October 19 / 15.45 Wincanton

15.45

Good To Firm

Lester Aldridge Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 1m 7f 50y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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Lester Aldridge Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 3/6P4- BF

Last run: 175 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Ex-French; up and down in Britain but he won his Taunton maiden in decent style and ran well for a long way there on handicap debut in April (soft); had wind surgery since; might well be capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

17th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

13:35 Worcester

Inca De Lafayette

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Delivered on earlier chasing promise when winning four-runner Plumpton contest (2m4f, good) by 22l in April; no match for progressive rival when second of four at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) last month but was badly hampered by a mid-race faller there and might be allowed an uncontested lead here.

7/2

2nd

1

13th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

18:30 Newton Abbot

Inca De Lafayette

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Only his third run over fences when strolling home in a small field at Plumpton (2m4f, good); hit with a 7lb rise but his last win over hurdles was off only 3lb lower; good chance.

11/8

1st

1

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 4

16:40 Plumpton

Inca De Lafayette

11st 10lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Fine on all ground; well handicapped on his peak form over hurdles and has only raced twice as a chaser; no match for the winner at Exeter last time (2m1f) but that horse was favourite and unexposed; respected.

9/4

4/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 41633-

Last run: 210 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Taunton novice winner last November; hasn't always looked the easiest and he hung badly when tailed off on handicap debut at Ludlow; now tongue tied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

8th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

14:00 Huntingdon

Mamoon Star

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Out of form earlier in the year and offered little when fitted with blinkers on last month's reappearance; cheekpieces the chosen headgear here and, although he's become well handicapped, he has plenty to prove.

12/1

8th

5

21st Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:35 Worcester

Mamoon Star

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Well handicapped on some of his 2022-23 season form but ended last year with two poor efforts and was soundly beaten on both outings this spring; blinkered for this first attempt beyond 2m5f; revival needed.

16/1

OUR TIP

12/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 1P3-4P CD

Last run: 114 days

W: 12st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Usually front-runs and both wins have been here at about 1m7f in a maiden hurdle and a handicap chase off 4lb lower; beaten only 2l at Stratford before jumping out to his right and pulled up at Newton Abbot (2m5f); needs respect back here, despite a tough mark and returning to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:20 Worcester

Stormin Crossgales

11st 12lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Max Young

Signed off for Charles and Adam Pogson with 2m5f Fakenham chasing win last May; has failed to complete on all his five runs for his current stable however, tried in cheekpieces when pulled up at Leicester (2m4f) in February last time.

66/1

4

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Stormin Crossgales

11st 7lb

J: Miss Clara Brewitt

T: Max Young

Four chase wins last season and he's well handicapped on his best form; however, he's struggled this term; cheekpieces go on.

66/1

5

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

15:45 Haydock

Stormin Crossgales

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Max Young

Four chase wins last season and well handicapped on his best form; however, pulled up on first two runs this term and 200-1 when unseating early at Ludlow last month; plenty to prove.

100/1

Form: 61F16- D

Last run: 209 days

W: 11st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Second win over hurdles came when dictating matters at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in March but he dropped out tamely in a series final at Musselburgh later that month after making the running; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:38 Ludlow

Planet Legend

11st 6lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

His last four outings have seen him runner-up twice and pulled up twice; that makes him 2-14 over hurdles, with the two wins early in 2023 before he went handicapping; no problems with trip or ground but he does not appear the most reliable proposition on this switch to chasing.

8/1

4th

3

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:38 Ludlow

Planet Legend

11st 6lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

His last four outings have seen him runner-up twice and pulled up twice; that makes him 2-14 over hurdles, with the two wins early in 2023 before he went handicapping; no problems with trip or ground but he does not appear the most reliable proposition on this switch to chasing.

8/1

7

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:10 Wincanton

Planet Legend

11st 1lb

J: Oliver Boyden

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Only four ran at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November but he ran well behind an in-form rival; has each-way claims with Oliver Boyden again taking 10lb off his back.

20/1

Form: 312-22 D

Last run: 126 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Last time out he finished fourth in a 1m3f Class 6 handicap; has a modest strike-rate over hurdles (3-30) but is usually thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

John Betjeman

11st 13lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back.

11/2

9th

3

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

John Betjeman

11st 13lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back.

