February 08 / 16.45 Newbury

16.45

Soft

William Hill More Top Prices Beacons Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Listed Race) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £14237.5
  • 2m 0f 69y
  • Class 1
  • 11 runners
SKY
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William Hill More Top Prices Beacons Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Listed Race) (GBB)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain and snow

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 11 D

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £110,000 after beating Great Fleet in an Irish point; the front two were clear when winning at Chepstow and he then defied a penalty with ease at Exeter (again soft), albeit at the expense of two outsiders; has delivered useful RPRs and looks a strong contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Sober Glory

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Seems versatile as regards ground; highly progressive sort whose overall record is 7-9; has looked best over hurdles when making the running and impressively defied a big penalty at Newbury for his most recent success; good second in the Supreme at Cheltenham, despite a final-flight error and getting involved in some bumping on the run-in (bare form can be marked up); the pick on ratings.

4/7

2nd

10

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Sober Glory

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Has seemed best over hurdles when making the running and met his sole defeat when those tactics weren't employed; impressively defied a big penalty at Newbury (2m, heavy) most recently, taking record in this sphere to 3-4 and overall strike-rate to 7-8, as well as achieving a very notable RPR; related to a Cheltenham Festival winner for his yard; worth his place at this level and should make a bold bid.

10/1

1st

1

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

13:00 Newbury

Sober Glory

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Acts on soft ground; flopped at Sandown returned to Listed level but progressive and unbeaten otherwise; rebounded in emphatic fashion over C&D last time, taking Newbury record to 2-2; easily beat Kadastral at Chepstow in the autumn; leading contender, even with a 10lb penalty.

1/2

10/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 31-1 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £80,000 after comfortably winning on heavy ground at Uttoxeter for Tom Weston; defied an absence and a penalty on stable debut at Exeter (soft) where he was nicely on top at the finish; can't be underestimated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

16:45 Newbury

Realco

11st 7lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Bought for £80,000 after comfortably winning on heavy ground at Uttoxeter for Tom Weston; defied an absence and a penalty on stable debut at Exeter (soft) where he was nicely on top at the finish; can't be underestimated.

10/1

2nd

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

16:45 Newbury

Realco

11st 7lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Bought for £80,000 after comfortably winning on heavy ground at Uttoxeter for Tom Weston; defied an absence and a penalty on stable debut at Exeter (soft) where he was nicely on top at the finish; can't be underestimated.

10/1

1st

1

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:08 Exeter

Realco

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

pressed leaders, led over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, pushed out

9/4

Form: 3

Last run: 284 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Defied odds of 80-1 when third in a valuable bumper at Punchestown last April and he looked as though he'd win that until fading late on (had raced keenly); there are mixed messages as to the strength of that form but he's open to any amount of improvement for Paul Nicholls.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Act Of Innocence

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Considered a Supreme hope at the start of the term and he did nothing to dispel those thoughts when impressing on hurdles debut in a Newbury maiden (about 2m, soft) in November; surprisingly turned over by a 3yo over that C&D (good) one month later but firmly back on track when sent up in trip to comfortably land a Huntingdon Listed event (about 2m4f, soft) last time; his trainer used that race as a stepping stone to Cheltenham Festival glory for Shishkin in 2020 and this one commands plenty of respect.

7/1

1st

2

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 137y

Class 1

15:10 Huntingdon

Act Of Innocence

11st 5lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Solid form at Newbury (2m, soft/good) since joining Nicky Henderson and switched to hurdles, beating Sinnatra then runner-up to a fairly useful juvenile who received plenty of weight; bred to stay this longer distance and should still have further improvement in him; major player.

10/11

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 1

16:10 Cheltenham

Act Of Innocence

11st 5lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Bumper winner (showed promise on soft in that sphere) who won on his hurdle/stable debut at Newbury (2m, soft) in November before close second at 2-7 there (2m, good) in December, behind £360,000 purchase Minella Yoga who is declared to run in the 12:40; there's every chance this longer trip will be within range and he's a leading player for his top stable.

