April 15 / 16.25 Haydock

16.25

Good

Read Nicky Hendersons Unibet Blog Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13202.5
  • 3m 0f 58y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
Read Nicky Hendersons Unibet Blog Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.60
  • Place: £3.60

Form: 215172

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
The winner of three handicaps, at 2m7f, 2m6f and 2m3f; probably ran as well as he ever has when beaten half a length at Doncaster last time (3m, soft); thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Serious Chat

11st 1lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Regular winner, including of ten-runner C&D race (good) last month when he travelled up smoothly to lead two out before answering some serious questions; raised another 5lb but highly respected after that career best.

10/1

1st

5

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Serious Chat

10st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

The winner of three handicaps, at 2m7f, 2m6f and 2m3f; probably ran as well as he ever has when beaten half a length at Doncaster last time (3m, soft); thereabouts.

14/1

2nd

6

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Serious Chat

11st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Has won three (2m7f, 2m6f and 2m3f) of his seven handicaps, including here on penultimate start; he didn't fire in quite the same way at Musselburgh on latest and needs a career best.

8/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: -27251

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Maiden winner who opened his account in handicaps with a comfortable win at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) two weeks ago; a 3lb rise seems fair for all that it wasn't a strong race, and his yard can do little wrong right now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:20 Aintree

Smokeringinthedark

10st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Lightly raced and improving; beat Fingal's Hill by 2l at Newcastle (2m4f) before finding only one too good upped to Class 2 level at Haydock (3m, good); didn't fail for stamina that day but he'll be fine back in trip; player.

9/2

2nd

9

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Smokeringinthedark

10st 7lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Maiden winner who opened his account in handicaps with a comfortable win at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) two weeks ago; a 3lb rise seems fair for all that it wasn't a strong race, and his yard can do little wrong right now.

3/1

1st

5

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Smokeringinthedark

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Only win was in a four-runner Musselburgh maiden hurdle in December 2024 (2m4f, good to soft); best run this season when second over same C&D in January (good to soft); chance on that form.

7/2

6/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 87-0P2

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Only 1-17 but has flashes of smart form in good handicaps and easily his best run for ages when a rallying second at Bangor last month (2m7f, good; effective on softer); weighted to win races and seriously considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Lord Snootie

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Christian Williams

Returned to form with two placed runs towards end of last season (2m7f/3m, good), and wasn't beaten far when eighth, behind Al Sayah, at Haydock (3m, good) this month; Sean Bowen rides here; can make presence felt.

11/1

8th

10

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Lord Snootie

10st 6lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Christian Williams

Inconsistent and only 1-18 under rules; placed twice from four starts over C&D, including when third to Serious Chat on latest start, but there appear to be more potent options among his rivals.

12/1

3rd

10

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Lord Snootie

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Only 1-17 but has flashes of smart form in good handicaps and easily his best run for ages when a rallying second at Bangor last month (2m7f, good; effective on softer); weighted to win races and seriously considered.

6/1

Form: -37421

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Smart in bumpers and getting there over hurdles after digging deep for a successful handicap debut under Jack Stenhouse at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft); 7lb rise seems harsh enough but he'll probably improve again for going 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Kilwaughter

10st 11lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Smart in bumpers and getting there over hurdles after digging deep for a successful handicap debut under Jack Stenhouse at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft); 7lb rise seems harsh enough but he'll probably improve again for going 3m.

5/2

1st

6

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

16:23 Newbury

Kilwaughter

11st 5lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Unraced on soft/heavy; handicap debutant who looks particularly well treated on his strong bumper form; has gradually found his feet since switched to hurdles and latest effort, namely solid second over 2m3f at Taunton, has received a couple of boosts; interesting contender.

15/8

2nd

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

12:55 Taunton

Kilwaughter

11st 6lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Irish bumper winner on Boxing Day 2024; ran well in hot bumpers at Aintree and Punchestown festivals for new stable last spring but disappointed (albeit in a Grade 2) on hurdle debut in October and was just a respectable fourth at Exeter (2m, good to soft) last month; still has potential but needs to take a good step forward here.

4/1

Form: 341F40 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Four wins in 2025 and now only 2lb higher than for the last of those at Chepstow in December (2m7f, good to soft); however, he was a 33-1 chance last month at Uttoxeter and he ran like one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

King Of The Lake

10st 11lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Four wins in 2025 and now only 2lb higher than for the last of those at Chepstow in December (2m7f, good to soft); however, he was a 33-1 chance last month at Uttoxeter and he ran like one.

20/1

13th

13

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

King Of The Lake

10st 9lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Scored four times in 2025 but shot up the weights as a consequence and may be in the assessor's grip now; only just made the frame in the Chepstow race won by Keable most recently.

33/1

4th

5

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

King Of The Lake

10st 10lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Registered a hat-trick last February/March and scored over C&D this Christmas to enhance record under his now regular rider Chad Bament; the Lanzarote at Kempton proved too hot for him on latest start (he was running respectably when falling at the last) but he's an each-way contender.

9/1

Form: /13-P5

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Maiden/handicap wins for Anthony Honeyball; long absences a feature in his profile but there were positives at Uttoxeter last month (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) where he ran well for a long way; stays this far; chance if the wheels can stay on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Firestream

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Chester Williams

Maiden/handicap wins for Anthony Honeyball; long absences a feature in his profile but there were positives at Uttoxeter last month (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) where he ran well for a long way; stays this far; chance if the wheels can stay on.

