December 20 / 12.45 Ascot

12.45

Good

Howden Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £8792.86
  • 2m 5f 141y
  • Class 3
  • 13 runners
SKY
View Course
Howden Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.90

Form: /142-U D

Last run: 233 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Kicked off his career with two wins on good ground at Kempton last year; has not lived up to that in his three starts since, unseating early at Punchestown in May when last seen, but he's relatively unexposed for this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

East India Express

12st 0lb

J: Mr Daniel Williams

T: Nicky Henderson

Disappointing favourite back at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f); otherwise a useful sort and had returned to form with close second at Windsor the time before; not written off, albeit has stamina to prove back up in distance.

5/1

17th

10

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

East India Express

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

Best on good/good to soft; has notable C&D form, namely a respectable seventh (best of the runners who raced prominently) in this contest last year and emphatic success next time; unlucky second at Windsor on New Year's Day when last seen; back on career-high mark but looks solid.

8/1

1

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

13:15 Cheltenham

East India Express

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

Drew 6l clear of Whatsupwithyou on New course here (2m4f, good) at end of last season and is now 4-8 over hurdles; subsequent 8lb rise asks quite a lot of him but further progress is possible.

8/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1-1111 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Held up; steady progress from lowly beginnings since he went handicapping and he's now won six in a row, the latest when favourite in 16-runner race at Cheltenham (2m5f, good; acts on soft) five weeks ago; raised 7lb since that last-to-first display but it's very hard to rule out better still.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

Double Powerful

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Good second in major handicap at Kempton (2m5f) in January, putting a few non-completions (fences/hurdles) behind him; has performed below market expectations in two starts since but is a likely player provided he bounces back with usual hood removed.

7/1

8th

4

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Kempton

Double Powerful

11st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Six wins in 2024 but out of luck since; only third in this race last year but a sterling effort when runner-up in the Lanzarote over C&D in January off this mark and he'll be better off back at this trip after the race didn't pan out for him at Musselburgh (3m) since; respected.

11/2

5th

4

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Double Powerful

11st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Back hurdling for last two starts, coming a cropper again on first occasion (hampered) but second of 15 from the back in the Lanzarote at Kempton (2m5f, good; has won on soft/heavy) nine days later; progressive when he does complete and he showed at Aintree last April that he stays 3m; player.

7/2

11/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 32-P12 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won here last February; left his disappointing reappearance miles behind to win at Plumpton last month; creditable second at Wincanton four weeks ago; stays 2m5f and usually thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 2

16:25 Ayr

Irish Hill

11st 6lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent behind clear leader

8/1

5th

5

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 2

16:25 Ayr

Irish Hill

11st 6lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent behind clear leader

8/1

4th

4

15th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:45 Kempton

Irish Hill

11st 11lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

pressed leader

7/1

Form: 3321/2 CD

Last run: 39 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
5-16 over hurdles, peak efforts in 2021 but he battled his way to a narrow win off this mark at Kempton in April 2023; not seen since until respectable second of four at same track nearly six weeks ago; cheekpieces (worn three times two seasons back, without a win) return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:40 Perth

Stoners Choice

12st 1lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Course winner whose mark continues to fall and he's not been devoid of spark this season; however, this 11yo is without a win since April 2023 and was disappointing at Ludlow last month.

8/1

6th

4

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:20 Ludlow

Stoners Choice

11st 12lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Second of 12 over 2m5f at Kempton just over a year ago but he hasn't posed a serious threat since, including at about 2m on his last four starts; wasn't disgraced in a valuable event at Windsor (strong handicap form) last time, however, and he's undoubtedly well handicapped these days.

9/1

7th

15

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Stoners Choice

10st 7lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Well handicapped on form as recent as last February but this 11yo has been unable to pose a serious threat on his six starts since May.

50/1

Form: 474-43

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Blinkered on last three outings, showing his best form on first two occasions (2m handicaps) but a remote third of seven when trying 2m4f on latest; switches to cheekpieces but also needs to prove his stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

18:20 Fontwell

Yellow Star

11st 6lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Bounced back with a win at Warwick (2m5f, good to soft) in December but he was tailed off in next two starts and he didn't get very far at Newbury (fell at third) last time; has plenty to prove again and he's still 3lb higher than for his last win.

