December 23 / 12.55 Haydock

12.55

Soft

Betfred Hat-Trick Heaven Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (Registered As The Abram Hurdle) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £11390
  • 2m 2f 191y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Betfred Hat-Trick Heaven Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (Registered As The Abram Hurdle) (GBB)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

5/1 (Won)

Form: 49-1

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Useful Flat form for William Haggas; highly tried in both runs over hurdles in the spring and made no mistake with her sights lowered on 1m7f Wincanton reappearance (soft) last month; it remains to be seen if she relishes this longer trip but her Flat ability provides the scope for better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:45 Cheltenham

Pawapuri

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

in rear

10/1

11th

2

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:45 Cheltenham

Pawapuri

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

in rear

10/1

4th

1

16th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

15:37 Chepstow

Pawapuri

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Quite useful on the Flat and won a Listed hurdle two seasons ago for Nicky Henderson; hasn't been herself this season but was highly tried the last time and interesting to see what Dan Skelton can do with her.

8/1

Form: 1D20-11

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Two-time bumper winner who has translated all that ability to hurdles, winning a pair of 2m mares' novices in the mud at Hexham; well worth this crack at a higher level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

17:05 Market Rasen

Lunar Discovery

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Seemingly back in prime form when beating a subsequent Cheltenham winner at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) in December but wasn't at same level when weakening third at Stratford (2m6f, good) last month, after a break, and needs that recent run to have brought her on.

8/1

3rd

2

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Lunar Discovery

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Running well over fences for her current yard this season and opened chase account in 2m3f Chepstow handicap in December (race has thrown up three subsequent winners); big shout given she has gone well after a break too.

13/8

5th

1

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:23 Newton Abbot

Lunar Discovery

12st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

0-6 over fences and has made a few jumping errors, but has also shown ability including in both starts for this yard; back down in grade and cheekpieces are given a go, but this sharp 2m may not be a sufficient test for her now.

4/1

Form: 21-11

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Comfortably won Southwell bumper in April and successful in 2m novice hurdles at Ayr (good to soft) and Uttoxeter (soft) in recent months; this longer trip here ought to suit; unlikely to give up her unbeaten record over timber without a fight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:22 Perth

Little Miss Dante

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Both hurdle wins at 2m (good to soft and soft) in November 2023; lightly raced with mixed results since but she can go well fresh and the pick of her form at about this trip gives her claims.

13/2

6th

3

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:22 Perth

Little Miss Dante

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Both hurdle wins at 2m (good to soft and soft) in November 2023; lightly raced with mixed results since but she can go well fresh and the pick of her form at about this trip gives her claims.

13/2

Form: 11-15

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made all in two bumpers towards end of last season (good to soft/soft) and cruised clear to win easily by 24l when switched to hurdling at Perth (2m4f, soft) in September; at least matched that bare form when just under 6l fifth in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) the following month and the fourth and sixth in that have won novice hurdles since; sets the standard on form for last year's winning stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:18 Perth

El Elefante

11st 0lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Record of 3-6 over rules fences features a Class 2 handicap win at Kelso (2m5f); faller in the Premier Chase there (2m7f) last time; may still have further progress in her; possibilities.

5/2

4

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:18 Perth

El Elefante

11st 0lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Record of 3-6 over rules fences features a Class 2 handicap win at Kelso (2m5f); faller in the Premier Chase there (2m7f) last time; may still have further progress in her; possibilities.

5/2

4

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 1

13:45 Kelso

El Elefante

10st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

raced in second, fell 12th

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 28-11 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner on testing ground; second in a Listed bumper last season and has made a good start over hurdles with novice wins at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) and Exeter (2m2f, good to soft); capable of better and respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

16:00 Ffos Las

Alfies Princess

11st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Needs to rebound from a disappointing run in January but returned from long absence with emphatic success at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; remains lightly raced and is a big player if back on song for this first attempt at about 3m under rules.

11/2

7th

4

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 42y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Alfies Princess

11st 9lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Good second in sole start last term (chase debut) and comfortably beat the only other finisher at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance, taking overall record to 4-10; has generally progressive RPRs throughout her career and may well continue on the up; major contender.