11/2

8th

2

6th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

17:00 Ffos Las

John Betjeman

11st 10lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Mark Gillard

pressed leader, chased clear leader after 2nd

7/1

Form: PPP5-6

Last run: 36 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Lost his way for Nicky Henderson after winning twice; didn't run badly on stable debut at Uttoxeter but other options are safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:52 Ludlow

Rathmacknee

11st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Danni O’Neill

Regressive 10yo who is better known as a chaser now and was just a modest third at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; reverts to hurdling on a tempting mark but others have more appealing profiles.

12/1

8

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Rathmacknee

11st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Danni O’Neill

Has some fairly useful form on his CV but has become disappointing; returned from a break with respectable fourth in modest Worcester handicap (2m, good) in June but his 2m4f run there in July was below that level.

16/1

8

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Rathmacknee

11st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Danni O’Neill

Has some fairly useful form on his CV but has become disappointing; returned from a break with respectable fourth in modest Worcester handicap (2m, good) in June but his 2m4f run there in July was below that level.

16/1

Form: 14-

Last run: 178 days

W: 11st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won his only French hurdle race (soft) but was soon left behind when a remote fourth in a 2m good-ground novice at Kempton in April for Harry Whittington; not the easiest to assess now sent into a handicap; market helpful; new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

4th Sep 2025

Good

3m 3f 9y

Class 4

18:00 Sedgefield

Kitesurfer

11st 9lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Jamie Snowden

Another 3m2f winner who was in decent nick in spring/early summer but he finished tailed off behind Earth King at Uttoxeter in July and was pulled up in a first-time visor at Stratford last time; needs to get back on track.

12/1

5

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

16:58 Stratford

Kitesurfer

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Returned from a break in fine form and now goes in a visor after his disappointing show at Uttoxeter; capable of having a say off this mark and good to soft would be acceptable.

13/2

8th

6

8th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

19:30 Uttoxeter

Kitesurfer

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Came from off the pace to win at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) off 4lb lower; twice beaten off this mark in small fields since then but ran well; solid chance.

5/1

Form: 22P49- CD

Last run: 177 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D on Boxing Day (good to soft) and followed that with two seconds at Chepstow; lost her way afterwards but could be better for a break and this mark is fine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

26th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

14:20 Taunton

No No Tonic

11st 13lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Mark Gillard

prominent

14/1

5th

7

9th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:40 Kempton

No No Tonic

11st 5lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Veteran who has done her winning at Wincanton; form dipped there on Boxing Day, following two placed efforts; first run at Kempton and isn't the percentage call.

14/1

Form: 24111- D

Last run: 353 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Progressive over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien last season when making all for three emphatic wins in 2m novice events on good or quicker ground; probably on a fair mark for this switch to handicaps and she coped with soft ground in France; remains with same owners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(6)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Kingston Sunflower

9st 2lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Decent hurdler (2l last of four in handicap at Market Rasen last month); fair run when 3l seventh of 12 over C&D on latest AW start (September 2025); place chance.

10/1

4th

3

12th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

20:01 Market Rasen

Kingston Sunflower

11st 11lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

5-13 over hurdles, including back-to-back wins for Fern O'Brien at Ludlow and Huntingdon (both 2m) last October/November; fresh and keen on recent comeback run at Warwick (2m, good; sixth of seven, beaten nearly 15l); this Class 4 looks a better fit, assuming the rain stays away.

11/4

6th

1

20th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Warwick

Kingston Sunflower

12st 0lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has a strike rate of 5-12 over hurdles but hasn't been seen since a below-par third at Ludlow in December; needs to raise her game to new heights having never won off a mark this high, but still commands respect.

13/2

Non-runners

Hiconic

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.70
Straight Forecast £11.60
Tricast £62.87
Trifecta £83.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Inca De Lafayette

POSTDATA:

Hiconic

LAMBOURN:

Kitesurfer

WEST COUNTRY:

Mamoon Star

The Star:

Planet Legend

Telegraph:

Stormin Crossgales

TOPSPEED:

No No Tonic

The Times:

Kitesurfer

RP RATINGS:

Inca De Lafayette

Daily Mail:

Inca De Lafayette

D Express:

Inca De Lafayette

Daily Mirror:

Mamoon Star

The Guardian:

Hiconic

Daily Record:

Hiconic