December 10 / 13.30 Doncaster

13.30

Good

bet365 Summit Juvenile Hurdle (Listed Race) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £19694.5
  • 2m 0f 128y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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bet365 Summit Juvenile Hurdle (Listed Race) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 114 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Made it 2-2 over hurdles (2m, good/good to soft) with Listed win at Wetherby in October; 10l fourth to Scriptwriter in Cheltenham Grade 2 last time (2m, good) when carrying a penalty; he's 5lb better off with the winner here and might not be far away; first preference is the 12.05 at Cheltenham.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

6th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

17:05 Uttoxeter

Medyaf

10st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Juvenile hurdler who scored twice in October; limitations exposed since and hopes rest on the new trip and headgear perking him up.

20/1

9

21st Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:15 Ayr

Medyaf

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders

12/1

7th

1

27th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 1

13:40 Chepstow

Medyaf

11st 5lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

Inferior to a few of these on the Flat; won his first two hurdles (including a Listed race at Wetherby on good to soft) but his limitations were seemingly exposed when only fourth at Cheltenham in the race won by Scriptwriter; appeared to have no excuses under a positive ride.

50/1

Form: 11 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Four Flat runs for Aidan O'Brien and he's 2-2 over hurdles for this yard, having won Grade 2 at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month; he carries a 5lb penalty here but still holds leading claims for last year's winning yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(20)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Scriptwriter

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Milton Harris

Ex-Aidan O'Brien; has seen more action for current yard, mostly in a hurdles campaign but he's also made advances on the Flat; 10-1 for a five-runner Group 3 over C&D (good to soft, unraced on firmer than good) on latest start and he gave the odds-on favourite Hamish a scare, just in front of Tashkhan; up 3lb but he's a rising force.

12/1

2nd

3

(1)

15th Jul 2023

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:45 York

Scriptwriter

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Milton Harris

Useful turf form for Aidan O'Brien; better when winning a 1m4f AW handicap in late December, in the midst of a higher-profile hurdles campaign; held up from wide draw in handicap at Royal Ascot and never got into it, probably running creditably; others in this Group 3 field have better form but he's considered for second.

16/1

7th

5

(15)

20th Jun 2023

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Scriptwriter

9st 11lb

J: David Egan

T: Milton Harris

Promise at up to 1m2f during short Flat career for Aidan O'Brien; all but one of his runs for this yard have been over hurdles (won juvenile Grade 2), the exception a 1m4f AW win last December; this is tougher but he may have untapped potential at 1m6f; handles good/soft, unraced on good to firm.

25/1

Form: 431 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
1m2f Flat winner who got off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles when easily making all at Southwell (2m, good) last month; however, there's a suspicion his limitations will be exposed now up in grade; first preference is the 12.05 at Cheltenham.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Ayr

I Have A Voice

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Adam Nicol

Fairly useful 2m hurdles winner in early 2023, but offered little for Nigel Hawke in a pair of 2m handicap hurdles at Leicester and Lingfield in December; needs this yard switch to spark a resurgence.

33/1

8th

4

9th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Lingfield

I Have A Voice

11st 9lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Scored twice as a juvenile hurdler two seasons ago; showed poor form last term and was pulled up on heavy ground only eight days ago on first start since wind surgery.

33/1

8th

4

9th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Lingfield

I Have A Voice

11st 9lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Scored twice as a juvenile hurdler two seasons ago; showed poor form last term and was pulled up on heavy ground only eight days ago on first start since wind surgery.

33/1

Form: 3111O5

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row over hurdles in September (2m1f, good) and had every chance two out when running out (hampered) in the Wetherby Listed race won by Medyaf in October; however, he was only fifth in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham (2m, good) last time and has something to find with the winner Scriptwriter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

14th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 44y

Class 3

14:40 Salisbury

Mr Freedom

9st 3lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Sheena West

Six-time Flat winner who scored a fifth win on turf when taking Sandown handicap (1m6f, good) off 2lb lower in July 2024; also a multiple winner over hurdles who was on the premises when taking heavy last-flight fall at Plumpton just over one year ago; interesting to see how he goes in the market ahead of this comeback.

13/2

5

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 3

17:15 Plumpton

Mr Freedom

11st 3lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Sheena West

Gained two of his five hurdle wins at this track and was second in Sussex Champion Hurdle here (2m, good) just over a year ago; returned from seven-month break with encouraging third at Bangor (2m3f, good; form working out well) in March and has slipped to a workable mark; can make presence felt.

7/1

5

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 3

17:15 Plumpton

Mr Freedom

11st 3lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Sheena West

Gained two of his five hurdle wins at this track and was second in Sussex Champion Hurdle here (2m, good) just over a year ago; returned from seven-month break with encouraging third at Bangor (2m3f, good; form working out well) in March and has slipped to a workable mark; can make presence felt.

7/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful on the Flat for this yard (won over 1m4f on good ground) and he was a ready winner in a big field on his hurdle debut at Punchestown (2m, yielding) three weeks ago; there was lots to like about that performance and this Irish challenger is a key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

13:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Nusret

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

Dual Flat winner and was a smart juvenile hurdler two seasons ago, winning twice and competitive at the top level; handicapped accordingly and left Joseph O'Brien under a bit of a cloud, albeit when highly tried; if as good as he was and not held back by his fitness after 233 days away, he'd go close; unraced over this far as a hurdler but stayed well on the Flat.

