December 13 / 13.25 Doncaster

13.25

Good To Soft

Polypipe Building Products Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £10218.73
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Polypipe Building Products Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.10
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 17-685 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Took well to fences last season (three wins) but returned from break with disappointing effort in October and was just a respectable fifth when back over hurdles last month; will need to up his game here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

16th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Homme Public

10st 5lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Well below best during five-race campaign last season and absent since pulled up on soft ground in February; had wind surgery the following month, though, and ought to be better suited by the forecast quicker conditions here; too well handicapped to rule out; swaps visor for refitted blinkers.

9/1

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

13:55 Doncaster

Homme Public

10st 8lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Hasn't fired in any of his races this season but connections have tweaked the headgear and he has finished first and second in the last two renewals of this race, last year when fitted in new blinkers; daren't discount.

5/1

10th

5

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Homme Public

10st 13lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Good servant to connections over the years (eight wins; mixes hurdling and chasing) but has not fired on any of three appearances this season, and this cross-country debut is his first venture beyond about 2m4f; best suited by good/good to soft; cheekpieces the headgear of choice today.

33/1

8/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: /01-54 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Did well for Harry Derham last year, winning three times (2m4f-2m5f), but returned from a layoff with two disappointing runs this autumn and comes here with quite a bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Dargiannini

11st 9lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Returned from a break with narrow win at Uttoxter (2m4f, good) in October but pulled up on both starts since, latterly at last month's Cheltenham Festival; younger rivals have much more persuasive profiles.

50/1

18

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Dargiannini

10st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

A 9yo won it in 2019 but it's stretching the imagination to see this 11yo prevail, even though he did so at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in October and soft ground was a valid excuse at Newbury (2m4f) in November; off since.

50/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 419P-3 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Ended last season's light campaign with two poor performances but ran big race in defeat when reappearing at Carlisle (2m1f, soft; just behind Coniston George) last month and can cope with a recent 2lb nudge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

13:25 Doncaster

War Soldier

10st 10lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Ended last season's light campaign with two poor performances but ran big race in defeat when reappearing at Carlisle (2m1f, soft; just behind Coniston George) last month and can cope with a recent 2lb nudge.

11/2

3rd

6

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

13:25 Doncaster

War Soldier

10st 10lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Ended last season's light campaign with two poor performances but ran big race in defeat when reappearing at Carlisle (2m1f, soft; just behind Coniston George) last month and can cope with a recent 2lb nudge.

11/2

3rd

1

19th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

15:49 Carlisle

War Soldier

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders, went third before 5th

16/1

Form: 132-32 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won twice in novice company last season and has been placed in all three handicaps, most recently when second at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) last month on return from layoff; still unexposed over this sort of trip and has another big role to play here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

10th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

18:20 Hexham

Coniston George

12st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Not particularly consistent but has a chance on his best form; successful at Carlisle in March (2m3f, good to soft) when wearing a visor for the first time, but well beaten off this 7lb higher mark with same headgear when favourite at Newcastle last time (2m4f, good).

6/1

1

10th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

18:20 Hexham

Coniston George

12st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Not particularly consistent but has a chance on his best form; successful at Carlisle in March (2m3f, good to soft) when wearing a visor for the first time, but well beaten off this 7lb higher mark with same headgear when favourite at Newcastle last time (2m4f, good).

6/1

5th

4

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Coniston George

11st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Bounced back quickly from last month's poor performance and took form to whole new level at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft; first-time visor) three weeks ago, keeping on strongly to win readily by 6l; went up 7lb for that but must be considered in current mood.

7/4

Form: 72101- D

Last run: 272 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
5-10 under regular rider Ben Sutton since switched to handicaps two years ago, the latest win gained at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy) in March; should be fine on today's faster ground but will need to hit the ground running after 272-day break to have any chance off current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Santos Blue

11st 8lb

J: Ben Sutton

T: Olly Murphy

Did well for Dan Skelton and posted best effort for new stable when second behind easy winner at Sandown (2m7f, heavy) last time; however, likely needs a new level of form to go one better.