9/4

2nd

3

13th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 5f 110y

Class 4

14:10 Ffos Las

Alfies Princess

11st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

prominent, disputing second 4 out, kept on run-in

5/2

Form: 12 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who made a successful start under rules in nine-runner mares' maiden hurdle at Stratford (2m6f, soft) last month; probably ran a similar level when second under a penalty at Exeter (2m7f) since; down in trip; better will be needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Getaway Theatre

11st 2lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Stuart Edmunds

Won at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) last winter and she returned after nine months off with a near-miss at Warwick (3m1f, soft) in November; looks interesting on that form but she's not matched it in two runs since and needs to rediscover her spark.

16/1

5th

1

26th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:20 Plumpton

Getaway Theatre

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Solid contender on the form of a Chepstow win (2m7f) last February and when narrowly failing to give weight to a subsequent winner at Warwick (3m1f, also on soft) in November; lacked the pace to play a part on good to soft there since but today's surface and lower grade will help.

100/30

Form: 414-1

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won soft-ground Newcastle bumper on Boxing Day last year and made a successful start to her hurdle career in a 2m4f maiden at the same venue (soft; Chosen Hero third) a month ago; will need to leave that form well behind but she is open to progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:00 Kelso

Blue Baloo

11st 9lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

towards rear but in touch with leaders, not fluent 7th, headway 4 out, led narrowly and going okay before 2 out, ridden and edged right after 2 out, headed approaching last, weakening when jumped left and mistake last

12/1

6th

3

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:00 Kelso

Blue Baloo

11st 9lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

towards rear but in touch with leaders, not fluent 7th, headway 4 out, led narrowly and going okay before 2 out, ridden and edged right after 2 out, headed approaching last, weakening when jumped left and mistake last

12/1

9th

8

20th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

Blue Baloo

11st 1lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Bumper winner who scored on hurdle debut at Newcastle (2m4f, soft) last November; soundly beaten the next twice but this lightly raced 6yo may fare better now up in trip on handicap debut; not ruled out.

5/1

Form: 21

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
It took a while to get her to the track after her second in an Irish point in May 2022 but she's quickly made up for lost time, building on her promising 2m1f Sedgefield second when readily going one better at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft) five weeks ago; this race is harder but she has more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

10th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

15:15 Market Rasen

Southern Babylon

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Won a 2m4f maiden for mares here in November and ran in a Listed race next time, in which she was well held (again the case at Sedgefield); absent since January but may well have more to offer in handicaps.

10/1

6th

9

10th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

15:15 Market Rasen

Southern Babylon

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Won a 2m4f maiden for mares here in November and ran in a Listed race next time, in which she was well held (again the case at Sedgefield); absent since January but may well have more to offer in handicaps.

10/1

5th

3

26th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

13:00 Sedgefield

Southern Babylon

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ruth Jefferson

Runner-up on hurdle debut here (2m1f, soft) in October then went one better at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft); well beaten in Listed race at Haydock last month (behind Getaway Theatre) but the heavy ground may have been too much and she could bounce back with a big performance today.

5/1

Form: 172-23 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner; made a positive start to hurdling career when clear second at Hexham (2m, heavy) last month but not at the same level when third to the reopposing Blue Baloo at Newcastle (2m4f) since; will need to raise her game to get heavily involved here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:30 Kelso

Chosen Hero

10st 10lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Sole success over hurdles came in January 2024 when trained by Archie Watson; she has offered little in three runs for current yard and it's easy to look elsewhere.

50/1

13

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:11 Hexham

Chosen Hero

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

On a long losing sequence and offered little in two runs for her new handler, pulled up in 2m4f handicap at Leicester in January; now tongue tied first time; easy to look elsewhere.

33/1

5

20th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:02 Leicester

Chosen Hero

11st 7lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Left Archie Watson after string of disappointing runs last season and dropped out very tamely on last month's stable debut at Carlisle (2m1f, soft); needs to turn a corner.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £56.38

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

El Elefante

Daily Mail:

Little Miss Dante

TOPSPEED:

Getaway Theatre

LAMBOURN:

Pawapuri

Telegraph:

Blue Baloo

The Star:

Alfie's Princess

The Times:

Getaway Theatre

D Express:

Little Miss Dante

RP RATINGS:

El Elefante

POSTDATA:

El Elefante

The Guardian:

El Elefante

Daily Mirror:

El Elefante

Daily Record:

Pawapuri