December 26 / 15.40 Kempton

15.40

Good

Ladbrokes Get Rewarded With Ladbucks Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £12674.4
  • 2m 5f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Ladbrokes Get Rewarded With Ladbucks Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 0243-1 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Had a mixed record last term, with a C&D handicap one of his lesser efforts; best runs that season were at about 3m on good to soft or soft, which he built on when winning under Freddie Mitchell at Newbury (3m, soft) on reappearance four weeks ago; up 6lb and more to prove back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

15

8th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 1f 24y

18:48 Roscommon

Hermino AA

10st 0lb

J: Tom Kelly

T: E McNamara

Useful three-time winning hurdler in Britain; yet to show much since joining this yard and extended chase record to 0-8 when beaten 31l in the Killarney National last time; 2lb drop in the weights and new blinkers not enough to tempt.

28/1

6th

9

9th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

16:45 Killarney

Hermino AA

10st 5lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Three wins over hurdles when trained in the UK and was Grade 3-placed; below that form in four chase starts for this yard and has to stage a revival.

25/1

6th

15

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 120y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Hermino AA

10st 11lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: E McNamara

Three-time hurdles winner for Gary Moore; yet to get his head in front in six chase runs; soundly beaten both completed starts for this stable and pulled up on latest at Navan (3m, heavy); leap of faith required to back him here.

33/1

Form: 213-71 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Raised his game on last three starts last term (over 2m5f-3m, good to soft/good) once the visor went on and carried on the good work with his gritty, rallying win at Market Rasen (near 3m, soft) four weeks ago; 3lb higher than last time but it's this sharper test which is the chief concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

9th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

16:45 Killarney

Supreme Gift

10st 2lb

J: G B Noonan

T: E McNamara

Second runner for yard; won five times over hurdles and once over fences when trained in UK; three chase starts for this yard with best run coming when fifth at Limerick; needs a fair bit more.

25/1

16

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 120y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Supreme Gift

10st 10lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Useful performer for Henry Daly, winning six races, including an Ascot handicap chase; modest form in two starts for this stable, albeit trip and testing ground probably not ideal on latest; new cheekpieces need to spark.

25/1

Form: 2319-0 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
11l second to Mahons Glory in this race last year; wore cheekpieces last four starts, kicking off in March with third in the EBF Final at Sandown and a Plumpton win (both 2m4f); ended last term on a low note back at Sandown and he was tailed off trying 3m at Cheltenham (14-1) on reappearance; early days this term but he now has a question to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:28 Kempton

Emailandy

11st 1lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Dual hurdle winner at about 2m4f (good to soft and good) two winters ago but disappointments have come thick and fast since pulling up on his latest two runs at 3m; goes chasing with inevitable question marks.

25/1

3

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:02 Wincanton

Emailandy

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Running well in good handicaps two years ago but he's had a couple of lengthy absences in the meantime and achieved nothing in his last six races.

25/1

Form: 80-24P CD

Last run: 108 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Has a very mixed record, the highlight his 11l win from the front in this (good) last year; had wind surgery in May before making a creditable start to chase career but his latest outing in that sphere was poor (including a very awkward start); tongue tied first time that day and now last season's hood/cheekpieces return; back hurdling after 108 days off and he's 6lb higher than this time last year, with his yard now in good form; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

14:45 Market Rasen

Mahons Glory

12st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

Very capable prominent racer on his day and he had one of those in winning by 2l over C&D a month ago; 4lb rise elevates him to a career-high mark and he won't be the only one putting pace to the race.

8/1

1st

1

19th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 3

15:55 Market Rasen

Mahons Glory

12st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

Capitalized on a drop in grade to land his third win over fences at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft) in March off 6lb lower; ran respectably when sixth in the Topham over the National fences, and when fourth in the Oaksey Chase at Sandown in April; sure to run well but vulnerable off top weight.

13/2

4th

5

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Mahons Glory

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

Broadly consistent in handicaps for current yard and ran respectably in the Topham at Aintree (2m5f) most recently; made all, despite jumping left, at Huntingdon (2m4f; also on good to soft) the time before; this is a harder task.

16/1

Form: 2407-5 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Staying-on fourth in a top handicap at Newbury (2m, heavy) in February but he's not fired in the same way since in three races over this sort of trip, latest his chase/seasonal debut; 3lb lower than at Newbury, so he's a serious player if back on song; trainer won this in 2020 and 2021, on both occasions when a stablemate was shorter in the betting, and he has three runners this time around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Doddiethegreat

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nicky Henderson

Won the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft) last March and some respectable runs in Grade 2s this term; wore blinkers when pulled up in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and is back in his usual cheekpieces this afternoon, but he still has something to find.

