13:17 Wincanton

Thursday 15 January 2026

All12:0712:4213:1713:5214:2715:0215:3716:10

Oddschecker Free Bets Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 2)

Off time: 13:17 | Winning time: 3m 51.26s

Dragons And Demons⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford

100/1

Looks to be being brought along gradually, never dangerous on second start over hurdles at Exeter last month. One for the long-term.

Form: U8

Eric Gorcombe³⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Godfrey| T: R Walford

150/1

No show in points and pulled up on both starts under rules for Jimmy Frost. Hard to make a case for on first start for new yard.

Form: 8/PPPP-

Liam Mera Kai³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 111| BF

9/4

Impressive bumper winner on debut in March and has made a promising start over hurdles, going as close as he has when runner-up in maiden hurdle at Southwell (15.8f, good to soft) last time, only edged out in final 50 yds. Should give another good account.

Form: 1-322

Montrachet Fin⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry

20/1

In good hands but looked one for the longer term judged on his efforts in a Fontwell bumper and Exeter novice hurdle (66/1) towards the end of 2025. Only considered if supported.

Form: 76

Regal Icon⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Houlihan| T: J W Mullins

100/1

Fifth in a course bumper on debut but well below that form on heavy ground at Exeter subsequently. Will need to improve for the switch to hurdling.

Form: 50

Sinchi Roca²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Callum Pritchard⁽³⁾| T: S Hosie

3/1

£70,000 after winning sole outing in points. Fairly useful winner in bumpers, well-backed runner-up in listed Cheltenham bumper in November prior to disappointing at Ascot last time. From a good jumping family and may progress now hurdling.

Form: 112-29

Wolf Walker^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: R Patrick| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 117

10/11

Three-time point winner. Finished ahead of subsequent winner when runner-up at Hereford on return and again shaped well when second at Haydock (15.7f, good) last time, rallying late. Forecast rain should make this a more suitable test of stamina and he's one to be interested in

Form: 111/5-22

Grey Aquila^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: James Davies| T: Miss J S Davis

300/1

No impact in bumpers and similar story on hurdles bow over C&D last month. Best to look elsewhere.

Form: 000

Innamorato^p1¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124| BF

20/1

Fairly useful form to hit the frame in pair of juvenile hurdles in France last summer but made mistakes when well below expectations on stable debut/reappearance at Taunton 16 days ago. Headgear back on and too early to dismiss on just his second start for Paul Nicholls.

Form: 438

Launceston¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Joe Ponting

125/1

Modest maiden on Flat for Sir Mark Prescott and little show in 2 juvenile hurdles for new yard, Hard to fancy.

Form: P7

Athena's Dream²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: H Dickin

50/1

Ulysses filly. Closely related to 2 winners, including bumper winner Noble Miss and half-sister to 5 winners on Flat. Has shown a bit in two starts in bumpers this season but will need to improve on hurdles bow.

Form: 45

Ritaan^h¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: G Nicholls

125/1

Fair form in 3 Flat starts around 1¼m for Harry Eustace. New connections went to 42,000 gns and she did show an aptitude for hurdling when well beaten fourth of 7 in juvenile hurdle at Doncaster (16.6f, good) 17 days ago. Likely a longer term project.

Form: 84

Forecasts

Wolf Walker (10/11), Liam Mera Kai (9/4), Sinchi Roca (3/1), Innamorato (20/1), Montrachet Fin (20/1), Athena's Dream (50/1), Dragons And Demons (100/1), Regal Icon (100/1), Ritaan (125/1), Launceston (125/1), Eric Gorcombe (150/1), Grey Aquila (300/1)

Three-time point winner WOLF WALKER has shaped well to finish runner-up on both hurdle starts and he can go one better under more testing conditions. Liam Mera Kai has been knocking on the door and may again have to settle second, while fairly useful bumper winner Sinchi Roca could get back on track now sent hurdling.