November 04 / 15.15 Ascot

15.15

Soft

Seat Unique Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £32676
  • 1m 7f 152y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
ITV
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Seat Unique Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £2.60

Form: /1229- D

Last run: 204 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; second in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, heavy; 1lb higher today) in March on his return to hurdles; overdid it up front at Aintree in April on his only run since but he's a big player judged on his chase form (two races) and the Imperial Cup.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Knickerbockerglory

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Ran no race at Windsor in January; however, prior to that he went close in a Class 2 handicap at Sandown (2m, soft; effective on good to soft); on a handy mark if factoring in Harry Atkins' claim; front runner, and not the only one.

7/1

13th

3

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Knickerbockerglory

11st 12lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Consistent 10yo who was third in this last year (soft) and reappeared with close second to Go Dante at Sandown (2m, soft) last month; up 2lb to a career-high mark but can give another good account and 7lb claimer Harry Atkins, who is enjoying a fine winter, rides him for the first time.

9/1

13/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1/119- D

Last run: 204 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Won on soft on his first two outings and then finished 25l ahead in a novice at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft; made all) in February; 12-1 but ran poorly in Grade 1 novice at Aintree (2m, good to soft) in April when last seen; now tongue tied and on a tempting mark for this handicap/seasonal debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Altobelli

11st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Won two handicaps in a row at Ascot (2m3f, good) early last year; also effective on soft ground and didn't stay 3m in Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot latest; all of his best form has come at Ascot but he hasn't had many chances to show what he can do elsewhere and he's in the picture on his peak efforts.

7/1

8th

1

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Altobelli

11st 10lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Successful in a couple of useful handicaps at Ascot (2m3f, good) since wearing cheekpieces; open to further progress in the headgear but appears to have a stiff task on these terms and the trip is an unknown.

16/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: /2106-

Last run: 216 days

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won last November (2m2f, heavy) in the last of three hurdle races in France; gambled on for the 4yo handicap at Cheltenham Festival on stable debut but that came to nothing, as he raced freely and prominent long way but ended in 13th; suffered a troubled run over C&D in April (sixth of 13) and a strong suspicion remains that he's capable of much more than he's shown in Britain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Bad

11st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Useful handicap chaser at up to 2m5f, albeit quirky and having saved his winning in this sphere for Kempton; admittedly right up to best in Ascot contest on penultimate start; last two efforts suggest this new trip is worth exploring but he comes with some risk, especially in such a competitive field.

20/1

3rd

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:05 Kempton

Bad

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Has his quirks but talented and his win in this last year was the first of three victories at this track (2m2f-2m4f); he's close to a career-high mark, off which he went close last month at Ascot (2m5f, soft) despite looking disinterested early doors; a danger to all.

9/4

2nd

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Bad

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Wasn't going from some way out when favourite behind Etalon here last time but he'd previously won comfortably at Kempton (2m2f, good) and run creditably in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) where the hill proved too much; still relatively young; 5lb better off with Etalon and could turn the tables.

5/1

Form: 432/31 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Absent 759 days before this season but asserted by 8l in a slog at Chepstow (2m, heavy) on second start back under James Turner; 8lb higher today but that proficiency in the mud earns him a lot of plus points.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

16th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Worcester

Chance A Tune

11st 3lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

held up in rear, some headway 5th, not fluent 6th, went third before 4 out, chased clear leader when not fluent 3 out

7/2

2

4th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

14:50 Plumpton

Chance A Tune

11st 9lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Dual hurdle winner who got off the mark over fences at the second attempt, keeping on strongly to win readily at Hereford (2m3f, soft) eight days ago; has 7lb penalty to shoulder but still commands respect.

6/4

1st

3

25th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

15:40 Hereford

Chance A Tune

11st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Acts on heavy; below best switched to fences at Ludlow (2m; behind Abingworth) last time but may improve with that experience under his belt; bred to make a chaser and looks nicely treated on hurdles form.

