February 17 / 14.40 Haydock

14.40

Heavy

Virgin Bet Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £34170
  • 3m 0f 58y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
ITV
View Course
Virgin Bet Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 74-166 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who reappeared with Grade 2 win at Wetherby in November (3m, soft; Red Risk 1l second); carries a 6lb penalty today and he hasn't really threatened the last twice, but those have been in hot Grade 1 and Grade 2 contests and this is an easier assignment; leading claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

Botox Has

11st 13lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

10yo who's not the force of old; down the weights and this race is a drop in class, but he needs to improve on this season's form nevertheless.

12/1

3rd

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 1

14:50 Fontwell

Botox Has

11st 4lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

2-2 here, including when gamely holding Brewin'upastorm in the 2022 edition of this race; also won Grade 2 Rendlesham at Haydock (about 3m, heavy) in February 2024 but hasn't matched that form subsequently and was tailed off in a Windsor handicap (3m, soft) last month.

10/1

12th

1

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Botox Has

12st 0lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Gained the last of his Grade 2 wins almost two years ago; generally below that form since, most recently returned to handicap level; doesn't look set to end the losing spell.

14/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 12-111 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Won three novice hurdles last year and his improving ways continued with a narrow handicap win at Cheltenham (3m, heavy) on New Year's Day; could continue to progress and he's entitled to plenty of respect now up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 3

13:50 Carlisle

Butch

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

led narrowly, raced in second 3rd, briefly left in lead after 7th, pecked on landing 11th, not fluent and outpaced 3 out, rallied and disputed lead 2 out, no extra and lost second inside final 110yds

4/9

1st

2

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 3

12:15 Leicester

Butch

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

soon pressed leader, led narrowly or disputed lead from 3rd, led and going best before 4 out, went clear before 3 out, went further clear approaching last, readily

1/2

1st

2

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 3

12:15 Leicester

Butch

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

soon pressed leader, led narrowly or disputed lead from 3rd, led and going best before 4 out, went clear before 3 out, went further clear approaching last, readily

1/2

Form: 2-6314 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Improved form this season, winning Kempton handicap (3m, good to soft) over Christmas, and fair fourth at Warwick (3m1f, soft) last month; receives 7lb from the males but needs a career-best to come out on top.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

30th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

Martha Brae

11st 10lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Never looked happy when a remote third to the reopposing Astronomic View at Warwick (3m2f, soft) three weeks ago and now has headgear refitted for the first time since joining this yard; had been in good form prior to that latest run.

20/1

3rd

1

10th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Warwick

Martha Brae

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, pecked on landing 5th, not fluent 7th, cajoled along 8th, reminders 9th, lost touch 3 out

4/1

3rd

6

17th Feb 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Martha Brae

10st 9lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

in rear, stayed on after 3 out, went modest third run-in, never dangerous

25/1

Form: 20-628

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Returned from break with 1l second to Botox Has in Grade 2 at Wetherby (3m, soft) in November and is 2lb better off with the winner today; down the field in Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot last time but could have a part to play now back down in grade.
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

Form: 1422B- D

Last run: 337 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Grade 2 chase at Cheltenham (3m1f, soft) last January; the absence since March and the return to hurdles are the question marks today, but he showed promise in novice hurdles in 2021 and his trainer's horses often go well when fresh; major player if reproducing best chase form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Sounds Russian

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Has shown his best form over fences, notwithstanding a Listed win in this sphere; well behind Gwennie May Boy at Haydock on sole start this season and is bottom of this pack on hurdles figures; enough to prove.

100/1

9

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Sounds Russian

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Has shown his best form over fences, notwithstanding a Listed win in this sphere; well behind Gwennie May Boy at Haydock on sole start this season and is bottom of this pack on hurdles figures; enough to prove.

100/1

5

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Sounds Russian

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Merely fifth of six in this last year when back from an absence and this 10yo returns from some more time off today; however, he was a Grade 2 chase winner in January 2023 and he won a Listed novice hurdle at Perth (3m, soft) last April; in the mix if bringing his best chase form to the table.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0-6F20 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Won this last year (good to soft) and is also effective on heavy; however, he'll probably need a bigger performance than 12 months ago if he's to score today, and he's been inconsistent this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:00 Musselburgh

Wakool

11st 2lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Second in this race in 2022, fourth in 2023 and 12th in 2024; no win since February 2023 and generally little impact since; tried a tongue-tie latest start and now reverts to his usual cheekpieces.

33/1

10th

9

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:00 Musselburgh

Wakool

11st 2lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

ran in snatches, always behind

33/1

10th

1

2nd Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:25 Ayr

Wakool

12st 0lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

He may have needed last month's comeback run here (soundly beaten) and he continues to drop down the weights, but for good reason; last season was disappointing in the main; needs to turn things around; a tongue-tie goes on.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.90
Straight Forecast £6.64
Trifecta £39.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Botox Has

SPOTLIGHT:

Butch

The Times:

Sounds Russian

WEST COUNTRY:

Red Risk

D Express:

Butch

The Sun:

Butch

Daily Record:

Butch

The Guardian:

Sounds Russian

The Star:

Sounds Russian

TOPSPEED:

Botox Has

POSTDATA:

Botox Has

Telegraph:

Botox Has

Daily Mail:

Botox Has

Daily Mirror:

Red Risk