February 23 / 16.25 Warwick

16.25

Heavy

Weatherbys and Northampton Town FC Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
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Weatherbys and Northampton Town FC Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Abandoned

Form: 321-32 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Overcame a sluggish start and some jumping errors to run respectably over C&D (soft) last month, taking overall form figures to 132132; good chance off 1lb lower, especially if this race goes more smoothly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

17:10 Sedgefield

Klitschko

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Lucinda Hughes

Won this last year when 2lb higher (good); ran well in fifth of 15 at Catterick in January, when not quite seeing out the 2m3f trip, and he unseated mid-race there last time; could have a big part to play.

4/1

5

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

16:30 Catterick

Klitschko

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Lucinda Hughes

All three wins on good ground but some useful form on soft; first win for this yard at Sedgefield (2m1f; off 2lb higher) last March but he's needed some excuses since; should be suited by the return to a shorter trip but will need to be right on his game to win today.

8/1

5th

2

21st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

14:20 Catterick

Klitschko

12st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Lucinda Hughes

Beaten upwards of 12l in four starts since winning in a tongue-tie at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in March; stays this trip and he's back down to that winning mark, though; hood (reapplied last time) comes off again.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 032126 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Non-stayer over 2m4f on latest outing; has form figures of 212 at about 2m for current yard, solid second (beaten narrowly by subsequent scorer) at Ascot on most recent occasion; open to further improvement back down in trip; remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 95y

Class 4

15:45 Fakenham

Toonagh Warrior

12st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Stuart Edmunds

Twice a runner-up late last year and came back to some form after some lesser efforts when just over a 3l second to Jongleur d'Etoiles at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) last month; remains competitively treated if backing that up.

7/2

1st

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 95y

Class 4

15:45 Fakenham

Toonagh Warrior

12st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Stuart Edmunds

raced in fourth, headway before 2 out, ridden and pressed leader approaching last, led towards finish, just did enough

7/2

2nd

3

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

16:50 Wincanton

Toonagh Warrior

12st 1lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Runner-up twice in a row at Southwell (2m4f/3m, good/good to soft) towards the end of last year and he's on a handy mark on that form; however, he's gone off the boil on his last three runs and has to raise his game.

14/1

Form: 64-151 D

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish hurdler who is 2-3 for new stable, winning in clearcut style at Wetherby (2m, soft) most recently; up 6lb but Benjamin Macey takes off 10lb; acts on heavy; return to Warwick is the only negative, having flopped here two starts ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

6th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:42 Fontwell

Royal Rhythm

11st 4lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Winless since 2023 and he's been off the track since pulled up in 3m handicap in November; on a useful mark if resurgent after a break.

11/1

5th

2

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:58 Worcester

Royal Rhythm

11st 11lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Lost out only by a nose to Orange Diamond over C&D (good) in August but was not quite in same form when fifth behind same rival here last month and has become far too inconsistent to rely upon.

10/1

Form: 4-3F25

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Has encouraging form, having been placed in three of his five completed starts; acts on heavy; took a step backwards last time but looks open to progress now handicapping and is one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

27th Apr 2024

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Goonhilly

10st 4lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

0-2 in bumpers and now 0-7 over hurdles, having been turned over at odds-on in two of his last three races; travels well but seems very one paced when it matters.

28/1

17

27th Apr 2024

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Goonhilly

10st 4lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

0-2 in bumpers and now 0-7 over hurdles, having been turned over at odds-on in two of his last three races; travels well but seems very one paced when it matters.

28/1

2nd

3

27th Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

16:00 Wincanton

Goonhilly

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Runner-up three times, latterly in a soft-ground maiden here last month; returns to this level after finishing midfield in the Imperial Cup (lost a shoe); major form claims in the new cheekpieces.

Evs

Abandoned

Form: /71P-P

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Standout piece of form is his 40-1 success in Carlisle maiden hurdle (2m1f, good to soft) a year ago; unconvincing record otherwise; goes into this second handicap attempt looking far from solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

15th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Hallwood

11st 10lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Mark Rimell

Sprung a 40-1 surprise in a Carlisle maiden (2m1f, good to soft) last February but he's been pulled up in three of his four runs since including at Fontwell last month; mark continues to fall but he has a lot to prove back up in trip.

33/1

10

15th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Hallwood

11st 10lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Mark Rimell

Sprung a 40-1 surprise in a Carlisle maiden (2m1f, good to soft) last February but he's been pulled up in three of his four runs since including at Fontwell last month; mark continues to fall but he has a lot to prove back up in trip.

33/1

1

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

14:30 Fontwell

Hallwood

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Mark Rimell

Sprung a 40-1 surprise when winning a Carlisle maiden (2m1f, good to soft; first time tongue-tie) last February; struggled since and continues to fall in the weights; back in trip for first start since wind surgery.

16/1

Form: 31-075 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in juvenile hurdle at Ffos Las (2m, soft) on final start last term; form has dipped sharply this season, latterly switched to chasing; however, may revive off a reduced mark returned to this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Our Follet

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Richard Hobson

Won a junior hurdle last season but chasing didn't go to plan in December (two attempts) and he was well beaten when switched back to hurdling last month; cheekpieces added today; needs to get career back on track.

20/1

5

20th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Our Follet

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Richard Hobson

Won a junior hurdle last season but chasing didn't go to plan in December (two attempts) and he was well beaten when switched back to hurdling last month; cheekpieces added today; needs to get career back on track.

20/1

6th

11

2nd Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

16:50 Doncaster

Our Follet

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Richard Hobson

Won a junior hurdle in early 2023 and remains lightly raced but began chasing career with two very disappointing runs in December and it's hard to know what to expect from him on this handicap hurdle debut.

20/1

Verdict

Klitschko (second choice) looks a major player, particularly granted a better start and error-free round. TOONAGH WARRIOR is a solid alternative back down in distance, while handicap debutant Goonhilly is also interesting. Royal Rhythm has clear possibilities provided he’s as effective back at Warwick.[Steve Boow]