Wetherby

Tomorrow, January 22, 2026HurdleClass 42m

Verdict

Having made the perfect start when landing a C&D novice under hands and heels riding in December, STARMOUNT ultimately found a bad mistake doing him no favours when fourth in Grade 1 company at Aintree on Boxing Day. Remaining with potential, he can make amends back in calmer waters. Fellow penalised runner Kaka's Cousin was a good winner at Catterick over Christmas and rates the lead threat. Hurdle debutants Hourman and Laristote are others worthy of a second look.

Starmount
Kakas Cousin
Hourman

Win or Each Way

Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places

1. Kakas Cousin
J: K. BroganT: Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill
F: 1
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-8
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
25
Verdict
6-figure buy after finishing second in an Irish point who justified short odds starting out under Rules when impressively landing 6-runner maiden hurdle at Catterick (19.3f) 25 days ago, running green before asserting before last. Looks sure to progress and definite claims under a penalty.
2. Starmount
J: Ben JonesT: Ben Pauling
F: 14
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-8
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
27
Verdict
Successful on completed start in points and perfect start under Rules when landing a C&D novice under hands and heels riding at the start of last month. Serious error did him no favours when fourth in Aintree Grade 1 on Boxing Day and expected to play a lead role back in calmer waters.
3. Bogha Baiste
J: Sean QuinlanT: Lizzie Quinlan
F: 5d7
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
62
Verdict
Getaway gelding who has looked a work in progress in a couple of bumpers 5 months apart, still showing greenness starting out for new yard when seventh of 12 in bumper at Catterick (15.7f, good, 66/1) 62 days ago. Likely best watched now hurdling.
4. Hourman
J: Derek FoxT: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore
F: 4
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
103
Verdict
Masked Marvel gelding who finished a close fourth of 5 in a Hexham bumper (16.2f) on debut back in October, held only late on in a race run at a crawl. Certainly bred to have a future in this sphere but he may have to settle for a minor role on this occasion.
5. Je Mr Dawson
J: Ross ChapmanT: Rebecca Menzies
F: 6-76
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
39
Verdict
Has merely hinted at ability in bumper/pair of novice hurdle runs to date and low-grade handicaps promise to be more his thing moving forward. Tongue strap on 1st time.
6. Johnny Two Jets
J: Toby WynneT: R. Mike Smith
F: 70
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
20
Verdict
Beat just one rival home starting out in a bumper here last month and he fared no better when eleventh of 13 in novice hurdle at Ayr (16f, soft) on hurdles bow 20 days ago. Can only be watched.
7. Jungle Jet
J: Danny McMenaminT: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith
F: 6-
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
315
Verdict
Placed in Irish point but he looked a likely longer-term project under Rules when tailed-off sixth of 7 in a Hexham maiden (16.2f) 10 months ago. Undergone wind surgery ahead of return and this promises to reveal more.
8. Knockeranna Rose
J: Conor RabbittT: Susan Corbett
F: 5-4266
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
24
Verdict
Shaped like a stayer in bumpers and similar story in 2 hurdle runs, unsuited by the drop in trip when sixth of 11 in a Kelso maiden (16.2f) 24 days ago. Another likely type for handicaps on the back of this.
9. Largy Meadow
J: Ben SmithT: R. Mike Smith
F: 28
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
hood and tongue strap
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
20
Verdict
Out of a 2m-3m hurdle winner and didn't shape at all badly when chasing home a useful-looking type on debut/sole start for Stuart Crawford in a Ballinrobe bumper last summer. Too free when down the field on yard/hurdles bow at Ayr (2m) 3 weeks ago, though. Hood on 1st time.
10. Laristote
J: Brian HughesT: Donald McCain
F: 3
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
59
Verdict
Held every chance when falling at the last in an Irish point early last year and whilst he couldn't justify cramped odds, there was definite promise to glean from his third behind William Yeats on bumper debut at Sedgefield (16.8f) in November. Interesting hurdles debutant.
11. William Yeats
J: Theo GillardT: Rebecca Menzies
F: 2156
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
24
Verdict
Easily landed a 5-runner bumper at Sedgefield (16.8f, soft) in November but seemingly being brought along gradually in this sphere, not unduly punished when sixth of 10 in a Kelso maiden (16.2f) 24 days ago. Likely improver further down the line.
12. Big Love
J: Jamie HamiltonT: Michael & David Easterby
F: 44
Price History:
-
Age:
4
Weight:
10-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
55
Verdict
Showed ability only start in bumpers and did the same before finding himself derailed by an error when fourth of 6 in juvenile hurdle at Doncaster (16.6f, good to soft) on hurdles bow 55 days ago. In receipt of plenty of weight all round but he's possibly one for handicaps.
Unnamed Favourite
Unnamed 2nd Favourite

Wetherby

Bet Slip