January 25 / 13.15 Cheltenham

13.15

Good

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Finesse) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £45560
  • 2m 0f 179y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
ITV
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JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Finesse) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/6 (Won)

  • Win: £1.50
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 11 C

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Developed into a useful stayer on the Flat for James Fanshawe and has created an excellent impression in two juvenile hurdles, readily landing the odds at Wincanton in October and storming 18l clear in a Grade 2 here in November; both those wins came on good ground but he also won impressively on the Flat on soft last spring; second in the betting for the Triumph Hurdle and can cement his claims by completing a hat-trick today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(6)

25th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:10 Newmarket

East India Dock

9st 5lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: James Owen

One of the top juvenile hurdlers last season and he justified warm favouritism when returned to the Flat for the Chester Cup (2m2f) in May; respectable efforts off 8lb higher when sixth of 20 in the Ascot Stakes and Northumberland Plate in June; freshened up since; needs improvement to win at this level.

5/1

6th

4

(14)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

East India Dock

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: James Owen

One of the top juvenile hurdlers last season and he justified warm favouritism when returned to the Flat for the Chester Cup (2m2f) in May; sixth off this 8lb higher mark at Royal Ascot (2m4f) was right up with that form and he's a player if this AW surface (sole race on one was as 2yo, finished last) proves suitable.

6/1

6th

7

(18)

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

East India Dock

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: James Owen

One of the top juvenile hurdlers last season and he justified warm favouritism when returned to the Flat in 15-runner Chester Cup (2m2f, good) over five weeks ago, never far away before strength of stamina took him to the front inside the final 1f; below-form outsider last April/June on his only two starts on good to firm (one at this meeting); up 8lb since Chester but may well be capable of another advance if the ground is okay.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 116 D BF

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won his first two races in France, readily beating Coeur D'Amour at Compiegne (2m1f, heavy) on second occasion, before coming up short behind the same rival when odds-on for Grade 3 on same course two months ago; bit to prove after that last run but he'd looked a juvenile hurdler going places before then and may bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Stencil

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm

5yo; trained in France but campaigned in Britain since start of 2025; impressed in a warm novice chase at Chepstow (2m, soft) in January and 25l tenth in the Jack Richards at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) was better than the bare facts, as he pulled hard and was held up in a race that favoured those who were up with the pace; could settle better now back down in trip; interesting.

15/2

10th

13

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Stencil

10st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm

Trained in France but campaigned exclusively in British races since the start of last year, most recently opening his chase account in Chepstow event (2m, soft) having settled better than usual; form of that ready success has been franked by the runner-up since; hood worn the last twice is retained; this low-mileage 5yo remains open to further progress and has possibilities provided he stays the new trip; bids to atone for his flop when favourite for the Fred Winter at this meeting 12 months ago.

7/1

1st

5

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:37 Chepstow

Stencil

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm

Dual hurdle winner in France in 2024; has a tendency to race too freely but ran well for a long way before fading into fifth in Grade 2 novice chase at Cheltenham (2m, soft) in November and kept on pretty well for second behind next-time-out winner in Ascot handicap (2m1f, soft; first-time hood) last month; favoured by the weights here and a major player.

10/11

40/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 212333 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Reliable gelding who was beaten 18l by East India Dock here in November and finished third in the Grade 2 Finale at Chepstow in December; likely to give his running again but others have more potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Torrent

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

Got off to a flyer when winning two of his first three starts over hurdles in 2024; has drawn a blank since but he's on a reduced mark and wasn't beaten far when fourth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) three weeks; has possibilities if he can build on that and he's in the mix.

13/2

4th

10

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

15:50 Uttoxeter

Torrent

11st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

Got off to a flyer when winning two of his first three starts over hurdles in 2024 but has been unable to get his head in front since; his mark continues to drop and cheekpieces are back on replacing a visor; best watched.

12/1

6th

8

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Torrent

11st 8lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

2-15 over hurdles; winless this campaign but it started quite well and the third at Sandown in December was in a first-time visor that now returns having been missing the last twice; on a fair mark if factoring in Murray Dodd's claim; could stage a revival.

