December 22 / 13.20 Ascot

13.20

Good To Soft

Howden Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £8168.46
  • 2m 5f 141y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Howden Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

8/11 (Won)

  • Win: £1.67
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Easily won on debut in Irish maiden point last December (3m, yielding) and pulled clear of the third Ideal Des Bordes when beaten just a head here (2m3f, good) on last month's rules debut; that form has been franked by the winner and he's a leading contender for the champion trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton

Welcom To Cartries

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Contrasting performances since switched to handicap chases, winning narrowly at Sandown then folding tamely at Ascot, both over 3m; presents a dilemma but could have more to offer provided he's back on song and it's too soon to write him off.

3/1

3

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

Welcom To Cartries

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Lightly raced 8yo who held on narrowly at Sandown (3m, good to soft; handicap chase debut) most recently, adding to his point/hurdle wins and posting a career-best performance; may be capable of further improvement in this sphere and commands respect.

4/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 33

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner (3m, yielding to soft) who was third on bumper debut at Warwick (2m, good to soft) in May and filled same spot here (2m3f, good) on his hurdle debut; with a leading yard and should have more to offer but has 15l to find with runner-up Welcom To Cartries on that latest form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Cheltenham

Ideal Des Bordes

11st 12lb

J: Mr Daniel Williams

T: Nicky Henderson

Made bright start to chasing career in early 2024, winning at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) before clear second at Kempton (3m, good to soft), but dropped out of contention worryingly quickly on final two starts last season (had wind op in between) and needs to prove his wellbeing.

12/1

5th

7

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Ideal Des Bordes

10st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Good-ground maiden hurdle winner who scored on his chase debut at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) in January before clear second to Eyed at Kempton (3m, good to soft); flopped at Kempton last time but has had wind surgery since and it will be no surprise if he bounces back with a bold show.

10/1

5th

7

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Ideal Des Bordes

10st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

took keen hold, prominent, briefly led 2nd

10/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 23

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Irish maiden point (3m, good) and has finished placed at Kempton (2m5f, good) on both rules runs; soundly beaten on those hurdle outings and his limitations are evident but he has each-way claims once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

21st Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 4

16:05 Ludlow

Monks Meadow

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Yet to race on soft/heavy; consistent over 2m5f under rules, running well behind a Paul Nicholls-trained rival at Hereford most recently; bred to be suited by this longer distance; leading player on form.

2/1

2nd

7

29th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 4

13:30 Hereford

Monks Meadow

11st 5lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Runner-up in Irish maiden point (3m, good) last April and he's finished placed again in his three hurdle runs since October; found improvement when a staying-on third behind an odds-on rival at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) last time and that form puts him firmly in the picture here; shortlisted.

9/2

3rd

6

22nd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

13:20 Ascot

Monks Meadow

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Runner-up in Irish maiden point (3m, good) and has finished placed at Kempton (2m5f, good) on both rules runs; soundly beaten on those hurdle outings and his limitations are evident but he has each-way claims once more.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
1l second of 15 on debut in Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) in March and sold for £125,000 in May; has joined a good yard for rules career and it will be no surprise to see a big performance; wears a tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

22nd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

13:20 Ascot

Silver Jet

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

1l second of 15 on debut in Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) in March and sold for £125,000 in May; has joined a good yard for rules career and it will be no surprise to see a big performance; wears a tongue-tie.

9/1

Form: 3/32-2 BF

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in all three bumpers (good/soft) and he was narrowly ahead when making a bad mistake at the final flight on hurdle debut at Wetherby (2m3f, good) in October; improvement needed in this hotter race but he's a likeable prospect and is not ruled out in first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 4

14:20 Plumpton

Bob Bob Ricard

12st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Record of 3-6 over fences; only beat two rivals for the last of those wins (2m) but he ran well in a useful chase at Newbury a month ago (2m4f, good) and this is easier than that; respected.

100/30

3rd

1

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 4

14:20 Plumpton

Bob Bob Ricard

12st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Record of 3-6 over fences; only beat two rivals for the last of those wins (2m) but he ran well in a useful chase at Newbury a month ago (2m4f, good) and this is easier than that; respected.

100/30

4th

11

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Bob Bob Ricard

10st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won last May/June (2m/2m4f, good) in the first two of his five runs over fences, but it took a three-runner race for him to score again three weeks ago (Doncaster 2m, good) and he still threw in a blunder even then; in this company, others are a bit more persuasive.

4/1

Form: 2

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Changed hands for £250,000 after winning on debut in Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) in February, and also showed lots of promise when second over C&D (good) on last month's rules debut; it looked a hot little race last time and he's a key player this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Leader In The Park

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Ben Pauling

Hasn't raced over 3m since winning his Irish point; probably a career best when second over 2m6f at Newbury on reappearance (good to soft) but couldn't live with Lookaway when both got competiitve a good way out over 2m4f here last month; regular partner Ben Jones prefers Henry's Friend but Harry Cobden's style could suit this 8yo.

