December 08 / 13.25 Warwick

13.25

Good To Soft

Champion Compressors Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3812.2
  • 2m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Champion Compressors Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 57-518

Last run: 26 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Had drifted back below his previous winning mark when just holding on in a four-runner Hereford affair in October (3m2f, good to firm); out of his depth at Cheltenham since but more realistic prospects again here, especially should conditions dry out at all.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

22nd Aug 2023

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Ernesto

11st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Ian Williams

midfield

16/1

7th

5

4th Aug 2023

Good

2m 7f 7y

Class 5

13:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Ernesto

11st 5lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Ian Williams

Lurks on a very dangerous mark even before Daire McConville's useful 8lb claim is considered but has been out of form this year and needs to turn a corner; visor replaced by cheekpieces; tongue-tie removed.

8/1

Form: 42412-

Last run: 244 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Built on bumper promise to land a Huntingdon maiden hurdle in March (2m, soft); penalty rather than the near 4f longer trip appeared the issue next time, though still recorded a personal best RPR of 117 in defeat and looks realistically treated for handicaps judged on that; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 3

15:40 Ascot

Haas Boy

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Chester Williams

Sported this headgear combination for the first time when narrowly repelling Authoceltic at Newton Abbot and followed up over hurdles later in the autumn; disappointed back over fences in January but returned to form with a decisive win at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft), beating a hat-trick seeker in the process; went up 8lb for that but clearly a contender; good ground is fine.

6/4

1st

3

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

14:37 Wincanton

Haas Boy

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Chester Williams

Newton Abbot chase winner in October (2m, good to soft), but continues to return stronger RPRs win or lose over hurdles; 3lb drop following January's fading Exeter chasing sixth isn't sufficiently persuasive.

5/2

1st

5

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

17:25 Newton Abbot

Haas Boy

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Chester Williams

Very well handicapped on old hurdling form for Charlie Longsdon but didn't really fire during four-race campaign for Emma Lavelle last season and still has quite a bit to prove over fences; changed hands for 3,200euros in April; sports first-time cheekpieces here; first runner under rules for Chester Williams; market may guide.

6/1

Form: 3P1P-0

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Best Flat/hurdles efforts on galloping tracks with some cut, but offered little granted both on his seasonal/stable debut at Worcester; 2lb drop not enough to tempt, especially around this sharper circuit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

16:12 Fairyhouse

Crossing The Bar

11st 6lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Cian Collins

Won his fourth hurdle race when scoring at Catterick over an extended 3m in January and a solid run over 2m6f at Thurles since; this trip suits better and can be involved.

8/1

5th

7

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

16:12 Fairyhouse

Crossing The Bar

11st 6lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Cian Collins

Won his fourth hurdle race when scoring at Catterick over an extended 3m in January and a solid run over 2m6f at Thurles since; this trip suits better and can be involved.

8/1

Form: 21-P35

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Newbury bumper and Worcester novice handicap hurdle wins (both 2m, good) back his trainer's assertion that he's best suited by a level track; some concerns on that score around here, but more so that he's made a respiratory noise on both recent starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

26th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 4

17:05 Uttoxeter

Charlies Glance

11st 0lb

J: James Martin

T: Andrew J Martin

Reportedly unsuited by the good to soft ground when well beaten over hurdles here last month but his second over hurdles here (2m4f, good) two starts ago was a pretty good effort, and he reverts to chasing on a good mark; dangerous to ignore.

5/1

10th

9

30th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:10 Uttoxeter

Charlies Glance

11st 11lb

J: James Martin

T: Andrew J Martin

Made the frame in three of his four races since returning from long layoff this spring, most recently when keeping-on second over C&D (good) 24 days ago; probably won't be far away but others appeal more.

12/1

2nd

7

6th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:43 Uttoxeter

Charlies Glance

11st 11lb

J: James Martin

T: Andrew J Martin

Has won a bumper, a novice handicap hurdle and a novice handicap chase, all at around 2m on good ground; fair third in a handicap hurdle at Fakenham in April when back from a 403-day break (2m4f, good; first run after win surgery); wouldn't rule out.

12/1

Form: 7-12P

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Uttoxeter mares' novice winner in May (2m4f, good), and not disgraced under a penalty dropped to an inadequate trip after; poor handicap debut last month, however, even allowing for an ungenerous initial mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

7th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:45 Market Rasen

Bettys Banjo

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

prominent, pushed along from 8th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last

10/1

8

10th Jan 2023

Good

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

15:00 Doncaster

Bettys Banjo

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Irish point winner; improved mightily on her hurdle debut when winning at Uttoxeter last May (2m4f, good); fair 2m run subsequently but way off her game when pulled up in an Exeter handicap in November.

