November 02 / 15.15 Ascot

15.15

Good

Lavazza Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £32676
  • 1m 7f 152y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Lavazza Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £2.90

Form: 3713-6 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Had a productive 2023-24, his third success coming in the Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton (2m, good) in March; might have needed the run when sixth of eight at Market Rasen on reappearance; will need a career best to defy top weight but that's not impossible; yard won this race two years ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Our Champ

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Loaded with experience in strong handicaps; won last year's Sussex Champion and, returning to Plumpton off a 13lb higher mark for the same race 20 days ago, he ran another cracker in forcing the pace before left behind by two Willie Mullins raiders; Haydock will suit his style provided he doesn't get too competitive too far out; shortlisted.

13/2

1st

2

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Our Champ

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Loaded with experience in strong handicaps; won last year's Sussex Champion and, returning to Plumpton off a 13lb higher mark for the same race 20 days ago, he ran another cracker in forcing the pace before left behind by two Willie Mullins raiders; Haydock will suit his style provided he doesn't get too competitive too far out; shortlisted.

13/2

3rd

8

20th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Our Champ

10st 12lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

disputed lead at fast pace, led clearly before 6th

6/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 3231-1 D

Last run: 170 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who subsequently changed hands for £290,000; beaten at odds-on on first two hurdles outings but she then made short work of easy assignments in novice events at Chepstow and Plumpton in the spring; in deeper here but she still has potential and is high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

9th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

14:25 Killarney

Break My Soul

11st 0lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Dual winning hurdler for Nicky Henderson and took fourth in Grade 1 company behind Lossiemouth at Aintree in 2025 (2m4f, good to soft); made a winning chase debut for this yard, and ran a valiant race when third in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good); pulled up at Fairyhouse when last seen off top weight; top-rated of these reverting to hurdles; new headgear.

9/4

1

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 140y

16:25 Fairyhouse

Break My Soul

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Chase debut win at Gowran Park (2m, heavy) in November and easily best of four attempts since on latest when fine third of 20 in 2m Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month on handicap debut (good); no easy task for top-weight but has to be respected.

11/2

3rd

17

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Break My Soul

10st 9lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Has failed to kick on since chase debut win at Gowran Park (2m, heavy) in November; however, the best run of her career came when fourth of five finishers in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle (2m4f, good to soft) last April and on that evidence there could be some mileage in her mark; not written off.

16/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 12215- D BF

Last run: 189 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Dual bumper scorer; added two hurdles wins last season and signed off the campaign with solid fifth of 20 in handicap at Sandown (2m, good; 7-2 favourite); consistent and likely to be thereabouts again after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Ayr

Secret Squirrel

10st 6lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

Just two starts this season and down the field in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last month; however, prior to that he was a creditable third of four in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton (1m7f, heavy) and he was a progressive handicapper last term (various ground); not discounted.

7/1

19th

23

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Secret Squirrel

10st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

Won a valuable handicap hurdle at Windsor (2m, soft) last winter and probably would have been placed in two others but for falling at the last; showed more than enough to think he retains all of his ability when third of four to Alexei in the Grade 2 Kingwell at Wincanton (1m7f, heavy) on reappearance four weeks ago; entitled to come on for that.

12/1

3rd

4

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 50y

Class 1

13:35 Wincanton

Secret Squirrel

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Hughie Morrison

Overall record of 5-12, including three wins at around 2m over hurdles (good to soft/soft); his last win was at Windsor last January but he fell at the last in a major handicap at Newbury the following month and has been on the sidelines since; has something to prove after a year off and this looks tough on the figures.

7/1

Form: 534-08 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Posted a string of creditable performances in hot handicaps in the second half of last season, making the frame over 2m at Aintree and Ayr in the spring; no threat after five months off at Chepstow three weeks ago but he'll be dangerous if improving for the run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 2

17:13 Fakenham

Afadil

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Without a win since February 2024 but gave good account when sixth (promoted to fifth) at last month's Aintree festival; 2lb lower here and well worth another crack at 2m4f; considered.

14/1

6th

22

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Afadil

10st 13lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

18 races and over two years since his last win, albeit still frequently competitive; below par over 2m5f at Ascot only 12 days ago but his peak form has come at around 2m (third in this in 2024).

22/1

7th

5

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 146y

Class 3

17:25 Ascot

Afadil

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

17 races and over two years since his last win, albeit still frequently competitive; big majority of his career has been at about 2m (he last went over further in October 2024) and he's never been this far.

9/2

Form: 11327- D

Last run: 189 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Dual bumper winner; successful on first two hurdles starts (2m, good/good to soft) and ran creditably in a big-field novice handicap at Sandown in the spring; withdrawn after unseating rider in the preliminaries at Cheltenham last weekend; still has untapped potential and makes the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Fiercely Proud

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Has gained both handicap wins in useful contests at Ascot (1m7f/2m3f); something to prove back at Aintree and finished behind some of today's rivals at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft) last time.

25/1

12th

9

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Fiercely Proud

11st 8lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Has gained both handicap wins in useful races at Ascot, including latest start when upped to 2m3f (good to soft) and back to best; back on career-high mark but is unexposed at this sort of trip and not necessarily track dependent; has bits of Cheltenham form, including a bumper success.

16/1

1st

5

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Fiercely Proud

11st 4lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Folded tamely last time when bidding to land a notable Ascot handicap (1m7f) for the second year running; capable of being involved on best form and has sometimes shaped as if this new trip is worth exploring.

