December 26 / 12.10 Kempton

12.10

Soft

Ladbrokes “We Play Together” Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £11446.6
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Ladbrokes “We Play Together” Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1-11 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who has justified odds-on favouritism with some authority in novices at Worcester and Doncaster; unexposed and, although kept to good ground so far under rules, he finished second in a 3m Irish point on yielding to soft; perhaps a greater worry is carrying a double penalty in this much better race, but he's still respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Rare Edition

11st 10lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Creditable second in a Kelso handicap chase in October (2m1f, good); not done as well since and was well beaten back over hurdles at Kempton in January (2m, good; cheekpieces back on) on latest start; hood now tried; bit to prove.

9/2

1

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

16:30 Kelso

Rare Edition

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Faller when last seen but earlier novice chase form featured a success (2m, good) when fresh; still has low mileage over fences and warrants respect off a workable mark on reappearance.

7/4

3/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 8-11 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Stayed well on the Flat in France; evidently all the better for a wind operation with most decisive back-to-back wins on good ground at Taunton, accounting for a smart Flat horse on his final visit (pair totally dominant); looks a smart prospect but soft ground might be a cause for concern (good to soft would be fine).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

16:02 Sandown

Rubaud

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Form dipped in Cheltenham Festival handicap returned to fences last time; multiple Grade 2 winner but has raced mostly at about 2m and isn't crying out for this step back up in trip; first go beyond a sharp 2m4f.

14/1

3

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Rubaud

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Listed/Grade 2 wins over hurdles this term; goes back over fences for the first time since last May and he's 1-5 in this sphere, the win coming in a Grade 2 novice last February; sixth of 15 off this mark in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April 2024 when he last tackled a handicap; may be vulnerable.

16/1

2nd

1

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 50y

Class 1

13:35 Wincanton

Rubaud

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Front-runner who is 2-3 since returned to hurdles from fences, winning races at Kempton (Listed) and Wincanton (Elite Hurdle) that he also took in 2023 and 2024; held in a 9l third at Kempton on Boxing Day but that was behind Sir Gino in a Grade 1 and he's strongly respected on this drop back in class; most of his wins have been on good ground but he's effective on soft.

7/4

66/1

  • Place: £6.40

Form: 5-6

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £180,000 after winning an Irish maiden point but has suffered heavy defeats at Taunton (bumper on soft) and Newbury (2m4f hurdle on good) for this yard; on the plus side, he might see this out better than some should conditions be really testing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Off To A Flyer

12st 0lb

J: Mr Richard Upton

T: Joe Tizzard

made all, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 9th, kept on well from 2 out, comfortably

9/4

1

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Off To A Flyer

12st 0lb

J: Mr Richard Upton

T: Joe Tizzard

Absent since justifying market support at Huntingdon (3m1f, good) ten months ago when returned to hurdles after an unsuccessful spell over fences; the betting may again prove instructive.

9/4

1st

2

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 4

14:05 Huntingdon

Off To A Flyer

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

made all

6/1

Form: 11 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Very useful at up to 1m6f on the Flat and has made a pleasing transition to hurdling with narrow wins at Uttoxeter and Wetherby; ran okay on soft ground during his early days but all his improvement has come on good or faster; opposable for that reason.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(2)

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:55 Bath

Throne Hall

11st 1lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Won back-to-back races at Musselburgh (2m) and Les Landes (1m5f) in April but he's been generally disappointing since; on dangerous mark on this step back up in trip but needs to turn things around; tongue-tie added.

9/2

6th

4

(6)

9th Sep 2025

Good

1m 5f 192y

Class 6

14:10 Catterick

Throne Hall

10st 7lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Won back-to-back at Musselburgh (2m) and Les Landes (1m5f) in April but has been below par of late; paid the price for doing too much too soon when a weakening fifth to Stellarmasterpiece (1m4f, here; beaten 2l) on penultimate start; easing mark helpful.

11/2

6

(6)

26th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

16:10 Lingfield (AW)

Throne Hall

10st 4lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Made all when winning in a small field at Musselburgh in April (2m, good) and he followed up in Jersey 19 days later; poor run at Doncaster last month but he bounced back with a solid effort at Catterick last week (1m4f, good to firm); shouldn't be far away.

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Completed a hat-trick in low-grade handicaps on the AW early this year (1m2f/1m4f) but the bubble burst when well beaten on soft ground at Windsor in October; asked a serious question here on his hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

18:20 Fontwell

Hes A Latchico

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Four-time hurdle winner who has form figures of 11631 at Fontwell; has mixed record this season but he went close at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) on his penultimate run and was rallying in a close fifth when he unseated two out at Kempton (2m, good) last time; one of two runners for the yard and he's an interesting contender back at this track.

11/2

3

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Kempton

Hes A Latchico

11st 10lb

J: Rob Hargreaves

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Gained his spring/autumn wins last year at about 2m; ran well over 2m4f at Plumpton most recently; may remain competitive, back down in distance.

4/1

2nd

7

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 3

14:50 Plumpton

Hes A Latchico

11st 1lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Took hurdles score to four when winning at Leicester (1m7.5f, soft) in November and produced a solid effort in his follow-up bid off this mark at Ascot the following month; however, he has to be forgiven a below-par effort at Sandown since.

