15.30
HeavyBorder Minstrel Sunday Lunch Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £7393.4
- 2m 7f 149y
- Class 3
- 5 runners
Runners: 5 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
Abandoned
Form: 17/4P3 C
Last run: 41 days
W: 12st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
26th Feb 2026 Soft 3m 0f 26y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
He's run with credit this season on two of his three starts since returning from a long absence, returning to form when third of seven at Kelso (2m6f, good to soft) in December; his novice hurdle wins came on heavy ground and he could have more to offer now back up in trip; on the shortlist. |
9/1 |
|
4th 4 |
1st Nov 2025 Soft 3m 0f 70y Class 3 |
11st 4lb |
4-10 under rules, posting a personal best when slamming four rivals in novice hurdle at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) in March 2024; in much deeper when down the field in Grade 1 novice at Aintree the following month, and has not been seen since; retains potential and will probably stay 3m, so he's quite an interesting candidate despite a lengthy absence. |
9/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 61-816 D
Last run: 22 days
W: 12st 0lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 4 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 189y Class 2 |
11st 5lb |
Goes well here and won over the extended 2m6f (good to soft) just after Christmas; ridden less prominently when only sixth of ten at Haydock next time; may bounce back, although he remains on a career-high mark. |
10/1 |
|
6th 4 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
His form can be in and out but he's been progressive among the blips and was back on song when winning at Kelso (extended 2m6f, good to soft) 19 days ago; this trip may be within range and has a chance for in-form yard. |
13/2 |
Abandoned
Form: /126-9 C
Last run: 98 days
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
24th Apr 2026 Good 3m 2f 127y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
Low-mileage 7yo who was very well backed at Carlisle three weeks ago and ran out a ready winner (3m1f, good to soft); raised 6lb but appeals as a horse with more to offer. |
3/1 |
|
1st 2 |
4th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
Won a Newcastle novice for Lucinda Russell last season (2m4f, soft); hasn't done quite as well since and was pulled up on first run back with Nicky Richards at Haydock in February after being hampered; capable of better than he has shown; chance |
9/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 42-152 D
Last run: 19 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 |
26th Feb 2026 Soft 3m 0f 26y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Reappeared with all-the-way win in Bangor novice (2m7f, soft) and bounced back from chase debut flop with well-held second in novice hurdle at Leicester (2m4f, heavy), behind subsequent Grade 2 runner-up Ubatuba; this unexposed 7yo has potential off his current mark, especially now up in trip. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3-6F1U D
Last run: 7 days
W: 11st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 6 |
20th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 180y Class 2 |
11st 5lb |
Tailed off when back over hurdles at Sedgefield last month and something to prove after that; however, he's 2lb lower than for his ready win over fences here (2m7f, good to soft) in December and shouldn't be discounted. |
9/1 |
|
6th 4 |
19th Feb 2026 3m 3f 9y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Won a handicap chase at Musselburgh in December (2m7f, good to soft); shapes as though this trip will suit, is 7lb lower over hurdles and could go well. |
3/1 |
Verdict
A good case can be made for all of the runners. Top of the list is the very lightly raced 7yo JUPITER DES MOTTES who could be on a good mark on his first start since joining Nicky Richards. Fellow handicap newcomer Skuna Bay also brings potential and is second choice ahead of heavy-ground course winner Esprit Du Potier.[Ben Hutton]