October 08 / 14.00 Huntingdon

14.00

Good

JCB Mini-Excavator Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3812.2
  • 2m 3f 137y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
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JCB Mini-Excavator Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £29.00
  • Place: £4.50

Form: 60-F0U

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Standout piece of form when disputing second and falling at the last at Southwell (2m, good; handicap debut) in May; beaten 34l at Stratford three months later but was still travelling well enough when unseating at Market Rasen ten days ago; has a bit to prove but back on a workable mark; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

28th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

19:33 Fontwell

Harry Gulliver

10st 9lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Won off lowly mark at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) in 2024 and returned from long absence with encouraging sixth at Uttoxeter (2m, good) last month; may be reliant on the ground remaining good but can feature if that recent outing brought him on.

10/1

5th

10

24th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:10 Uttoxeter

Harry Gulliver

10st 9lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Managed a win off lowly mark at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) in October 2024 but absent since heavy defeat the following month (albeit on slower-than-ideal ground) and might need this outing.

16/1

OUR TIP

11/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 6325-

Last run: 213 days

W: 11st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Useful Flat performer in Germany; some creditable place form over hurdles (2m) for Tony Charlton but signed off for that stable with a heavy defeat in a Class 3 on handicap debut; well beaten on both starts for this yard, albeit in Class 2s on the Flat, most recently having been gelded; this is much easier back over hurdles and he needs considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(3)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

14:10 Catterick

Nachtgeist

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Olly Murphy

Useful Flat winner in Germany earlier in career and twice runner-up over hurdles during the past year, but now 0-15 since arriving in Britain and modest in two starts back on the Flat last month.

12/1

7th

2

(3)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

14:10 Catterick

Nachtgeist

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Olly Murphy

Useful Flat winner in Germany earlier in career and twice runner-up over hurdles during the past year, but now 0-15 since arriving in Britain and modest in two starts back on the Flat last month.

12/1

12

(7)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 61y

Class 2

14:05 Newbury

Nachtgeist

8st 10lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Olly Murphy

Useful Flat winner in Germany earlier in career but has barely bettered modest form over hurdles in Britain and trailed home well beaten back on the Flat at Doncaster last week; outsider.

100/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 0037-5

Last run: 154 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Beaten 13l in two handicaps (2m3f, soft; 2m4f, good) before finishing further behind in a Hereford maiden (2m); more required but not completely ruled out back up in trip, returning from a 154-day absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

15th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 4

18:34 Market Rasen

My Friend Sean

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Tom Lacey

Better hurdler than chaser, with him 5-14 in the one discipline and yet 0-7 over fences; his turn should come as it was a fair run last time at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good; beaten 3l off this mark); all his winning form is about this trip.

11/2

2nd

5

15th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:18 Uttoxeter

My Friend Sean

11st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Five-time hurdle winner but 0-6 over fences and has been out of form on his last two starts, most recently when a 31l last of five at Southwell (2m, good) in June on his return from a break; that run may have been needed but other candidates appeal more.

8/1

5th

5

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Southwell

My Friend Sean

11st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

All five wins have been over hurdles; 0-5 over fences and finished last of six at Kempton (2m2f, good) in March; others preferred.

10/1

Form: 58U-PP

Last run: 143 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Placed in a maiden hurdle in spring 2023 but well beaten on all completed runs since; makes little appeal returning from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

Pollyonesock

10st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Showed her first piece of worthwhile form for a while when fourth at Huntingdon (near 2m4f, good) last month, albeit beaten 20l; failed to build on that when soundly beaten behind Karakoram 19 days ago; 6lb out of the handicap and difficult to recommend.

33/1

9th

12

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

Pollyonesock

10st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Showed her first piece of worthwhile form for a while when fourth at Huntingdon (near 2m4f, good) last month, albeit beaten 20l; failed to build on that when soundly beaten behind Karakoram 19 days ago; 6lb out of the handicap and difficult to recommend.

33/1

10

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

16:30 Ludlow

Pollyonesock

10st 5lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

This month's Huntingdon fourth (2m4f, good) broke a sequence of non-completions; shaped there as if ready for this longer trip now, though that's not wholly backed up by the pedigree (two point winners aside).