12/1

6th

8

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Leader In The Park

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Made all at Kempton (2m4f, good) in December on second chase start and followed up at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft); only third of five at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) since but that was still a fair run and this unexposed 7yo remains of interest, especially with the Warwick form reading well.

6/1

6th

8

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Leader In The Park

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Made all at Kempton (2m4f, good) in December on second chase start and followed up at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft); only third of five at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) since but that was still a fair run and this unexposed 7yo remains of interest, especially with the Warwick form reading well.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 045-2

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed ability in bumpers and likewise when going close in small field on last month's hurdle debut at Stratford (2m, soft); in good hands and there's every chance he'll improve, but it wasn't a strong race last time and others have achieved considerably more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

3rd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

12:45 Southwell

Havock

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Yet to win in 11 attempts, four of them over fences; well beaten on last three starts, but may fare better after a break providing the ground isn't too soft.

10/1

3rd

4

3rd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

12:45 Southwell

Havock

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Yet to win in 11 attempts, four of them over fences; well beaten on last three starts, but may fare better after a break providing the ground isn't too soft.

10/1

Form: 60

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Big prices and soundly beaten in two bumpers for Thomas Gallagher (good/soft); needs to be an entirely different proposition now up in distance on his hurdle and stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

7

22nd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

13:20 Ascot

Nineelmspark

11st 4lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

Big prices and soundly beaten in two bumpers for Thomas Gallagher (good/soft); needs to be an entirely different proposition now up in distance on his hurdle and stable debut.

100/1

11th

8

4th Nov 2023

Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 3

16:15 Ascot

Nineelmspark

11st 2lb

J: Mr John Reddington

T: Thomas Gallagher

Went off 100-1 and only sixth of nine on debut at Warwick (good ground) four weeks ago; plenty of improvement required.

100/1

6th

3

5th Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Warwick

Nineelmspark

11st 2lb

J: Mr John Reddington

T: Thomas Gallagher

Harzand gelding; half-brother to three winners, notably Alwaysandforever (1m2f/11.4f Flat; RPR 103) and Zabeel Star (1m-1m4f Flat; RPR 94; also over hurdles); dam, 1m-1m2f winner (RPR 91), is a half-sister to 10.5f Listed winner Buckwheat; appeals on paper but the market can guide.

25/1

Form: 7

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) last November and sold for £50,000 the following month; had first run since at Wincanton (2m5f, soft) last month and he could improve for it, but he was well beaten (8-1) and is hard to fancy on the back of that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

14:35 Huntingdon

Rockwiththetimes

11st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Still unexposed under rules (particularly on good ground) but was safely held in first two handicaps, latterly on chasing debut in April; drops back in trip here; cheekpieces removed; others have much less to prove.

8/1

5th

2

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

14:35 Huntingdon

Rockwiththetimes

11st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Still unexposed under rules (particularly on good ground) but was safely held in first two handicaps, latterly on chasing debut in April; drops back in trip here; cheekpieces removed; others have much less to prove.

8/1

7th

3

11th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

16:28 Taunton

Rockwiththetimes

11st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

No threat on his four hurdle runs, most recently on handicap debut at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft); however, this lightly raced point winner is a possible improver now switched to fences and it will be no surprise to see a good run; first-time cheekpieces replace the visor adopted last time.

9/1

Form: 93-72

Last run: 91 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran in four bumpers in Ireland for Stephen Gerard Carey, finishing second at Listowel in September when last seen; takes on males in a hot race on her hurdle and stable debut, and improvement is needed, but the step up in trip may well be a plus and she's not ruled out each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

19

25th Oct 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

16:45 Galway

Oneforthefairgreen

10st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Terence O’Brien

0-12; has run the occasional good race in defeat and her debut for this yard when backed into 7-2 favourite at Killarney (2m7f, yielding) wasn't a bad effort; not discounted.

9/1

10

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Oneforthefairgreen

10st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

0-16 and has tried fences; kept plodding on when a 10l fourth in 2m4f hurdle at Southwell and she's worth another go over this far.

5/1

12

9th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:50 Southwell

Oneforthefairgreen

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

Now 0-15 under rules after twice finishing tailed off over fences; was second over hurdles at Leicester in November when 7lb higher so can't be ruled out with a tongue-tie joining cheekpieces, especially with Sean Bowen up top.

8/1

Non-runners

Meetmeatthearch, Sonification

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.20
Straight Forecast £7.33
Trifecta £58.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Welcom To Cartries

D Express:

Leader In The Park

LAMBOURN:

Ideal Des Bordes

Telegraph:

Havock

RP RATINGS:

Welcom To Cartries

TOPSPEED:

Welcom To Cartries

POSTDATA:

Welcom To Cartries

WEST COUNTRY:

Welcom To Cartries

The Times:

Welcom To Cartries

The Guardian:

Welcom To Cartries

Daily Mail:

Welcom To Cartries

Daily Mirror:

Welcom To Cartries

The Star:

Welcom To Cartries

Daily Record:

Leader In The Park