14/1

2nd

1

31st Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 103y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Santos Blue

12st 0lb

J: Ben Sutton

T: Olly Murphy

Successful six times under regular rider Ben Sutton, including on heavy going at Uttoxeter in 2024 and over 3m at Newbury last February; the latter was his final start for Dan Skelton and he's been well beaten this term on both runs for new yard; needs a career best to win this.

11/1

1st

2

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Santos Blue

12st 0lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear

11/1

Form: 0-1741 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Nine hurdle wins, the latest when cruising clear in four-runner race at Kempton (2m5f, good) last month; that was only his second start for Olly Murphy but the value of the form is questionable, given the two market principals disappointed and the runner-up was returning from a long absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:17 Chepstow

Pyramid Place

11st 13lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

Nine-time hurdle winner who was useful in his prime and is versatile regarding ground; out of form since rejoining Harriet Dickin this season, though, and has left it late in the day to launch his chasing career; hood/cheekpieces removed; first-time blinkers tried.

33/1

8th

2

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

Pyramid Place

11st 12lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Harriet Dickin

Nine hurdle wins (various ground), including valuable C&D race in 2023; safely held on both starts since rejoining Harriet Dicken, though, and has much more to prove than some of these; cheekpieces added to usual hood.

33/1

1

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Pyramid Place

12st 0lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Harriet Dickin

Nine-time hurdle winner (including here for Harriet Dickin) who is below his last winning mark but struggled in the first half of this year for Olly Murphy; went through the sales ring for £13,500 in May and has plenty to prove, including stamina, on his first start since rejoining this trainer.

25/1

Form: 1715-F D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner on heavy ground towards end of last season (2m3f/2m4f); also effective on much faster ground and probably still on a workable mark but was well held when falling heavily on last month's reappearance outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

14:15 Carlisle

Raffertys Return

11st 4lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Defied much higher marks twice, including over C&D, a couple of years ago; has failed to repeat the form since and ran particularly poorly last time.

16/1

10th

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

13:50 Doncaster

Raffertys Return

11st 13lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Rebecca Menzies

Five-time hurdle winner who continues to drop down the weights; however, it's a long time since this 11yo has been competitive.

33/1

7th

8

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Carlisle

Raffertys Return

11st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Five-time winner, including over 2m3f here; hasn't been at his best in two runs this season and probably best watched in what looks a competitive event.

50/1

Form: 28P-97

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Ended last season on a low note and has been safely held on both outings this autumn but his run at Sandown last month was a fair bit better than his eventual 32l defeat might suggest, and he had a wind op soon afterwards; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(8)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Arqoob

9st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Lucy Wadham

Exposed 8yo but he's still capable of useful form and scored at Kempton (1m4f, AW) last March; also won over 1m6f on the July course (good to firm; first-time blinkers) in August; returns on a stiff-enough mark with no headgear but they might go a solid gallop which can help.

14/1

4

1st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 3

16:28 Warwick

Arqoob

11st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Recently won on the Flat in first-time blinkers and then ran respectably in a valuable handicap at Doncaster; returns to hurdling in fair form and he's on a handy mark.

7/2

6th

9

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Arqoob

8st 13lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Lucy Wadham

53 races already (17 over hurdles) and six wins before he made his first appearance over 1m6f three weeks ago, winning it in good style in first-time blinkers at Newmarket (good to firm; acts on soft); only five ran in that race and he's gone back up 5lb but it could be argued that he's not fully exposed either in blinkers or at this sort of trip.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £76.70
Straight Forecast £72.23
Tricast £626.59
Trifecta £426.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Coniston George

TOPSPEED:

Santos Blue

RP RATINGS:

Pyramid Place

D Express:

War Soldier

The Times:

Coniston George

Telegraph:

Coniston George

Daily Mail:

Coniston George

The Star:

Coniston George

Daily Mirror:

Santos Blue

Daily Record:

Santos Blue

POSTDATA:

Pyramid Place

The Sun:

Pyramid Place