December 09 / 14.05 Bangor-on-Dee

14.05

Good To Soft

R W Hough & Sons Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers’ Hurdle Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £6153.98
  • 2m 7f 7y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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R W Hough & Sons Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers’ Hurdle Series Qualifier)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 32PP-4

Last run: 31 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Smart staying hurdler in his prime but has regressed; made quite encouraging seasonal debut when fourth at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) last month and capable claimer Dylan Kitts takes off a useful 10lb here; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

7th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 52y

Class 2

14:52 Newbury

Emitom

11st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

raced in last, headway before 3 out, went second 2 out, switched right before last, not fluent when challenging last, stayed on but just held

3/1

2nd

2

7th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 52y

Class 2

14:52 Newbury

Emitom

11st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

raced in last, headway before 3 out, went second 2 out, switched right before last, not fluent when challenging last, stayed on but just held

3/1

5th

15

14th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:10 Cheltenham

Emitom

10st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Two wins and two seconds from his five races for current yard; both the wins were at Newbury, including in clearcut style from Kyntara on heavy going last time out; back up another 5lb but he was fourth in the Grade 1 Stayers' on his only visit to the Festival, admittedly in 2020, but a case can be made for this resurgent 10yo.

25/1

Form: 38/3-3 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Gained all four hurdling wins on good ground in 2020 (2m4f-3m2f); returned from long absence with very encouraging third under Cameron Iles at Kempton (2m, soft) last month and remains on a good mark, but there is a slight concern that today's trip-and-ground combination may stretch him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

23rd Jul 2023

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

16:05 Newton Abbot

Yes No Maybe So

10st 5lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Tom Lacey

raced in third and in touch with leaders, not fluent 11th, not fluent 12th, weakened after 3 out

5/1

4th

5

9th Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:20 Market Rasen

Yes No Maybe So

11st 7lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

Four wins in 2020 but no joy since; good second at Ffos Las in January (off 6lb higher) but has rather lost his way since; visor no help when pulled up latest and tongue-strap now enlisted for the first time.

14/1

1

8th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Worcester

Yes No Maybe So

11st 12lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Tom Lacey

Quite lightly raced since winning four in a row on good ground in 2020 and comes here after two disappointing efforts, the latter in refitted cheekpieces; needs to be perked up by the first-time visor.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 740F-4 C BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Out of sorts last season, but won on the Flat in October after a break and was respectable fourth when back over hurdles at Carlisle (2m4f, heavy) later that month; needs to build on that performance here and is untested beyond 2m5f, but remains very well handicapped on old form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 3

15:20 Musselburgh

Navajo Pass

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

4th

5

30th Oct 2022

Soft

2m 4f 8y

Class 2

16:05 Carlisle

Navajo Pass

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

prominent, led after 2nd, joined 5th, headed and not fluent 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out

9/4

Form: 413/09

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Hasn't raced much over hurdles since his heavy-ground maiden win in January 2021 and never really looked dangerous when ninth of 18 on last month's seasonal debut at Cheltenham (2m5f, good), but might be seen to better effect on the slower ground here; also engaged in 3.35 Cheltenham today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

15:25 Chepstow

Brazos

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Alexandra Dunn

midfield, outpaced after 7th, soon dropped to rear, lost touch before 3 out

50/1

4

22nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

15:25 Chepstow

Brazos

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Alexandra Dunn

midfield, outpaced after 7th, soon dropped to rear, lost touch before 3 out

50/1

Form: 571-2 BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 5yo who won on hurdling debut at Hereford (2m3f, soft) in March; found one just too strong when odds on for last month's reappearance run, but is bred to be suited by today's step up in trip and should have some improvement to come in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Jubilee Express

11st 10lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Below form on sole jumps start on heavy; finished strongest when second in the Welsh National at Chepstow (extended 3m6f, soft) in December 2024; won the Trial there in December this season, which is far and away the best of his last four starts but the ground was surely not soft enough for him when he flopped as favourite in the Welsh National last time; major player if this is one of his better days.

11/4

7th

10

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Jubilee Express

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

disputed lead early, in touch with leaders 3rd

13/2

2nd

12

27th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 1

14:50 Chepstow

Jubilee Express

10st 4lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

7yo who is narrowly the most lightly raced horse in this field; raised his game upped to 3m5f and an extended 3m4f on soft on last two starts last term, snatching a win at Haydock last time; up another 4lb but gives the very strong impression he will keep on galloping at this trip as well.