9/2

Form: 246-11 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on soft once last term, well beaten sole run on heavy; with new yard this season, winning well at Plumpton in September and with great authority under Freddie Gordon in 18-runner race at Cheltenham eight days ago; those wins were at 2m on good and today's ground is a concern, but the 11lb rise since last week may not have got his measure, so impressive was he.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Our Champ

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Loaded with experience in strong handicaps; won last year's Sussex Champion and, returning to Plumpton off a 13lb higher mark for the same race 20 days ago, he ran another cracker in forcing the pace before left behind by two Willie Mullins raiders; Haydock will suit his style provided he doesn't get too competitive too far out; shortlisted.

13/2

1st

2

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Our Champ

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Loaded with experience in strong handicaps; won last year's Sussex Champion and, returning to Plumpton off a 13lb higher mark for the same race 20 days ago, he ran another cracker in forcing the pace before left behind by two Willie Mullins raiders; Haydock will suit his style provided he doesn't get too competitive too far out; shortlisted.

13/2

3rd

8

20th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Our Champ

10st 12lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

disputed lead at fast pace, led clearly before 6th

6/1

Form: 2118- D

Last run: 205 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Ex-French filly; 2m wins at Doncaster (good; Listed) and Huntingdon (soft; had plenty in hand) before her creditable eighth of 11 in Grade 1 juvenile event at Aintree in April; needs markedly better in this hot race for handicap hurdle debut but should still have potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 2

15:30 Warwick

Greyval

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won this race last year (at Cheltenham) off today's mark; turned her back on chasing this winter and ran quite well over 3m at Kempton before finding soft ground too testing at Ludlow; plenty looks in her favour this time with cheekpieces added.

12/1

5th

1

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:33 Ludlow

Greyval

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Returned to hurdling with respectable sixth at Kempton (3m, good) just after Christmas and is now only 2lb higher than when winning valuable final of this series at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last April but the ground here will probably be slower than she prefers.

14/1

2nd

3

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 3

13:48 Huntingdon

Greyval

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Career-best form to end last season, winning at Chepstow before collecting a mares' final at Cheltenham (both about 2m4f on good); ran respectably on return to hurdling three weeks ago but she was below form in February on her only attempt over this far; chase debut.

11/2

Form: 244-13 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
10yo who reappeared with a win at Perth (2m, heavy) in September and good third at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) nine days ago; needs more in this higher-quality race, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

1st Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:04 Ayr

Thereisnodoubt

12st 1lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

12yo who returned to winning ways over C&D (soft) in March when last seen; he won on his reappearance two seasons ago and has gone back up just 3lb for last time; respected on his comeback.

6/1

9th

1

1st Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:04 Ayr

Thereisnodoubt

12st 1lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

12yo who returned to winning ways over C&D (soft) in March when last seen; he won on his reappearance two seasons ago and has gone back up just 3lb for last time; respected on his comeback.

6/1

1st

6

8th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:25 Ayr

Thereisnodoubt

11st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

led early, headed but prominent 2nd, mistake and lost position 5th, went second again after 6th, pressed leader 2 out, pushed along and led again before last, faced challenge run-in, kept on final 110yds, won going away

9/1

Form: 134- D BF

Last run: 232 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won maiden at Taunton (2m, soft) in January on hurdling/stable debut and good third in Grade 2 at Kempton (2m, good) in February; flopped in handicap at Fakenham in March but has had wind surgery since and it would not be a shock were he to prove capable of much better on this seasonal debut for the champion trainer.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 361-2U D

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Has some quirks but held on by a short head in the Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton (2m, good) in April and good second in the Swinton at Haydock (1m7f, good) in May, when a last-flight error might have cost him the race; unseated early at Cheltenham (8-1 in a big field) eight days ago; acts on soft; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Teddy Blue

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has registered a couple of useful handicap wins this season, including at Kempton (2m4f, good) on penultimate start; faces a stiffer task conceding weight all round in this grade, with 4lb penalty incurred.

