December 15 / 11.25 Doncaster

11.25

Good To Soft

Polypipe Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 0f 128y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
SKY
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Polypipe Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 134-8 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won on hurdle and stable debut at Taunton (2m, soft) in January and he landed a charity Flat race at Wincanton this autumn; disappointing in Ascot handicap hurdle (1m7f, soft) six weeks ago but this 4yo is in top hands and may be aided by the first-time tongue-tie on this drop in grade.
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

9/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 1613-4 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Point, bumper (soft) and novice hurdle (good to soft) winner who reappeared with a fair fourth on last month's handicap debut at Ayr (2m, good to soft); that form is working out well and this unexposed 5yo could play a leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

1st Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Worcester

Sleeping Satellite

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Point/bumper/hurdle winner who made good start to chasing career when close second to progressive rival at Market Rasen (2m3f, good) in May; needs to rebound from heavy defeat at Cartmel in June but still enters calculations.

8/1

7th

1

28th Jun 2024

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 4

16:15 Cartmel

Sleeping Satellite

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Point/bumper/hurdle winner who made good start to chasing career when close second to progressive rival at Market Rasen (2m3f, good) last month; can cope with a 3lb rise and play a leading role here.

5/2

2nd

4

23rd May 2024

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 4

15:28 Market Rasen

Sleeping Satellite

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

2022 Irish soft-ground point winner; Carlisle novice hurdle winner (2m1f, good to soft) in February 2023 and largely respectable efforts in three handicaps since, shaping as though he'd benefit from his most recent run (March) after a three-month break; unproven on good but brings potential now making his chase debut and upped to a distance that should suit, can't be ruled out.

5/1

25/1

  • Place: £11.40

Form: /61F-P D

Last run: 206 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Talented hurdler/chaser earlier in career and showed when runner-up in a point-to-point in May that some spark remains; however, he has a patchy profile nowadays and was pulled up in a hunter chase at Huntingdon later in May; makes debut for new yard and others have less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

20th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 212y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

Homme Dun Soir

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Billy Aprahamian

Made all for hurdle/chase wins at Market Rasen in two of last three outings; latest performance took his record in this sphere to 2-5; again likely to have his own way up front and has to be feared.

11/4

1st

3

4th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 4

16:40 Market Rasen

Homme Dun Soir

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Billy Aprahamian

made all, not fluent 9th, pushed along when good jump 2 out, mistake last, ridden and kept on well run-in, just did enough

7/1

Form: -47322

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Remains a maiden but was runner-up in a maiden hurdle at Perth (2m, good) in August on final run for Stuart Crawford, and he was a close second of four in a handicap at Leicester (1m7f, heavy) on last month's stable debut; this race is more competitive but he might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

17th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:55 Southwell

Harel Du Marais

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Ex-Mark Walford; having dropped to a good mark, got off the mark on 20th start over jumps when winning by 2.25l over C&D on stable debut two weeks ago (good to soft; Chestnut Pete last of six); 5lb higher here but should go well again.

6/4

1st

3

3rd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:37 Southwell

Harel Du Marais

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Longstanding maiden whose current mark reflects a general decline in his form; needs to raise his game on debut for new yard.

4/1

3rd

2

13th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:49 Leicester

Harel Du Marais

11st 11lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Mark Walford

midfield, in touch with leaders before 4th, headway before 3 out, lost second before 2 out, no extra before last

16/1

Form: 33321- D

Last run: 244 days

W: 10st 12lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Built upon her previous promise (on various ground) when making all in 4yo hurdle against males at Chepstow (2m, soft) in April; open to further improvement and could make a bold bid on seasonal/handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

12th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

14:18 Huntingdon

Imperial Jade

11st 11lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

made all, mistake 2 out, not fluent last, just held on, gamely

6/4

9

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

16:33 Doncaster

Imperial Jade

10st 13lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Encouraging signs initially following wind surgery, but a 37l defeat as beaten favourite at Wincanton latest (2m4f, good to soft) takes some forgiving; twice placed in four starts on sound surfaces (one a bumper here) without posting a higher RPR than 83 in any of them.

9/1

10th

9

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

15:45 Wincanton

Imperial Jade

11st 1lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Has run well in both her races following wind surgery, finishing third of 14 at Chepstow (2m, soft) and rallying for the same position over C&D last month after suffering interference; much respected off the same mark.

5/1

Form: 406

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Makes handicap debut from 2lb wrong at the weights and he needs to improve upon what he's shown on his three hurdle starts; however, he has potential off this lowly mark based on the ability shown in his light Flat career; one to watch in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:00 Stratford

Deadlock

11st 4lb

J: Mr Murray Dodd

T: Alastair Ralph

prominent, struggling 7th, soon dropped to rear, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last

16/1

9th

8

(11)

1st Jul 2024

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Deadlock

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Alastair Ralph

Modest maiden over hurdles, best effort when staying-on fourth at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) in March on penultimate start; tailed off latest; started his career with three AW Flat runs early last year (first two for David Simcock) and did show some ability, but he does not look the percentage call.

25/1

7th

6

12th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:38 Ludlow

Deadlock

11st 1lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

0-8; stayed on for fourth of 11 at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) last time and is still unexposed in handicaps, so he could have a say.

6/1

Form: 21424- D

Last run: 232 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Bumper (2m, good) and novice hurdle (1m7f, soft) winner who ran creditably in second at Kelso (2m, soft) in March on sole handicap start; this lightly raced 8yo could have more to offer and she could be a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

7th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

15:10 Sedgefield

Midnight Shuffle

11st 13lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

prominent

11/2

Form: 13P3-3 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner (2m, good) who landed a novice hurdle at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) in January; has run some fair races since and she's only five so improvement is possible, but necessary if she's to win off her current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

11th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:55 Southwell

Mrs Grimley

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Sam Allwood

Became disappointing for Ben Pauling last season and, following a wind op, made low-key stable debut last month; needs to have taken significant benefit from that recent outing.