20/1

Form: PP-408

Last run: 48 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Out of form earlier in the year and offered little when fitted with blinkers on last month's reappearance; cheekpieces the chosen headgear here and, although he's become well handicapped, he has plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

8th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

14:00 Huntingdon

Mamoon Star

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Out of form earlier in the year and offered little when fitted with blinkers on last month's reappearance; cheekpieces the chosen headgear here and, although he's become well handicapped, he has plenty to prove.

12/1

8th

5

21st Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:35 Worcester

Mamoon Star

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Well handicapped on some of his 2022-23 season form but ended last year with two poor efforts and was soundly beaten on both outings this spring; blinkered for this first attempt beyond 2m5f; revival needed.

16/1

Form: 4P-725

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful on the Flat at his best and bettered disappointing handicap hurdle debut when a keeping-on second at Uttoxeter (2m, good) in July but failed to build on that at Bangor last month; goes back up in trip but others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

16:05 Fontwell

Motazzen

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Took form to new level when scoring by 10l over C&D (good to soft) in March but his two hurdle runs in May were disappointing and, following a wind op, he was soundly beaten on the Flat 12 days ago; has a point to prove.

5/1

9th

6

(1)

16th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

13:30 Southwell (AW)

Motazzen

9st 8lb

J: Laura Coughlan

T: Henrietta C Knight

50-1 winner of this race last year off 4lb lower; following 228 days off; 10l winner over hurdles this March, followed by two modest shows in May; had wind operation (his second) in July and needs a second look.

14/1

Form: P-05

Last run: 91 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Went close in an Irish point in May 2022 but, following a long absence, struggled to get competitive on first two hurdle starts (December/May) and failed to show any immediate benefit for wind surgery on most recent defeat; handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

3rd Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

16:14 Huntingdon

Real Rewards

10st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

Close second in final Irish point but he hasn't found his way over hurdles in Britain and was a long way behind Harry Gulliver on handicap debut last month; now goes in cheekpieces; 6lb out of weights.

33/1

12

3rd Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

16:14 Huntingdon

Real Rewards

10st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

Close second in final Irish point but he hasn't found his way over hurdles in Britain and was a long way behind Harry Gulliver on handicap debut last month; now goes in cheekpieces; 6lb out of weights.

33/1

7th

11

8th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

14:00 Huntingdon

Real Rewards

10st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

Went close in an Irish point in May 2022 but, following a long absence, struggled to get competitive on first two hurdle starts (December/May) and failed to show any immediate benefit for wind surgery on most recent defeat; handicap debut.

33/1

Form: 5/43-3

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Yet to win after eight attempts over hurdles but frequently placed and made a most encouraging return from a long absence when a staying-on third at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in August; has been given plenty of time to get over that run and he's one of the likelier ones off the same mark back down in distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:52 Southwell

Lightening Gesture

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Yet to win after nine attempts over hurdles and could do with settling better, which was again evident when pulled up last time over 2m3f; not at all badly treated on his placed efforts should he give himself a chance.

20/1

7

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:52 Southwell

Lightening Gesture

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Yet to win after nine attempts over hurdles and could do with settling better, which was again evident when pulled up last time over 2m3f; not at all badly treated on his placed efforts should he give himself a chance.

20/1

7

8th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

14:00 Huntingdon

Lightening Gesture

10st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Yet to win after eight attempts over hurdles but frequently placed and made a most encouraging return from a long absence when a staying-on third at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in August; has been given plenty of time to get over that run and he's one of the likelier ones off the same mark back down in distance.

4/1

Non-runners

Bahtiyar, Sailed Away, Lady Salvador

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £63.30
Straight Forecast £122.90
Tricast £390.73
Trifecta £598.20

Selections

The Times:

Nachtgeist

SPOTLIGHT:

Lightening Gesture

D Express:

My Friend Sean

RP RATINGS:

Mamoon Star

Daily Mail:

Sailed Away

Daily Mirror:

My Friend Sean

The Sun:

Nachtgeist

The Star:

Nachtgeist

Daily Record:

Nachtgeist

WEST COUNTRY:

Mamoon Star

POSTDATA:

Lightening Gesture

Telegraph:

Lightening Gesture

The Guardian:

Lightening Gesture