13:05 Haydock

Tuesday 30 December 2025

All12:3513:0513:3514:0514:3515:0515:40

Betfred 'Bet Builder' EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 3m 44.02s

Brixson^h³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny McMenamin| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 114

7/2

Promising start to his hurdling career, building on Wetherby second with Market Rasen win over an extended 2m last month. Should be more to come for his in-form stable.

Form: 43F-21

Captain Hugo²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 129| BF| D

4/5

Created a good impression when making a winning start in this sphere in novice at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November. Couldn't live with an exciting prospect at Aintree since but remains capable of better. Probably the one to beat.

Form: 2-112

The Cistercian²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 125| D

7/2

Left his Irish form behind to make a winning start for Stuart Edmunds in 2m Leicester maiden hurdle on heavy 3 weeks ago. Will be competitive under his penalty if showing up here in similar form.

Form: U631

Boston Savr¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

125/1

Showed only greenness on his recent Southwell debut.

Form: 8

Gaelic Glow²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: S England

200/1

Some promise in a couple of bumpers for Tom Weston and similar story sent hurdling for new yard this winter. Possibly more one for handicaps after this, though.

Form: 5-650

Golden Prince³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams

150/1

Has looked more of a long-term project in a bumper/novice hurdle in recent months.

Form: 3-64

Timmys Jet Away^t¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Toby Wynne| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

50/1

Point winner. Has shown some of promise in 2 hurdles this winter but may not see the very best of him until handicapping.

Form: 154

U S Marshall¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

50/1

Fetched £55,000 after winning the second of his 2 starts in Irish maiden points but looks more one for handicaps based on his 2 hurdle starts in recent weeks.

Form: 41-35

Wolf Walker^h,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R Patrick| T: C Boultbee-Brooks

6/1

Three-time point winner. Only fifth in a hunter chase at Cheltenham in May 2024 but made an encouraging return to the track after 20 months off when second in 2m Hereford maiden hurdle for new yard 3 weeks ago. Entitled to improve.

Form: P111/5-2

Moonlightinthepark^h1¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: C J Todd| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

200/1

Runner-up sole start in Irish points during the spring. Beaten 15 lengths in 2 novice hurdles this winter. Raced keenly at Ludlow latterly and a hood is added now.

Form: 246

Non-Runners

The Egyptian Ginge³⁸

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Mr Jamie Neild

Forecasts

Captain Hugo (4/5), The Cistercian (7/2), Brixson (7/2), Wolf Walker (6/1), The Egyptian Ginge (8/1), Timmys Jet Away (50/1), U S Marshall (50/1), Boston Savr (125/1), Golden Prince (150/1), Gaelic Glow (200/1), Moonlightinthepark (200/1)

CAPTAIN HUGO was probably up against a smart one at Aintree last time and can make it 2-3 over hurdles. Fellow previous winners Brixson and The Cistercian may give him most to think about.