavelle

Has only won a maiden but there has been promise in his handicap runs and he caught the attention of the stewards when trying this far for the first time at Kempton on Boxing Day (good; off since); he did take a fierce hold on that occasion and will need to settle better here, but still interesting on the back of a wind operation.

11/2

1

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 3

15:45 Fontwell

Georges Lad

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Delivered on earlier promise when easily winning Doncaster maiden (2m3f, good to soft) in January and was in contention for a place before final-flight fall in valuable EBF Final on handicap debut at Sandown (2m4f, good to soft) in March; still has potential and commands respect.

15/8

5

8th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Georges Lad

11st 11lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Emma Lavelle

Has improved with each start; justified favouritism in Doncaster maiden (2m3f) most recently, beating a subsequent scorer without coming off the bridle; had any amount in hand and an 11lb rise may well underestimate his potential; interesting contender.

5/1

OUR TIP

3/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 2

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to four winners, notably the smart jumper Angels Breath; second favourite for bumper at Taunton (good to soft) in November and made a promising debut in second of eight; from a top yard and he's very much one to note on hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

15th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:55 Aintree

Calimystic

12st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Didn't hang about over hurdles and now 2-2 over fences, the latter win gained at Sandown (3m, soft) in March; withdrawn three times since then with good ground deemed unsuitable but his first two wins (one over hurdles) were gained on good; probably still has more improvement to come; must be considered.

11/4

5/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 21-2

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Trainer had a short-priced favourite win this race in the last two seasons; this representative has not shown so much in the build-up but he won a bumper at Ffos Las (soft) and his 15l second of six from the front on hurdle debut at Kempton (2m5f, good) puts him in the each-way picture.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:08 Uttoxeter

As Legends Have It

10st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

0-5 over hurdles but he made it fourth time lucky over fences when scoring at Stratford (2m7f, soft) 19 days ago; was left clear at the second-last but he still hit a personal best with that success and should have more to offer in this sphere; respected up 3lb.

5/2

1st

2

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:20 Stratford

As Legends Have It

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Yet to build on his bumper success in April 2024 but was still in contention when falling four out at Wetherby (3m, soft) in December and may not have got home when last of four finishers at Doncaster (3m, soft) the following month; drops back down in trip and is not out of this.

9/2

4th

7

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

14:38 Doncaster

As Legends Have It

10st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Started favourite for the Wetherby event won by Chasingouttheblues, only to fall four out; consistent otherwise and looks a possible danger with a clear round in this third chase attempt.

11/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
38,000euros foal and 80,000euros 3yo; second foal; dam out of a smart bumper and useful 2m-2m4f hurdle/chase winning sister to Irish National winner Thunder And Roses; produced a taking performance to win at second attempt in Irish maiden points (3m in the mud) in autumn 2023, followed by £155,000 sale that December; not seen since but needs a close look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Hawthorn Street

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Point winner who got off the mark over hurdles at the third attempt at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in February and was beaten only 4l when fourth on last month's handicap debut at Wetherby (3m, good to soft); unexposed and further improvement is possible.

15/2

4th

6

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Hawthorn Street

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Point winner who won a maiden hurdle at Catterick (3m1f, soft) last month on his third rules start; that form reads well and this unexposed 7yo could prove to be superior to his opening mark; yard in good form.

5/2

1st

3

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 71y

Class 4

14:00 Catterick

Hawthorn Street

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Very lightly raced 7yo; bought from the Irish point-to-point scene for £155,000; dropped away in Class 2 contest at Windsor (3m) on return from another layoff last time but looks open to progress back down in grade with the outing under his belt; interesting.

9/4

Form: 9-

Last run: 348 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
11l fourth in May 2023 in his only point and tailed off last February when 80-1 for a heavy-ground bumper at Exeter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

16:42 Newbury

Swift Jet

11st 6lb

J: David Bass

T: Richard Phillips

Bounced back from two falls over fences to win pretty much as he liked over hurdles at Doncaster (3m, good to soft); this looks a better race and he's 7lb higher, but this gelding hasn't had a lot of racing.

15/2

1st

3

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

15:57 Doncaster

Swift Jet

11st 10lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard Phillips

8yo who is lightly raced for his age; he's fallen over fences this winter on his first two chase starts and remains a maiden but before those he kept on for an encouraging third over hurdles at Ludlow (3m, good to soft); not ruled out each-way now back in this sphere.

20/1

Form: 332

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner (3m, heavy); third in two maiden hurdles (below form on second occasion, on soft) before his front-running second in novice at Wetherby (good to soft); galloped on strongly in the latter and looks the type to do better, with this longer trip a probable help; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 50y

Class 5

16:25 Haydock

Idaho Valley

11st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Managed only third when odds-on for modest 2m Huntingdon maiden last month (albeit form was recently boosted by the winner) and is now 0-8 over hurdles; should be fine over today's longer trip but needs to up his game on this handicap debut; tongue-tie added.

6/1

3rd

2

19th Feb 2026

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

13:06 Huntingdon

Idaho Valley

11st 7lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Point winner who is 0-7 over hurdles and hasn't progressed, but he's finished in the first three on five of his seven starts in this sphere (including on soft ground) and holds leading claims in this weak race.

