May 11 / 16.00 Huntingdon

16.00

Good

Nigel Hellewell Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5173.7
  • 2m 3f 137y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
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Nigel Hellewell Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

12/1 (Won)

Form: 3/534-

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Began hurdling career with win at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in February 2022 but was below that form in all three handicaps last season; beaten about 36l when last of four at Market Rasen (2m2f, soft) in March and comes here with some questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

2

16th Nov 2023

Good

2m 2f 40y

Class 4

14:25 Taunton

Surtitle

11st 9lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Dual hurdles winner at up to 2m3f; got tired on his return from a 138-day break when third on his chasing debut at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) last month; open to improvement in this sphere.

4/1

3rd

3

24th Oct 2023

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 4

16:30 Exeter

Surtitle

11st 7lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent, disputing second 3 out, weakened last

6/1

Form: 3/249-

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Looked promising when keeping on well for second in Uttoxeter maiden (2m, good to soft) in January but both subsequent handicap runs (2m3f/2m5f) have been underwhelming; still has plenty of time to do better but others appeal more here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

9th Jul 2023

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

15:30 Market Rasen

Saturday Song

11st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

0-7 but he's getting there and was only denied on the post at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) two months ago; looks a player off 4lb higher.

6/1

2nd

12

11th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

16:00 Huntingdon

Saturday Song

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Looked promising when keeping on well for second in Uttoxeter maiden (2m, good to soft) in January but both subsequent handicap runs (2m3f/2m5f) have been underwhelming; still has plenty of time to do better but others appeal more here.

16/1

Form: P12P1- C

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Had a somewhat mixed campaign last season but won twice, latterly over slightly further here (good to soft) last month; did that quite nicely in the end, despite a last-flight jumping error, and should still be competitive off today's 6lb higher mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Issar dAiry

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Favourably treated with Martator on his beating of that rival in late 2023 and, when second to the Williams horse in this last year, he committed a good way from home; didn't really fire back in the spring but he's very able when fresh and worth a second look despite being 2lb wrong; Freddie Mitchell aboard for five of his last six races.

9/1

8th

12

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Issar dAiry

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Favourably treated with Martator on his beating of that rival in late 2023 and, when second to the Williams horse in this last year, he committed a good way from home; didn't really fire back in the spring but he's very able when fresh and worth a second look despite being 2lb wrong; Freddie Mitchell aboard for five of his last six races.

9/1

7

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 2

14:05 Fontwell

Issar dAiry

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Form: 75225-

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Bumper/hurdle winner in France in 2021; looked ready to exploit much-reduced mark when second at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in March but disappointed at Ludlow last month and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

16:40 Plumpton

Heros

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

disputed lead

12/1

2

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

16:40 Plumpton

Heros

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

disputed lead, lost position and squeezed out 5th, dropped to rear 7th, struggling 9th, jockey looked down to see if something was amiss after 10th, soon eased and pulled up

12/1

4th

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 150y

Class 4

15:00 Taunton

Heros

11st 7lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Dual 2m2f course winner last season; not at best on either outing this term but ran well to a point in stronger race than this at Sandown (2m4f, good to soft) a fortnight ago and is sure to be suited by the return to this track; might be the answer.

11/2

Form: 2473-2

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Lowly rated maiden on the Flat but struck form over hurdles in early part of last season, winning twice (2m, good); kept on past Give Me A Cuddle for very creditable second of 13 at Kempton (2m5f, good) ten days ago and should not be underestimated off the same mark here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

21st Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

17:10 Market Rasen

Denable

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Anthony Carson

Flat maiden who has won twice over hurdles, back-to-back good-ground 2m handicaps in 2022; needed to run better back over jumps at Worcester (2m4f, good) to be backed with any confidence here.

14/1

8th

8

1st Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Worcester

Denable

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Anthony Carson

Struck twice over hurdles (2m, good) in the second half of 2022 and he showed he stays this far when second of 13 at Kempton last spring; might have needed a run on the Flat two months ago after nearly a year off; not ruled out but others have more obvious claims.

12/1

9th

5

(8)

4th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Denable

9st 0lb

J: William Carson

T: Anthony Carson

Lowly rated maiden on the Flat in 2022 but struck twice over hurdles later that year and in reasonable form when last seen in that sphere just under a year ago; betting perhaps the best guide after his lay-off.

10/1

Form: 0/266-

Last run: 129 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Yet to build upon his very promising AW bumper form but shaped with promise in 2m novice hurdles last season and ought to have some improvement to come in handicaps; had wind op soon after latest run in January; moves up in trip today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

14:15 Market Rasen

Swapped

12st 0lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Michael Chapman

A three-time winner over fences but little to shout about for a while now and finished last of the four runners on stable debut.

25/1

2

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

14:15 Market Rasen

Swapped

12st 0lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Michael Chapman

A three-time winner over fences but little to shout about for a while now and finished last of the four runners on stable debut.

