December 10 / 14.25 Huntingdon

14.25

Soft

TrustATrader You Can Trust Our Traders Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £16423.91
  • 1m 7f 171y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
RTV
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TrustATrader You Can Trust Our Traders Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Qualifier)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 61-2U9 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Has some quirks but held on by a short head in the Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton in April and a last-flight error might have cost him the Swinton at Haydock in May; unseated in October and his Ascot run eight days later was disappointing, probably not accounted for by the soft ground; player if he reverts to one of his better efforts.
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

Abandoned

Form: 1586-5 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Returned last season from a mammoth absence and won three times in that campaign; acts on soft and heavy; with a satisfactory reappearance here last month under his belt, he's one to consider.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 1-512P D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won at Southwell before good second at Chepstow (2m, heavy) in October; a pretty consistent sort but he was up against it in the Greatwood at Cheltenham three weeks ago and pulled up at 100-1; more interesting today but even this race may demand his best form for over two years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(4)

11th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

15:50 Southwell (AW)

Swaffham Bulbeck

9st 3lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Stuart Edmunds

A pretty useful jumper, last successful in a 2m handicap hurdle here in September; rarely seen on the Flat in recent years but he has finished second in staying handicaps on AW on his last two runs in this sphere; should be involved.

11/4

8th

1

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

14:40 Taunton

Swaffham Bulbeck

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Stuart Edmunds

Outclassed in the Greatwood last time when pulled up at 100-1; usually consistent and went into that in form after competitive runs over 2m (good/heavy); however, he .does look on a tough mark and might be vulnerable.

9/1

Form: 211P-P D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
10yo who pulled up on final run last season and again on reappearance (back over hurdles) five weeks ago; appeared to need the race in the latter and he's well handicapped judged on last season's best efforts over fences, including one on heavy going; first preference engagement is at Kelso.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

16:28 Hexham

Baron De Midleton

11st 6lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Brian Ellison

midfield, lost position and reminders before 5th, struggling 3 out, no chance when mistake 2 out, soon pulled up

9/4

2

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

16:28 Hexham

Baron De Midleton

11st 6lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Brian Ellison

midfield, lost position and reminders before 5th

9/4

2

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

15:25 Newcastle

Baron De Midleton

11st 9lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Brian Ellison

set good pace, led, not fluent 4th, soon headed, lost two places before 3 out, weakened and pulled up quickly before 2 out

8/1

Form: 13-212 D BF

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Won when back to hurdling at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) in November and beaten a nose at Doncaster (2m3f, good) eight days ago; has won on soft (more to prove on heavy) and is one to take seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

16th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:57 Carlisle

Matchless

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Three consecutive wins over hurdles in May/June (2m-2m7f, good/good to soft) and he was running okay in that sphere last month; however, he has something to find in today's company and he didn't improve for the switch to fences when soundly beaten in January on his sole previous chase start.

12/1

4th

1

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:52 Worcester

Matchless

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Came up rather short in higher grade last time; solid record (1112) in Class 4 otherwise this term, albeit has shot up the weights as a result; may be in the assessor's grip now.

13/2

3

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

16:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Matchless

11st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

It took a return to selling level to regain the winning thread in May but has since gone 112 in 2m4f/2m7f handicaps; getting high in the weights (nudged up another 1lb) but he's pretty solid.

7/2

Form: 12-2 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Beat his only three rivals on hurdling debut before improved form when second at Ludlow in January (again on soft) and October (good to soft); the last named was a nine-runner handicap in which he kept on strongly and finished 15l clear of the third; 5lb rise may underestimate him and he's a very lightly raced 4yo who brings potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Javert Allen

10st 8lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Below par at Kempton (2m4f) in February last time but he's run well in defeat otherwise this season, including when fourth over C&D (good to soft) on his reappearance in a race that worked out extremely well; this front-runner could make a bold bid in first-time cheekpieces back at 2m.

15/2

5th

8

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:05 Kempton

Javert Allen

10st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Free-going front-runner who was a little too keen for his own good when weakening into a 10l third at Cheltenham four weeks ago (2m4f, soft); the ground might not be quite so slow this afternoon and that would help him; respected.

7/2

3rd

11

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:15 Cheltenham

Javert Allen

10st 4lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Front-runner who usually jumps soundly; reappearance fourth at Aintree worked out well and he ran a cracker when second at Newbury (again 2m, good to soft) later in November; now steps up in distance and his pedigree gives real hope that the increased test of stamina will suit; interesting.

11/2

Form: 5-3154 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Disappointing in a bumper on heavy going; won 2m3f maiden here (good) on second start over hurdles and better form in defeat over 2m at Cheltenham twice since, fourth of 17 in a handicap last time; free-going sort who has jumped out to his right (notably on penultimate start) and it's easy to think that 2m at Huntingdon will suit him well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

15:00 Wincanton

Mr Mackay

11st 8lb

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Pretty consistent over fences and hurdles on good/good to soft ground this season and has slipped to a good mark; campaigned mainly at around 2m but has won over an extended 2m3f; probably won't be far away.

5/2

5th

8

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

17:07 Doncaster

Mr Mackay

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Seemed in good form over fences before the turn of the year and reportedly suffered an overreach on his return to hurdling at Musselburgh; on a competitive mark.

12/1

5th

2

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Mr Mackay

11st 13lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Fair efforts in the autumn across first three chase starts, finishing second last time (2m, good) despite not jumping well; on a handy mark on last season's best hurdle form; could be a contender now back in this sphere.

8/1

Non-runners

Arqoob

Verdict

A small but strong field. Javert Allen is highly respected after only three races, with the prospect of further improvement, but 2m on this right-handed track could prove just the ticket for MR MACKAY, who has already won here once and ran a cracking race in a big-field handicap at Cheltenham last time out. Nayati and Matchless also look ready to run well.[Richard Austen]

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Javert Allen

SPOTLIGHT:

Mr Mackay

RP RATINGS:

Nayati

D Express:

Matchless

POSTDATA:

Mr Mackay

The Times:

Javert Allen

Telegraph:

Javert Allen

Daily Mirror:

Javert Allen

The Sun:

Javert Allen

The Star:

Javert Allen

Daily Record:

Javert Allen

TOPSPEED:

Nayati