January 25 / 14.35 Huntingdon

14.35

Good

Full Circle Series At Punchestown Festival Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 4f 145y
  • Class 4
  • 15 runners
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Full Circle Series At Punchestown Festival Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.20
  • Place: £3.00

Form: 2-2266

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Mark is finally more in line with his peak hurdling achievements here and in France on all going types; interesting to see whether the first use of cheekpieces since his Flat days can inspire a stronger finish.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

10th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

15:30 Fontwell

Sun Joy

11st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Dual winning hurdler over about 2m5f; beaten 17l at this track (2m3f) last month following a six-month break and not sure that the drop back in trip will be in his favour.

6/1

33/1

  • Place: £5.00

Form: -76595 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
3-3 at Hereford (all 2m4f-2m6f hurdles) versus 0-16 elsewhere; bit better again latest and no ground issues, but others convince more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Zestful Hope

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Five wins include two over fences; he'll need to run a lot better than he did in a handicap chase at Warwick a month ago (after 101 days away) and in any case he could be vulnerable to stronger stayers over this far.

10/1

4th

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

21:00 Warwick

Zestful Hope

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Five wins include two over fences, the latest at Huntingdon in October (2m4f, good) when 2lb higher; not so good in his five subsequent defeats and record when fresh is modest.

9/2

3rd

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

16:40 Hereford

Zestful Hope

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Won this in 2025 (good to soft) and was also on target at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) in October; back on a good mark now and should be fine on today's forecast soft ground but has become far too inconsistent to rely upon.

6/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 526-85 C

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Sole win came in a maiden here (2m, soft), though would have defied a mid-110s mark at Ludlow 13 months ago but for falling late on; weakening efforts latterly, however, including on recent return from wind surgery.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 3

15:40 Ascot

Haas Boy

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Chester Williams

Sported this headgear combination for the first time when narrowly repelling Authoceltic at Newton Abbot and followed up over hurdles later in the autumn; disappointed back over fences in January but returned to form with a decisive win at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft), beating a hat-trick seeker in the process; went up 8lb for that but clearly a contender; good ground is fine.

6/4

1st

3

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

14:37 Wincanton

Haas Boy

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Chester Williams

Newton Abbot chase winner in October (2m, good to soft), but continues to return stronger RPRs win or lose over hurdles; 3lb drop following January's fading Exeter chasing sixth isn't sufficiently persuasive.

5/2

1st

5

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

17:25 Newton Abbot

Haas Boy

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Chester Williams

Very well handicapped on old hurdling form for Charlie Longsdon but didn't really fire during four-race campaign for Emma Lavelle last season and still has quite a bit to prove over fences; changed hands for 3,200euros in April; sports first-time cheekpieces here; first runner under rules for Chester Williams; market may guide.

6/1

Form: 2-5152 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Easy win here in November (almost 2m4f, good to soft); late mistakes perhaps more the issue twice since rather than a mark which keeps rising in defeat, and remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:47 Cartmel

Jack Sprat

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Moffatt

Bettered low-key stable debut (over hurdles) when second to very progressive rival over C&D (good) last month and remains well handicapped on some of his form for Jamie Snowden; likely contender.

11/4

2nd

6

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 4

15:18 Cartmel

Jack Sprat

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Moffatt

Capable on his day for Jamie Snowden, winning three times; didn't sign off for that yard in bad form but he made a quiet debut for this yard here when 3m1f was no excuse.

10/1

11/2

Form: 54-33

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Fair third on last month's Taunton comeback (2m) and goes handicapping at the earliest opportunity off an understandable mark; smart dam won plenty over hurdles and fences at up to 2m5f, including the Lady Protectress that follows this race; very interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

28th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:25 Uttoxeter

Tregele

11st 5lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey

Beginning to look exposed after six hurdle starts but ran a big race before weakening into third in Bangor handicap (2m7f, good) in May and has a good chance at the weights here; had wind op in June; tongue-tie added.

10/11

3rd

1

28th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

18:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Tregele

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Pulled up at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in March but back on song when running well for a long way at Ffos Las (2m4f, good) this month; remains relatively unexposed and has potential over this longer trip.

7/1

3rd

1

28th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

18:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Tregele

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Pulled up at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in March but back on song when running well for a long way at Ffos Las (2m4f, good) this month; remains relatively unexposed and has potential over this longer trip.