20/1

16/1

Form: 1121 CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Looked ordinary in two Flat runs but has been a revelation over hurdles, winning three of his four races, the first two for Joseph O'Brien; found plenty to force a dead-heat with Quantock Hills over C&D (good to soft; unraced on softer) last month; this is a stiffer task but he's hard to discount.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

16:23 Newbury

Teriferma

11st 9lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jack Jones

Showed a good strike-rate (3-6) and proved fairly useful as a juvenile hurdler last term but has been absent since midfield finish in the Fred Winter; market may offer further guidance.

16/1

11th

10

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Teriferma

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Jack Jones

Inferior Flat form to a few of these but he's making a name for himself over hurdles and has a similar profile to Quantock Hills (with whom he's closely matched on bare form), having looked on an upward curve until fading away in a Grade 2 here in January; that was his first time on soft ground (won on good and good to soft) so there's reason to believe he'll run better this time; the tongue-tie worn throughout over hurdles is joined by cheekpieces that he wore once on the Flat (finished sixth).

22/1

4th

5

25th Jan 2025

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

13:15 Cheltenham

Teriferma

11st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Jack Jones

Looked ordinary in two Flat runs but has been a revelation over hurdles, winning three of his four races, the first two for Joseph O'Brien; found plenty to force a dead-heat with Quantock Hills over C&D (good to soft; unraced on softer) last month; this is a stiffer task but he's hard to discount.

16/1

Form: 21211 CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Progressive form; scored convincingly at Fontwell (2m1f, good) in November and was joined on the line by Teriferma over C&D (good to soft) the following month; also won on soft ground in France; something to find on the figures with East India Dock but may not have reached his ceiling just yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

12:50 Newcastle

Quantock Hills

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Dual juvenile hurdle last season who had his limitations exposed in some deeper races at the turn of the year, but he signed off with a respectable fifth in a Sandown (2m, good) handicap in April; yet to really fire since switched to fences this term for a stable going well, though he could improve for this longer trip.

13/2

3rd

5

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:23 Newton Abbot

Quantock Hills

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Won three times over hurdles last year and was last seen finishing fifth of 14 in a valuable novices' handicap at Sandown (2m, good) in April; half-brother to a winning chaser and the market should be useful on his debut over fences after six months off.

9/4

3rd

5

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:23 Newton Abbot

Quantock Hills

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Won three times over hurdles last year and was last seen finishing fifth of 14 in a valuable novices' handicap at Sandown (2m, good) in April; half-brother to a winning chaser and the market should be useful on his debut over fences after six months off.

9/4

Form: 1 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Got better on the Flat, showing fair form to win a 2m handicap last summer, and he made an immediate impact over hurdles when outpointing an odds-on favourite at Newbury (2m, soft) five weeks ago on his debut for Alan King; his jumping was sound that day and he's open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(3)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

14:53 Chester

Believitanducan

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Alan King

Three months off before returning to Flat with a win at Ascot (2m, good; 12 ran) three weeks ago, always prominent as 11-8 favourite; up 4lb and lacks any experience of this track but a huge player if he takes to it.

2/1

1st

8

(13)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Ascot

Believitanducan

9st 7lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Alan King

Placed in all four staying handicaps (includes 2m win) for Jessica Macey in 2024; three hurdle wins since joining this yard and a good effort on the Flat when second at Kempton (2m, AW) in April 2025; respected on his return to this sphere.

6/1

3rd

6

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 5y

Class 3

16:10 Warwick

Believitanducan

11st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Failed to fire at Kempton last time (2m5f, good) but seemed suited by the step up to 2m4f (soft) the run before when the front two pulled clear; 3-6 as a hurdler and won't mind getting back on a slower surface; considered.

13/2

Form: 1-21 D

Last run: 231 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Made a promising start to his career in French juvenile hurdles in the first half of 2024, winning twice including a Listed event at Auteuil (2m1f, very soft; tended to jump right; just pushed out to assert); has joined a top stable and has to be respected on his British debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 152y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Sauvignon

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, dropped to rear and struggling after 4th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out

7/1

4th

1

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Kempton

Sauvignon

11st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Closely related to a 1m Group 1 winner; promising in French juvenile hurdles in the first half of 2024, his two wins including a Listed event at Auteuil (2m1f, very soft; tended to jump right); however, pulled up when 10-1 for Cheltenham Grade 2 four weeks ago on British debut.

