January 21 / 14.05 Haydock

14.05

Heavy

The New One Unibet Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Champion Hurdle Trial Race) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £42712.5
  • 1m 7f 144y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
ITV3
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The New One Unibet Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Champion Hurdle Trial Race) (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 520-16 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
There was more amiss than just a possible lack of stamina when he was soundly beaten in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day; however, prior to that he emphatically defied topweight in the Greatwood Handicap there (2m, good) and enters calculations on that form; won a bumper on soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

2

8th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 7f 214y

Class 3

14:45 Uttoxeter

I Like To Move It

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Very smart hurdler with good-ground wins in the Greatwood Handicap at Cheltenham and the Grade 2 Kingwell at Wincanton, easily the best of his five runs last season; his two heaviest defeats last term were on soft but best run the previous campaign was on good to soft; has much the best form in this small but select field; the one to beat if the ground is okay.

1/2

5th

2

13th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Aintree

I Like To Move It

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Well-beaten sixth of seven in last month's Champion Hurdle and he weakened on his sole previous attempt at this sort of trip; however, the ground was soft for both of those runs and perhaps he's better served by a sounder surface; has won the Greatwood Handicap and the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle and he's an each-way contender if able to produce his best form.

25/1

6th

2

14th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

I Like To Move It

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Progressive hurdler who powered clear for a 17l success in the Kingwell at Wincanton (1m7f) last month, bouncing back from his Relkeel flop over 2m4f; rated by trainer as being as good as the yard's best hurdlers in the past, including two horses who were placed in the Champion Hurdle; 3-3 over C&D, the most recent in this season's Greatwood (defied top weight in emphatic style); has raced mostly on good/good to soft; should go well.

20/1

Form: 414-24 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Won a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Kelso (2m2f, soft) last March; went close on chase debut at Ayr in October but not at the same level at Carlisle since; he may appreciate this return to hurdling and he wears first-time cheekpieces, but he has something to find with the main players.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:47 Perth

Nells Son

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Better known as a chaser nowadays, but won twice over hurdles over four years ago; no real promise back hurdling six weeks ago but had wind surgery since and his stable is enjoying a cracking spring.

14/1

8th

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Nells Son

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Better known as a chaser nowadays, but won twice over hurdles over four years ago; not the force of old but is 5lb lower over hurdles compared to his chase mark; vulnerable to anything progressive.

33/1

1

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Nells Son

12st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

A smart winning chaser at his peak but not at his best this term, only fifth of six in 2m Windsor handicap chase 27 days ago; his mark is falling but this veteran still looks vulnerable conceding weight all round here.

12/1

Form: 4-3440 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who won a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham (2m, soft) in November 2020 but he failed to progress over fences last season and has been unable to make an impact back over hurdles on his last three starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

For Pleasure

10st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

led, headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out

11/4

5th

5

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

For Pleasure

10st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Multiple winner but a 10yo now and the handicapper knows the score with him; no match for the winner last time at Fakenham (2m4f, good) where he kept jumping to the right; wouldn't want to repeat that here.

11/4

2nd

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

16:20 Fakenham

For Pleasure

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

jumped right throughout, led, headed before last, kept on

5/1

Form: U/73-4 D BF

Last run: 111 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
Disappointing in Tipperary Grade 3 (2m, good to yielding) last October on final run for Henry de Bromhead and sold for £50,000 in December; however, the testing ground is in his favour on this stable debut and he's entitled to respect on his best Irish form (Grade 2 and Grade 3 winner).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

26th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

13:30 Perth

Jason The Militant

11st 13lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Was always up against it at the Cheltenham Festival last month but his good days for Henry De Bromhead are a fading memory; remains opposable.

25/1

8th

3

26th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

13:30 Perth

Jason The Militant

11st 13lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Was always up against it at the Cheltenham Festival last month but his good days for Henry De Bromhead are a fading memory; remains opposable.

25/1

22

15th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:30 Cheltenham

Jason The Militant

10st 4lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Capable of very useful form for Henry de Bromhead; however, record for current stable is far from convincing and latest defeat came in lower grade at Newcastle; hopes of revival are pinned on first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces worn the last twice).

100/1

Form: 42-431 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Went close in the Grade 2 novice hurdle on this card two years ago (heavy) and won the Grade 2 novice chase (2m4f, soft) 12 months ago; arrives on the back of a handicap chase win at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft); needs a couple of these to underperform if he's to win but he can give a good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Minella Drama

12st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Very useful chaser at his best, last win coming in the 2024 Old Roan Chase at Aintree (2m4f, good); highly tried this term, best run when second in a Listed chase at Kelso in February (2m7f, good to soft); on a fair mark now.

9/1

1

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Minella Drama

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Inconsistent nowadays but ran well in second when facing an impossible mission behind Protektorat at Kelso (2m7f, good to soft) last time; now 5lb lower than when third in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in October and this C&D winner is capable of being involved.

11/1

2nd

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 1

13:40 Kelso

Minella Drama

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Smart on his day and ran creditably when third in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in October, a race he'd won in 2024; however, two runs since have been poor and he has to concede weight all round.

11/1

Form: 21-322 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in the Champion Hurdle last March then went one better in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle; no match for superstar stablemate Constitution Hill when second in two Grade 1s at the end of last year (2m, soft/good to soft) but she's the one to beat in this easier race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

29th Apr 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 30y

15:50 Punchestown

Epatante

11st 7lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Nicky Henderson

in rear but in touch with leaders, some headway on inner 2 out, pushed along when bit short of room home turn, soon outpaced and lost position when ridden, went fourth before last, no extra run-in

11/2

4th

6

13th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Aintree

Epatante

11st 3lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Nicky Henderson

Didn't have to be at her best for Grade 2 mares' win at Doncaster in January and disappointing in the mares' hurdle at last month's Cheltenham Festival; however, she won this race last year (good to soft) and there's every chance she'll be best of the rest behind stablemate Constitution Hill, which was the case in the Fighting Fifth and the Christmas Hurdle this season.

12/1

8th

3

14th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

16:10 Cheltenham

Epatante

11st 5lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Nicky Henderson

Six-time Grade 1 winner over hurdles, including the 2020 Champion Hurdle; no match for superstar stablemate Constitution Hill in the Fighting Fifth or Christmas Hurdle at the end of 2022 but underlined what a class act she is among her own sex when hacking up in a 2m Grade 2 at Doncaster in January; has won a Grade 1 over this trip; major player.

6/1

Verdict

Having bumped into star stablemate Constitution Hill when a well-beaten runner-up the last twice, this looks an excellent opportunity for last season’s Champion Hurdle runner-up EPATANTE to return to winning ways. I Like To Move It can be a threat if reproducing the form of his convincing Greatwood Hurdle win but he was disappointing in the Relkeel Hurdle last time, and a better value option for the forecast could be Jason The Militant. His Graded wins in Ireland came on testing ground so he’ll have conditions to suit on his first run for Phil Kirby.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Epatante

WEST COUNTRY:

I Like To Move It

Telegraph:

I Like To Move It

The Guardian:

I Like To Move It

D Express:

I Like To Move It

RP Ratings:

Epatante

TOPSPEED:

Epatante

POSTDATA:

Epatante

LAMBOURN:

Epatante

The Times:

Epatante

Daily Mail:

Epatante

Daily Mirror:

Epatante

The Sun:

Epatante

The Star:

Epatante

Daily Record:

Epatante