16/1

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

16:23 Newbury

Yellow Star

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Has gained both wins in Class 4, including for his standout performance this term; pair of duck eggs since, albeit the 2m7f trip perhaps contributed to latest defeat; others have stronger claims.

20/1

13th

5

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 123y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Yellow Star

11st 9lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Showed career-best form when winning readily by 4l at Warwick (2m5f, good to soft; refitted cheekpieces) in December; subsequent lesser effort in major Kempton handicap is not viewed harshly but 2m7f on soft ground will take his stamina into unknown territory.

16/1

Form: 2-1227

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
No match for an easy winner when second at Wincanton on handicap debut two starts back; ran creditably again behind Double Powerful when seventh of 16 under Benjamin Macey at Cheltenham (again 2m5f on good; probably acts on soft) four weeks later; reliable sort but he needs to find extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 93y

15:05 Punchestown

Stay If U Want To

10st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Improving sort beat Rocheval over 2m6f at Kelso last time; ground-versatile and should go well if coping with this shorter trip (has won at 2m); yard has done well at this meeting over the years.

8/1

11th

10

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 93y

15:05 Punchestown

Stay If U Want To

10st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Improving sort beat Rocheval over 2m6f at Kelso last time; ground-versatile and should go well if coping with this shorter trip (has won at 2m); yard has done well at this meeting over the years.

8/1

1st

11

14th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

13:50 Kelso

Stay If U Want To

11st 4lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

led

4/1

Form: 1/34-9

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner; creditable third of 15 on hurdling debut at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) in March but tailed off on both starts since, latterly when 50-1 over 2m3f here (good) on handicap debut seven weeks ago; has had wind surgery since; lots to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 4

16:37 Newbury

Patanita

11st 5lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Georgina Nicholls

Point/bumper winner but now 0-6 over hurdles and ran a disappointing final race in the new cheekpieces at Warwick (2m5f, good); he is capable of better and a tongue-tie is now added, but wouldn't be the percentage play.

14/1

8th

14

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Warwick

Patanita

10st 12lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Georgina Nicholls

1-2 in points and 1-1 in bumpers, but 0-5 over hurdles; fair third of nine at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) last month (winner has gone in again since), but needs a bit more with cheekpieces given a go.

16/1

7th

11

20th Dec 2024

Good

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

12:45 Ascot

Patanita

10st 5lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Georgina Nicholls

Point/bumper winner; creditable third of 15 on hurdling debut at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) in March but tailed off on both starts since, latterly when 50-1 over 2m3f here (good) on handicap debut seven weeks ago; has had wind surgery since; lots to prove.

66/1

Form: /9123- BF

Last run: 254 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Flopped in April on latest start; usually competitive but best results at sharper tracks and he's back hurdling today (first time since April 2022) from chasing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

15th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:32 Kempton

Dibble Decker

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Added to his fine Huntingdon record when runner-up over 2m4f (good to soft) 13 days ago; claims if showing up in similar form.

7/2

2nd

7

2nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 3

15:52 Huntingdon

Dibble Decker

10st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Could so easily have been chasing a hat-trick in this race having won it two years ago and gone down by just a neck to Lounge Lizard last year; returns again on a competitive mark and he wasn't far away last time at Ludlow despite some mistakes; respected.

7/2

5th

1

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Dibble Decker

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

prominent

6/1

Form: 213231

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Second or third on good ground in his first three handicaps, then raised his game to win in good style under Daire McConville at Hereford (2m4f, good to soft) on latest; up 5lb but he's a 4yo who could still do better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Don Rafael

11st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Fortunate to register a second 2m3f win here in November but has held his form since and he clearly likes it here; the concern is this trip as he's unraced beyond an extended 2m5f.

4/1

3rd

8

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

16:33 Hereford

Don Rafael

10st 13lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Won over C&D (good to soft) in late 2024 but was lucky to score when repeating that feat on stable debut (good) in November; respectable third at Southwell (about 2m4f, good to soft) in December on his only subsequent start; unproven on heavy but can't be dismissed.