4/6

Form: 5-4752

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten favourite in three bumpers for Willie Mullins and sold last August for £12,000; 2m6f mares' hurdle races for new yard at Stratford and Uttoxeter (runner-up) have shown significant ability but much better is needed if she's to ruffle the feathers of some in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:35 Cartmel

El Fabienne

11st 4lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Martin Todhunter

Always behind when 50-1 for 2m1f handicap hurdle here (soft) on stable debut in June and now 0-7 over hurdles; moves back up in trip for this chasing debut; not the most obvious answer.

25/1

8th

11

27th Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

17:30 Cartmel

El Fabienne

10st 13lb

J: Mr James King

T: Martin Todhunter

0-6 over hurdles for Alastair Ralph, and her second at Stratford (2m, good) in April came in a very ordinary mares' maiden; sold for £9,000 last month; needs improvement on stable debut; tongue-tie/cheekpieces removed.

25/1

2nd

2

13th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

13:43 Stratford

El Fabienne

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

led, faced challenge approaching last, headed final 110yds, weakened towards finish

9/2

Form: P-2 BF

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner in April 2022 before making 160,000euros, but pulled up in a bumper in November 2023 (respiratory noise reported); second at 1-2 when tongue tied in a 2m4f maiden hurdle at Thurles in November this term, racing freely and collared late on after looking the likely winner, which preceded him leaving Willie Mullins for £4,000 in December, so he has questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Foreverwalking

12st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

Ran a tad better in his second handicap hurdle last time at Stratford (2m2f, good) and the runner-up made all there on Saturday evening; dropped 4lb and might have a say if taking to fences.

10/1

7th

1

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Foreverwalking

12st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

Ran a tad better in his second handicap hurdle last time at Stratford (2m2f, good) and the runner-up made all there on Saturday evening; dropped 4lb and might have a say if taking to fences.

10/1

3rd

2

13th Apr 2025

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

15:25 Stratford

Foreverwalking

11st 13lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

prominent, in touch with leaders 2nd, prominent 6th, outpaced approaching last, no impression run-in

20/1

Form: 4

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth in two Irish maiden points (April 2023) and again when 100-1 in novice hurdle at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) last month in his only race since; has some ability and these are very early days but others have shown more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

16

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

20:15 Hexham

Lord De Vinci

10st 8lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

Ten-race maiden; tried chasing without success this year and, having been pulled up Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) when returned to hurdling last time, is perhaps best watched for now.

33/1

3

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 5

14:57 Carlisle

Lord De Vinci

11st 5lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

Chasing has not really gone to plan this year (unplaced all four attempts) but he shaped well when fourth in C&D hurdle (soft) on seasonal debut in December and is now 8lb lower; headgear removed; worth a second look.

7/1

4th

7

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Lord De Vinci

11st 3lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

Showed some promise in points and over hurdles, but was 31l behind Hawkseye View over 2m4f here last week (cheekpieces tried); new headgear and up in trip, but plenty to find.

20/1

Form: 68

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
The last to finish in a bumper at Bangor and 2m4f novice hurdle at Hereford, so she's best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:05 Southwell

The Dancing Lass

10st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

never better than midfield

16/1

10

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:00 Ludlow

The Dancing Lass

10st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Tailed off in a bumper and in two runs over hurdles, latterly going off at 400-1.

100/1

10th

12

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

12:25 Doncaster

The Dancing Lass

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

prominent

100/1

100/1

Form: 0-47P0

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hinted at ability in bumpers but no worthwhile form when triple-figure odds in his two maiden hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

12:25 Doncaster

Tank Top

11st 10lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

prominent on outer

100/1

12th

10

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

12:25 Doncaster

Tank Top

11st 10lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Hinted at ability in bumpers but no worthwhile form when triple-figure odds in his two maiden hurdles.

100/1

10th

11

18th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

11:55 Lingfield

Tank Top

11st 4lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

prominent, slow jump 3rd

100/1

Form: 22-28

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in all three bumpers but tailed off when 9-2 for a novice hurdle at Hereford (2m4f, good to soft) in December; half-brother to the very smart Sizing Pottsie and it's much too early for him to be dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

25th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:10 Hereford

Ocean Walz

10st 4lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

22,000euros 2yo; seventh foal; half-brother to very smart chaser Sizing Pottsie and a French hurdle/chase winner; dam French Listed chase winner; stable 4-37 in bumpers during last five seasons; a possible.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.40
Straight Forecast £7.55
Trifecta £27.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

George's Lad

LAMBOURN:

Calimystic

WEST COUNTRY:

As Legends Have It

D Express:

Hawthorn Street

Daily Mail:

Calimystic

Daily Record:

Calimystic

RP RATINGS:

George's Lad

TOPSPEED:

George's Lad

POSTDATA:

George's Lad

The Times:

George's Lad

Telegraph:

George's Lad

The Guardian:

George's Lad

Daily Mirror:

George's Lad

The Sun:

George's Lad

The Star:

As Legends Have It