7/2

14th

6

1st Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 11y

17:05 Galway

Nusret

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Two wins on the Flat and a good juvenile hurdler two seasons ago, including winning the Grade 2 Adonis at Kempton; no match for Daddy Long Legs at Punchestown and down the field in the Ascot Stakes; others preferred.

14/1

11th

12

(8)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

18:05 Ascot

Nusret

9st 3lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Grade 1 placed as a juvenile hurdler in April 2023 and won a 1m6f Flat handicap at the Curragh that June; while his hurdles performances in December and this April were satisfactory, he appears to be much more interesting today away from soft ground (ran on good to firm just once, creditably) and with this new stamina test, which could be just his cup of tea.

14/1

Form: U

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Achieved a useful RPR of 86 on the Flat for James Ferguson in August; has potential over hurdles but he unseated at the first flight on his jumping debut at Sandown last Friday, and takes on rivals who have shown very strong form in this code; first preference is the 12.05 at Cheltenham.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:38 Ludlow

Planet Legend

11st 6lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

His last four outings have seen him runner-up twice and pulled up twice; that makes him 2-14 over hurdles, with the two wins early in 2023 before he went handicapping; no problems with trip or ground but he does not appear the most reliable proposition on this switch to chasing.

8/1

4th

3

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:38 Ludlow

Planet Legend

11st 6lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

His last four outings have seen him runner-up twice and pulled up twice; that makes him 2-14 over hurdles, with the two wins early in 2023 before he went handicapping; no problems with trip or ground but he does not appear the most reliable proposition on this switch to chasing.

8/1

7

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:10 Wincanton

Planet Legend

11st 1lb

J: Oliver Boyden

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Only four ran at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November but he ran well behind an in-form rival; has each-way claims with Oliver Boyden again taking 10lb off his back.

20/1

Form: 3

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
1m3f winner on the Flat for Karl Burke (RPR 86) and the first-time hood could help him settle better on this second hurdles start; however, he was soundly beaten at Leicester (1m7f, good to soft) 13 days ago and his trainer has far more obvious claims with Scriptwriter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

2nd Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

13:11 Bangor-on-Dee

Polyphonic

11st 6lb

J: Mr Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Won Fontwell maiden (2m1f, good to soft) for Milton Harris last December but he has a mixed record since; wasn't beaten far when third of five at Uttoxeter two weeks ago but he's now 1-11 over hurdles and others are more convincing.

14/1

Form: 121 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Made it 2-3 over hurdles (2m1f/1m7f, good/soft) when making all by 7l at Catterick three weeks ago; can give another solid account but may find a couple of these too good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

9th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 4

14:15 Musselburgh

The Churchill Lad

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

sweating, took keen hold, led, headed but prominent before 5th, mistake and lost position 8th, rallying when mistake 4 out, weakened before 3 out

4/1

1

9th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 4

14:15 Musselburgh

The Churchill Lad

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Front-runner who won on chase debut at Hexham (1m7f, good) in October and has run well in second the next twice (2m/1m7f, good to soft/good); he's fine at this trip (and on a variety of ground) and was effective here over hurdles; can make another bold bid.

4/1

2nd

2

8th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

14:45 Hexham

The Churchill Lad

11st 13lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Winning hurdler who has taken well to fences, beating Caithness by a head over C&D on debut last month before fair second off this 4lb higher mark at Carlisle (2m, good to soft); should go well again.

11/4

Form: 31

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Two-time Flat winner (RPR 88) who was a ready winner at Fontwell (2m1f, good) last month on his second hurdles start; it remains to be seen where his limitations lie in this code but Scriptwriter and Nusret have greater substance to their form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Dec 2022

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

12:45 Taunton

Trojan Horse

11st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Best at 1m4f on the Flat, over which he posted an RPR of 88; well held on his hurdling debut at Kempton but then impressed at Fontwell in coming home 10l to the good (on good ground); should be thereabouts with his penalty.

9/4

1st

7

13th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

13:30 Fontwell

Trojan Horse

11st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

prominent, pressed leader from 5th, going best when led before 2 out, shaken up when mistake last, pushed out and went clear run-in, readily

5/2

Verdict

The ex-Ballydoyle Scriptwriter made it 2-2 over hurdles when winning a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last month and holds strong claims, but he carries a 5lb penalty here and preference is for useful Flat performer NUSRET, who made a good impression on his hurdle debut at Punchestown. Trojan Horse could be best of the rest.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Nusret

WEST COUNTRY:

Trojan Horse

The Sun:

Scriptwriter

TOPSPEED:

Mr Freedom

The Times:

Medyaf

The Guardian:

Trojan Horse

Daily Mirror:

Trojan Horse

RP Ratings:

Nusret

Telegraph:

Nusret

Daily Mail:

Nusret

D Express:

Nusret

Daily Record:

Nusret

The Star:

Scriptwriter

POSTDATA:

Mr Freedom