25/1

23

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Teddy Blue

10st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Can be difficult to settle and he was reluctant to line up at Kempton (2m4f, good) four weeks ago, but that didn't stop him winning; had just a neck to spare but the first two were clear and this 8yo is now 4-10 over fences; further progress is possible and he's not ruled out up just 3lb.

40/1

1st

5

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:18 Kempton

Teddy Blue

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

All three chase wins (good to soft and good) in 2025, including at 2m2f here; creditable shows in his first 2m4f chases on last two starts and perhaps this sharper test than at Newbury recently will suit; not far away.

12/1

Form: B0830- D

Last run: 204 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Close third of 26 in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham (2m5f, soft) in March, 3l ahead when not fluent at the final flight; 4lb higher today but chief concern is that the Coral Cup is the only time he really fired last season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

4th Nov 2023

Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 2

15:15 Ascot

Camprond

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Close third of 26 in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham (2m5f, soft) in March, 3l ahead when not fluent at the final flight; 4lb higher today but chief concern is that the Coral Cup is the only time he really fired last season.

20/1

15th

3

14th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Camprond

11st 11lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Returned to form with close third of 26 in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham (2m5f, soft) last month, where he was 3l ahead when not fluent at the final flight; close second of 22 at this meeting in 2021 (2m, good to soft) and he's a strong contender despite a 5lb rise since last time.

11/2

3rd

18

15th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:50 Cheltenham

Camprond

11st 1lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Fourth in two major handicaps here last term, including this race when soft ground might not have been ideal; won well in a good handicap at Punchestown (2m3f, yielding) next time; failed to shine this winter, chasing initially, but he is 2lb lower than this time last year; headed the recent betting.

9/1

Form: /4P1-6 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Just three runs last season but came good at the right time when landing the County at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft) in March by a head; well beaten when never dangerous off this 5lb higher mark at Ffos Las three weeks ago but could have come on since that run and he has proved himself on heavy going.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

14

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Faivoir

11st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Has lots of form in major handicaps, generally at about 2m, but losing spell goes back three years and he looks unlikely to land this hot contest at the age of 11; remote third at Newbury most recently.

40/1

3rd

5

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

Faivoir

11st 8lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Missed last term; useful on his day (County winner) but is into the veteran stage and not particularly solid on this season's form, for all that he was placed in the Greatwood; beaten twice in this contest (pulled up in 2023, fifth in 2024).

33/1

Form: 3116-8 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Rapid ascent in the Irish handicap last season, winning three times for Declan Queally; well beaten on final start there, however, and bought for £28,000 in May before also well beaten at Ffos Las (40-1; ridden prominently) three weeks ago for new yard; could be all the better with that outing behind him and, with his Irish wins all on soft or heavy, he's not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 41y

Class 3

16:08 Windsor

Carbon King

11st 7lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Last campaign was very hit and miss but included two wins over about 2m4f on heavy going and he seems to be working his way back to form this season; not proven beyond 2m5f but he's too well handicapped to be ignored.

20/1

10

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 41y

Class 3

16:08 Windsor

Carbon King

11st 7lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Last campaign was very hit and miss but included two wins over about 2m4f on heavy going and he seems to be working his way back to form this season; not proven beyond 2m5f but he's too well handicapped to be ignored.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £49.00
Straight Forecast £44.17
Tricast £288.21
Trifecta £629.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Altobelli

The Times:

Rare Middleton

Telegraph:

Teddy Blue

SPOTLIGHT:

Knickerbockerglory

The Star:

Chance A Tune

POSTDATA:

Thereisnodoubt

D Express:

Rare Middleton

The Sun:

Rare Middleton

TOPSPEED:

Altobelli

WEST COUNTRY:

Altobelli

The Guardian:

Altobelli

Daily Mail:

Altobelli

Daily Mirror:

Altobelli

Daily Record:

Altobelli