December 29 / 13.55 Doncaster

13.55

Good

bet365 Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7787.78
  • 3m 0f 84y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 122-24 BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Carlisle (3m1f, soft) last month when the ground shouldn't have been an issue, but before that he was a good second at Ayr (3m, good to soft) on his seasonal and handicap debut; possible this lightly raced 6yo will be able to bounce back; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

19th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Silver Flyer

10st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Only 2lb higher than for his 3m win at Doncaster in December; inconsistent and last two efforts were nowhere near his best, but perhaps blinkers will do something for him (good and bad when tried in cheekpieces).

25/1

13

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Silver Flyer

10st 7lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Donald McCain

Up and down this season and finished tailed off when favourite for a four-runner 3m handicap at Doncaster a month ago; this company is warmer than he's accustomed to and probably placed at best.

20/1

3rd

3

9th Feb 2023

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

14:50 Doncaster

Silver Flyer

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Reappeared with promising second on handicap debut at Ayr (3m, good to soft) in October and bounced back from lesser run at Carlisle for a hard-fought win over this C&D (good) in December; this lightly raced 7yo could have more to offer for his good yard and is on the shortlist up 4lb.

5/1

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 11F3-2 C

Last run: 40 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Best known for his chasing exploits and he's untested at this trip under rules, but he was a two-time novice hurdle winner in spring 2021 and is unexposed in this sphere; feasibly treated on his best chase form and he won a 3m point in 2020; 2-2 here (hurdles/fences) and could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:55 Aintree

Erne River

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nick Kent

Still runs well now and again but this 11yo is not as good as he was and become inconsistent.

16/1

4th

2

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:30 Kelso

Erne River

11st 8lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

Ran well for a long way when fourth at Doncaster (3m, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) in February and remains well handicapped but this steadily regressive 11yo has become inconsistent, and others appeal more.

4/1

4th

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Erne River

12st 1lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Nick Kent

Winless since December 2023 and pulled up over C&D in December on sole run this term; however, he may have needed that outing and is on a handy mark on last season's best efforts; has won here three times, including in these reapplied cheekpieces, and is not ruled out; the tongue-tie is a first.

10/1

Form: 210-5P CD

Last run: 68 days

W: 11st 3lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
13yo who won three times under Victoria Malzard last season and is now 1lb below his last winning mark; however, he hasn't been at his best on either run this term (pulled up last time) and needs to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

22nd Feb 2023

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

14:25 Doncaster

Kansas City Chief

12st 0lb

J: Miss Victoria Malzard

T: Oliver Sherwood

led, joined 3rd, led again 3 out (usual 4 out), headed and mistake last (usual 2 out), weakened run-in

4/1

4th

1

30th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:15 Plumpton

Kansas City Chief

12st 0lb

J: Miss Victoria Malzard

T: Oliver Sherwood

Three wins for Neil Mullholland last season, including dominant C&D (good to soft) success under regular partner Victoria Malzard; very long in the tooth now but proved he retains significant ability when rallying third at Doncaster (3m, good) last month; must be considered.

8/1

3rd

6

29th Dec 2022

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

13:55 Doncaster

Kansas City Chief

11st 3lb

J: Miss Victoria Malzard

T: Oliver Sherwood

13yo who won three times under Victoria Malzard last season and is now 1lb below his last winning mark; however, he hasn't been at his best on either run this term (pulled up last time) and needs to raise his game.

16/1

Form: 2/1P-3 BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won in fine style on hurdle debut at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in January and bounced back from April's Aintree flop when third on his handicap and seasonal debut there this month (2m4f, good to soft); his dam was a classy stayer and this unexposed 5yo is open to improvement now up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

23rd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 2

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Walking On Air

10st 5lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Faye Bramley

Back over hurdles with respectable fifth of 15 in Class 2 event at Haydock (3m, good) two weeks ago; 5lb lower back over fences but he's 0-12 in this sphere and he fell at Ayr on his penultimate run; down the list.

9/1

5th

8

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Walking On Air

10st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Faye Bramley

Sparked just once in each of the last two seasons, at Doncaster; visored on latest start, after three runs in cheekpieces; often tongue tied as well but goes without any equipment today; his last hurdle race was in February 2024 and other options look a lot more solid.

25/1

9

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Walking On Air

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Good third off 4lb higher in first-time cheekpieces at Doncaster (3m, soft) in January; however, his form away from Doncaster hasn't been great in the last two seasons and the visor needs to have a positive influence.

