January 23 / 14.50 Doncaster

14.50

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

4/6 (Won)

  • Win: £1.84
  • Place: £1.10

Form: -69511 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Well backed when getting off the mark at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) in December and again did it comfortably when defying a 10lb rise to follow up there (2m3f, soft) 11 days ago; under a 7lb penalty she's 7lb ahead of the handicapper and could take all the beating.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

6th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:42 Fontwell

Jamaicaine

12st 0lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Completed a hat-trick in handicap hurdles at about 2m3f (good to soft/soft) before finishing tailed off on her chase debut two months ago; even if back on song returned to hurdles, she's 10lb higher than for last win which was gained only narrowly.

2/1

4th

1

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

14:14 Fakenham

Jamaicaine

11st 6lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Has been in flying form over hurdles, winning her last three; she now needs to translate that form to fences on this chasing debut; interesting contender.

7/4

1st

1

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

14:50 Doncaster

Jamaicaine

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Neil Mulholland

Well backed when getting off the mark at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) in December and again did it comfortably when defying a 10lb rise to follow up there (2m3f, soft) 11 days ago; under a 7lb penalty she's 7lb ahead of the handicapper and could take all the beating.

4/6

10/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: -37F63

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who is 0-16 over hurdles but she's often been placed, which was again the case at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) last month following wind surgery; also effective on soft; holds each-way claims once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Vanilla Dancer

11st 7lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

1-21 over hurdles, her win coming at Catterick in February; creditable efforts on all three runs since, including when second over C&D last month (good); sound run at Perth last time (2m5f, good); chance.

6/1

4th

3

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Vanilla Dancer

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: Chris Grant

1-20 over hurdles; neck second in a mares' handicap here last month (2m5f, good); each-way chance.

3/1

2nd

3

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Vanilla Dancer

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Just one win from her 19 hurdle starts but that came at Catterick (1m7f, soft) in February and she made a bad mistake when fourth at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) next time; she'll be fine now back up in trip and back on better ground, and could give a good account.

7/1

14/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 053-83

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
0-8 and yet to pose a serious threat but has hinted at promise in two of her three handicaps, most recently keeping on for 11l third at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft); the step up in trip looks a good move; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Joto

10st 3lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: John Dawson

Yet to win over hurdles; third in three consecutive handicaps last season (unseated rider on final start); each-way chance.

15/2

8

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

17:00 Newcastle

Joto

10st 6lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: John Dawson

Yet to win in eight runs over hurdles, but third over 2m1f here (good to soft) and over 2m3f at Doncaster (soft) and Catterick (good to soft; first two have both won since) on last three starts; chance.

9/2

3rd

7

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 5

14:30 Catterick

Joto

10st 3lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: John Dawson

Made it 0-9 when no match for the front two at Doncaster (2m3f, soft) last time but the runner-up has won since and this lightly raced 6yo is unexposed at today's trip; could be in the shake-up.

9/2

Form: 643521 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on the Flat and over hurdles in the autumn (including on soft ground) before getting off the mark at the 19th attempt (her sixth run over hurdles) at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) last month; made all by 4l under Aaron Anderson and she's respected up 7lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:17 Southwell

Somebodycomegether

11st 7lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Jessica Bedi

Made all for clearcut success at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) in December, her sixth start over hurdles, and again ran well before fading into fourth at Doncaster (2m3f, soft) ten days ago; likely contender.

5/1

4th

4

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

14:50 Doncaster

Somebodycomegether

11st 9lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Jessica Bedi

Runner-up on the Flat and over hurdles in the autumn (including on soft ground) before getting off the mark at the 19th attempt (her sixth run over hurdles) at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) last month; made all by 4l under Aaron Anderson and she's respected up 7lb.

11/2

2nd

9

(7)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:10 Catterick

Somebodycomegether

9st 1lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Jessica Bedi

0-16 and comfortably seen off in three recent starts across both codes; looks best watched.

16/1

Form: 32-665

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Three-time French Flat winner who is 0-15 over hurdles having been below par on her three outings this term; however, she's well handicapped on last season's best efforts and is not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

14:50 Musselburgh

Anamanda

10st 9lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Went close at Kelso (2m5f, good) last April but has not made a serious impact this season; now 8lb below the Kelso mark but 0-17 as a hurdler; a hood returns, after it was last fitted in 2023.

4/1

4th

7

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 5

14:50 Musselburgh

Anamanda

10st 12lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Went close at Kelso (2m5f) last spring; has regressive form this term, taking record over hurdles to 0-16, but gives the impression this belated drop back to about 2m is worth exploring.

14/1

5th

5

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

14:50 Doncaster

Anamanda

11st 7lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Three-time French Flat winner who is 0-15 over hurdles having been below par on her three outings this term; however, she's well handicapped on last season's best efforts and is not written off.

20/1

Form: 3-5747

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Bumper runner-up who has run the odd reasonable race over hurdles and heavy ground may have been too much at Uttoxeter last time; however, her profile is patchy and others have more substance to their claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

14:33 Stratford

The Last Drop

10st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard Phillips

Remains without a win and she came in a below-par fifth of nine in 3m1f handicap at Huntingdon last month; others appeal more.