6/1

Form: P12-UR

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won twice in novice company last season (2m3f/2m4f) and was close second to progressive rival when upped to 2m7f for handicap debut at Exeter (soft) in February; major player if judged on that evidence, but has looked reluctant to jump fences on both appearances this autumn and comes with some risk on this return to hurdling; wore cheekpieces last time; blinkers on today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Young Butler

11st 10lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

chased clear leader, lost ground before 6th

4/1

1st

10

9th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Young Butler

10st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Record of 3-9 over hurdles for Emma Lavelle and was nicely on top in the finish over 3m at Kempton the final time (May; ground was good but he's effective on soft); since changed hands for £21,000; has his quirks but likely to win more races for his respected new yard.

10/1

Abandoned

Form: -43345

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Displayed the benefits of his second wind op and enjoyed a good run of form on good ground in spring/summer; won on soft/heavy when trained in France, but returned from break with underwhelming run on soft last month and needs that outing to have done him good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

31st May 2023

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:00 Newton Abbot

Itacare

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

Scored off 3lb higher at Ludlow (2m5f, good) last spring but he's been out of sorts in his last five runs, including on his return after another wind operation at Worcester (tailed off) three weeks ago; has plenty to prove and he needs a major revival.

14/1

7th

12

8th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Worcester

Itacare

11st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Scored off today's mark at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March 2022 and was placed over C&D (good) off 9lb higher last summer; out of sorts when last seen in the winter but had another wind op (his third) during subsequent 96-day break and can't be ruled out.

12/1

10th

6

1st Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

15:55 Exeter

Itacare

11st 9lb

J: Philip Armson

T: David Pipe

midfield

25/1

Form: 576-21 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 5lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
No longer the force of old but exploited his much reduced mark when winning readily at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) three weeks ago; back up in grade here and it's not easy to predict whether his resurgence will gather momentum, but a recent 5lb rise ought to be manageable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

15:00 Exeter

Bobo Mac

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Tom Symonds

A teenager now and no longer the force of old but was placed three consecutive times before clinging on to win by a short head at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) in February; pulled nicely clear of the others with a next-time-out winner there, so a 4lb rise is arguably lenient.

9/2

3

7th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

15:00 Exeter

Bobo Mac

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Tom Symonds

A teenager now and no longer the force of old but was placed three consecutive times before clinging on to win by a short head at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) in February; pulled nicely clear of the others with a next-time-out winner there, so a 4lb rise is arguably lenient.

9/2

1st

6

1st Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

14:30 Ffos Las

Bobo Mac

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Tom Symonds

towards rear

6/1

Form: 7791-0

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Took big step forward when 33-1 winner of what turned out to be a gruelling Exeter novice hurdle (2m2f, soft) in February; soundly beaten over the same C&D on last month's seasonal/handicap debut (good to soft) but may have untapped potential over staying trips; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

31st May 2023

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:00 Newton Abbot

Bluffmeifyoucan

11st 11lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

Has a patchy record and he didn't fire at Wincanton (100-30 favourite) in March but that was after a good second at Fontwell (2m5f, good) and he was successful in a novice event last spring; has claims if he can get back near best after a break and he's in the mix.

13/2

3rd

7

9th Mar 2023

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:40 Wincanton

Bluffmeifyoucan

11st 2lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

took keen hold, midfield, headway after 3rd

11/4

2nd

8

26th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

15:00 Fontwell

Bluffmeifyoucan

11st 2lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

Big improvement to win Exeter novice (2m2f, soft) in February on final start last term by 18l; has done little in handicaps this winter, reportedly making a respiratory noise on second occasion; best watched.

50/1

Verdict

Navajo Pass looked back in good nick when winning on the Flat in October and is well handicapped over jumps, but he managed only fourth when a warm favourite for his hurdling return six weeks ago and may not be one to rely upon heavily. Jubilee Express (second choice) has made a promising start to his hurdling career and is respected on today’s handicap debut, but a speculative option to consider is BLUFFMEIFYOUCAN who may not be entirely straightforward, but showed that stamina is his strong suit when winning a 2m2f novice in February and now runs over a staying trip for the first time.[Chris Wilson]

Selections

The Times:

Jubilee Express

TOPSPEED:

Navajo Pass

RP Ratings:

Bobo Mac

SPOTLIGHT:

Bluffmeifyoucan

WEST COUNTRY:

Itacare

The Guardian:

Yes No Maybe So

LAMBOURN:

Emitom

Telegraph:

Jubilee Express

Daily Mail:

Jubilee Express

The Sun:

Jubilee Express

Daily Record:

Jubilee Express

POSTDATA:

Navajo Pass

D Express:

Navajo Pass

Daily Mirror:

Bobo Mac

The Star:

Bobo Mac