February 25 / 13.50 Kempton

13.50

Good

Coral Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £45560
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Coral Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 133 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Useful Flat winner over 1m4f; limitations exposed behind smart Irish novices since his successful start over hurdles at Punchestown but returning to quicker ground could make all the difference to him (and his jumping); respected.
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

15/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 2131 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Useful 1m/1m2f winner; jumping has improved with experience over hurdles and he got the job done despite not being at his best at Huntingdon last time; has something to find with Scriptwriter on when they met at Cheltenham earlier in the season and on a line through his conqueror in a Grade 2 at Chepstow at Christmas; he's likeable, though, and is by no means dismissed; goes on all ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Perseus Way

10st 6lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Won a Hamilton handicap for Stuart Coltherd in September (1m5f, good to soft); subsequently changed yards and promising third over 2m here on stable debut after a break last week (good); should improve on that but yet to prove he is as effective at this trip.

8/1

3rd

7

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

18:45 Hexham

Perseus Way

10st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Won twice over hurdles in 2022-23; has changed stables three times since and perhaps best watched after a break on debut for latest new trainer, although is well handicapped now.

12/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 1 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for 215,000gns after winning a 1m2f Leopardstown maiden on only his second start in October; although he wasn't wildly impressive in narrowly justifying odds-on favouritism at Taunton (soft), his top trainer was most complimentary afterwards and reckoned that drier ground would suit him; has to be of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

11th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Rare Middleton

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Won by 5l in first-time tongue-tie (retained since) at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) in December and bounced back from Plumpton defeat when beaten just a neck in big field at Cheltenham last month (2m1f, good; behind Tintintin); travelled well and was caught close home last time, and there will be less emphasis on stamina here which could be right up his street.

7/1

6th

12

11th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Rare Middleton

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Won by 5l in first-time tongue-tie (retained since) at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) in December and bounced back from Plumpton defeat when beaten just a neck in big field at Cheltenham last month (2m1f, good; behind Tintintin); travelled well and was caught close home last time, and there will be less emphasis on stamina here which could be right up his street.

7/1

2nd

12

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

17:00 Cheltenham

Rare Middleton

11st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

pressed leader

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won two of her five starts for William Haggas and was better than ever the final time when posting RPR of 89 in winning over 1m3f on the AW track here; this is no easy introduction to hurdling - especially for a filly - but her trainer has won this five times in the past so knows what's required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:45 Cheltenham

Pawapuri

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

in rear

10/1

11th

2

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:45 Cheltenham

Pawapuri

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

in rear

10/1

4th

1

16th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

15:37 Chepstow

Pawapuri

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Quite useful on the Flat and won a Listed hurdle two seasons ago for Nicky Henderson; hasn't been herself this season but was highly tried the last time and interesting to see what Dan Skelton can do with her.

8/1

Form: 152 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
1m2f winner for Nusret's stable who changed hands for 170,000gns; current stable has won this five times in the past but he was some way adrift of both The Churchill Lad and Perseus Way at Chepstow in December and it was a bit disappointing to see him come up short at Wincanton, albeit behind a progressive rival; has to step up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(18)

29th Jun 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:10 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Army

8st 11lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Alan King

Flat form took off again last winter with the switch to AW, winning three in a row before his creditable third at Newcastle on finals day, all over 2m; ran respectably on turf in April on latest outing; each-way claims.

11/1

19

(7)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

19:15 Ascot

Spartan Army

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Reserve; won three in a row over 2m on AW early this year; has run well in defeat the last twice, most recently travelling well when finishing fifth back on turf at Newbury (2m, good to soft); he may benefit from this drop back in distance and could give a good account.

25/1

5th

5

(5)

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:45 Newbury

Spartan Army

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

disputed lead early, headed and prominent after 1f

5/1

Form: 112 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Ex-Aidan O'Brien charge who could still have a future on the Flat judged on winning a valuable 1m4f AW handicap on his penultimate run; has since relinquished his unbeaten record over hurdles but that near miss at Cheltenham (soft; fine on good) sets the standard here and he might have won that Grade 2 but for hitting the front too soon after travelling much the best; the one to beat.
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: 12142 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
No great shakes on the Flat but has soon developed into a very capable hurdler; still looks up against it at this level, having finished behind Perseus Way at Chepstow before finishing second in a Listed race at Musselburgh (good); the winner of that race flopped last weekend.
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: 1 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In these same colours he progressed to a respectable level on the Flat, signing off with form figures of 112 in 1m4f handicaps; also plenty to like in how he won comfortably on his hurdling debut at Doncaster (good) but now faces a far tougher test of his jumping credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(1)

21st May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:10 Nottingham

Sarsons Risk

9st 13lb

J: Jack Gilligan

T: B F Brookhouse

Not gone on from his Southwell success (16.5f, AW) in December, though front-running may not have suited him at Lingfield (2m, AW) last time; only seen on Flat turf once since August 2022, but he does act on it (2-8); interesting, especially if taking to the first-time cheekpieces.

7/1

3

(1)

21st May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:10 Nottingham

Sarsons Risk

9st 13lb

J: Jack Gilligan

T: B F Brookhouse

Not gone on from his Southwell success (16.5f, AW) in December, though front-running may not have suited him at Lingfield (2m, AW) last time; only seen on Flat turf once since August 2022, but he does act on it (2-8); interesting, especially if taking to the first-time cheekpieces.

7/1

11th

8

(8)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

Sarsons Risk

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: B F Brookhouse

Hit a personal best with his comfortable win at Southwell (2m, Tapeta) in December and he had an excuse when dropped back to 1m3f there the following month; can be a bit hit-and-miss but he still looks feasibly treated and has possibilities back up in trip.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.80
Straight Forecast £25.31
Tricast £147.69
Trifecta £93.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Scriptwriter

WEST COUNTRY:

Rare Middleton

Telegraph:

Pawapuri

D Express:

Nusret

Daily Record:

Sarsons Risk

The Guardian:

Rare Middleton

RP Ratings:

Scriptwriter

TOPSPEED:

Scriptwriter

POSTDATA:

Scriptwriter

The Times:

Scriptwriter

Daily Mail:

Scriptwriter

Daily Mirror:

Scriptwriter

The Sun:

Scriptwriter

The Star:

Scriptwriter