December 16 / 14.40 Doncaster

14.40

Good To Soft

bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 2m 0f 128y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
ITV
View Course
bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.20
  • Place: £3.70

Form: 5P222U D BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Runner-up three times in a row over fences before an early unseat in Catterick chase three weeks ago; he's on a handy mark on his chase form and was second in 2021 in the last running of this race; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 3

15:30 Catterick

Geromino

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

10yo who returned from long absence with a pretty encouraging fourth in 0-135 at Haydock in December; he's well treated on his old form and could be in the mix now dropping into a 0-125; wins have come on good/good to soft.

6/1

16/1

  • Place: £8.40

Form: 42916- D

Last run: 239 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles at Catterick (1m7f, good) in February and fair sixth in Scottish Champion Hurdle (2m, good to soft) in April; some good Flat form subsequently prior to tailing off at Pontefract in September when last seen; could bounce back today but he may be in the handicapper's clutches.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

First Impression

11st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: John & Sean Quinn

Useful dual-purpose performer but he's on a tough mark over hurdles, now 8lb higher than for his last win (last February) after going up 3lb for a narrow defeat at Doncaster; should give his running but others are preferred for win purposes.

8/1

2nd

9

16th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

14:40 Doncaster

First Impression

10st 3lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: John Quinn

raced in second

16/1

0

2

(5)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 3

15:55 Pontefract

First Impression

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

In top form at Chester since returning from a three-month break, posting a win (1m2f, soft) then a good second (1m2f, good to soft); also effective elsewhere and he can give another good account.

11/2

11/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 112P0- CD

Last run: 246 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Absent since struggling in Grade 1 novice hurdles at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals in the spring; however, he'd shown abundant promise previously (including C&D win) and has potential off his handicap debut mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Rare Edition

11st 10lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Creditable second in a Kelso handicap chase in October (2m1f, good); not done as well since and was well beaten back over hurdles at Kempton in January (2m, good; cheekpieces back on) on latest start; hood now tried; bit to prove.

9/2

1

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

16:30 Kelso

Rare Edition

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Faller when last seen but earlier novice chase form featured a success (2m, good) when fresh; still has low mileage over fences and warrants respect off a workable mark on reappearance.

7/4

Form: 1319-1 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Made it 4-8 over hurdles when reappearing with a win over C&D a fortnight ago (good; Soaring Glory second); the four hurdles in the home straight were omitted which creates a doubt about the form but he was impressive nevertheless; now 2-2 here and may well take a 6lb rise in his stride.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

9th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 3

12:07 Kelso

Clear White Light

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

in touch with leaders, not fluent 4th

16/1

4th

1

9th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 3

12:07 Kelso

Clear White Light

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

in touch with leaders, not fluent 4th

16/1

7th

5

(1)

3rd Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 5

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Clear White Light

9st 5lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Ewan Whillans

First four wins came over hurdles but he proved he could do it on the Flat when successful at Catterick (1m4f, heavy) in April; finished last of seven (behind three of these) on stable debut over C&D last month and needs to do much better.

33/1

Form: 57-352 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Classy sort in 2021-22 season; having dropped down the weights he took a step back in the right direction when second of seven off this mark over C&D (good) a fortnight ago; however, he was beaten just over 5l by Clear White Light and this is more competitive; needs to build on that latest run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

11th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

17:00 Chepstow

Soaring Glory

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

2021 was his year when winning valuable handicaps at Newbury and Ascot; now on a losing run of 12 and last season was mostly a washout; has to turn a corner but he's very well handicapped.

6/1

16th

6

17th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 58y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Soaring Glory

11st 0lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Successful in two notable handicaps in 2021, one of them here, and looks well treated on that smart form; however, he's on an 11-race losing sequence and had no obvious excuses when only fifth of the seven finishers at Kempton just after Christmas.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: V2112P D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in the Greatwood at Cheltenham last time and needs to bounce back, but he'd previously done very well following his move to this yard in April, winning three times, and this 5yo shouldn't be written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(8)

29th Jun 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:10 Newcastle (AW)

Too Friendly

8st 7lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: James Owen

Seen far more often over hurdles; lost his way in that discipline but smooth 2m winner on the Kempton AW in March (first Flat start since 2021) and he's run well on turf since over 1m6f and 1m5f; often wears cheekpieces, which return today after he was hooded instead on penultimate start and had no headgear on latest; others are preferred for the win.

20/1

4th

4

(1)

2nd Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:40 Hamilton

Too Friendly

9st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: James Owen

Seen far more often over hurdles (winner on varied ground); lost his way in that discipline but smooth 2m winner on the Kempton AW in March (first Flat start since 2021) and close second of six to Hope You Can Run at Newmarket (1m6f) two weeks ago; often wears cheekpieces, but hooded instead on latest start and has no headgear today; may still have more to offer on Flat.

