February 21 / 14.35 Doncaster

14.35

Soft

SBK Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier For The Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Final)

  • Prize money: £5650.67
  • 3m 0f 84y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
SKY
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SBK Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier For The Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Final)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 4161-U D

Last run: 162 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Ran okay in a match on chase debut at Kelso (2m7f, good) in September, his sole run this season; this front-runner is an impressive 7-14 over hurdles, winning at Haydock (3m, good to soft) last February on last run in this sphere, and he also won on soft ground last term; could make a bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Johnsons Blue

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Has won eight of his 21 races over hurdles; doesn't seem to be the force of old as was pulled up at Haydock last time having finished last of eight on previous hurdle run.

20/1

6

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Johnsons Blue

10st 13lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Tailed off on his final hurdle start in November and three subsequent chase runs leave him with further questions to answer; potentially on a useful mark if he can get back on track, but there are clearly risks attached.

25/1

3rd

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:25 Newcastle

Johnsons Blue

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Useful hurdler; hasn't proved quite so effective in three runs over fences, but decent effort last time when third at Wetherby (2m3f, soft: runner-up has won since); prominent racer who has won over 3m; chance.

9/2

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 2P/686 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Following a long absence this 10yo has been soundly beaten over hurdles on his three starts this season, but those were in warm Class 2 contests and he could benefit from today's drop back in grade; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

1st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

13:55 Carlisle

Come On Teddy

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Harry Derham

in rear on outer, midfield 4th, headway on outer after 3 out, weakened run-in

5/1

4th

4

1st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

13:55 Carlisle

Come On Teddy

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Harry Derham

Following a long absence this 10yo wasn't the force of old last season, and there's a doubt about his stamina nowadays (albeit he was a 3m winner over hurdles in 2020); however, having dropped down the weights he was a close third at Exeter (2m3f) in March on his final outing for Tom George, and he's respected on his first run for the up-and-coming Harry Derham.

5/1

25/1

  • Place: £10.00

Form: 10-P69 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row last season and has dropped below last winning mark, but he was tailed off last February on his final run for Sandy Thomson and this 11yo has struggled on his three starts for a new trainer this term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

17:15 Southwell

Storm Nelson

10st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Olly Williams

led, headed 7th, outpaced after 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened last

20/1

2nd

4

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

17:15 Southwell

Storm Nelson

10st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Olly Williams

led, headed 7th, outpaced after 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened last

20/1

6th

5

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

16:02 Carlisle

Storm Nelson

11st 1lb

J: William Maggs

T: Olly Williams

towards rear

16/1

Form: 2-06PP

Last run: 57 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
He's below his last winning mark and is one to watch in the betting on his first run since wind surgery, but he's struggled this season (pulled up the last twice) and a major turnaround is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Pounding Poet

10st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Close third over hurdles at this meeting 12 months ago (3m, good to soft) and won in that sphere at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last July; ran pretty well in 5l third at Newbury (2m6f, good) in December when back chasing for the first time since 2023, but this 10yo needs a bigger performance today.

25/1

3

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Pounding Poet

11st 12lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

Won with this visor back on at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in July and went close at Cartmel (3m1f, good) the following month; versatile ground-wise and can be in the mix if continuing the good work after a two-month break.

6/1

Form: -53019 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent and tailed off at Lingfield last month but he won a four-runner handicap at Taunton (3m, good to soft) the time before and can be in the mix if bouncing back to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:15 Plumpton

Moka De Vassy

11st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

prominent

12/1

9th

3

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:15 Plumpton

Moka De Vassy

11st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

prominent

12/1

5

21st Feb 2024

Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

14:35 Doncaster

Moka De Vassy

11st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

in touch with leaders, jumped left 1st

7/1

Form: P13P-P D

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Tailed off/pulled up on her three starts since winning over fences at Bangor (2m4f, good to soft) last February, most recently back over hurdles in December on reappearance; something to prove but she's in top hands and has first-time headgear; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:15 Plumpton

Fable

11st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

towards rear, detached halfway

20/1

11th

7

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:15 Plumpton

Fable

11st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

towards rear, detached halfway

20/1

6

21st Feb 2024

Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

14:35 Doncaster

Fable

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

in touch with leaders

10/1

Form: 4OF-55 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Now 4lb lower than when making all at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in December 2022 and didn't run badly when fifth at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) last month on second start back from some time off, on ground that may not have been ideal; could build on that latest run when back on a better surface.
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: F-PP4P D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Two-time hurdle winner who is 4lb lower than when winning over fences at Newbury (2m7f, soft) last March; has been making mistakes over fences and perhaps the return to hurdles and the first-time visor will be positives, but he has plenty of prove in terms of current form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:20 Market Rasen

Bridge North

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: James Owen

Bounced back from disappointing stable debut when second in first-time cheekpieces at Southwell (3m, good to soft) in December but was quickly back in the doldrums on next outing and has become hard to predict.

8/1

1

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Bridge North

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Completing the course has not come easily since he won a handicap chase at Newbury in March 2023 and has been very flat over hurdles this season; has a good bit to prove.

14/1

6th

1

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Bridge North

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Completing the course has not come easily since he won a handicap chase at Newbury in March 2023 and has been very flat over hurdles this season; has a good bit to prove.

14/1

Form: PP-4P5

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
9yo who isn't the force of old and was beaten 13l when fifth over C&D last month on his second stable start; however, it wasn't a bad run and he continues to drop down the weights; not ruled out in weak race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:18 Southwell

Time To Tinker

10st 3lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Gary Hanmer

ran in snatches, in touch with leaders on outer, dropped to rear and struggling after 4 out

14/1

6th

9

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:18 Southwell

Time To Tinker

10st 3lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Gary Hanmer

ran in snatches, in touch with leaders on outer, dropped to rear and struggling after 4 out

14/1

7th

7

3rd Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:43 Huntingdon

Time To Tinker

11st 2lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Arrested his decline when placed at Bangor (2m3f, good) in September and will be fine over today's longer trip but his recent Kempton run was underwhelming and others in this field have much more appealing profiles.

12/1

Form: 23-575

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in all three bumpers; in and out over hurdles but he kept on for a fair fifth on last month's handicap debut at Sandown (2m4f, soft) and could have more to offer now up in trip; wears first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

1st Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Uttoxeter

Blue Ridge Hill

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Runner-up in all three bumpers but has mixed record over hurdles and was tailed off at Fontwell (3m2f) in his final run in the spring; on reduced mark for this chase debut but he's now 0-10 and comes with risks attached after a break; new headgear.

16/1

12th

3

1st Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Uttoxeter

Blue Ridge Hill

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Runner-up in all three bumpers but has mixed record over hurdles and was tailed off at Fontwell (3m2f) in his final run in the spring; on reduced mark for this chase debut but he's now 0-10 and comes with risks attached after a break; new headgear.

16/1

4th

4

16th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 4

17:40 Fontwell

Blue Ridge Hill

10st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Samuel Drinkwater

raced in last but in touch with leaders, headway 10th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.00
Straight Forecast £22.87
Tricast £605.98
Trifecta £486.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Johnson's Blue

Daily Mail:

Blue Ridge Hill

POSTDATA:

Moka De Vassy

TOPSPEED:

Time To Tinker

RP RATINGS:

Come On Teddy

Telegraph:

Fable

Daily Mirror:

Romeo Brown

The Times:

Johnson's Blue

The Guardian:

Johnson's Blue

Daily Record:

Johnson's Blue

The Star:

Blue Ridge Hill

WEST COUNTRY:

Moka De Vassy

D Express:

Time To Tinker

The Sun:

Come On Teddy