Race Preview: 13:55 Wincanton – Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Novices’ Hurdle (Class 3, 1m 7f 50y, Heavy)

Thursday’s Novices’ Hurdle at Wincanton looks an intriguing contest, with seven runners set to take on the testing conditions. The going is heavy, which could play a key role in determining the outcome, particularly for those unproven on softer ground.

The betting market is firmly in favour of Don’t Mind If I Do, a promising five-year-old from Alan King’s yard, but he won’t have it all his own way with Kap Boy and Ambion View also expected to be competitive.


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Key Contenders

Don’t Mind If I Do (IRE) – Alan King / Tom Cannon (4/6 Favourite)

This £75,000 purchase has made an excellent start to his career, finishing second in a big-field Newbury bumper before switching to hurdles. After another runner-up effort at Warwick, he confirmed his potential with a comfortable victory over this course and distance last month.

He’s shown he handles testing conditions and has the best form on paper. However, he was turned over at short odds before, so while he is the most likely winner, he’s not bulletproof.

Kap Boy (FR) – Paul Nicholls / Harry Cobden (9/2)

A bumper winner at Chepstow, Kap Boy also finished third in a competitive Newbury race, which hinted at his ability. His hurdles debut was disappointing, but he bounced back with a much better effort at the same track last time, finishing fourth in a good-quality race.

Paul Nicholls has an excellent record at Wincanton (27% strike rate since 2020/21) and has trained three winners in the last ten runnings of this race. With Harry Cobden in the saddle, improvement is expected, and he looks a big threat to the favourite.

Ambion View (FR) – Joe Tizzard / Brendan Powell (7/2)

Unlike his main rivals, Ambion View has already won over hurdles, scoring on debut at Exeter (18.5f, good to soft). He then ran well at Wincanton last time, travelling strongly before falling three out when still on the bridle.

That run suggested he has plenty of ability, and if his jumping holds up, he could be a strong contender. The drop back in trip shouldn’t inconvenience him too much, especially in heavy conditions, which may turn this into a stamina test.


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Other Runners

Champagne Chic (40/1) – A cheap purchase with a fair debut effort, but likely needs time.

Copper Jack (40/1) – Won an Irish point but looks more of a long-term project.

Harry Junior (66/1) – Related to Harry Senior but hasn’t shown much yet.

Bradman (200/1) – Former Flat winner, but his hurdles debut was poor.



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Tactical Analysis & Pace Forecast

A fairly even pace is expected, meaning front-runners won’t necessarily have a significant advantage. Don’t Mind If I Do is well-handicapped at the weights, and tactics shouldn’t be a deciding factor.


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Final Verdict & Betting Strategy

✅ Win Selection: Don’t Mind If I Do (4/6) – Best form in the race, already a winner over C&D.
💰 Each-Way Option: Kap Boy (9/2) – Nicholls’ record at Wincanton makes him a strong alternative.
⚠️ Value Play: Ambion View (7/2) – If he jumps well, he could give the favourite a real test.

The heavy ground could be a deciding factor, and while Don’t Mind If I Do is the most solid option, Kap Boy and Ambion View both have the potential to cause an upset.

Race Recap

A surprising result as Champagne Chic (16/1), who was overlooked in the betting, produced a strong finish to win. Jeremy Scott had previously trained winners in this race, and his runner showed significant improvement from his debut at Taunton, staying on well after taking the lead at the second-last hurdle.

Ambion View (4/1) ran well in second, staying on strongly but unable to reel in the winner. He confirmed the promise he had shown before his fall last time and looks like one to follow going forward.

Don’t Mind If I Do (8/15 Fav) was disappointing in third, travelling keenly and making a couple of mistakes. He couldn’t match the finishing effort of the first two and was well held from the last. Perhaps the heavy ground or his racing style worked against him, but given his odds, this was an underwhelming performance.

Kap Boy (9/2) also failed to justify market support, fading late after racing prominently. He jumped right at times, suggesting he’s still learning. Paul Nicholls has a good record in this race, but Kap Boy might be one for better ground.

Further back, Copper Jack (5th) and Bradman (6th) never looked competitive, while Harry Junior (PU) struggled early and was pulled up before the second last.


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Key Takeaways & Future Considerations

1. Champagne Chic – Significant improvement and handled the conditions well. Could be worth following, especially in similar conditions.


2. Ambion View – Consistent performer, ran well after his fall last time. A likely future winner.


3. Don’t Mind If I Do – Needs to settle better. Didn’t live up to expectations but remains a decent prospect.


4. Kap Boy – Might improve with experience and potentially better ground.



A surprising outcome, but Champagne Chic’s strong finishing effort suggests he has plenty more to offer.