25/1

Form: 2632/1 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Chasing career temporarily placed on hold following a surprise Plumpton novice success (2m5f, good to soft) on his first outing for over 20 months; likely a bit more needed to follow up, having already placed on three of his four 2020-21 handicap outings off similar marks to today's.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Northern Poet

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Pulled up three consecutive times after his two good-ground wins (3m/3m5f) in March 2025; back on a good mark now and was seemingly perked up by first-time visor when close fourth of six (just behind Enjoy d'Allen) at Plumpton (3m1f, good) last month but overall profile remains unconvincing.

12/1

4th

1

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

16:02 Plumpton

Northern Poet

12st 1lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Has five wins over fences, including over C&D, but has been pulled up on his last three starts; back on last winning mark and first-time visor now goes on but he comes with risks.

12/1

5

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Northern Poet

11st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Won this last year (good) and followed up at Warwick (3m5f, good) a week later; also effective on good to soft ground; pulled up on final two starts last season but can go well fresh and is not ruled out on his return.

8/1

Form: 36-431 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Bumpy trajectory to this year's RPRs before pulling out a new personal best at Plumpton latest (2m5f, good to soft), breaking his hurdling duck at the seventh attempt into the bargain; limited wriggle room off 4lb higher mark but confidence restored, and won't mind any drying of conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

14

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:35 Wincanton

Baddesley

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

towards rear

20/1

13th

14

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:35 Wincanton

Baddesley

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

towards rear

20/1

Form: 4341-3 D BF

Last run: 218 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Win on handicap debut at Hereford in March (2m6f, soft), for which a 6lb rise appeared less prohibitive than it was made to look over further at Fontwell next time; something to prove now off an unchanged mark, but still early days for him in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Ballycamus

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Rather in and out, and followed a Ludlow win (3m, good to soft) in December with a listless fourth over the same C&D three weeks ago; needs first-time headgear to inject some sparkle.

6/1

4th

2

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Ballycamus

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Returned to form with hard-fought C&D (good to soft) win in December, his second C&D success, and was nudged up only 1lb for that; obvious contender if in similar mood again.

3/1

16

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Cheltenham

Ballycamus

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Went up 5lb for winning a 3m handicap that fell apart at Ludlow (good to soft) in February and that was under a 3lb claimer; probably has no margin for error off this mark and that spells danger in this warm a race; that said, his Chepstow run after a break was encouraging.

12/1

Form: 475-13 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Newton Abbot score in October (2m6f, good) improved his record in good-ground handicap hurdles to 121, on which basis any drying of conditions would be most welcome; shaped as if still in form upped in class on soft last time, and not hard to shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

21st Jul 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

15:35 Newton Abbot

Wavering Down

11st 9lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jeremy Scott

Won here (2m5f, good) in 2022 and returns here after three good efforts this spring (2m4f-3m1f, good); still on a workable mark and enters calculations; seems best on good ground but handles good to soft.

11/2

2nd

10

6th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:18 Uttoxeter

Wavering Down

10st 13lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Hasn't won since October 2022 but plenty of sound placed efforts last season and again when second off this mark at Warwick last month (3m1f, good; fourth has since won over this C&D); contender.

11/4

2nd

7

11th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

19:35 Warwick

Wavering Down

11st 9lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Dual hurdle winner on good ground; placed on both starts last summer (2m7f/2m4f) and returned from break with another good effort last month; could still have untapped potential over this sort of trip and can make his presence felt again.

4/1

Form: /4430/

Last run: 699 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Gently progressive when placing in hurdles (one handicap) for Harry Whittington, but unclear how much what ability remains having finished last in a jumpers' bumper on sole start for current yard in two years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

13th Sep 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Deer Hunter

10st 10lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

0-9 over hurdles; stuck to his task pretty well when sixth over 2m4f ten weeks ago and ought to be suited by today's move back up in trip, but others have more pressing claims.

16/1

6th

5

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:28 Worcester

Deer Hunter

11st 1lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Maiden; pulled up on last week's chasing debut but previous two efforts over hurdles, at this track, give him each-way claims.

12/1

Verdict

An initial official mark of 115 appears fair judged on the RPR that HAAS BOY ran to under a penalty in a Sedgefield novice when last seen, and this still lightly tried and progressive son of Diamond Boy is taken to make a winning start to his new campaign. Wavering Down is feared the most, all the more so if conditions dry out to good, at which point interest in Ernesto similarly increases. [Jeremy Grayson]

Selections

The Times:

Northern Poet

SPOTLIGHT:

Haas Boy

TOPSPEED:

Wavering Down

RP Ratings:

Baddesley

WEST COUNTRY:

Ballycamus

Telegraph:

Haas Boy

Daily Mail:

Haas Boy

D Express:

Haas Boy

POSTDATA:

Wavering Down

The Guardian:

Northern Poet

Daily Mirror:

Northern Poet

The Sun:

Northern Poet

The Star:

Northern Poet

Daily Record:

Baddesley