12/1

Form: 114/11 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Exploited some significant help from the handicapper when returning from long absence to win at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) in September and easily followed up there (2m1f, good to soft) four weeks later; this is a warmer event and he's up another 8lb, but a hat-trick is a real possibility.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:05 Newton Abbot

Stream Of Stars

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Returned from long absence with two Fontwell wins (2m3f/2m1f) last autumn and started this season in good style when making all at Bangor (2m, good) in May, providing Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies with their first winner together; bound to give it another good go.

5/2

3rd

1

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:05 Newton Abbot

Stream Of Stars

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Returned from long absence with two Fontwell wins (2m3f/2m1f) last autumn and started this season in good style when making all at Bangor (2m, good) in May, providing Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies with their first winner together; bound to give it another good go.

5/2

1

17th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

13:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Stream Of Stars

12st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Returned from long absence with two Fontwell wins (2m3f/2m1f) last autumn and ended last season with very respectable second at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) last month; still on a good mark and will be suited by the quicker ground here; likely contender.

11/4

Form: 264/1-

Last run: 546 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
The unknown quantity in this field; previously trained in Ireland, running in Grade 1 events at Cheltenham (Triumph) and Aintree before scooting up in maiden at Cork (2m1f, yielding) in May 2023; now makes his stable debut after a long absence; hard to be certain about his handicap mark but he could be thrown in and market support would be significant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 3

14:08 Kempton

Rightsotom

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Joe Tizzard

Two wins over hurdles (good/yielding); useful form in defeat over fences this season, cutting out a lot of the running before fading into third over the extended 2m4f here (good to soft) last time; shaped similarly over 2m3f at Doncaster in December and this slightly shorter trip could suit.

7/1

3rd

6

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Kempton

Rightsotom

11st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Joe Tizzard

Successful twice over hurdles; novice chase form this season includes a Grade 2 effort (2m4f); starting to weaken when taking a late fall over 2m6f most recently; interesting off current mark back down in distance.

13/2

9th

4

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 3

13:10 Cheltenham

Rightsotom

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Mixed form in handicap hurdles last season but he won at Doncaster (2m3f, good) last November and was third of 14 here (2m4f, good) in April when last seen; has shown promise on soft ground; not bred for fences but this prominent racer is not discounted on his chase debut.

14/1

Form: 134-21 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Reliable 7yo who has made the frame on his last nine outings, finishing second in the Swinton at Haydock in May and winning in a small field at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) 12 days ago; he's been raised 6lb for that personal best but is now reunited with Elizabeth Gale who claims 7lb and gets on well with him; impossible to discount.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

17:05 Stratford

Tapley

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Suzy Smith

2-10 over fences, the latter win gained over C&D (good) in March; didn't run badly when third of four at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) last month and seems likely to be on the premises again.

2/1

3rd

2

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:52 Newton Abbot

Tapley

11st 6lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Suzy Smith

Consistent 9yo who recorded his second win of the campaign at Stratford (extended 2m6f, good) last time, continuing a productive partnership with Isabelle Ryder; this drop back in trip shouldn't inconvenience and, despite a 3lb higher mark, he looks set to give another good account.

3/1

1st

4

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Tapley

11st 3lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Suzy Smith

Consistent sort who posted a solid third of six in 2m2f handicap at Kempton two weeks ago; eased 2lb here, so needs considering in his bid for a second success of the season.

3/1

Form: 42223- D

Last run: 198 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
No wins last season but she deserves credit for her consistency and a third of 16 at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) on her final start in April was right up to her best; meets some unexposed rivals here, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

12:50 Kempton

Endless Escape

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Ben Clarke

Disappointing favourite returned to chasing last time, extending her losing run; nicely treated on best form but chance largely depends on how well she responds to new headgear.

13/2

6th

1

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

12:50 Kempton

Endless Escape

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Ben Clarke

Disappointing favourite returned to chasing last time, extending her losing run; nicely treated on best form but chance largely depends on how well she responds to new headgear.

13/2

Form: 221P3- D

Last run: 202 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Just 1-7 over hurdles but he's reliable enough, and he posted a personal best when third at Hereford (2m, good to soft) in April; may not have reached his ceiling just yet and the Henry Daly stable is in good form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Jour DEvasion

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Completed this season's hat-trick over shorter trips, in lower grades and on softer surfaces; won over a similar trip to this over hurdles but on soft ground that seems to suit him ideally; a good-ground renewal of the Grand Annual proved far too tough last month.

10/1

16

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Jour DEvasion

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

3-4 over fences, the wins coming over 2m1f/2m on heavy/good to soft; clearly knows how to get the job done and he's on an upward curve, but he's 5lb higher than for a narrow win in a small field at Warwick last time and today is a much tougher test of his credentials.

16/1

1st

1

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:05 Warwick

Jour DEvasion

11st 12lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Bang-in-form 7yo who ended 2025 with convincing wins at Bangor (2m1f, heavy) and Chepstow (2m, good to soft); shooting up the weights but won't mind what the weather does here and commands respect in current mood.

6/4

Non-runners

Stoners Choice, Tintintin, Fire Flyer

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £65.10
Straight Forecast £65.00
Tricast £234.47
Trifecta £342.40

Selections

The Times:

Secret Squirrel

POSTDATA:

Stream Of Stars

LAMBOURN:

Break My Soul

WEST COUNTRY:

Fiercely Proud

RP RATINGS:

Our Champ

SPOTLIGHT:

Rightsotom

The Guardian:

Secret Squirrel

Daily Mirror:

Secret Squirrel

The Sun:

Secret Squirrel

The Star:

Secret Squirrel

Daily Mail:

Break My Soul

Telegraph:

Fiercely Proud

TOPSPEED:

Our Champ

D Express:

Stream Of Stars

Daily Record:

Stream Of Stars