7/1

66/1

Form: 44-0

Last run: 91 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Mark probably about right judged on initial two hurdling fourths; offered little on October's handicap debut and has changed yards since, but still early days and has stamina to spare at this sort of trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

18:30 Huntingdon

Kapamazov

11st 6lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Tony Carroll

Well beaten after racing too freely over 3m at Bangor last month and now 0-14 over fences but ran quite well when third on stable debut at Hereford (2m5f, good) in March and is suited by this track; sports refitted cheekpieces and has slipped to a good mark; dangerous to ignore.

6/1

8th

9

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Kapamazov

11st 1lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Tony Carroll

21 defeats under rules include 13 over fences but he's been running well, latterly finishing third on yard debut at Hereford (2m5f, good); stays this far.

8/1

3rd

5

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:00 Hereford

Kapamazov

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Tony Carroll

20 defeats under rules include 12 over fences; has placed form that entitles him to consideration and a change of stables may perk him up; trip/ground should be fine.

9/2

Form: 2-PP21

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Hasn't landed a blow in two previous runs outside mares-only company, but back in fine heart since joining Fergal O'Brien, obliging at Catterick latest (2m3f, good to soft; RPR 101); 7lb rise demands plenty more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

24th Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:20 Ludlow

Mistral Nell

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bumper/hurdle winner; back to her very best when a near miss at Kelso in May (3m2f, good to soft) and just 1lb higher for this switch to fences; needs considering.

7/1

2nd

4

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:00 Kelso

Mistral Nell

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent on outer, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and led narrowly approaching last, edged left inside final 110yds, headed final strides

3/1

2nd

4

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:00 Kelso

Mistral Nell

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent on outer, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and led narrowly approaching last, edged left inside final 110yds, headed final strides

3/1

Form: 1422-2 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
2m4f-plus on a flat track appear to be optimum requirements, and granted these he laid down a good marker on last month's seasonal/stable debut at Southwell (good to soft); not hard done to by a 2lb re-raise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

11th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

19:35 Warwick

Sister Michael

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

held up in rear, headway on outer 3 out

6/1

1st

4

11th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

19:35 Warwick

Sister Michael

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

held up in rear, headway on outer 3 out

6/1

4/1

Form: 6-31

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Stepped up sufficiently on last spring's hurdles debut to land a Doncaster maiden 10 weeks ago (2m, good); least experienced in the line-up and mark no gift, but some encouragement for longer trip in pedigree; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:32 Perth

Rascal

11st 11lb

J: Mr Rian Corcoran

T: Tom George

in touch with leaders, weakened after 3 out

13/2

6th

2

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:32 Perth

Rascal

11st 11lb

J: Mr Rian Corcoran

T: Tom George

Record of 0-6 in handicaps but is bred to be suited by this new trip and the first-time headgear looks another possible help; interesting.

13/2

4

24th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

15:00 Wincanton

Rascal

11st 1lb

J: Mr Tommie M O’Brien

T: Tom George

Lightly raced 7yo who returned from a layoff with a fairly encouraging 2m run last month; needs that outing to have brought him on but he's on a workable mark, will be suited by the forecast good ground and is unexposed over this sort of trip.

5/1

Form: 624/4-

Last run: 419 days

W: 12st 2lb

9 yo Horse

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Still well short of replicating his smart Flat best over hurdles when fourth on December 2022's handicap debut, but finally gets to try further than 2m in this sphere now and has been gelded; won't mind a dryout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

25th Jan 2024

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

14:35 Huntingdon

Raymond Tusk

12st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Still well short of replicating his smart Flat best over hurdles when fourth on December 2022's handicap debut, but finally gets to try further than 2m in this sphere now and has been gelded; won't mind a dryout.

5/1

5th

4

(1)

7th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

15:05 Sandown

Raymond Tusk

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Alan King

Satisfactory third in handicap at Newmarket (1m4f) in May after a four-month break, but no show from a wide draw at Royal Ascot (1m6f) latest; still capable of smart form last year but very rarely seen over this far (second in 2m Ascot Group 3 in 2019) and looks set for a supporting role.

14/1

Form: 1/P-57

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
3lb below his last winning mark but hasn't shown sufficient in two outings following more than a year out to persuade especially, notwithstanding a drop in class here; cheekpieces debuted last time are retained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

2

25th Jan 2024

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

14:35 Huntingdon

Mot A Mot

12st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

3lb below his last winning mark but hasn't shown sufficient in two outings following more than a year out to persuade especially, notwithstanding a drop in class here; cheekpieces debuted last time are retained.