15/2

5th

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Firestream

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Chester Williams

Won twice over hurdles for Anthony Honeyball; pulled up on his stable debut following a year's absence at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) three weeks ago; first-time cheekpieces go on but hard to fancy.

25/1

7

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Firestream

10st 8lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Chester Williams

Maiden winner here who returned from 718 days off to score on handicap debut at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last January; there was some awkward jumping that day and again when creditable third in this race next time; absent since, has changed hands and left Anthony Honeyball; it may not be enough even if he returns in peak form.

7/1

Form: 1P-P40 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
He can have his off days but he's 4-12 over hurdles and he ran well to be fourth in a Pertemps qualifier over C&D before dropping out in the final furlong after racing up with the pace; he was always likely to prove a sitting duck when it mattered at Cheltenham and better can be expected here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Red Dirt Road

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

He can have his off days but he's 4-12 over hurdles and he ran well to be fourth in a Pertemps qualifier over C&D before dropping out in the final furlong after racing up with the pace; he was always likely to prove a sitting duck when it mattered at Cheltenham and better can be expected here.

15/2

19th

9

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Red Dirt Road

10st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Two wins last winter, latterly at Sandown (extended 2m7f, heavy; by 8l making all); pulled up on next two starts, with 322 days off in between, but fourth in the Haydock qualifier last month was a big step back in the right direction; now needs to make another but he's only 1lb higher than at Sandown.

33/1

4th

4

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:50 Haydock

Red Dirt Road

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Low-mileage 9yo; won at Aintree (soft) and Sandown (heavy; made all for an 8l verdict) last winter but pulled up at Uttoxeter on final start and suffered a similar fate on his Sandown reappearance a fortnight ago; needs to have come on a lot in a short time.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 10-018 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Retains lots of ability despite his advancing years and won a Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh in February (3m, good to soft); Uttoxeter was disappointing in a race he won the previous year, but he's shown bouncebackability in the past.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Red Risk

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Paul Nicholls

Retains lots of ability despite his advancing years and won a Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh in February (3m, good to soft); Uttoxeter was disappointing in a race he won the previous year, but he's shown bouncebackability in the past.

20/1

8th

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Red Risk

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Successful in this race last year (2-3 at Uttoxeter overall) and Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh latest start, both on good to soft ground; retains plenty of ability despite his advancing years and can't be dismissed.

11/1

1st

3

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Red Risk

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Veteran who won in a big field at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good to soft; 1lb higher today) last March; tailed off both starts since (Freddie Keighley on board last time) but with nearly eight months off in between and his trainer (also runs Sonigino) is always one to note here.

20/1

25/1

Form: -02032 D

Last run: 180 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler in Ireland; beaten in a match over fences on stable debut (first-time visor); this return to hurdles is welcomed but he appears to have developed some of his own ideas; had wind surgery.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Dartan

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

Useful hurdler in Ireland; beaten in a match over fences on stable debut (first-time visor); this return to hurdles is welcomed but he appears to have developed some of his own ideas; had wind surgery.

25/1

2nd

1

17th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 3

13:47 Uttoxeter

Dartan

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

Very useful handicap hurdler in Ireland when on song but not at same level on his three chasing attempts, and looked very unenthusiastic when third in four-runner beginners' event at Kilbeggan (3m1f, good) in July; swaps blinkers for first-time visor on this stable debut; will probably need to travel with much greater zest.

13/8

3rd

2

11th Jul 2025

Good

3m 1f 80y

20:00 Kilbeggan

Dartan

11st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Rated 139 over hurdles, two of three wins having been at Bellewstown; ran well on chase debut when second in Galway beginners' last summer but didn't count at Tipperary more recently; not easy to assess back chasing.

10/1

Form: P-126P D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Chasing this season and it started well enough, but heavy defeats on his last two starts (Grade 2/Cheltenham handicap) have prompted this return to hurdles; also has smart form in this discipline so it could be an inspired move; second run after wind surgery and in a tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Moon Rocket

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Chasing this season and it started well enough, but heavy defeats on his last two starts (Grade 2/Cheltenham handicap) have prompted this return to hurdles; also has smart form in this discipline so it could be an inspired move; second run after wind surgery and in a tongue-tie.

13/2

9

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Moon Rocket

11st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Campaigned mainly over 3m; form dipped in Grade 2 most recently; had wind surgery since and now goes in tongue-tie; comfortably beat his three rivals at Doncaster (chase debut; good to soft) in sole handicap attempt and although this is a stiffer assignment he's interesting from a pedigree angle, being related to Tully East who won this corresponding race in 2017.

50/1

6th

6

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 1

13:20 Windsor

Moon Rocket

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Runner-up twice at Grade 2 level over hurdles; sound performances at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) switched to chasing this term, comfortably winning a handicap then beaten only half a length by sole rival in follow-up attempt; remains of interest, with further progress still plausible.

3/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £77.60
Straight Forecast £56.23
Tricast £450.29
Trifecta £610.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Smokeringinthedark

RP RATINGS:

Kilwaughter

SPOTLIGHT:

Lord Snootie

Daily Record:

Serious Chat

TOPSPEED:

King Of The Lake

The Times:

Red Dirt Road

The Guardian:

Smokeringinthedark

Daily Mail:

Smokeringinthedark

Daily Mirror:

Smokeringinthedark

The Star:

Smokeringinthedark

Telegraph:

Kilwaughter

The Sun:

Kilwaughter

D Express:

Lord Snootie