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

8th

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Our Champ

11st 6lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

midfield

20/1

8th

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Our Champ

11st 6lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Finished seventh in this race last year; creditable third to Navajo Indy here in November then did too much up front at Ascot (fifth to Fiercely Proud); however, likely has nothing in hand off current mark.

20/1

5th

5

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 1

15:35 Ascot

Our Champ

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

led but pestered

16/1

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

28th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

12:05 Newbury

Break My Soul

12st 1lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won two novice hurdles in a row in the spring (2m/2m1f, good/good to soft) and short-headed on handicap debut at Ascot (1m7f, good) last month; merely fourth at Ascot (1m7f, good) last time but could settle better now in a hood, and she retains potential for her top yard; she's one to consider.

7/2

2nd

2

28th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

12:05 Newbury

Break My Soul

12st 1lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won two novice hurdles in a row in the spring (2m/2m1f, good/good to soft) and short-headed on handicap debut at Ascot (1m7f, good) last month; merely fourth at Ascot (1m7f, good) last time but could settle better now in a hood, and she retains potential for her top yard; she's one to consider.

7/2

10

27th Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:38 Kempton

Break My Soul

11st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

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

12

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Secret Squirrel

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Hughie Morrison

prominent

9/2

12

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Secret Squirrel

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Hughie Morrison

About 2l third when final-flight faller in the Ascot race won by Fiercely Proud; won comfortably at Windsor (2m) since, taking overall record to 5-11; leading player under a penalty (future mark 1lb higher).

9/2

1st

13

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Secret Squirrel

10st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Hughie Morrison

Two novice hurdle wins last term (good to soft/soft) and he was 2l behind in a clear third when falling at the final flight in a competitive handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) last month; retains the same mark whereas the short-head runner-up Kabral Du Mathan has gone up 8lb; interesting.

6/1

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

7

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

14:17 Musselburgh

Afadil

10st 13lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

He hasn't been at his best on his four starts since October and was tailed off on his latest start at Southwell on New Year's Day; however, he's dropped to a mark 4lb lower than when winning this last year (good to soft) on his last course visit, and he's always run well here; he's on the shortlist.

3/1

2nd

7

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

14:17 Musselburgh

Afadil

10st 13lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

He hasn't been at his best on his four starts since October and was tailed off on his latest start at Southwell on New Year's Day; however, he's dropped to a mark 4lb lower than when winning this last year (good to soft) on his last course visit, and he's always run well here; he's on the shortlist.

3/1

6th

4

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 2

14:49 Southwell

Afadil

11st 5lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

1lb lower than when last successful at Musselburgh (2m good to soft) in February, but he finished about 13l behind Alnilam when fifth of seven finishers at Ascot (2m, good) last time; does have a bit to find.

9/1

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

5

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Fiercely Proud

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

disputed lead early, soon in touch with leaders, mistake 2nd

11/1

5

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Fiercely Proud

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Raised 9lb for his success in similar event at Ascot (1m7f) last time but the first two were well clear and it was a career-best performance; this second-season hurdler may well remain competitive.

11/1

1st

10

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 1

15:35 Ascot

Fiercely Proud

10st 13lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

in touch with leaders

16/1

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

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Taunton

Stream Of Stars

10st 13lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Returned from long absence with two emphatic wins at Fontwell (2m3f/2m1f) in the autumn and was not disgraced in competitive races on his next two outings; back in calmer waters here and could still be well handicapped; might be the answer.

7/1

3rd

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Taunton

Stream Of Stars

10st 13lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Returned from long absence with two emphatic wins at Fontwell (2m3f/2m1f) in the autumn and was not disgraced in competitive races on his next two outings; back in calmer waters here and could still be well handicapped; might be the answer.

7/1

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

5th

1

28th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

13:45 Newbury

Rightsotom

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

took keen hold, pressed leader, not fluent 2nd, led 6th, headed 3 out, weakened approaching last

6/1

5th

1

28th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

13:45 Newbury

Rightsotom

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

took keen hold, pressed leader, not fluent 2nd, led 6th, headed 3 out, weakened approaching last

6/1

1st

4

30th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

13:27 Doncaster

Rightsotom

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Joe Tizzard

made virtually all, soon led, pushed along before 2 out, clear before last, readily

11/2

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

12

27th Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:38 Kempton

Tapley

10st 13lb

T: Suzy Smith

12

27th Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:38 Kempton

Tapley

10st 13lb

T: Suzy Smith

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

1st

6

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 3

14:48 Hereford

Jour DEvasion

10st 4lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

Consistent hurdler who arrives here after finishing runner-up in handicaps at Sandown (2m, good to soft) and Wincanton (1m7f, soft), latterly behind one who was taking a big step forward after wind surgery; creeping up the weights but has scope to improve for this longer trip.

7/2

1st

6

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 3

14:48 Hereford

Jour DEvasion

10st 4lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

Consistent hurdler who arrives here after finishing runner-up in handicaps at Sandown (2m, good to soft) and Wincanton (1m7f, soft), latterly behind one who was taking a big step forward after wind surgery; creeping up the weights but has scope to improve for this longer trip.

7/2

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