Ascot Race 1 - Betfair Novices' Hurdle (Gbb Race)
MONDOUI'BOY (3) resumed with a 4200m maiden hurdle win at Ludlow under Ben Jones. That was the first run for the Ben Pauling yard and he can build on the bright return. Holds leading claims. STARZAND (4) has been consistent. Attempting 3200m at Ffos Las when placed 12L third over 4100m at Leicester most recently. In the mix. ETNA BIANCO (1) was fifth in the G1 Challow Novices Hurdle tackling 4100m at Newbury most recently. Drops in grade and can make presence felt. Warrants serious consideration. CATCHINTSAVO (2) ran second at Hereford two back then won by a neck contesting a 4200m event at Ludlow most recently. Progressive and may feature again. Worth including.

Jockey: H Cobden
Weight: 74.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 47 day let-up. Last outing finished fifth in a small field at Newbury in the G1 Challow Novices Hurdle on December 29 over 4100m, 21 len behind No Drama This End with 73kg at $26. Before that came from midfield and won by 2 len this track on November 22 over 4300m defeating Big Ticket carrying 70kg at $2.60 in a hurdle. Gets a chance to win. Solid latest and rates one of the chances in this line-up.
Last Starts 47 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/6 | 29/12/2025 | 37 | G1 OPEN 4U | $181,490.00 | Newbury | 4123m | Good | Brendan Powell | 73kg | 5:00.52 | 4-5-5 | 0 |
| 21.8L | $26.00 |
| 1/5 | 22/11/2025 | 29 | HDLE 4U | $45,370.00 | Ascot Uk | 4325m | Good | Brendan Powell | 70kg | 5:27.20 | 3-1-1 | 0 |
| 2.0L | $2.63 |
| 3/7 | 24/10/2025 | 259 | HDLE 4U | $36,300.00 | Cheltenham | 4023m | Good Soft | Brendan Powell | 70kg | 4:54.26 | 6-4-3 | 0 |
| 3.3L | $15.00 |
| 3/8 | 07/02/2025 | 103 | HUNT FLAT MDN 46 | $9,070.00 | Kempton Park | 3218m | Soft | Brendan Powell | 73kg | 4:18.39 | 3-3-3 | 0 |
| 6.8L | $3.25 |
| 1/10 | 27/10/2024 | - | P2P MDN G 4 | $0.00 | Tattersalls P2p | 4828m | Good | B Finn | 60kg | - | - | 0 |
| 1.5L | $1.00 |

Jockey: Rex Dingle
Weight: 73kgs
Stats
Comments
Freshened for 30 days. Last outing favourite; won by a neck Ludlow on January 15 over 4200m defeating Seaniecon with 74.5kg at $1.70 in a hurdle. Before that held ground to the line finished second of 13 runners at Hereford on December 10 over 3950m, 1.3 len behind Laguna Beach carrying 71.5kg at $6. In winning form now but others rate better this time and prefer the place.
Last Starts 30 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/13 | 15/01/2026 | 36 | MHDLE 4U | $18,150.00 | Ludlow | 4224m | Good Soft | Sam Twiston-Davies | 74.5kg | 5:12.45 | 3-1-1 | 0 |
| 0.3L | $1.73 |
| 2/11 | 10/12/2025 | 46 | MHDLE 4U | $14,210.00 | Hereford | 3956m | Good Soft | Rex Dingle | 71.5kg | 4:55.64 | 2-1-2 | 0 |
| 1.3L | $6.00 |
| 10/13 | 25/10/2025 | 176 | HDLE 4U | $36,300.00 | Cheltenham | 4828m | Good | Sam Twiston-Davies | 70kg | 5:57.76 | 4-5-10 | 0 |
| 45.5L | $6.50 |
| 3/22 | 02/05/2025 | 46 | FLAT 57 | $26,010.00 | Punchestown | 3822m | Y | D Doyle | 73kg | 4:35.20 | - | 0 |
| 5.3L | $17.00 |
| 2/5 | 17/03/2025 | 36 | HUNT FLAT 46 | $8,300.00 | Fontwell Park | 2760m | Good | Sam Twiston-Davies | 71kg | 3:21.10 | 2-1-2 | 0 |
| 1.8L | $2.75 |
| 2/8 | 09/02/2025 | 70 | HUNT FLAT MDN 46 | $32,290.00 | Exeter | 3365m | Good Soft | Sam Twiston-Davies | 73kg | 4:13.78 | 5-3-2 | 0 |
| 7.0L | $9.50 |
| 2/8 | 01/12/2024 | 21 | P2P MDN H 4 | $0.00 | Borris House P2p | 4828m | Good | R James | 60kg | - | - | 0 |
| 2.5L | $1.00 |
| 5/14 | 10/11/2024 | - | P2P MDN G 4 | $0.00 | Dromahane P2p | 4828m | Good | R James | 60kg | - | - | 0 |
| 5.0L | $1.00 |

