February 08 / 14.40 Doncaster

14.40

Good

SBK Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5650.67
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
SKY
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SBK Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain and snow

Form: 14FP-2

Last run: 54 days

W: 12st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced and mixed fortunes since winning the Triumph Hurdle in 2019 but returned from latest layoff with good second over C&D (good to soft) in December and Freddie Gordon claims a useful 5lb today; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

1

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Pentland Hills

12st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

in rear throughout, outpaced 7th

12/1

15th

1

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Pentland Hills

12st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

in rear throughout, outpaced 7th

12/1

2

2nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:42 Kelso

Pentland Hills

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Lightly raced, with mixed fortunes, since winning the Triumph Hurdle in March 2019; however, he returned from latest layoff with good second to Serious Operator at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) in December and may be able to build on that; one to consider.

6/1

Form: 2219-P D

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on chase and seasonal debut at Wetherby in November but he was in touch when making a bad mistake five out and has had wind surgery since; won two handicap hurdles last season (2m3f, soft/good to soft) and could have a part to play now back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Jungle Jack

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

made all

13/2

2

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Jungle Jack

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Twice finished runner-up at Kelso in the first half of this year (2m, soft/good to soft) and he returned from a break with an encouraging fourth at Bangor (2m3f, good to soft) last month; shaped as though he may improve for that latest run and he represents last year's winning yard; contender.

13/2

4th

4

13th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Jungle Jack

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Has pretty good 5-13 hurdling strike-rate that includes two course wins (2m/2m3f); not seen since his keeping-on second at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in first-time blinkers in May but remains on the same, workable mark; usual cheekpieces back on today.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 24U-P6 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Well treated on his best hurdle and chase form but he's been below his best over fences on both runs this season and the return to hurdles needs to spark a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Bass Rock

11st 9lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Better handicapped now and signs of a revival when third in a Ludlow handicap chase in December, only to then pull-up at Kempton; difficult to know what to expect on this return to hurdles with cheekpieces added.

14/1

2nd

4

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Bass Rock

11st 9lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Better handicapped now and signs of a revival when third in a Ludlow handicap chase in December, only to then pull-up at Kempton; difficult to know what to expect on this return to hurdles with cheekpieces added.

14/1

17

27th Dec 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:08 Kempton

Bass Rock

11st 1lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Georgina Nicholls

Had a long spell of mediocre results but he's much better handicapped now and his recent run behind Dreaming Blue at Ludlow (3m1f, good to soft) showed he was turning a corner for his new yard; needs more but he could be just at the start of a comeback; not dismissed.

12/1

Form: 2-06PP

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Has struggled on his last four starts but he's well treated on form as recent as last April and perhaps wind surgery will have done the trick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Pounding Poet

10st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Close third over hurdles at this meeting 12 months ago (3m, good to soft) and won in that sphere at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last July; ran pretty well in 5l third at Newbury (2m6f, good) in December when back chasing for the first time since 2023, but this 10yo needs a bigger performance today.

25/1

3

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Pounding Poet

11st 12lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

Won with this visor back on at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in July and went close at Cartmel (3m1f, good) the following month; versatile ground-wise and can be in the mix if continuing the good work after a two-month break.

6/1

Form: P521-5 D

Last run: 198 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo who impressed in a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan (2m3f, good to yielding) last April for Peter Croke; however, merely fifth on handicap debut at Ballinrobe (2m1f, good) last July and absent since; makes stable debut and needs to prove he's up to this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

13:40 Chepstow

Ostend

12st 0lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alastair Ralph

Needs to improve on his third-place finishes (modest/remote) this term but would be interesting if the ground is good; won off current mark at Market Rasen (2m3f) the last time he raced on such going.

13/2

3rd

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

17:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Ostend

11st 7lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Alastair Ralph

Won a four-runner chase at Market Rasen (2m3f, good) in March; two lesser runs have come on either side of wind surgery and there are some doubts about him on soft ground.

11/2

3rd

1

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

13:37 Southwell

Ostend

12st 1lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Alastair Ralph

Pulled up at Perth in April when last seen out, but he ran creditably on his three completed starts last term, winning four-runner chase at Market Rasen (2m3f, good) in March; has since had wind surgery; return to shorter not sure to suit.

12/1

Form: 11-4PP

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won final two hurdle starts last spring (2m, soft/good) and fair fourth on chase debut at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in December; pulled up over fences the next twice and something to prove regarding current form, but no surprise if he bounces back with a big run now reverting to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

18:43 Hereford

Russian Ruler

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

Ex-Nicky Henderson 8yo whose form hit the buffers last season under both codes; three non-completions in four starts for current yard and reservations remain.

