November 03 / 13.50 Wetherby

13.50

Soft

bet365 Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
RTV
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bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 61586- D

Last run: 209 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Has won three of his eight starts returning from a mammoth absence last September but he was well held in final three runs last season; needs to rediscover his spark after 209 days off but this is a drop back in grade and he's back on last winning mark; one to keep an eye on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

15:15 Aintree

Nayati

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

C&D winner who is on a reduced mark and took a step back in the right direction when 9l fourth of 12 at Cartmel in August; fell at Kelso since; however, this 10yo takes on some unexposed types and his claims aren't compelling.

9/1

5th

2

9th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

15:15 Aintree

Nayati

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

C&D winner who is on a reduced mark and took a step back in the right direction when 9l fourth of 12 at Cartmel in August; fell at Kelso since; however, this 10yo takes on some unexposed types and his claims aren't compelling.

9/1

5

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

17:05 Kelso

Nayati

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Hasn't won since January 2023; now 16lb lower; finished in front of Ashington and Well Educated when fourth in first-time tongue-tie (retained) over 2m1f on soft at Cartmel last time but not sure to confirm the form on today's better ground.

6/1

Abandoned

Form: 211/6/ D

Last run: 756 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Made all and romped home in two novice hurdles in April 2021; has had only two runs since then but his latest was a creditable third in a Flat handicap (1m6f, soft) in May; returns after another absence but he still has potential in this sphere and looks interesting back over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

13:50 Sandown

Casa Loupi

11st 6lb

J: Sgt Nathan Rahman

T: Gary & Josh Moore

prominent, disputed lead before 3rd, led from 3rd, jumped slightly left and mistake 4 out, went clear before 2 out, not fluent last, ridden and kept on run-in

14/1

1st

4

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

13:50 Sandown

Casa Loupi

11st 6lb

J: Sgt Nathan Rahman

T: Gary & Josh Moore

prominent, disputed lead before 3rd, led from 3rd, jumped slightly left and mistake 4 out, went clear before 2 out, jumped slightly left when not fluent last, ridden and kept on run-in

14/1

Form: 2613-2 D BF

Last run: 159 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Mixed record since returned to the Flat in June but he was a good third in a Class 3 at Doncaster (1m4f, soft) on his penultimate run; now switches back to jumps but he's 2-6 in this sphere and was a good front-running second at Kelso (2m; off 1lb lower) in his last hurdle run in May; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

28th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:55 Newcastle

Matchless

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Has four wins on the Flat and four over hurdles; sports first time tongue-tie and usual cheekpieces return on this chase debut after blinkers were worn when fourth of six at Sedgefield (2m4f, good to soft) last month; has had plenty of racing and others may have more scope for improvement.

9/1

6th

2

28th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:55 Newcastle

Matchless

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Has four wins on the Flat and four over hurdles; sports first time tongue-tie and usual cheekpieces return on this chase debut after blinkers were worn when fourth of six at Sedgefield (2m4f, good to soft) last month; has had plenty of racing and others may have more scope for improvement.

9/1

Form: U1140-

Last run: 193 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Signed off in France with two impressive wins in December (2m2f/2m1f, soft) before being bought for 125,000euros the following month; had two runs for this yard in the spring but was disappointing in both of them and needs a major revival on his first run after wind surgery; stablemate of Nayati.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

15:23 Uttoxeter

Rock Hurley

10st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

prominent, weakened after 3 out

10/1

4th

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

15:23 Uttoxeter

Rock Hurley

10st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

prominent, weakened after 3 out

10/1

Form: 14275- D

Last run: 224 days

W: 10st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Has some form at a higher level having finished fourth in Grade 2 at Chepstow and second in Listed event at Musselburgh last winter; couldn't pose a threat in a Musselburgh handicap in final run last season but he's now back in a Class 3 event and needs watching in market on his return.
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: 31133- D

Last run: 265 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Clearcut winner of handicaps at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) and Taunton (2m3f, good) last December but he was held in third in his final two runs last season; still lightly raced in this sphere but both his hurdle wins came off 10lb lower and he needs to find more progress on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

14:40 Taunton

Ilanz

11st 9lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Placed in two of his three starts for new stable; remains on career-high mark but Lewis Stones takes off a useful 3lb and record of 1-1 at Taunton bodes well; in the mix.

8/1

4th

3

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

14:40 Taunton

Ilanz

11st 9lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

held up in rear, raced wide home turn, good headway before 2 out, soon pressed leaders, kept on run-in

8/1

3rd

2

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 3

14:05 Market Rasen

Ilanz

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

3-10 over hurdles; arguably posted career-best form when second on stable debut at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in May but ran no race when dropped back to 2m at Stratford last month; needs to put that performance behind him.

14/1

Form: 105- D

Last run: 241 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Well backed when an easy winner on his hurdling debut at Ffos Las (2m, soft) last November but he was tailed off in both subsequent runs last season; still unexposed and now goes handicapping but he has something to prove after 241 days off; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Verdict

This looks a bit trappy but the two that appeal most are Casa Loupi and MATCHLESS (nap) who are both 2-6 over hurdles and still have potential in this sphere. The former is respected back from another absence but the vote goes to Matchless, who is a useful performer on the Flat and looks on a dangerous mark on his return to hurdling. Third choice is Nayati, who is on his last winning mark and drops back in grade on his return to action.[David Moon]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Matchless

TOPSPEED:

Nayati

D Express:

Rath Gaul Hill

RP RATINGS:

Rock Hurley

The Guardian:

Ilanz

Daily Record:

Casa Loupi

The Star:

Rath Gaul Hill

The Times:

Matchless

Telegraph:

Matchless

Daily Mail:

Matchless

Daily Mirror:

Matchless

POSTDATA:

Nayati

The Sun:

Nayati