8/1

2nd

6

(1)

19th May 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Newmarket

Too Friendly

9st 3lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: James Owen

Seen far more often over hurdles (winner on varied ground); has lost his way in that discipline but he was a smooth 2m winner on the Kempton AW in March (first Flat start since 2021) and was not discredited when tenth in the Chester Cup nine days ago; first-time hood replaces cheekpieces; may still have more to offer on Flat.

4/1

Form: 212-14 CD

Last run: 48 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
He wasn't at his best last November on his last hurdle start but won this race in the 2021-22 campaign (good to soft) and scored off today's mark over fences at Kelso two starts ago; entitled to respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

15:10 Perth

Tommys Oscar

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

11yo who snapped a losing sequence at Carlisle (3m, good to soft) last month and it was a stronger race than this in which he was fourth of 11 at Haydock (2m4f, good) last Wednesday; every chance he'll be in the mix.

11/2

4th

1

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Tommys Oscar

11st 12lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Veteran who made his name as a two-miler and the slow pace helped when making his first foray over 3m a successful one at Carlisle (good to soft; effective on good); solid second the run before over 2m4f but a 5lb rise for last time could be troublesome.

12/1

1st

1

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Tommys Oscar

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Smart at around 2m in his prime and was creditable second off today's mark in valuable Musselburgh handicap (2m4f, good to soft) five weeks ago but has stamina to prove on first venture beyond about 2m4f under rules.

9/4

Form: 3645U3 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
He's 8lb higher than when winning at Warwick (2m, good) in May but posted some good efforts in defeat in handicaps subsequently and ran as well as could be expected in a Grade 2 last time; each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

16th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

14:40 Doncaster

Glorious Zoff

10st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

He's 8lb higher than when winning at Warwick (2m, good) in May but posted some good efforts in defeat in handicaps subsequently and ran as well as could be expected in a Grade 2 last time; each-way claims.

12/1

3rd

2

11th Nov 2023

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 1

15:00 Wincanton

Glorious Zoff

11st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

took keen hold, held up in rear, not fluent 5 out, headway after 3 out, no impression from 2 out

50/1

0

8

27th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

13:35 Cheltenham

Glorious Zoff

10st 13lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Seemingly revitalised by a wind op in early part of this season (unlucky not to complete a double) and has held his form well since but will probably find others in this field better handicapped.

20/1

Form: 781-6P D

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Won the Coral Cup at Cheltenham in March and is one to watch in the betting, but he's struggled on his two starts this season (the latest only last Saturday) and a major turnaround is required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Langer Dan

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

held up in last, weakened after 3 out, detached when mistake 2 out

6/1

5th

5

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Langer Dan

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

held up in last, weakened after 3 out, detached when mistake 2 out

6/1

3/1

Form: 120-51 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Recaptured his 2022 promise when winning in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) at Ascot (1m7f, good) three weeks ago; he's 4lb higher in this more competitive race but remains lightly raced and could have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

19:37 Killarney

Gin Coco

11st 7lb

J: Mr T O’Connor

T: Turlough O’Connor

Good hurdle form not all that long ago and has run well in both his points behind the classy Wonderwall (ahead of Lifetime Ambition on one of those occasions); this is his debut over regulation fences but could have a part to play.

8/1

17th

10

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Gin Coco

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Fairly useful at about 2m and gained sole handicap success off this mark; however, along with several other runners he goes into unknown territory over 2m4f.

33/1

17th

10

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Gin Coco

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Fairly useful at about 2m and gained sole handicap success off this mark; however, along with several other runners he goes into unknown territory over 2m4f.

33/1

16/1

Form: 1586-5 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won three times last season, following a mammoth absence, and he's 2lb lower than when last successful (at Musselburgh on New Year's Day); however, his subsequent form hasn't come up to scratch and he needs to improve for last month's reappearance outing at Huntingdon.
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

Non-runners

Matchless

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £518.10
Straight Forecast £365.45
Tricast £1431.49
Trifecta £5078.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Gin Coco

SPOTLIGHT:

Rare Edition

TOPSPEED:

Nayati

The Star:

Clear White Light

POSTDATA:

Geromino

Daily Mail:

Matchless

The Times:

Rare Edition

The Guardian:

Rare Edition

D Express:

Rare Edition

WEST COUNTRY:

Gin Coco

Telegraph:

Gin Coco

The Sun:

Gin Coco

Daily Record:

Gin Coco

Daily Mirror:

Nayati