December 16 / 13.25 Doncaster

13.25

Good To Soft

Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: /14FP-

Last run: 336 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Won the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle in 2019; returned from mammoth absence with Flat win off modest mark last September, before a walkover on his chase debut; struggled over fences/hurdles on his next three starts and returns with plenty to prove, but he's on a reduced mark and is not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

1

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Pentland Hills

12st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

in rear throughout, outpaced 7th

12/1

15th

1

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Pentland Hills

12st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

in rear throughout, outpaced 7th

12/1

2

2nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:42 Kelso

Pentland Hills

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Lightly raced, with mixed fortunes, since winning the Triumph Hurdle in March 2019; however, he returned from latest layoff with good second to Serious Operator at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) in December and may be able to build on that; one to consider.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 34-292

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Reappeared with good second in the Welsh Champion Hurdle (2m, good to soft) and, after a midfield finish in the Greatwood, he was runner-up at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) a fortnight ago when upped in trip; could have more to offer at this sort of distance and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

18:30 Newton Abbot

Anyharminasking

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Three-time hurdle winner who made it 0-5 over fences with another disappointing show at Bangor in late March, despite returning to good ground; clearly needs to raise his game in the new blinkers (replacing cheekpieces).

7/1

6th

3

31st Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

15:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Anyharminasking

11st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Three-time hurdle winner who is 0-4 over fences, with only effort of note in discipline when beaten in a match at Warwick in October (2m4f); does seem happier on good ground than soft, so last two efforts could be excused; cheekpieces return after going without them last time.

8/1

7th

4

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:20 Stratford

Anyharminasking

11st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

3-20 hurdles, his latest win at Newcastle (2m1f Class 3; from 2lb higher) 11 months ago; a switch to fences hasn't suited (0-4, including being beaten in a match) but it's possible he'll strip fitter since his latest start; reverting to the smaller obstacles is helpful.

12/1

Form: 128311 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
11yo who returned in April from a long absence and has looked as good as ever the last twice with wins at Kelso (2m5f, good) and Ayr (3m, good to soft); could play a leading role once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

2nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Glinger Flame

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

held up in rear, not fluent 7th

11/2

5th

1

2nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Glinger Flame

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

held up in rear, not fluent 7th

11/2

8th

1

28th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

15:25 Uttoxeter

Glinger Flame

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Veteran who was as good as ever in winning at Kelso (2m5f, good) and Ayr (3m, good to soft) last year and his Doncaster third in December was no backward step; has won after a break in the past so he needs taking seriously.

10/1

Form: 1-3155 C

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 3lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Completed a hat-trick in April (middle leg here) and this 12yo returned to winning ways at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in July; however, he's finished fifth the last twice and needs something extra today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

26th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 3

15:02 Perth

Caius Marcius

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Nicky Richards

led narrowly, not fluent 5th, headed 3 out, weakened before 2 out

8/1

6th

7

28th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

15:25 Uttoxeter

Caius Marcius

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Nicky Richards

Admirable veteran with 17 wins to his name, the latest off today's mark at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) only last summer; may have needed his comeback run and wouldn't put it past him running well.

12/1

Form: 614OF- D

Last run: 310 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Things didn't go to plan on his final three runs last winter but he's just 3lb higher than when making all in a good handicap at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in December and returns to action with his stable in excellent form; capable of a bold bid, especially if strong in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

7

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Musselburgh

Romeo Brown

11st 3lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

12yo who exploited a career-low mark in reapplied cheekpieces (retained since) at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in November and followed up there (3m, good to soft) in December, making all under Oscar Palmer each time; he's a player if resuming where he left off.

6/1

5

15th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:20 Wetherby

Romeo Brown

11st 8lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Not the force of old but, following a wind operation, arrested decline and was placed twice at Hexham (2m4f; stays 3m) in the spring; absent since falling quite heavily there in May but has a fighting chance if ready to roll.

7/1

Form: 3285-6 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
His form took a downturn as last season progressed and he failed to threaten on his reappearance in October; needs to get back on track but he's on an attractive mark and it's possible he'll improve for that latest outing; not written off in a first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

8th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

14:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Barrichello

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Won four times as a novice during 2021-22 season but has been out of form over the last 18 months or so and needs a significant boost from the first-time blinkers today.

14/1

8th

3

14th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Barrichello

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Rather disappointing since two wins in early 2022 (both over 2m on good to soft); very well handicapped (19lb lower than last success) so quite interesting back from a break on second run after wind surgery.

13/2

8th

3

14th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Barrichello

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Rather disappointing since two wins in early 2022 (both over 2m on good to soft); very well handicapped (19lb lower than last success) so quite interesting back from a break on second run after wind surgery.

13/2

Form: 161-79 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Made it 3-5 over hurdles when winning on handicap debut at Ayr (2m5f, good) in April and he reappeared with a respectable seventh of 16 at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) in October; heavy ground may have been too much for him at Wetherby last time and he retains potential now back on better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:47 Perth

Serious Operator

11st 10lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

9yo who was tailed off at Kelso in February last time but that was the competitive Morebattle Hurdle over 2m; in good form over 2m4f prior to that, winning at Newcastle then second at Aintree (both good to soft); likely to be in the mix back up in trip.

7/1

13th

9

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:55 Kelso

Serious Operator

11st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in November and second to progressive winner at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in December; unraced over a trip this short and there's a suspicion this 9yo will be vulnerable in a race this competitive, but he's 2-3 at Kelso and is not ruled out each-way.

33/1

Form: 11/66/ C

Last run: 770 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won two handicaps in a row in spring 2021 but two lesser runs followed that autumn and he's been absent since; may be best watched on return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

20th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Aquila Sky

11st 1lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sam Allwood

Disappointing since he won twice over hurdles from markedly higher marks in spring 2021; seventh of 17 at Doncaster latest start was easily the most positive of his three runs this winter, however; needs to build on that, with blinkers replacing his recent cheekpieces.

14/1

7th

9

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:38 Doncaster

Aquila Sky

11st 7lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Sam Allwood

towards rear

33/1

7th

9

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:38 Doncaster

Aquila Sky

11st 7lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Sam Allwood

towards rear

33/1

Form: 1233-7 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Tailed off on stable debut at Kempton in October but may have needed the run; on a competitive mark on last season's form and not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

12th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Warwick

Breaking Waves

11st 6lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

Won by 8l at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in June but has struggled to get competitive since, and he's been pulled up the last twice.

40/1

10th

9

12th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Warwick

Breaking Waves

11st 6lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

Won by 8l at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in June but has struggled to get competitive since, and he's been pulled up the last twice.

40/1

2

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

13:25 Huntingdon

Breaking Waves

11st 6lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Bounced back to form with emphatic hurdle win in refitted blinkers at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft; stays further) in June but three lesser efforts have followed and it's hard to know what to expect from him on this first chasing start since 2021.

9/1

Non-runners

Skytastic

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Anyharminasking

The Guardian:

Serious Operator

D Express:

Barrichello

POSTDATA:

Glinger Flame

Daily Mirror:

Pentland Hills

RP RATINGS:

Anyharminasking

TOPSPEED:

Anyharminasking

WEST COUNTRY:

Anyharminasking

The Times:

Anyharminasking

Telegraph:

Anyharminasking

Daily Mail:

Anyharminasking

The Sun:

Anyharminasking

The Star:

Anyharminasking

Daily Record:

Anyharminasking