10/1

5th

10

18th Mar 2026

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

14:15 Huntingdon

The Last Drop

10st 5lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

11-race maiden; easily best effort this season was over 2m in October, four starts back; upped to 3m1f at Plumpton latest but finished 19l behind runner-up Glengolly; 2lb out of the handicap; major work to do.

25/1

4th

7

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:45 Plumpton

The Last Drop

10st 8lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

Form has slumped back up in trip on both runs since an encouraging return at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) in October; needs the step up to 3m to spark a revival.

16/1

Form: 478560

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Filly

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
She's 8lb lower than when winning for Chris Gordon at Huntingdon last May but was tailed off on her final start for that yard and she's also been a long way below her best on her five outings for this stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

Little Soiree

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Olly Williams

Huntingdon mares' handicap winner (2m, good) on penultimate start for Chris Gordon just over a year ago, but basically regressive since; 3lb out of the weights this time and not hard to pass over.

100/1

6th

7

28th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

19:00 Market Rasen

Little Soiree

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Olly Williams

Now 20lb lower than when winning over 2m for Chris Gordon just over a year ago but has badly lost her way; huge leap of faith is required to support her.

33/1

13

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:45 Uttoxeter

Little Soiree

10st 9lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Olly Williams

Sole success came at Huntingdon (2m, good) last May when trained by Chris Gordon; hasn't shown anywhere near the same form since.

50/1

Form: 09376P

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Finished third of 16 in September on her final Irish start but this inconsistent maiden has been unable to threaten across her first three British starts and needs to raise her game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(4)

14th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Lingfield (AW)

Keep It Cool

9st 11lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: James Owen

Not as good as Star Artist over hurdles; been offering more on the Flat, appreciating the step up to this trip when having Star Artist behind in Constitution Hill's Kempton race last time; handicaps will likely be her time to shine after this.

5/2

3rd

8

(3)

25th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Keep It Cool

9st 0lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: James Owen

Modest maiden hurdler; fared best of the rest behind easy winner at Wolverhampton (8.5f) last week on Flat debut, shaping as if this longer trip will suit; needs big improvement on form, however.

66/1

2nd

4

(4)

16th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Keep It Cool

8st 13lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: James Owen

Regressive, ex-Irish hurdler who's struggled in four runs for her new yard, who also saddle Laravie; will do very well to get involved.

33/1

Form: -2342F

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
0-11 over hurdles but won on the Flat in October (2m, AW) and continued in good heart in this code, finishing second of six at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) last month; first-flight faller at Wetherby since; each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(3)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

14:58 Redcar

Lillistar

9st 1lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Winless since a breakthrough victory at Wolverhampton (2m) in October but she got back on song with third of five in 2m Catterick handicap in May; not ruled out.

7/2

3rd

6

(2)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:35 Catterick

Lillistar

8st 11lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Over 6l behind Zephlyn over C&D last May; some fair form since (won over 2m at Wolverhampton in October) but not quite at her best back on turf last twice (over 2m5f and 1m4f); place chance.

8/1

5th

5

(5)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 6

20:22 Pontefract

Lillistar

8st 13lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Not at her best over hurdles or here (extended 2m5f) last month; drop in trip can help but others appeal more for win purposes.

10/1

Form: 6964-9

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Not easy to make a case for but she didn't run badly when fourth on handicap debut at Wetherby (2m, good) last March and may have needed the run on her reappearance there (2m, soft) last month; there's stamina in her pedigree and she might be able to take a step forward now up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

14:50 Doncaster

Genies Girl

10st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Not easy to make a case for but she didn't run badly when fourth on handicap debut at Wetherby (2m, good) last March and may have needed the run on her reappearance there (2m, soft) last month; there's stamina in her pedigree and she might be able to take a step forward now up in trip.

20/1

4th

7

18th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Wetherby

Genies Girl

10st 10lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Mark Walford

took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 5th, disputed lead after 4 out, weakened approaching last

14/1

6th

10

12th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 4

13:55 Wetherby

Genies Girl

10st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

towards rear, hampered 7th, headway 8th, outpaced when bad mistake 3 out, soon lost touch

200/1

Form: 4798P-

Last run: 447 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Her two Flat wins came in 2021 and she's 0-15 over hurdles; tailed on AW in November following an absence and is probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

14:50 Doncaster

Rhyme Scheme

10st 7lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Peter Winks

Her two Flat wins came in 2021 and she's 0-15 over hurdles; tailed on AW in November following an absence and is probably best watched.

100/1

3

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Wetherby

Rhyme Scheme

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Peter Winks

Has been operating off lowly marks in handicaps and is yet to win one; it would be a huge shock if she wins this.

200/1

3

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Wetherby

Rhyme Scheme

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Peter Winks

Has been operating off lowly marks in handicaps and is yet to win one; it would be a huge shock if she wins this.

200/1

Non-runners

Snapaudaciaheros

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.40
Straight Forecast £11.33
Tricast £27.23
Trifecta £54.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jamaicaine

The Times:

Joto

RP RATINGS:

Jamaicaine

POSTDATA:

Jamaicaine

Telegraph:

Jamaicaine

The Guardian:

Jamaicaine

Daily Mail:

Jamaicaine

D Express:

Jamaicaine

Daily Mirror:

Jamaicaine

The Sun:

Jamaicaine

The Star:

Jamaicaine

Daily Record:

Jamaicaine