12/1

Form: 122-29 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won at Ludlow on this day last year; second on next three starts and creditable ninth of 16 at Cheltenham on latest, but he is probably vulnerable in this warm race as well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

15:50 Uttoxeter

Whatsupwithyou

12st 1lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Grand servant to the yard with five wins in this sphere, the latest at Ascot (2m5f, soft) in December off 2lb lower; well held since and it's hard to see him being able to give weight away to these younger rivals.

10/1

5th

4

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 146y

Class 3

17:25 Ascot

Whatsupwithyou

11st 10lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Veteran who is usually ridden these days by Elliott England, including for a 2m5f Ludlow win last February and a C&D win (4lb higher today) in December; 33-1 when tailed off at Kempton five weeks ago but no shock if he surges back to form today in search of his third C&D win.

12/1

7th

4

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:10 Kempton

Whatsupwithyou

11st 3lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Veteran who goes well for Elliott England, gaining his second success for this rider in conditionals' event at Ascot (2m5f, soft) in December; no obvious reason why he won't be thereabouts again but he'll need more off 5lb higher.

9/1

Form: 50-210 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won here last November and he's 3-17 overall as a hurdler, scoring at Kempton this October before tailing off behind a few of these at Cheltenham (irregular heartbeat was reported); probably vulnerable to improvers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:50 Wetherby

Rebel Intentions

10st 12lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Annabelle Sowray

Two good runs over 3m1f at Catterick earlier in the season but form has gone cold; others preferred.

20/1

6th

4

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 71y

Class 5

16:30 Catterick

Rebel Intentions

11st 3lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Annabelle Sowray

Two good C&D placed efforts on good/good to soft in December/January; pulled up on testing ground here last time; better ground should suit.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2119-U

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Took the EBF Final at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in March for his second win last term; flopped at Aintree in April and unseated three out at Cheltenham on return (bang there but before push really came to shove); the Sandown win was a sizeable feather in his cap and he should still be open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

20th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Warwick

Champagne Twist

11st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

2024 EBF Final winner off 7lb higher; unseated too far out at Uttoxeter latest to say if and where he may have figured, but his poor winter up to that point tempers enthusiasm either way; overlooked.

10/1

4

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Champagne Twist

11st 11lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Very promising novice during 2023-24 season but generally very disappointing over last two campaigns; has dropped a long way in the weights but he was pulled up three times during the winter before a remote fifth at Newbury (3m, good to soft) last time; down the list.

12/1

Form: 123444 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Peak efforts on good ground, below form on her only two ventures on soft; 6-21 over hurdles and pretty consistent (out of her depth on latest outing) but she looks vulnerable in this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

29th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:50 Newton Abbot

The Height Of Fame

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Keiran Burke

Gained two of her six wins over C&D (all were on good ground); returned from break with two good efforts in Class 2 events this summer, the latter on slower-than-ideal ground over C&D last month, and looks the one to beat in this easier race.

Evs

10

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 2

16:30 Newton Abbot

The Height Of Fame

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Keiran Burke

Gained two of her six wins over C&D (all were on good ground); returned from break with good third (just behind My Chiquita) at Worcester (2m4f, good) last month and is still on a workable mark (even from 1lb out of the weights) but the forecast rain is a worry.

5/1

7

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Worcester

The Height Of Fame

10st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Keiran Burke

Not without hope back on good ground as they were strong handicaps on too soft a surface when below par the last twice.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £43.10
Straight Forecast £28.44
Tricast £240.64
Trifecta £253.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Double Powerful

WEST COUNTRY:

Champagne Twist

Daily Mail:

Irish Hill

LAMBOURN:

East India Express

Daily Mirror:

Don Rafael

RP RATINGS:

Stay If U Want To

D Express:

Dibble Decker

TOPSPEED:

Double Powerful

POSTDATA:

Double Powerful

The Star:

Double Powerful

The Times:

Champagne Twist

The Guardian:

Champagne Twist

Telegraph:

East India Express

The Sun:

Irish Hill

Daily Record:

Irish Hill