January 24 / 14.03 Doncaster

14.03

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6535.2
  • 2m 0f 128y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

10/11 (Won)

  • Win: £1.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 11 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Solid effort in Irish point; two from two under rules, both wins over hurdles at Ludlow (2m, good to soft), ridden out to beat main market rival by 2l latest; open to further progress and warrants respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

11

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Meetmebythesea

10st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Has the same strike-rate as Jordans Cross, being 5-8 overall; struggled in the Game Spirit when bidding to take chase record to 3-3; faces a more suitable assignment in this contest and although he has raced mainly at about 2m, the return to 2m4f promises to suit; good third in major novice handicap hurdle at Sandown (good to soft) in sole attempt over this distance; major contender, with further improvement still plausible.

13/2

6th

6

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

14:45 Newbury

Meetmebythesea

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Ben Pauling

Good effort in notable novice handicap on last hurdles attempt; unbeaten otherwise under rules and has taken well to fences, last time defying a penalty at Ayr (2m, heavy); has the worst chance at the weights upped in class but current rating isn't necessarily his ceiling; progressive and could go well.

16/1

3rd

2

8th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Meetmebythesea

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Promising sort who is 3-3 under rules, all in 2m events over hurdles, and beat The Kemble Brewery at Ludlow on penultimate occasion; likely to be as effective at this longer distance, being a 3m point runner-up, and represents last year's winning yard; respected.

7/2

12/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 55-4OO

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Was in the process of performing respectably when running out two flights from home at Leicester (2m4f) and Windsor (2m) the last twice; has place claims on bare figures but comes with risk.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:00 Southwell

Boston Boy

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Point runner-up and maiden hurdle winner but has disappointed in three chase starts this winter, pulling up at Sedgefield with cheekpieces added eight weeks ago; blinkers are tried now.

10/1

3

4th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 77y

Class 4

15:17 Sedgefield

Boston Boy

11st 9lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Point runner-up and maiden hurdle winner for whom things could click over fences at some point; well beaten on first two chase starts and hopes are pinned on the first-time cheekpieces giving him a boost.

7/1

7th

6

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:55 Huntingdon

Boston Boy

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won Fontwell maiden hurdle (2m1f, good) in March and was not beaten far when eighth of 22 in Punchestown festival handicap in May; however, his record over hurdles was very mixed and he's a bit of a character (ran out in consecutive races last autumn); had wind op in spring; comes with risk attached on chasing debut.

15/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to winners Rainyday Woman (Listed bumper/2m-2m5f hurdle) and William Cody (2m4f chase), out of useful 2m7f-3m1f hurdle/chase winner; sole newcomer in the field; market instructive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:00 Huntingdon

Sleeping Late

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Pam Sly

0-7 and was below form following a short break when eighth at Stratford (2m, soft) last month; needs to bounce back on this drop in grade on better ground.

8/1

8th

10

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:20 Stratford

Sleeping Late

10st 13lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Pam Sly

Yet to win (0-6) but he ran his best race yet when second at Fakenham (2m Class 4, soft; 6-1) on latest start; competes from the same mark on return from an 11-week absence; needs to his raise game further in this more competitive contest.

9/1

5th

8

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

12:40 Wetherby

Sleeping Late

11st 0lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Pam Sly

There's a suspicion he'll come into his own when tackling further and he'll be vulnerable if bumping into anything useful, but he was runner-up in a C&D maiden (good) in March when last seen and that form has been franked; has also run well on good to soft; strong claims.

7/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Raced four times in Irish points, opening his account with 10l success latest; unlikely to be out of the top drawer but has joined a major yard for rules career; check the betting for further guidance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

Top Guy

10st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Broadly progressive form since November features two wins, including at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) latest start when doing it readily; may continue to improve; one to consider, despite going up a further 10lb and Harry Skelton preferring stablemate Tranquil Sea.

8/1

1st

6

4th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:20 Newton Abbot

Top Guy

11st 3lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Just one win from ten starts over hurdles but that came at Aintree (3m1f) in December and he bounced back with a creditable second at Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft) last month; nudged up 2lb but he's still unexposed as a stayer and has possibilities back up in trip.

7/2

2nd

5

15th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

16:07 Market Rasen

Top Guy

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

In good form during the winter including a win at Aintree (3m1f, soft) in December; last month's Ascot effort (3m, good to soft) needs forgiving, but shortlisted if he can bounce back.

9/2

Form: 9

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Solid form in Irish points but finished 8l behind Meetmebythesea on the first occasion; easy to back and well beaten in Taunton novice hurdle (2m3f) for new stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

10th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:55 Chepstow

I Aint Your Mate

11st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Christian Williams

Placed in two Irish points in spring 2024 and displayed improvement over hurdles when fourth at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) in February; makes handicap debut after 237-day break but the move back up in trip should suit.

10/1

Form: 2-9

Last run: 84 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Both starts in bumpers, finishing second at Warwick (for Tom Weston) then beaten long way at Uttoxeter where he pulled hard; may settle better with hood now fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

12:47 Market Rasen

River Rider

11st 5lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Sam Allwood

Well beaten in two 2m3f handicaps towards end of last year and has now been unplaced in all six hurdle starts; needs first-time tongue-tie to make a big difference.

25/1

7

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

River Rider

11st 7lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sam Allwood

Runner-up on debut in bumper in April 2024; no impact on his four starts since, three of them over hurdles, but this handicap debut provides a more realistic opportunity and he's one to watch in the betting.

25/1

Form: 7

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran respectably at this course in last Flat outing but poorly at Ludlow (long way behind Meetmebythesea) on the switch to hurdles for new yard; had wind surgery since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(11)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

13:20 Leicester

Arkendale

11st 1lb

J: Mr Lucas Murphy

T: Barry Brennan

Rediscovered some form when a front-running third at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) before never dangerous on AW earlier this month; has since changed hands and left Billy Aprahamian; acts on soft but not proven over this far.

14/1

10th

2

(11)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

13:20 Leicester

Arkendale

11st 1lb

J: Mr Lucas Murphy

T: Barry Brennan

Rediscovered some form when a front-running third at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) before never dangerous on AW earlier this month; has since changed hands and left Billy Aprahamian; acts on soft but not proven over this far.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 72-13 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Good performances switched to hurdles (2m) this term, winning at Stratford (good to soft) then third under a penalty at Exeter (soft); the form has substance and he should have more to offer; solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

24th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Kempton

Mythical Moon

10st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

£42,000 yearling; half-brother to bumper/2m hurdle winner Gitche Gumee; dam bumper/2m5f hurdle winner, sister to bumper/useful 2m4f-3m jumps winner Chilli Filli from talented family; very plausible on pedigree; yard 12% in bumpers in recent seasons.

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £1.90
Straight Forecast £2.21
Trifecta £4.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Meetmebythesea

SPOTLIGHT:

Mythical Moon

TOPSPEED:

Meetmebythesea

POSTDATA:

Meetmebythesea

WEST COUNTRY:

Meetmebythesea

The Times:

Meetmebythesea

The Guardian:

Meetmebythesea

Daily Mail:

Meetmebythesea

D Express:

Meetmebythesea

Daily Mirror:

Meetmebythesea

The Sun:

Meetmebythesea

Daily Record:

Meetmebythesea

Telegraph:

Mythical Moon

The Star:

Mythical Moon