15:05 Wetherby

Thursday 22 January 2026

All12:2012:5013:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 7m 14.71s

Asa^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 98| D

5/2

Won twice over fences last season and also bagged a 3m handicap at Southwell (soft). Yet to hit top form this time around but there were more positives signs at Musselburgh last month and she's one to consider eased in grade.

Form: 1F-8976

Wee Alki^p,t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽³⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 97| BF

10/1

Out-and-out stayer who went close twice at Kelso at the start of the season and wasn't winning out of turn when seeing off 9 rivals at Hexham in November. Well-backed but never travelling there last time but type to bounce back.

Form: 22041P

Slievehill⁸¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 96| D

22/1

Winning Irish pointer hinted at promise when fifth in 2m Kelso novice but shaped as though amiss when tailed off in maiden at Huntingdon (15.8f, good) on qualifying run in November. Given a break and interesting to see if he's supported now upped markedly in trip on handicap debut.

Form: 411/450

La Higuera^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: K Brogan| T: T Lawes| OR: 93

10/3

Placed in Irish points. Found only an improving sort too good at Haydock and would have finished second behind a handicap blot barring a late mistake at Uttoxeter (23.3f) latest. Forecast rain should make this a test of stamina and he looks a thorough stayer. Solid claims.

Form: 54-4323

Bollin Matilda³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Theo Gillard| T: D W Whillans| OR: 89| D

11/2

Improver when landing a pair of 3m handicaps in spring 2024. Stood little racing since but bounced back to form (supported) when close third in 13-runner handicap at Musselburgh (23.8f, good to soft) 31 days ago. Definite player, if she can back that up.

Form: 11/6-P73

Moveonbuy²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: A Crook| OR: 81

12/1

Much improved when winning handicap at Cartmel (22f, heavy) in June and plausible excuses for pair of below par efforts last month. Could be closer to form here.

Form: 4-47140

Smart Bucks^p¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: P A Kirby| OR: 73

11/4

Maiden who has shown a bit more over hurdles for headgear/step up in trip, fourth at Wetherby (24.1f, soft) prior to finishing well held second in thin handicap at Hereford (25.5f, soft) 10 days ago, going in snatches. This more competitive.

Form: 6-6P642

Non-Runners

Evenwood Sonofagun²⁵

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: Lizzie Quinlan J: Ross Chapman

Superior Glance²²

Weight: 11-6| Age: 11

T: G Hanmer J: S Bowen

De Deli Counter⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: M Walford J: Jamie Hamilton

Forecasts

Asa (5/2), Smart Bucks (11/4), La Higuera (10/3), Bollin Matilda (11/2), Superior Glance (13/2), Wee Alki (10/1), Moveonbuy (12/1), Evenwood Sonofagun (20/1), Slievehill (22/1), De Deli Counter (50/1)

Lightly-raced LA HIGUERA has chased home a couple of improvers on his previous two starts and this could be a good opportunity to open his account. Asa had a productive time of things this time last year and is feared back in a 0-100, while Bollin Matilda has claims if backing up her Musselburgh third. Slievehill warrants a second look in the betting upped markedly in trip on handicap bow.