February 01 / 13.33 Wetherby

13.33

Soft

Wilmot-Smith Memorial Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 3f 154y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
RTV
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Wilmot-Smith Memorial Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £1.58
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 52-232

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Consistent 5yo who has been on the scene in three 2m/2m4f maiden hurdles (soft or heavy) since arriving from France and his latest Ffos Las conqueror could be very good; this looks easier and he's the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:05 Haydock

LudOr

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tom Symonds

Won easily on handicap debut at Bangor (2m3f, soft) in November and has continued in good form, finishing third of 15 at Windsor (3m, soft) latest; he has something to find if his opponents are at their best but that isn't guaranteed, and his current wellbeing and proven stamina are both positives.

10/1

3rd

3

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

LudOr

11st 9lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Tom Symonds

Has a solid overall record; fairly useful form switched to handicaps (at about 2m4f on soft) this term, winning by wide margin at Bangor then solid third at Newbury; remains open to further progress; major contender, provided he stays this new trip.

9/2

8/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 34

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Placed in both Irish points on testing ground; similar form in his two runs over hurdles at about 2m4f, finishing in the region of 13l off the winner; perhaps placed again unless he can raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Skuna Bay

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Reappeared with all-the-way win in Bangor novice (2m7f, soft) and bounced back from chase debut flop with well-held second in novice hurdle at Leicester (2m4f, heavy), behind subsequent Grade 2 runner-up Ubatuba; this unexposed 7yo has potential off his current mark, especially now up in trip.

6/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 3-45

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
The form of his Aintree fourth (2m4f, good) behind the smart Mister Meggit reads well in the context of this assignment and, despite a lesser show at Ascot next time, he's firmly in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

14:30 Leicester

Followcato

11st 10lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

0-5 over hurdles but a different proposition since switch to fences and fitted with cheekpieces, winning his last three, all right-handed and the latest by a wide margin when left clear mid-race at Hereford (2m5f, soft); 8lb rise in the weights will ask a question now back up in class, but still respected.

5/6

1st

1

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Followcato

11st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

0-5 over hurdles last term but has got his act together over fences since the application of cheekpieces and adopting front-running tactics, getting off the mark at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft) last month and following up at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) 17 days ago; 6lb rise makes it tougher but looks sure to be the one to catch.

7/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beat a modest lot when justifying favouritism in a 2m6f British point in March 2023 (good to soft); however, he did that comfortably and was later recruited for £65,000; returning from such a lengthy absence may find him out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: F

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £72,000 after winning a British maiden point (2m4f, good to soft); on the retreat when taking a heavy late fall at Warwick when 28-1 for a 2m5f maiden (good to soft); tongue-tie now added; perhaps best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

13:30 Cheltenham

Jacques Clouseau

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Winning pointer who shaped with significant promise on first two hurdling starts, more recently when fifth of 14 in Wetherby maiden (2m3f, soft) in February; worth keeping an eye on with the future in mind but seems an unlikely winner today.

66/1

7th

8

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

13:30 Cheltenham

Jacques Clouseau

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Winning pointer who shaped with significant promise on first two hurdling starts, more recently when fifth of 14 in Wetherby maiden (2m3f, soft) in February; worth keeping an eye on with the future in mind but seems an unlikely winner today.

66/1

5th

7

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 4

13:33 Wetherby

Jacques Clouseau

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Mel Rowley

Bought for £72,000 after winning a British maiden point (2m4f, good to soft); on the retreat when taking a heavy late fall at Warwick when 28-1 for a 2m5f maiden (good to soft); tongue-tie now added; perhaps best watched.

16/1

Form: 5-654

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown an element of promise in bumpers and over hurdles, her best run when a staying-on fifth over C&D two runs back; entitled to some each-way consideration.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Warwick

Isabel De Clare

11st 2lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: T Ellis

Seemingly boosted by new cheekpieces when placed twice at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in the autumn; has claims if judged on those efforts but finished tired on soft ground last month and is now 0-11 over hurdles.

6/1

2nd

5

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:07 Ludlow

Isabel De Clare

10st 12lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Ten-race maiden who is struggling to gain a foothold in handicaps and these aids when worn separately have offered little previously.

16/1

5

21st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:20 Plumpton

Isabel De Clare

11st 0lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Unplaced all six hurdle starts for Micky Hammond last season and tailed off for new stable at Stratford (2m, good to firm; tongue-tie added) last month; needs this much longer trip to show her in a much better light.

16/1

Form: 05

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No closer than 21l in three points; beat two home in a bumper and, although he shaped better in a Ffos Las 2m maiden hurdle, he was some way behind Lud'or.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

14:37 Wincanton

A Great Excuse

11st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

Early casualty behind Touquet two runs ago and 2m3f looked too far for him last time out, but he appeared value for a greater rise than 5lb for his Lingfield success (2m, good to soft; Touquet over 1l third) before all of that; remains of interest.

4/1

3rd

3

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 51y

Class 5

15:30 Catterick

A Great Excuse

11st 11lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

Off the mark on third chase start when scoring at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) in December; fair run over this trip at Ffos Las on previous start but he fell last time out; a possible on earlier form.

4/1

Form: 33-7

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; ran well to be close up in two soft-ground bumpers and was only 7-2 when disappointing in a Hexham maiden hurdle in December; could leave that run behind but others have more pressing claims; cheekpieces join the tongue-tie sported for all his runs under rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:47 Cartmel

Caughtinyourtrance

11st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Moffatt

In good form over fences here since wind op in April, most notably when winning over 3m1f (good) three weeks ago; should be fine back over this hurdles and over this shorter trip; respected in current mood.