20/1

Form: 2-F116

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten at Cheltenham (2m5f) last month and has to bounce back but he showed improved form previously when winning two in a row in September; has run well at up to an extended 2m7f and is not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:02 Warwick

Getalead

11st 13lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Kevin Pickard

Has very good 8-32 hurdling strike-rate that includes win in 2024 edition of this race (good ground); not seen since July but has won when fresh before and returns on a workable mark; had another wind op last month (his fourth); shortlisted.

8/1

1

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:02 Warwick

Getalead

11st 13lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Kevin Pickard

Has very good 8-32 hurdling strike-rate that includes win in 2024 edition of this race (good ground); not seen since July but has won when fresh before and returns on a workable mark; had another wind op last month (his fourth); shortlisted.

8/1

1

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:02 Warwick

Getalead

11st 13lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Kevin Pickard

Has very good 8-32 hurdling strike-rate that includes win in 2024 edition of this race (good ground); not seen since July but has won when fresh before and returns on a workable mark; had another wind op last month (his fourth); shortlisted.

8/1

Form: 70-141

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Made it 4-9 in handicaps when winning at Uttoxeter in October last time out (his wins have been over 2m4f-2m7f on good-soft); he beat just three rivals at Uttoxeter but could still have more to offer and he's respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Pounding Poet

10st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Close third over hurdles at this meeting 12 months ago (3m, good to soft) and won in that sphere at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last July; ran pretty well in 5l third at Newbury (2m6f, good) in December when back chasing for the first time since 2023, but this 10yo needs a bigger performance today.

25/1

3

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Pounding Poet

11st 12lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

Won with this visor back on at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in July and went close at Cartmel (3m1f, good) the following month; versatile ground-wise and can be in the mix if continuing the good work after a two-month break.

6/1

Form: 1222F- D

Last run: 271 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Improved last season when sent over fences but he has a lower mark to exploit over hurdles and he's shown shown form in this sphere; goes well fresh and has had wind surgery since his last run in April; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

20th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

19:05 Uttoxeter

Doyen Breed

10st 13lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders, headway after 9th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on until no extra from last

11/1

3

28th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:50 Perth

Doyen Breed

11st 8lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Course winner over hurdles; promising novice last season but hasn't progressed, best run when second (of three) at Kelso in February (2m5f, good); not so good there last time and visor now replaced cheekpieces; on a good mark.

6/1

4th

6

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:35 Kelso

Doyen Breed

10st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders, bad mistake 2nd, soon recovered

11/2

Form: 11P337

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles/fences in August on final two starts for Joseph O'Brien but unable to threaten for this yard in either discipline and he was down the field in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham last time; something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

10th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 110y

19:48 Roscommon

Uhtred

11st 3lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Gordon Elliott

Mostly disappointing for Dan Skelton but he was previously a five-time winner for Joseph O'Brien; second on his debut for this yard at Killarney last July; pulled up at Bellewstown the following month; back to form when springing a 28-1 surprise at Killarney last month, 6lb higher now.

8/1

1st

7

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 50y

18:10 Killarney

Uhtred

11st 4lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield, headway and prominent when not fluent 3 out, ridden and challenging after 2 out, jumped slightly right last, ran on towards finish, led final strides

8/1

1st

7

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 50y

18:10 Killarney

Uhtred

11st 4lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield, headway and prominent when not fluent 3 out, ridden and challenging after 2 out, jumped slightly right last, ran on towards finish, led final strides

8/1

Form: 23-157 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Six-time winner, the latest at Huntingdon in May, and he's just 1lb higher here; he may have needed his stable debut outing at Sandown early this month but he was well beaten and others arrive with more compelling claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

16th Jun 2023

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 4

19:55 Fontwell

Sirobbie

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

prominent, ridden after 3 out, went second but drifted left run-in, pressed winner towards finish, stayed on

11/4

1st

1

10th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 4

18:45 Fontwell

Sirobbie

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Ian Williams

Six-time hurdle winner at up to 3m1f; well below par on his last two starts but showed at both Ludlow in January and Newbury in February that he retains ability; handy mark and down in grade; not written off.

5/1

11th

14

8th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Sirobbie

10st 9lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Close third in this 12 months ago off a 3lb higher mark so dangerous to entirely dismiss; that said, he was in much better form coming into last year's race.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.00
Straight Forecast £25.74
Tricast £731.70
Trifecta £575.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Erne River

LAMBOURN:

Walking On Air

D Express:

Pounding Poet

The Guardian:

Getalead

SPOTLIGHT:

Doyen Breed

RP Ratings:

Uhtred

TOPSPEED:

Sirobbie

The Sun:

Walking On Air

The Star:

Walking On Air

Daily Mirror:

Pounding Poet

The Times:

Erne River

Telegraph:

Erne River

Daily Mail:

Erne River

Daily Record:

Erne River