7/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beat a subsequent winner under rules in a point bumper 13 months ago and jumping let him down when pulled up in his next point; presumably held in some regard by his trainer (who won this with the smart Ballyandy a few years ago) to be making rules debut in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:28 Worcester

Colin Hobbs

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Point bumper winner; respectable fifth in Listed bumper on rules debut at Newbury in February but was well held subsequently; interesting prospect who looks sure to benefit from the step up in distance on this hurdles debut.

11/2

12th

7

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Warwick

Colin Hobbs

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Point bumper winner; ran encouragingly (finished fifth) in Listed grade at Newbury on the switch to rules and is bred to do better still, being the first foal of a smart hurdler for his owner; respected.

15/2

5th

3

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

16:45 Newbury

Colin Hobbs

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Beat a subsequent winner under rules in a point bumper 13 months ago and jumping let him down when pulled up in his next point; presumably held in some regard by his trainer (who won this with the smart Ballyandy a few years ago) to be making rules debut in this company.

33/1

Form: 13 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Both bumper runs on soft ground; the form of his Ffos Las win is nothing to get excited about and he came up short under a penalty at Aintree, though did run well; will have to raise his game to threaten the best of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

10

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Swindon Village

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Charlie Longsdon

Weakened late on (shaped better than bare result) in the 3m Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival; won with plenty to spare at Newbury (soft) the time before, taking 2m4f record under rules to 311, and may have more to offer over this distance; interesting handicap debutant.

25/1

11th

16

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Swindon Village

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

This 6yo is a big lad with a bright future ahead of him; it's unlikely that Windsor played to his strengths when well behind Moneygarrow and he then stayed on much the best in a Newbury novice last month (extended 2m4f, soft); however, that latest race had no depth and the odds-on favourite wasn't on his game; this is a huge hike in class.

66/1

1st

2

17th Feb 2026

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

15:20 Newbury

Swindon Village

11st 8lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Bumper winner; made all at Leicester (2m4f, soft) and didn't appear to get home over 3m in a useful novice at Windsor; again has the penalty but this looks more suitable; holds the 2m5f/3m novice entries at Cheltenham.

13/8

Form: 21 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a 16-runner Listed bumper at Cheltenham (soft) by 2l but they went a steady pace and it didn't look that strong a race despite its status; will almost certainly need more here tackling older opposition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

18:20 Fontwell

Precious Metal

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Henrietta C Knight

Bumper and maiden hurdle winner; pulled up in a Sandown handicap (2m4f, soft) last month but that was a tough assignment in a valuable event and he still has potential after only five runs in this sphere; needs checking in market on this drop back in grade.

6/1

14

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 178y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Precious Metal

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Henrietta C Knight

Bit disappointing when stepped up in trip over C&D (heavy) five weeks ago; had a solid record over 2m before then, winning at Lingfield (good to soft; by neck from Cinquenta), but he now needs to get back on track.

20/1

3rd

1

31st Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 178y

Class 3

12:55 Sandown

Precious Metal

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Henrietta C Knight

Largely solid record at about 2m features wins in Cheltenham Listed bumper (soft) last term and Lingfield maiden hurdle (good to soft) latest start; open to further progress on handicap debut, assuming he stays this new trip; possibilities.

3/1

Form: 2-9

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Positives to take from his first run at Kempton (soft) but still went off 50-1 for a Listed bumper at Ascot (good to soft) and never threatened to pose much of a challenge; opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 2

16:15 Ayr

West Hill Verde

11st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Seamus Mullins

0-8 but placed in three maiden hurdles in a row (2m-2m5f, soft) prior to 12l third Grade 2 novice at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) in February when 33-1; receives weight from his main rivals and is firmly in the picture.

11/2

3rd

10

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 1

14:15 Kelso

West Hill Verde

11st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Seamus Mullins

Placed in maiden hurdles on last three starts (2m-2m5f, soft), most recently runner-up at Doncaster; however, looks up against it today.

50/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 73 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Put in his place by Sober Glory when they clashed in a 3m Irish point and the form of his workmanlike win at Market Rasen (soft) has taken some knocks; he wouldn't be the obvious answer to this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Warwick

Great Fleet

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Solid on his form with Conman John over longer trips in October and opened his hurdles account in Kelso contest (2m, soft) in December; struggled in warm handicap since but holds major claims back down in class.