6/1

1st

1

26th Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 4

15:50 Cartmel

Caughtinyourtrance

12st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Moffatt

Won twice over hurdles at Cartmel in 2025; following a wind operation, he's finished runner-up in 3m1f/2m5f handicap chases here, last time only reeled in late on; clear claims off an untouched mark.

3/1

2nd

2

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 3

20:08 Cartmel

Caughtinyourtrance

11st 7lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Both wins over hurdles were here; runner-up in two of his four chase starts, the latest here on Saturday when no match for the winner over 3m1f; fine over this far and has clear claims.

6/4

OUR TIP

Form: 754

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran okay in a 2m maiden at Southwell last time (good to soft) when behind Lanesborough who has since gone close in two handicaps; that will probably be this 5yo's level and stamina for this far isn't a given.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:16 Worcester

Bells Of Ufford

11st 1lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tim Vaughan

0-10 over hurdles but seemingly aided by tongue-tie on last two appearances, more recently when clear second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last month; competes off same mark here and enters calculations.

5/1

2nd

4

4th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:00 Uttoxeter

Bells Of Ufford

11st 6lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tim Vaughan

Consolidated rather than improved upon previous best efforts during last season, despite the addition of cheekpieces; remains on a tempting mark, but significant rain wouldn't be welcomed.

8/1

Form: 7

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nice pedigree but needed to show more in an Ayr bumper (soft; 15-2) to be seriously considered for this; the longer trip should at least help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

21st Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

15:35 Perth

Auchinlek

11st 3lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Sandy Thomson

Unable to land a significant blow in three maiden/novice hurdles (2m3f-2m4f) in February-April and makes chase/handicap debut after 199-day break but is open to improvement over fences; watch the betting.

14/1

5th

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:30 Newcastle

Auchinlek

11st 5lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders on inner, lost position 6th

25/1

5th

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:30 Newcastle

Auchinlek

11st 5lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders on inner, lost position 6th, struggling 4 out, lost touch from 3 out

25/1

Form: 07

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In a top yard but sent off at 40-1 for his first two runs over hurdles and ran accordingly, finishing tailed off; handicaps will be more like it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:17 Chepstow

Nube De Trueno

11st 6lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Well beaten in three 2m3f maiden/novice hurdles this season but represents a top stable and significant improvement is possible in handicaps.

25/1

11th

10

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 4

13:33 Wetherby

Nube De Trueno

11st 4lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

In a top yard but sent off at 40-1 for his first two runs over hurdles and ran accordingly, finishing tailed off; handicaps will be more like it.

50/1

11th

10

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 4

13:33 Wetherby

Nube De Trueno

11st 4lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

In a top yard but sent off at 40-1 for his first two runs over hurdles and ran accordingly, finishing tailed off; handicaps will be more like it.

50/1

Form: 36

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Only five ran when third in a Stratford bumper and then left Max Young for 19,000gns; 50-1 for stable/hurdle debut at Market Rasen (2m2f) and never counted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

15:20 Market Rasen

Caramelo Rapido

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Opened his account at Doncaster (2m) in February but he beat only one in 2m Hexham handicap 20 days ago; needs to bounce back.

16/1

8th

10

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

15:11 Hexham

Caramelo Rapido

10st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Advanced his form when getting off the mark at the tenth attempt in 2m Doncaster handicap 25 days ago; this demands another personal best off a 5lb higher mark.

9/2

1st

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

15:40 Doncaster

Caramelo Rapido

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mark Walford

Beaten a neck on his handicap debut last April (2m1f, good) but four lesser runs have followed, so has to turn things around.

14/1

Form:

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Changed hands for £80,000 after finishing second in an Irish point (yielding); never seen with a chance on hurdling debut at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) but did go off a single-figure price and should be capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

16:55 Hexham

Old But Gold

11st 1lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Martin Todhunter

Runner-up on only start pointing in Ireland in February last year (3m, yielding); modest efforts over hurdles and well beaten on chase debut at Market Rasen this month; unexposed and a possible improver; cheekpieces now tried; bit to prove.

14/1

6th

3

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Old But Gold

11st 7lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Martin Todhunter

Finished second in a point but modest form under rules, including when 28-1 for handicap debut in March (2m3f, good to soft); has a lot to find but perhaps fences will be the making of him.

16/1

6th

3

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Old But Gold

11st 7lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Martin Todhunter

Finished second in a point but modest form under rules, including when 28-1 for handicap debut in March (2m3f, good to soft); has a lot to find but perhaps fences will be the making of him.

16/1

Form: 7

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Regressive Flat performer who won only one of his 25 starts and he dropped out to be tailed off when 125-1 for last month's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(1)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 218y

Class 6

14:47 Redcar

Mythical

8st 9lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward

Smart on the Flat in his prime but modest in recent times; has been pulled up in three hurdles since joining this yard; hard to fancy.

20/1

9

2nd Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:30 Southwell

Mythical

10st 2lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward

Smart on the Flat in his prime but has been pulled up on both starts for this yard over hurdles; hard to fancy.

50/1

10

9th May 2026

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:47 Hexham

Mythical

10st 3lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward

Smart on the Flat in his prime but struggled off lowly mark on stable/handicap hurdle debut in March (3m1f); may benefit from this steep drop back in trip but still has too much to prove.

66/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.00
Straight Forecast £10.02
Trifecta £26.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lud'or

D Express:

Pragnell

RP RATINGS:

Lud'or

TOPSPEED:

Lud'or

POSTDATA:

Lud'or

The Times:

Lud'or

Telegraph:

Lud'or

The Guardian:

Lud'or

Daily Mail:

Lud'or

Daily Mirror:

Lud'or

The Sun:

Lud'or

The Star:

Lud'or

Daily Record:

Lud'or