7/1

2

25th Jan 2025

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

13:15 Cheltenham

Sauvignon

11st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Made a promising start to his career in French juvenile hurdles in the first half of 2024, winning twice including a Listed event at Auteuil (2m1f, very soft; tended to jump right; just pushed out to assert); has joined a top stable and has to be respected on his British debut.

11/2

Form: 21 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Quite useful at 1m4f-2m on the Flat; confirmed the promise of his hurdling debut when easily landing the odds at Fontwell (2m1f, soft) on Boxing Day; remains unexposed but this is a much sterner assignment.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(4)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Ascot

Galactic Charm

9st 12lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

In decent form when last seen on the Flat for Michael Bell but has been hurdling since December 2024 for this yard; did well as a juvenile in that sphere but last season didn't go well; mark fine if this return to the Flat perks him up.

20/1

6th

1

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

15:05 Fontwell

Galactic Charm

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Well handicapped on some of last season's form but looked unenthusiastic when never-dangerous fourth at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft) last month and has become disappointing; needs change of headgear to perk him up.

8/1

4th

3

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 4

16:30 Plumpton

Galactic Charm

11st 11lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Lurks on a dangerous mark and his defeat on heavy ground a fortnight ago is not viewed harshly but he's largely been disappointing this season and has stamina to prove over this new trip.

4/1

Form: 35-2 BF

Last run: 238 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Similar form in three juvenile hurdles in France in the first half of last year (wore tongue-strap), runner-up on the last of them (2m1f, heavy); changed hands for 450,000euros afterwards; seems to have plenty to find on today's British debut, but he's joined a stable having a good season and market support would be significant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Mambonumberfive

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Comes here fresh having bypassed the Cheltenham Festival and been absent since a Kingmaker defeat that is perhaps best forgiven due to the heavy ground; 3-3 over fences otherwise, including 2m wins at Aintree (handicap) and Kempton (Grade 2, readily); may resume improvement, provided he stays the new trip.

14/1

3rd

2

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 1

13:50 Warwick

Mambonumberfive

11st 5lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Rapidly progressive 5yo who won Grade 2 novice at Kempton (2m, good) over Christmas, having made stylish headway from the rear, and is now 3-3 over fences; had placed form over hurdles on heavy ground when based in France and could still be anything.

6/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful on Flat for Karl Burke, winning over 1m4f last July when last seen (changed hands for 150,000gns eight days later); that was on good ground and he went down narrowly on his sole outing on soft; in at the deep end for his hurdling debut but he should have a future in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

17:00 Wincanton

Victory Shout

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Pretty useful on the Flat at his best, superior to stablemate Ribba Hill; ridden out to win at Taunton (2m, good) after a break and the winner got away from him (he was beaten 12l) when he was penalised here over 2m4f; can be given another chance despite another 2lb, especially back in trip.

5/2

2nd

3

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

16:50 Wincanton

Victory Shout

11st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Pretty useful on the Flat at his best; didn't show much in first four hurdle runs but he really got his act together when landing a gamble in a Taunton handicap (2m, good) last Tuesday; has a penalty but that was a convincing win and he's respected on this step back up in trip.

11/4

1st

4

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:15 Taunton

Victory Shout

11st 3lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Pretty useful on the Flat at his best but lost his way in that scene last May/June and has made a quiet start over hurdles; 33-1 and upped to 2m5f when pulled up on handicap hurdle debut last time.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.90
Straight Forecast £6.78
Tricast £111.01
Trifecta £80.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

East India Dock

WEST COUNTRY:

Sauvignon

LAMBOURN:

Quantock Hills

Telegraph:

Believitanducan

Daily Record:

Sauvignon

RP RATINGS:

East India Dock

TOPSPEED:

East India Dock

POSTDATA:

East India Dock

The Times:

East India Dock

The Guardian:

East India Dock

Daily Mail:

East India Dock

D Express:

East India Dock

Daily Mirror:

East India Dock

The Sun:

East India Dock

The Star:

East India Dock