16/1

7th

7

22nd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

12:45 Ascot

Mot A Mot

11st 2lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Sam Thomas

Very lightly raced in the last two years; pulled up on chase debut in October 2022 and below form back over hurdles when next seen late last month; tongue tied on last three starts and now also sports cheekpieces; won off this mark in April 2022 but it's hard to be that confident in a revival.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: /18-39

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Back below the mark of November's Warwick success (2m) and will be happiest should conditions remain quicker than soft; never a factor at Doncaster latest but reckoned by connections to need today's trip now.
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: -1687P CD

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Six wins between November 2022 and May 2023 included one over C&D (good); back to within 1lb of the final winning mark in that sequence, but too far below par the last four times to expect him to capitalise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

30th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

15:00 Ffos Las

Blue Shark

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Strike-rate of 6-17 over hurdles and the latest of those wins was off a 3lb higher mark; however, there's been pretty much nothing to take from his last five appearances and would appear to be going chasing under a cloud.

12/1

0

8

25th Jan 2024

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

14:35 Huntingdon

Blue Shark

11st 10lb

J: James Smith

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Six wins between November 2022 and May 2023 included one over C&D (good); back to within 1lb of the final winning mark in that sequence, but too far below par the last four times to expect him to capitalise.

16/1

0

5

16th Dec 2023

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:48 Hereford

Blue Shark

11st 10lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Between November of last year and this May he won six times in seven starts (2m3f-2m4f); however, shot up the weights as a consequence and he's beaten only one finisher in his last three appearances; has stamina to prove.

12/1

Form: 6-82F8

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Recorded perfectly serviceable bumper and chase debuts at this venue in 2022, but ended last year on a low note over hurdles, weakening before stamina should have become an issue at Warwick latest; overlooked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

18:15 Warwick

Kilfilum Woods

12st 1lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Francesca Poste

Found only the prolific Grace A Vous Enki too good in the Lady Dudley Cup classic at Chaddesley Corbett last time (3m2f), having won two opens over shorter immediately before (all on good); first-fence casualty when last seen in a hunter chase, but generally a safe conveyance nowadays.

3/1

7

30th May 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 2

19:00 Stratford

Kilfilum Woods

12st 0lb

J: Miss Clara Brewitt

T: Francesca Poste

Belated first career win last November opened the floodgates, as three more point wins and (last time) a slowly run Huntingdon hunter chase (beat Coolagh Park and Dr Lockdown) have followed; goes on all track types and has his going again, but likely career best required.

25/1

7

30th May 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 2

19:00 Stratford

Kilfilum Woods

12st 0lb

J: Miss Clara Brewitt

T: Francesca Poste

Belated first career win last November opened the floodgates, as three more point wins and (last time) a slowly run Huntingdon hunter chase (beat Coolagh Park and Dr Lockdown) have followed; goes on all track types and has his going again, but likely career best required.

25/1

Form: 31-108 C

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
2m winner at Hexham (soft) and here (good; race fell apart) either side of a summer break, but well below that level in handicaps since (ran lazily latest); 2m4f asks a new question; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

24th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

20:00 Hereford

Eagle Of The Glen

11st 10lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Carroll Gray

Won twice in novice company for Stuart Edmunds last year but became very disappointing for that stable during the winter and posed no threat when reappearing for new trainer last month; has a lot to prove.

33/1

9th

3

24th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

20:00 Hereford

Eagle Of The Glen

11st 10lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Carroll Gray

Won twice in novice company for Stuart Edmunds last year but became very disappointing for that stable during the winter and posed no threat when reappearing for new trainer last month; has a lot to prove.

33/1

13th

6

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

20:10 Taunton

Eagle Of The Glen

11st 10lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Carroll Gray

Won two minor hurdles some 176 days apart last year (soft/good); down 8lb for three fairly comprehensive failures in handicaps.

33/1

Non-runners

Eric Carmen, Gms Prince, Lifetime Legend

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £148.50
Straight Forecast £104.96
Tricast £768.98
Trifecta £1074.70

Selections

The Guardian:

Rascal

SPOTLIGHT:

Tregele

RP RATINGS:

Haas Boy

TOPSPEED:

Jack Sprat

The Times:

Raymond Tusk

POSTDATA:

Sister Michael

WEST COUNTRY:

Tregele

D Express:

Tregele

The Sun:

Rascal

The Star:

Rascal

Daily Record:

Rascal

LAMBOURN:

Jack Sprat

Telegraph:

Haas Boy

Daily Mirror:

Haas Boy

Daily Mail:

Raymond Tusk