Jockey: Ben Jones
Weight: 73kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up today. Last start favourite; won by 4.5 len Ludlow on January 15 over 4200m defeating Island Bridge with 74.5kg at $2.10 in a hurdle. At only start last preparation finished sixth of 22 runners at Punchestown on May 2 over 3822m, 13 len behind Soldier In Milan carrying 76kg at $8. Can continue the bright start to the campaign.
Last Starts 30 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/11 | 15/01/2026 | 258 | MHDLE 4U | $18,150.00 | Ludlow | 4224m | Good Soft | Ben Jones | 74.5kg | 5:14.50 | 2-1-1 | 0 |
| 4.5L | $2.10 |
| 6/22 | 02/05/2025 | 90 | FLAT 57 | $26,010.00 | Punchestown | 3822m | Y | David Maxwell | 76kg | 4:35.20 | - | 0 |
| 13.8L | $8.00 |
| 2/7 | 01/02/2025 | 335 | HUNT FLAT 45 | $29,950.00 | Sandown Park Uk | 3218m | Heavy | David Maxwell | 71.5kg | 4:24.53 | 7-5-2 | 0 |
| 3.5L | $9.00 |
| 2/11 | 03/03/2024 | - | P2P MDN 4 | $0.00 | Borris House P2p | 4828m | Heavy | J W Hendrick | 60kg | - | - | 0 |
| 1.3L | $1.00 |

Jockey: Sean Houlihan
Weight: 73kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today. First-up led throughout and just faded finished second of 11 runners at Ffos Las on January 8 over 3200m, on slow going 1.75 len behind Bossman Jack with 75.5kg at $2.20. Second run from a spell made some head-way from midfield; finished third of 8 runners at Leicester on January 20 over 4100m, on a wet track; 12 len behind Ubatuba carrying 75.5kg at $1.80. Fitter now and making headway every start. Key runner.
Last Starts 25 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 20/01/2026 | 12 | HDLE 4U | $18,150.00 | Leicester | 4123m | Heavy | Sean Houlihan | 75.5kg | 5:30.57 | 4-3-3 | 0 |
| 12.8L | $1.80 |
| 2/11 | 08/01/2026 | 72 | HDLE 4U | $19,790.00 | Ffos Las | 3218m | Soft | Sean Houlihan | 75.5kg | 3:54.43 | 1-1-2 | 0 |
| 1.8L | $2.20 |
| 1/10 | 28/10/2025 | 221 | MHDLE 4U | $15,460.00 | Ffos Las | 4023m | Soft | Sean Houlihan | 71.5kg | 4:57.55 | 4-1-1 | 0 |
| 1.5L | $2.38 |
| 1/5 | 21/03/2025 | 81 | HUNT FLAT MDN 46 | $8,170.00 | Ffos Las | 3218m | Good | Sean Houlihan | 72.5kg | 3:49.86 | 4-1-1 | 0 |
| 7.5L | $2.63 |
| 1/13 | 30/12/2024 | 316 | P2P MDN G 4 | $0.00 | Dromahane P2p | 4828m | Soft | B Dunleavy | 60kg | - | - | 0 |
| 25.0L | $1.00 |
| 2/4 | 18/02/2024 | - | P2P MDN 4 | $0.00 | Knockanard P2p | 4023m | Heavy | B Dunleavy | 60kg | - | - | 0 |
| 1.0L | $1.00 |