16/1

Form: 239-41 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Managed to fend off a respected rival to open his account at Taunton (2m, good) last time despite doing his rider no favours by hanging right on the run-in; open to plenty more progress and he finished third in a Listed bumper on soft, so testing ground shouldn't harm his prospects.
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: 2

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Very useful on Flat (best at about 1m2f) and it was a strong novice hurdle in which he finished second at Huntingdon, having travelled and jumped well; on the downside, the Huntingdon ground was good and he was below his best when he once encountered good to soft on Flat (unraced on softer).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

16:27 Chepstow

Father Of Jazz

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: James Owen

Completed a hat-trick in a 2m good-ground handicap at Aintree in June (2lb lower) but was turned over at odds-on back in a novice next time and has twice performed miserably on the Flat since; something to prove now.

8/1

14th

8

(8)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Father Of Jazz

9st 1lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Completed a hurdles hat-trick in 2023; failed to beat a rival last month on return from lengthy absence and needs to prove he retains ability; raced mainly over longer trips.

50/1

11th

3

(2)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 3

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Father Of Jazz

9st 12lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: James Owen

Progressive hurdler when last seen in 2023, although below best on final start that September; had smart AW form in Group 3 and Listed 1m2f races for Roger Varian earlier and his mark has dropped 8lb since last seen on the Flat; fascinating to see how the betting goes back from absence.

16/1

Form: /56/1- D

Last run: 601 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Must be talented to have defied a penalty at Southwell (good) in his final bumper as the ill-fated runner-up showed good form afterwards over hurdles; an absence of 601 days is the glaring concern and this is no gentle reintroduction on his switch to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

11th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:15 Huntingdon

I Hope Star

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Placed twice at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) at start of this year and may not have been ideally suited by the soft ground when very respectable third on handicap debut at Warwick (2m, soft) in March; 2lb lower here; ought to make his presence felt again.

6/1

3rd

7

22nd Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:25 Warwick

I Hope Star

11st 6lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

prominent

11/2

3rd

5

14th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:30 Lingfield

I Hope Star

11st 5lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Dual bumper winner on AW/good ground; finished tailed off in a good novice hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day but showed the benefit of that run to chase home last weekend's Betfair third Teddy Blue over C&D two weeks ago; although perhaps flattered by his close proximity to the winner he looks a big player in this race.

9/2

Form: 365-23

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Beaten in his three bumpers and two hurdle races; has performed creditably most of the time but it's asking a lot of him to get off the mark in this strong a contest and he wasn't at his very best on soft ground in his third bumper run (handles good to soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

14:05 Newbury

Awaythelad

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

He's just 1lb higher than when winning at Southwell (3m, good to soft) last March; Ascot in November was a step back in the right direction but he was still below his best and this 9yo needs to raise his game today.

20/1

9

24th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Cheltenham

Awaythelad

11st 8lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Ben Pauling

Spoiled chance by jumping poorly on final appearance last season but won with considerable authority at Southwell (3m, good to soft) two starts ago and has good claims if able to repeat that performance.

14/1

4th

2

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:15 Chepstow

Awaythelad

11st 10lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

didn't jump well, disputed lead, lost position when slow jump 2nd, led before 8th, headed 8th, lost position after 4 out, soon weakened

6/4

OUR TIP

Form: 16

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Joined these top connections after winning a soft-ground bumper in France and, for whatever reason, he surely failed to do himself justice when pitched into a warm race for his hurdling debut at Cheltenham (Grade 2 on good); retains significant potential and his yard has won this six times in 11 years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 118y

17:30 Punchestown

Iberico Lord

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Nicky Henderson

Ground versatile sort is 4-15 over hurdles; back to form in fine style when landing the Lanzarote at Kempton in January (2m5f, good) off 136; hiked up 8lb and came up short in the BetMGM Cup at Cheltenham, though did meet trouble in running; dropped 1lb but may need more help from the handicapper.

14/1

8th

11

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Iberico Lord

11st 3lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Bagged two big 2m handicaps (here and at Newbury) in the mud during his 2023-24 campaign; had a spell in the wilderness but dropped back down the weights prior to scoring with major authority in the 2m5f Lanzarote at Kempton (good; 22-1) two months ago; back up 8lb but also firmly back on the radar.

9/1

17th

4

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 149y

15:40 Punchestown

Iberico Lord

11st 5lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Nicky Henderson

in touch with leaders

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.00
Straight Forecast £11.42
Trifecta £251.90

Selections

The Guardian:

Rare Edition

SPOTLIGHT:

Iberico Lord

RP Ratings:

Rubaud

TOPSPEED:

Awaythelad

POSTDATA:

Throne Hall

LAMBOURN:

Iberico Lord

Telegraph:

Iberico Lord

Daily Mail:

Rare Edition

D Express:

Rare Edition

Daily Mirror:

Rare Edition

The Sun:

Rare Edition

The Star:

Awaythelad

WEST COUNTRY:

Rubaud

Daily Record:

Rubaud

The Times:

Throne Hall