10/1

6th

2

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

18:43 Hereford

Russian Ruler

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

Ex-Nicky Henderson 8yo whose form hit the buffers last season under both codes; three non-completions in four starts for current yard and reservations remain.

10/1

4

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

16:15 Stratford

Russian Ruler

11st 5lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Progressive hurdler in 2023 when with Nicky Henderson but he couldn't get it together over fences or hurdles last season and no sign of a revival for new yard; best watched with cheekpieces returning in place of a hood.

16/1

Form: 103/9F C

Last run: 76 days

W: 10st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Five-time hurdle winner who is below his last winning mark; however, this 11yo was tailed off in October after an absence and was an early faller back over fences next time; needs to prove how much ability he retains.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

17th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

13:22 Carlisle

Mick Maestro

11st 10lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

Won two Catterick handicap hurdles on first two starts in 2022 (1m7f/2m3f), the second off a 16lb higher mark; has run only six times since and has been below par since returning from long layoff last autumn.

16/1

7th

2

26th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:23 Worcester

Mick Maestro

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Nick Kent

Five-time hurdle winner but he was tailed off in that sphere at Bangor (2m, good) last time and he fell in his last outing over fences; still unexposed as a chaser but he's well into the veteran stage and others are preferred.

14/1

6th

1

28th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

19:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Mick Maestro

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Nick Kent

Beaten long way at Chepstow in October before falling over fences in November; again suffered a heavy defeat in a good-ground handicap at Cheltenham (2m1f) last month but stopped the rot when third at Southwell (2m, good) this month; on a good mark and respected.

8/1

Form: 1133-1 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row in December 2022 and back on the scoresheet on his reappearance at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last month, when clear with Idefix De Ciergues (runs 12:55); hit with 8lb rise for last time but that win came in a big field and this 6yo has a progressive profile; firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

14:40 Taunton

Ilanz

11st 9lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Placed in two of his three starts for new stable; remains on career-high mark but Lewis Stones takes off a useful 3lb and record of 1-1 at Taunton bodes well; in the mix.

8/1

4th

3

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

14:40 Taunton

Ilanz

11st 9lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

held up in rear, raced wide home turn, good headway before 2 out, soon pressed leaders, kept on run-in

8/1

3rd

2

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 3

14:05 Market Rasen

Ilanz

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

3-10 over hurdles; arguably posted career-best form when second on stable debut at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in May but ran no race when dropped back to 2m at Stratford last month; needs to put that performance behind him.

14/1

Form: 245-41 D

Last run: 59 days

W: 10st 8lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Exploited a drop in the weights to win at 33-1 at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in December; a 5lb rise may not necessarily beat this 13yo, but he has a good record at Ayr and it remains to be seen whether he'll repeat that latest form on this first visit to Doncaster.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:00 Ayr

Better Getalong

12st 0lb

J: Miss Ella McGarry

T: Nicky Richards

disputed lead early, raced in second after 2nd, raced slightly wide with one circuit to go

14/1

Abandoned

Form: 00-7F3 BF

Last run: 71 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
French Listed hurdle winner who is yet to reproduce that promise in Britain, but he was a fair third of five over fences at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in November last time and could benefit from this step back up in trip now hurdling; his French wins came in a tongue-tie, which he wears today for the first time in Britain (along with a hood), and he's an interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Jipcot

10st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Well beaten in the Plate last month but Cheltenham may not be his track; comfortably made all in small field at Leicester (2m6f, good to soft) in January and led into the straight at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in February, only to weaken; also effective on soft; could be involved.

9/1

13th

16

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Jipcot

10st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Four hurdle wins; made just a so-so stab at chasing in late 2023 but he was footsure when making all at Leicester (about 2m6f, good to soft) in January and perhaps the 3m trip counted against him when trying to justify an 8lb rise at Ascot since; should have more to come over fences at some stage but this looks a tough call; yard also runs Peaky Boy.

14/1

Verdict

The 2019 Triumph Hurdle winner PENTLAND HILLS returned from his latest layoff with a good second over C&D in December and he earns the vote ahead of the progressive 6yo Ilanz, who prevailed in a big field at Wincanton last time. The step back up in trip and reapplication of a tongue-tie could both be positives for Jipcot, now back over hurdles.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

The Times:

Ilanz

SPOTLIGHT:

Pentland Hills

WEST COUNTRY:

Jipcot

TOPSPEED:

Jungle Jack

The Star:

Jipcot

Telegraph:

Ilanz

The Guardian:

Ilanz

D Express:

Ilanz

Daily Mirror:

Ilanz

The Sun:

Ilanz

Daily Record:

Ilanz

Daily Mail:

Jungle Jack

RP RATINGS:

Pentland Hills

POSTDATA:

Pentland Hills

LAMBOURN:

Pentland Hills