Jockey: Tristan Durrell
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming ran last at Haydock Park on January 17 over 3100m, 18 len behind Brentford Hope carrying 69kg at $13. Second run from a spell finished ninth of 15 starters at Kempton Park on February 2 over 4200m, 63 len behind Reckless Spending carrying 72kg at $12. Looking to others.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/15 | 02/02/2026 | 16 | HDLE 4U | $18,150.00 | Kempton Park | 4224m | Good Soft | Harry Skelton | 72kg | 5:17.32 | 10-8-9 | 0 |
| 63.5L | $12.00 |
| 8/8 | 17/01/2026 | 74 | HDLE HCP 4U | $28,130.00 | Haydock Park | 3118m | Good Soft | Tristan Durrell | 69kg | 3:51.14 | 7-8-8 | 0 |
| 18.3L | $13.00 |
| 7/9 | 04/11/2025 | 45 | CHSE 4U | $26,010.00 | Fairyhouse | 4928m | Soft | Sean O'keeffe | 75.5kg | 6:42.10 | - | 0 |
| 41.8L | $11.00 |
| 3/14 | 20/09/2025 | 40 | MHDLE 4U | $23,310.00 | Navan | 4224m | Y | Sean O'keeffe | 75.5kg | 5:12.90 | - | 0 |
| 8.8L | $13.00 |
| 99/11 | 11/08/2025 | 38 | HDLE HCP 4U | $38,680.00 | Ballinrobe | 5230m | Good | Eoin Staples | 69kg | 6:31.10 | - | 0 |
| 0.0L | $7.50 |
| 2/14 | 04/07/2025 | 173 | MHDLE 5U | $17,340.00 | Wexford | 4928m | Good | Sean O'keeffe | 71.5kg | 6:11.40 | - | 0 |
| 0.3L | $6.00 |
| 99/11 | 12/01/2025 | 29 | CHSE 5U | $21,680.00 | Punchestown | 4526m | Soft | Conor Stone-Walsh | 73kg | 6:09.30 | - | 0 |
| 0.0L | $5.00 |
| 4/14 | 14/12/2024 | 22 | MHDLE 4U | $19,080.00 | Fairyhouse | 4626m | Y | C Stone-Walsh | 69.5kg | 5:56.04 | - | 0 |
| 10.5L | $19.00 |
| 4/20 | 22/11/2024 | 48 | MHDLE 4U | $17,340.00 | Tipperary | 4123m | Soft | Sean O'keeffe | 71.5kg | 5:14.80 | - | 0 |
| 44.0L | $17.00 |
| 3/12 | 05/10/2024 | 153 | MHDLE 4U | $21,820.00 | Gowran Park | 4023m | Good | Sean O'keeffe | 75.5kg | 5:04.04 | - | 0 |
| 16.5L | $2.88 |
| 1/14 | 05/05/2024 | - | P2P MDN G 5 | $0.00 | Ballindenisk P2p | 4828m | Good | B O'neill | 61kg | - | - | 0 |
| 2.5L | $1.00 |

Jockey: J J Burke
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming from a lengthy break. At only start last campaign finished second of 15 starters at Tipperary on May 14 over 5029m, a head behind Bitofajokelike with 68.5kg at $10. Rates a strong each way chance.
Last Starts 276 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/15 | 14/05/2025 | - | MHDLE 5U | $17,340.00 | Tipperary | 5029m | GY | A P Ryan | 68.5kg | 6:17.00 | - | 0 |
| 0.2L | $10.00 |