25/1

4th

3

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:00 Southwell

Swapped

11st 4lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Michael Chapman

pressed leader, led 15th, headed 3 out, dropped to rear before 2 out, weakened approaching last

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1940-5 C

Last run: 10 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Yet to make any further progress since winning at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in January but gave very good account before fading into fifth at Kempton (2m5f, good; first-time tongue-tie) ten days ago and has each-way claims at least if in similar form here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

11th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

16:00 Huntingdon

Give Me A Cuddle

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Yet to make any further progress since winning at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in January but gave very good account before fading into fifth at Kempton (2m5f, good; first-time tongue-tie) ten days ago and has each-way claims at least if in similar form here.

10/1

5th

9

1st May 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Kempton

Give Me A Cuddle

11st 6lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

disputed lead, prominent after 2nd

33/1

12th

3

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:50 Kelso

Give Me A Cuddle

11st 9lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

took keen hold, prominent

16/1

Form: /1295-

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won Uttoxeter maiden (2m, good) just over a year ago, his third run over hurdles, but didn't kick on from that success during light campaign last season and will need to up his game here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

29th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

14:05 Huntingdon

Boreen Boy

12st 0lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Olly Murphy

Won a maiden hurdle 13 months ago but has proved disappointing since; well beaten here this month and needs switch to chasing to perk him up.

7/1

8th

9

11th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

16:00 Huntingdon

Boreen Boy

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won Uttoxeter maiden (2m, good) just over a year ago, his third run over hurdles, but didn't kick on from that success during light campaign last season and will need to up his game here.

20/1

5th

1

5th Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

13:50 Huntingdon

Boreen Boy

11st 12lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Soundly beaten in 2m4f handicap (back from layoff) one month ago; this looks more suitable as he won a 2m maiden hurdle on good ground at Uttoxeter last April; one of the main players on that form; hood (worn last three runs) is removed.

7/2

Form: 5136F-

Last run: 220 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Improved to cause 20-1 surprise in Stratford maiden (2m, good) last summer but not seen since falling in a handicap there in October and probably won't be favoured by any rain here; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(9)

28th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Reams Of Love

8st 12lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: D J Jeffreys

Hurdle winner in 2022 but he's raced only intermittently since and hasn't done nearly enough in two recent AW runs to lay claims today.

50/1

8th

10

(10)

23rd Feb 2024

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Reams Of Love

8st 5lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: D J Jeffreys

Flat scorer for previous yard and hurdles winner for current stable; form in latter sphere went downhill last year and in rear throughout back on the Flat here (7f) 17 days ago.

40/1

Form: 2/30P-

Last run: 104 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Creditable third of seven off 5lb higher mark here (2m, good) on handicap hurdle debut last October but struggled when upped to 2m4f here in January and last month's Flat run was underwhelming; needs a boost from the first-time cheekpieces today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

3

27th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

17:55 Stratford

Phoenix Aquilus

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Seamus Mullins

Still a maiden over jumps and ended up a long way behind when back from a break at Uttoxeter.

10/1

9th

3

26th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:55 Uttoxeter

Phoenix Aquilus

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Seamus Mullins

Still a maiden over jumps but showed encouraging form last November/December for Seamus Durack; heed the market signals on return from layoff and debut for new yard.

7/1

Form: 4UU32-

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Chasing didn't go to plan last season but he ended the campaign with two placed efforts over hurdles (2m5f/2m); competes off same mark again here and seems versatile regarding ground; probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 168y

19:35 Sligo

Great Ocean

11st 0lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Cian Collins

Won over fences here on yard debut in October 2024 but was tailed off on return at Cartmel in June; lower hurdle mark to work with and may have needed the run so not ruled out.

6/1

9th

8

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 2

16:30 Cartmel

Great Ocean

10st 13lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Collins

Returned from layoff with ready win in Sligo begninners' chase (2m5f, good) on stable debut in October but absent since and needs to prove he can cope with a handicap mark this high; effective on good and soft ground.

8/1

Form: 7P011- C

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Well beaten after racing too freely in rear on handicap debut in January but is 2-2 since switching to front-runner role, the latter win gained over slightly further here (soft) last month; still has some quirks to be ironed out but will be favoured by the forecast rain here and might still be improving.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

13:50 Market Rasen

William Of York

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Regressive 10yo who ran no race last time at Southwell when behind Gone In Sixty; hard to trust these days.

14/1

3

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:05 Southwell

William Of York

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Regressive 10yo who has poor completion rate over fences since returning from layoff in November; stopped the rot with fairly respectable hurdle run last month but needs to build on that performance here; swaps visor for refitted cheekpieces.

16/1

6th

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

William Of York

11st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Rebecca Menzies

Has won three times over hurdles and three times over fences, but was disappointing back over hurdles with a visor (retained) instead of cheekpieces at Hexham last time (2m7f, good; 40-1).

50/1

Non-runners

William Of York

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £168.19
Tricast £804.72

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Denable

Telegraph:

Issar d'Airy

The Times:

Swapped

WEST COUNTRY:

Surtitle

POSTDATA:

Give Me A Cuddle

The Sun:

William Of York

Daily Mail:

Issar d'Airy

The Star:

Issar d'Airy

The Guardian:

Swapped

D Express:

Surtitle

RP RATINGS:

Denable

TOPSPEED:

Denable

Daily Mirror:

Denable

Daily Record:

Denable