December 31 / 14.00 Warwick

14.00

Heavy

Poundland Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers’ Hurdle Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 3m 2f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 5 runners
RTV
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Poundland Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers’ Hurdle Series Qualifier)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 125-3P D

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Dual novice winner on slow ground last season (2m4f/3m1f); pulled up on chasing debut three weeks ago and now reverts to hurdling with cheekpieces fitted but the form of last month's third at Ffos Las (3m, soft) has worked out quite well and he's now 2lb lower.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

25th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 71y

Class 4

17:00 Catterick

Grove Road

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: James Owen

Seemingly boosted by changed of headgear when winning twice over hurdles last year (3m2f/3m1f, good to soft) but his two runs this year (chase/hurdle) have been below par and he needs to bounce back again.

14/1

6th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

13:45 Plumpton

Grove Road

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: James Owen

in rear but in touch with leaders, headway after 10th, outpaced before 3 out

4/1

6th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

13:45 Plumpton

Grove Road

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: James Owen

in rear but in touch with leaders, headway after 10th, outpaced before 3 out, soon struggling

4/1

Form: 222-20 C

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Course bumper winner who has finished second on five of his seven hurdling starts, including when upped to 3m1f for good-ground maiden won by Exmoor Forest here in May; last month's down-the-field finish in a competitive Cheltenham handicap is not viewed harshly (hampered by a faller) and he's effective on heavy ground; might be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

2nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

15:40 Doncaster

Hauraki Gulf

11st 3lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Deborah Cole

pressed leader, weakened after 2 out

4/1

9

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Hauraki Gulf

10st 5lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Deborah Cole

Scored twice over fences early last year (once on heavy); 0-10 over hurdles but runner-up in eight of those, including at Warwick (3m2f, soft) on latest start when he blundered at the final flight but looked booked for second anyway; this race looks too tough.

16/1

9

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Hauraki Gulf

10st 5lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Deborah Cole

Scored twice over fences early last year (once on heavy); 0-10 over hurdles but runner-up in eight of those, including at Warwick (3m2f, soft) on latest start when he blundered at the final flight but looked booked for second anyway; this race looks too tough.

16/1

Form: 34-1PP C

Last run: 68 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Evidently suited by step up to 3m1f when making all to fend off Hauraki Gulf in good-ground course maiden in May but looked badly out of sorts in both subsequent handicaps; may have benefited from last month's wind op but is untested on heavy ground and it takes a leap of faith to support him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Exmoor Forest

11st 9lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Placed in three consecutive chases during the winter (2m7f-3m, good to soft) but this first hurdling start since March 2024 comes after a five-month break, so his fitness must be taken on trust.

12/1

2

18th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:35 Taunton

Exmoor Forest

11st 10lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Creditable third over C&D (good to soft) in December, after a wind op, and probably bettered that performance when filling same position at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) last month; remains on a workable mark and seems likely to be right in the thick of things again.

9/2

Form: 58P-P6

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Drew clear for 33-1 success in Ffos Las maiden (2m6f, soft) in early 2022 but has become very disappointing; didn't jump well enough when soundly beaten in two chases last month (blinkers added last time); now reverts to hurdling over a new trip; needs to turn a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

31st Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

13:45 Newcastle

Del La Mar Rocket

11st 7lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Hannah McMahon

Bumper and 2m6f hurdle winner on soft ground; formerly with Ben Pauling, for whom he lost his way; changed hands for £2,000 in February; cheekpieces go on; best watched on first start for this trainer.

100/1

5

31st Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

13:45 Newcastle

Del La Mar Rocket

11st 7lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Hannah McMahon

Bumper and 2m6f hurdle winner on soft ground; formerly with Ben Pauling, for whom he lost his way; changed hands for £2,000 in February; cheekpieces go on; best watched on first start for this trainer.

100/1

Form: 751-12

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
2-3 since her wind operation in March, the wins gained at Taunton (3m, soft) and Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy); lost out only by a head at Exeter (2m5f, good to soft) on latest outing and could quite plausibly improve again if this thorough stamina test suits; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

16:25 Taunton

Little Else

11st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Won consecutive handicaps in 2023, over C&D (soft) and 2m5f (heavy), and didn't look done with from a handicapping viewpoint when fourth at Newbury in January (3m, soft); likely contender down in grade.

12/1

4th

16

23rd Jan 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 4

15:10 Newbury

Little Else

10st 4lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Seemingly all the better for wind surgery when winning 3m/2m5f (soft/heavy) handicaps by neck margins; got edged out by an exposed mare at Exeter (2m5f, good to soft) since but returning to further should benefit her; she's not without hope.

14/1

Verdict

Little Else has made good progress since her wind surgery and might still be on the upgrade. However, HAURAKI GULF can easily be excused his low-key reappearance run in a big-field Cheltenham handicap last month, and his very good course record makes him of significant interest today.[Chris Wilson]

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Grove Road

WEST COUNTRY:

Little Else

SPOTLIGHT:

Hauraki Gulf

D Express:

Hauraki Gulf

TOPSPEED:

Grove Road

POSTDATA:

Grove Road

The Times:

Grove Road

Daily Mirror:

Grove Road

Telegraph:

Little Else

The Sun:

Little Else

The Star:

Little Else

Daily Record:

Little Else