28/1

3

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Doddiethegreat

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Won the Pertemps Final Handicap over C&D (good to soft) last March and he's performed respectably in Graded races this term, most recently third of six over C&D behind Ma Shantou and Impose Toi (soft; jockey dropped whip after final flight); it's possible he'll produce his best performance of the season now he's back into a bigger field over a C&D that clearly suits, but he'll probably still come up short; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

50/1

3rd

4

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Doddiethegreat

11st 6lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

Won the Pertemps Handicap Final over C&D (good to soft) at the Festival last March; he has something to find with Impose Toi and Strong Leader on the evidence of this season's three outings but he's been running pretty well and the return to Cheltenham may be a positive; not ruled out each-way.

7/1

Form: 610-32 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won a juvenile hurdle here but twice beaten 20l over C&D in an up-and-down campaign last term; two creditable placings (claimer ridden) last month from his only two starts this season but he needs extra to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

15th Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 3

15:18 Uttoxeter

Samuel Spade

10st 13lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Five-time winning hurdler who took a firm step forward from May's chasing debut with a convincing win at Worcester (2m7f) the following month; far from discredited when fifth of 13 in valuable event over C&D (again good) and he's a big player in these calmer waters.

5/2

5th

11

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:27 Uttoxeter

Samuel Spade

10st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Lacked fluency on chase debut but jumped better and beat Grand Clermont kept to Worcester (2m7f, good) last time; unexposed in this sphere and remains favourably treated on best hurdles form, which features a win off 1lb higher; major claims.

8/1

1st

7

11th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:40 Worcester

Samuel Spade

11st 3lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Lacked fluency and was ultimately well beaten over C&D (good) on chasing debut a fortnight ago, after a layoff, but significant positives can still be drawn from that performance and he ought to cope better than some of these if the ground softens; can be dangerous if in a better rhythm today.

14/1

Form: 142-U1 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Kicked off his career with two wins (one C&D) on good ground at Kempton last year; did not live up to that until winning his handicap debut at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) six days ago after 233-day absence, leading two out and holding on by a head under Freddie Gordon; can race off the same mark today, so has a big chance if in the same form; stable runs three.
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

Form: -41162 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Lean spell prior to winning in October on his first two starts for this yard (2m4f and an extended 2m2f); never better than when beaten a neck by King Of The Road at Taunton (2m3f) on latest outing; up 5lb; not proven over quite this far but has to be considered, for a top stable which runs three.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:58 Stratford

In The Air

11st 3lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Back in prime form when holding on well to score over C&D (good) on last month's chase return and now 4-10 over fences; recent 3lb rise does not look excessive and there's a good chance he'll be right in the thick of things again.

5/2

1st

3

16th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

15:15 Stratford

In The Air

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Three-time winner over fences (once over C&D) in early part of last season; returned from break with two below-par hurdle runs this spring but could be back at concert pitch for this return to chasing; a possible.

7/1

4th

1

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 3

18:50 Stratford

In The Air

11st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Won five over hurdles for previous yards and three over fences last term for current trainer; may have needed the run when seventh of eight finishers at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last month after six-month layoff but probably needs to come down the weights.

6/1

Form: 11-461

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Made most/all of the running for two Market Rasen wins (2m2f and 2m; good to soft) in the spring and came from midfield when scoring by a neck from In The Air at Taunton (2m3f) four weeks ago; up another 6lb; may well have more to give but there is also more for him to prove stamina-wise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

20th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Warwick

King Of The Road

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Won three races in 2024; inconsistent since but ran well when second at Kempton (2m5f, good) on Boxing Day; two poor runs since but has undergone wind surgery and a first-time tongue-tie replaces cheekpieces; interesting if the market speaks favourably.

11/1

15th

4

27th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

15:20 Wetherby

King Of The Road

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Soft ground provides an excuse for two defeats of late; sole attempt in cheekpieces resulted in good second at Kempton (2m5f) on penultimate start; could go well in the reapplied headgear.

12/1

9th

1

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:27 Wincanton

King Of The Road

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Surprising to see the cheekpieces left off as they were on for the first time when pushing an improver close at Kempton (2m5f, good; all wins on good to soft); he was 12l clear of the third so a 4lb rise could have been worse; respected.

7/2

Betting Forcast

8/1 Hermino AA, 10/1 Supreme Gift, 11/1 Emailandy, 10/1 Mahons Glory, 7/2 Doddiethegreat, 8/1 Samuel Spade, 5/2 East India Express, 9/1 In The Air, 9/1 King Of The Road

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

East India Express

TOPSPEED:

Doddiethegreat

WEST COUNTRY:

King Of The Road

Daily Record:

Samuel Spade

The Guardian:

Supreme Gift

D Express:

Mahons Glory

RP RATINGS:

East India Express

POSTDATA:

East India Express

The Times:

East India Express

Telegraph:

East India Express

Daily Mail:

East India Express

Daily Mirror:

East India Express

The Star:

East India Express

LAMBOURN:

Doddiethegreat

The Sun:

Doddiethegreat