7/2

10

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Great Fleet

10st 12lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Ran well when second in 3m novice at Cheltenham (good) in October but last month's win in a maiden hurdle at Kelso came at 2m (soft; under Tristan Durrell); this lightly raced 6yo is in top hands and should be suited by a strongly run race at this trip on his handicap debut; one to consider.

8/1

2nd

5

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

13:45 Cheltenham

Great Fleet

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Bumper winner last term; seems held by Conman John on Kelso seasonal/hurdle debut form but may do better with that outing (first since wind surgery) under his belt; runner-up in 3m point and has stamina on dam's side.

14/1

Form: 1

Last run: 90 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not easy to gauge what she achieved in winning a 1m6f bumper in France (very soft) but she won by the thick end of 10l and later changed hands for £155,000; the only mare in this field but she's clearly promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

15:28 Fakenham

Kernie dAiry

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Seen only twice since winning slow-ground French bumper on debut in November 2024 but was second on hurdle debut at Hereford (2m3f, good) in March and still has potential.

8/1

2nd

4

25th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

15:30 Hereford

Kernie dAiry

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

A £155,000 purchase after winning a bumper at Durtal in November 2024 for Hugo Merienne; beat only one on her yard debut in Newbury Listed bumper 13 months ago but she's in very good hands so could still do better now going hurdling.

4/1

10th

10

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

16:45 Newbury

Kernie dAiry

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Not easy to gauge what she achieved in winning a 1m6f bumper in France (very soft) but she won by the thick end of 10l and later changed hands for £155,000; the only mare in this field but she's clearly promising.

6/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
80,000euros 3yo; it was a weak three-runner bumper he won at Exeter (good) where he justified prohibitive odds with the minimum of fuss; one of two runners for Paul Nicholls and Freddie Gingell was also aboard last time; completely unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 116y

Class 3

15:45 Plumpton

Maldini Milano

11st 4lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Paul Nicholls

Good-ground bumper winner who got off the mark over hurdles at the third attempt over C&D (good) in November, when wearing first-time cheekpieces (retained) in a maiden that worked out extremely well; weakened into sixth on handicap debut at Windsor in January but that was on soft ground; firmly in calculations now back on a better surface.

12/1

6th

8

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

12:50 Windsor

Maldini Milano

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Unexposed 6yo who won a bumper and added a maiden over this trip at Plumpton in November (good; first-time cheekpieces); unproven on slow ground but his yard won this two years ago with a handicap debutant; possibilities.

6/1

6

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

13:45 Fontwell

Maldini Milano

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Won a small-field bumper last season and made pretty good start to hurdling career when second at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) last month; leading contender here.

11/8

OUR TIP

Form: 38-1

Last run: 68 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First bumper run in Ireland was better than the second; has some scope though and the mare he edged out at Plumpton (good to soft) has gone on to win her next two, beating a subsequent winner before taking a Listed race at Market Rasen; looks to have a bright future.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

3rd Mar 2024

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

17:07 Leopardstown

Baron Noir

11st 3lb

J: Mr J G Murphy

T: Daniel G Murphy

Third foal; half-brother to French 2m1f hurdle winner Apres Bridget; dam 1m2f Flat (RPR 71)/2m hurdle winner, half-sister to high-class 2m-2m2f hurdle winner Won In The Dark, out of half-sister to useful 2m-3m hurdle/chase winner; well related newcomer but likely to improve for whatever he does here.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.00
Straight Forecast £15.07
Trifecta £109.10

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Sober Glory

SPOTLIGHT:

Kernie d'Airy

The Sun:

Precious Metal

TOPSPEED:

Realco

Daily Mirror:

Act Of Innocence

Telegraph:

Baron Noir

WEST COUNTRY:

Sober Glory

The Guardian:

Sober Glory

Daily Mail:

Sober Glory

The Star:

Sober Glory

POSTDATA:

Kernie d'Airy

LAMBOURN:

Kernie d'Airy

D Express:

Kernie d'Airy

Daily Record:

Precious Metal

The Times:

Realco