16/1

5th

3

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

19:25 Uttoxeter

Mrs Grimley

11st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Sam Allwood

Won heavy-ground novice hurdle for Ben Pauling in early part of 2023 but became very disappointing for that stable last season; needs combination of wind op and change of scenary to prompt a revival.

14/1

5th

3

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

19:25 Uttoxeter

Mrs Grimley

11st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Sam Allwood

Won heavy-ground novice hurdle for Ben Pauling in early part of 2023 but became very disappointing for that stable last season; needs combination of wind op and change of scenary to prompt a revival.

14/1

Form: 4/18-3 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Won at Warwick (2m, good to soft) last November on second handicap start and respectable third at Sandown (2m, soft) last month when back from an absence; could build on that latest performance now back on better ground and he's firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

21st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Warwick

Iontach Cheval

10st 13lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Alastair Ralph

Ran fairly well over 2m here on seasonal debut in November but two very disappointing runs have followed (2m/2m7f; blinkers added last time) and it's hard to predict whether he'll be in the right mood today.

33/1

8th

2

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

13:30 Uttoxeter

Iontach Cheval

12st 0lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Alastair Ralph

Made quite encouraging seasonal debut last month (2m, good) but ran poorly over that trip three weeks later and also struggled on only previous attempt at 2m7f; sports first-time blinkers; risky.

12/1

8th

2

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

13:30 Uttoxeter

Iontach Cheval

12st 0lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Alastair Ralph

Made quite encouraging seasonal debut last month (2m, good) but ran poorly over that trip three weeks later and also struggled on only previous attempt at 2m7f; sports first-time blinkers; risky.

12/1

Form: 10434P D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent during his summer/autumn spell with Milton Harris, winning twice (2m/2m1f, good/good to soft); not written off but he was pulled up on last month's stable debut at Kempton (2m, good to soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

7th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:12 Stratford

Call Me Rocky

11st 5lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Anthony Charlton

Very well handicapped on some of last year's form for Milton Harris and but was out of sorts during three-race spell for Syd Hosie and pulled up on recent debut for latest new trainer; headgear refitted; revival needed.

25/1

9

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:10 Worcester

Call Me Rocky

10st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Anthony Charlton

Well treated now but lost his way badly after leaving Milton Harris and tried chasing last time; too risky.

20/1

4

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

20:30 Stratford

Call Me Rocky

11st 13lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Syd Hosie

in touch with leaders, prominent after 8th, weakened 3 out, pulled up after 2 out

8/1

Form: 5P-633 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Just one win from 27 starts but that came at Catterick (2m3f, good) in February and he's run reasonably well in two runs this autumn; today's return to better ground may be in his favour; could be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

9th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

13:50 Huntingdon

Lifetime Legend

10st 6lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

in touch with leaders

20/1

13

9th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

13:50 Huntingdon

Lifetime Legend

10st 6lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

in touch with leaders

20/1

Form: 54-U15 D BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) in October on his second handicap start; merely fifth at Kempton (2m, good) subsequently but he can be in the mix if rediscovering his penultimate form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

6th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

12:40 Huntingdon

Jack The Savage

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Laura Horsfall

taken down early

9/2

2nd

2

6th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

12:40 Huntingdon

Jack The Savage

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Laura Horsfall

taken down early

9/2

Form: 6P15-P

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Pulled up at 22-1 on stable debut at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) in October; however, this French winner (2m3f, good to soft) has had a wind op since; one to watch in the betting now back on less testing ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

30th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

15:55 Taunton

Bonheur De Ballon

11st 7lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

A French winner over this far; had wind surgery before pulling up on stable debut in a handicap and underwent the same procedure ahead of another quiet run at Doncaster two weeks ago; cheekpieces added.

20/1

13th

4

15th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

11:25 Doncaster

Bonheur De Ballon

11st 11lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

Pulled up at 22-1 on stable debut at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) in October; however, this French winner (2m3f, good to soft) has had a wind op since; one to watch in the betting now back on less testing ground.

20/1

Form: 6/416- D

Last run: 287 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Disappointing over C&D in March on final run for Harry Eustace (remains in same ownership); however, prior to that she won at Southwell (2m, good; also effective on soft) on her second handicap hurdle start and she's not ruled out on this seasonal and stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(8)

12th Aug 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

17:35 Kempton (AW)

At A Pinch

10st 4lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Toby Lawes

in touch with leaders, dropped to rear over 2f out, soon struggling

25/1

5th

6

6th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:13 Uttoxeter

At A Pinch

11st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Won off a 17lb higher mark in February last year and that was the last time she sported a hood, which is now joined by cheekpieces; a revival wouldn't be a complete bolt from the blue.

25/1

12th

4

16th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

At A Pinch

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Mark 12lb below her last winning one is owed to a poor 2023-24 season; not convinced this longest trip to date is what she's been after.

66/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.80
Straight Forecast £18.03
Tricast £493.49
Trifecta £675.60

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Rare Middleton

SPOTLIGHT:

Iontach Cheval

The Sun:

Imperial Jade

The Times:

Sleeping Satellite

RP RATINGS:

Lifetime Legend

TOPSPEED:

Jack The Savage

Daily Mail:

Harel Du Marais

Daily Record:

Imperial Jade

Telegraph:

Rare Middleton

The Guardian:

Rare Middleton

D Express:

Sleeping Satellite

Daily Mirror:

Iontach Cheval

The Star:

Iontach Cheval

POSTDATA:

Lifetime Legend