December 26 / 13.55 Kempton

13.55

Good

Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £74035
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 4 runners
ITV
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Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 112-1 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Has reached a smart level on the Flat this year (easy Listed winner) and took advantage of a handy hurdles mark in the Greatwood at Cheltenham (2m, good; made all) last month; now 3-4 in this sphere (sole defeat occurred behind the exciting Sir Gino); progressive but has plenty to find with the two big guns in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(2)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket (July)

Burdett Road

9st 12lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

2023 Royal Ascot winner who has also tasted the high life in top hurdle races; his attentions were turned back to the Flat for four races (UAE and Saudi Arabia) this January-March and he wasn't in peak form, before 12l tenth at Royal Ascot (1m4f; restless in the stalls) continued that trend; falling in the weights but needs a revival.

40/1

10th

1

(11)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

Burdett Road

9st 12lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Won 1m2f handicap at this meeting in 2023 and has also tasted the high life in top hurdle races; attentions were turned back to the Flat for four races (UAE and Saudi Arabia) this January-March and he wasn't in peak form, but edged down the weights as a result and this drop back in trip can help.

28/1

2

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:50 Kempton

Burdett Road

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: James Owen

Not in top form since returned to the Flat but solid hurdles record (1121322) suggests a resurgence is likely; ran creditably, albeit fortunate to finish second the way things panned out, in the Champion Hurdle when last seen in this sphere; has the best chance at the weights.

4/5

Form: 111/1- CD

Last run: 366 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 175

Form & Verdict
Superstar who was hugely impressive in the 2022 Supreme Novices' and 2023 Champion Hurdle, looking one of the modern greats; absent since hammering his rivals in this race 12 months ago (second Christmas Hurdle win) and has been plagued with issues this year, including a bout of colic and lameness, as well as the need for wind surgery; also failed to impress in his latest racecourse gallop, at Newbury last month; however, he sets a tall standard assuming he has overcome those problems and turns up in top form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(4)

25th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Constitution Hill

9st 12lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Nicky Henderson

Superstar hurdler on his day and one of the best-known horses in training; having developed serious jumping issues, he was switched to the Flat in Southwell contest (1m4f) last month and showed his class by producing an impressive performance that is backed up by the figures; sets a tall standard en route to Group targets.

1/6

1st

3

(12)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 2

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Constitution Hill

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Nicky Henderson

Last jumps campaign started well but ended badly, as he took back-to-back falls at Cheltenham/Aintree and then laboured when he did complete at Punchestown; suffered another tumble on his reappearance in the Fighting Fifth in November, which has prompted this switch to the Flat in the hope of restoring confidence levels ahead of a possible bid to regain the Champion Hurdle crown he won in 2023.

7/4

5th

2

2nd May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

18:40 Punchestown

Constitution Hill

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

towards rear, overjumped 1st, soon went fourth, headway after 4 out, went third going okay 3 out, nudged along when jumped left and lost ground 2 out, soon no extra

11/10

Form: 215-12 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Improving hurdler who won last season's Dovecote over C&D (soft); useful handicap performance in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on reappearance then ran well, albeit no match for the unbeaten Sir Gino, in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle (2m, good); however, on ratings he's a league below the stars in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 3

15:05 Uttoxeter

Lump Sum

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Smart hurdler who won Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) on last season's reappearance and was subsequently second in Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and William Hill Hurdle at Newbury; absent since below-par run in March but still commands respect on chasing debut.

13/8

1st

4

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 3

15:05 Uttoxeter

Lump Sum

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Smart hurdler who won Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) on last season's reappearance and was subsequently second in Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and William Hill Hurdle at Newbury; absent since below-par run in March but still commands respect on chasing debut.

13/8

Form: /11-11 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
Highly talented mare and an emerging star who has been successful at the last two Cheltenham Festivals; easily brushed aside male rivals in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse (yielding) most recently, completing a 2m4f Grade 1 hat-trick and taking record to 9-10; has plenty of speed and should be just as effective back at 2m; current favourite for the Champion Hurdle and commands great respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

18:40 Punchestown

Lossiemouth

11st 5lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

One of three for trainer; prolific and highly talented mare justified decision to line up in this year's Champion Hurdle when adding a tenth Grade 1 win to her tally (14-18 overall) in good style; had both Anzadam and Golden Ace well behind her on that occasion; 3-3 at this venue, including when 19l in front of Glen Kiln in this season's Morgiana Hurdle; this looks easier than Cheltenham and she's ground-versatile; shock result if she doesn't win.

4/9

1st

9

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Lossiemouth

11st 3lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Versatile as regards ground; prolific and highly talented mare whose record of 13-17 features nine Grade 1 wins, including three at this meeting (Triumph and two Mares' Hurdles); 4-4 at this venue overall; failed to justify favouritism in the Irish Champion Hurdle most recently but ran creditably without managing to confirm December placings with Brighterdaysahead; has less to prove than that rival back at Cheltenham and holds a big chance at the weights; wears headgear for the first time.

13/8

2nd

6

1st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:20 Leopardstown

Lossiemouth

11st 5lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Winner of 13 of her 16 starts; bypassed the 2025 Champion Hurdle, instead winning the Mares' Hurdle readily; previously, fell mid-race in this race and beaten just over 2l by Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle; easy winner of Aintree Hurdle after Constitution Hill's fall; had a straightforward task in the Morgiana on return, and was too strong for the reappearing Brightedaysahead here at Christmas.

10/11

Betting Forcast

14/1 Burdett Road, 5/4 Constitution Hill, 25/1 Lump Sum, 10/11 Lossiemouth

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lossiemouth

RP RATINGS:

Constitution Hill

TOPSPEED:

Lump Sum

POSTDATA:

Lossiemouth

The Times:

Lossiemouth

Daily Mail:

Lossiemouth

D Express:

Lossiemouth

Daily Mirror:

Lossiemouth

Daily Record:

Lossiemouth

LAMBOURN:

Constitution Hill

Telegraph:

Constitution Hill

The Guardian:

Constitution Hill