November 22 / 14.40 Ascot

14.40

Good To Soft

LK Bennett Autumn Collection Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £15947.19
  • 1m 7f 152y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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LK Bennett Autumn Collection Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.50
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 067-33 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
8yo who is not the force of old but he's dropped down the weights and has finished a respectable third on his two outings this autumn (2m, good to soft/good), most recently at Cheltenham; might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

21st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 195y

Class 3

15:50 Plumpton

Aucunrisque

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Not as good as he was but that's reflected in his mark and he knows his way around this place; returning from a break when third in this 12 months ago off a 4lb higher mark; could easily have a role to play.

7/2

3

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 2

15:50 Cartmel

Aucunrisque

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Not quite as good as he was but still a useful performer; placed on final two starts last season (2m hurdle/2m1f chase) and drops back in trip after looking stretched by 2m4f last month; probably best on good/good to soft but has won on soft; enters calculations.

13/2

2

16th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

18:20 Aintree

Aucunrisque

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Not quite as good as he was but still a useful performer; second off today's mark on latest hurdling start at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in March and also ran well when third in Sussex Champion Chase at Plumpton (2m1f, good) last month; well worth another crack at 2m4f; probably won't be far away.

4/1

7/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 171-92 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won two novice hurdles earlier this year (2m/2m2f, soft) and returned to form in first-time hood (retained) when going close behind Williethebuilder at Wetherby (2m, good) three weeks ago; granted a better round of jumping this 5yo should have more to offer; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Alnilam

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Front-runner who made it 2-2 over fences when winning at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in October; however, his limitations seem to have been exposed since and he finished well adrift of No Questions Asked and Be Aware at Windsor last time; has had wind surgery but still hard to recommend.

33/1

3rd

1

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 37y

Class 1

13:50 Windsor

Alnilam

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Front-runner who made it 2-2 over fences when winning at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in October; won on soft ground over hurdles; carries a 3lb penalty today and his progress has stalled on his last two starts, but he's made mistakes each time and could make a bold bid if cutting out the blunders.

9/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 41-221 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Listed runner-up on the Flat in France (very soft) and he's two out of five in novice hurdles following this month's easy, all-the-way win at Hereford (2m, good); goes handicapping in a warm race but he has potential off his opening mark and is not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

14:55 Sandown

Mirabad

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Belied his 50-1 odds with 6l success in Grade 1 novice chase at Aintree (2m, good to soft) two weeks ago; however, needs to prove he can back up that form and Harry Skelton prefers solid stablemate Thistle Ask.

12/1

1st

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Mirabad

11st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Made all in beginners' chase at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft) in December; has run creditably in two 2m Grade 2 events since but he was beaten at 1-4 at Bangor on his latest outing; bottom of the pile on ratings and hard to fancy.

40/1

2nd

1

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 3

15:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Mirabad

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Surprise winner of his first chase start in December; has bumped into smart opposition since, last time running as well as could have been hoped behind Steel Ally in the Grade 2 Kingmaker at Warwick (2m, heavy); this looks a good opportunity.

4/9

Form: 231-12 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Won two novice hurdles in a row in the spring (2m/2m1f, good/good to soft) and went very close to completing a hat-trick on handicap debut over C&D (good) this month; this lightly raced 5yo remains open to further improvement for her top trainer, who has won three of the last seven runnings.
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

Form: 34-084 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Not at the top of his game on either run this autumn but this month's C&D fourth was a step back in the right direction and he could be working his way back into form; well handicapped on the pick of his form during a solid campaign last season and he's a possible contender.
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: 104-P1 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Three wins (good to soft/heavy) from his ten hurdle starts for the now-retired Victor Dartnall and he bolted up at Newbury (2m, good) on recent stable debut; back up in grade today but a 7lb rise could have been worse and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Aurigny Mill

12st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Goes well at Taunton where he won comfortably a month ago (2m, heavy; second run in cheekpieces), and has shown he can deal with this 3lb higher mark and this sort of ground; has won going left-handed and, with a strike-rate of 6-18 over hurdles, this 9yo is likable.

9/2

1st

2

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Aurigny Mill

11st 11lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Decent course record, including second in this last year off 4lb higher; showed himself none the worse for his chase debut fall at Kempton in November when third to Celtic Art over 2m3f here in first-time cheekpieces (retained) last month; claims if he can build on that; has won on heavy.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 104-02 CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent last season but won this race (good) and returned from wind surgery with a neck defeat at Chepstow (2m, soft) last month; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

19:37 Killarney

Gin Coco

11st 7lb

J: Mr T O’Connor

T: Turlough O’Connor

Good hurdle form not all that long ago and has run well in both his points behind the classy Wonderwall (ahead of Lifetime Ambition on one of those occasions); this is his debut over regulation fences but could have a part to play.

8/1

17th

10

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Gin Coco

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Fairly useful at about 2m and gained sole handicap success off this mark; however, along with several other runners he goes into unknown territory over 2m4f.

33/1

17th

10

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Gin Coco

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Fairly useful at about 2m and gained sole handicap success off this mark; however, along with several other runners he goes into unknown territory over 2m4f.

33/1

Form: 41005- D

Last run: 224 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Made it five wins from seven starts when scoring at Sandown last December; failed to threaten in hot handicaps on his next three starts but the last of them was a respectable effort at Aintree in April and he reappears with his yard among the winners; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

20th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Spirit DAunou

10st 5lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

took keen hold, disputed lead at fast pace, chased clear leader before 6th

10/1

10

20th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Spirit DAunou

10st 5lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

took keen hold, disputed lead at fast pace, chased clear leader before 6th

10/1

5th

15

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Spirit DAunou

10st 3lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

6yo who is well treated on last season's best form; he showed some spark at Newbury in December but hasn't been at the top of his game this term and was soundly beaten last time; others make greater appeal.

66/1

Form: 506-21 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Having had wind surgery he returned to form with a near miss at Wetherby (2m, good to soft) last month and went one better there (2m, good) last time, beating Alnilam by half a length; 5lb higher in a tougher contest today but this 5yo could continue to progress for his top trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 2

14:12 Haydock

Williethebuilder

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Christian Williams

Won two in a row at Kempton (2m, good) in the winter before another good run when fourth at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft), where he would have been a bit closer but for late interference; soft ground may not have been ideal in the County Hurdle three weeks ago; might not be far away.

7/1

18th

13

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Williethebuilder

10st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

A rare one in that he's improved since leaving Dan Skelton, winning a pair of 2m handicaps on good ground at Kempton this winter; creditable fourth of ten in the Scottish County at Musselburgh six weeks ago but it underlines that he needs to find a bit more from this career-high mark.

25/1

4th

2

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

13:43 Musselburgh

Williethebuilder

11st 7lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Christian Williams

7yo who has been with a new stable since October and has shown career-best form to win at Kempton (2m, good) on his last two starts; has shown promise on soft/good to soft; clearly thriving and could take latest 6lb rise in his stride if today's slower conditions aren't an issue.

100/30

Non-runners

Perseus Way

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £109.60
Straight Forecast £100.14
Tricast £919.61
Trifecta £800.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Break My Soul

The Guardian:

Aurigny Mill

POSTDATA:

Alnilam

The Times:

Mirabad

D Express:

Afadil

RP RATINGS:

Aucunrisque

TOPSPEED:

Break My Soul

LAMBOURN:

Break My Soul

Telegraph:

Break My Soul

Daily Mail:

Break My Soul

Daily Record:

Break My Soul

The Sun:

Aurigny Mill

The Star:

Alnilam

Daily Mirror:

Mirabad