February 14 / 14.40 Haydock

14.40

Good To Soft

Haydock Park Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £45560
  • 3m 0f 58y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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Haydock Park Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 0-7211 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Made it 2-2 in these cheekpieces when upped in trip on handicap debut over C&D (good to soft) four weeks ago; won a bumper on soft ground; open to further improvement for his top yard and is firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Dalston Lad

11st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

He's gone 3-3 since the cheekpieces went on and it was pretty straightforward from the front in a Grade 2 at Haydock the last time (3m, good to soft) when 4l too good for the strong-finishing Ubatuba who ran a respectable seventh in the Albert Bartlett; arrives here fresher than some; respected.

8/1

1st

2

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Dalston Lad

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Made it 2-2 in these cheekpieces when upped in trip on handicap debut over C&D (good to soft) four weeks ago; won a bumper on soft ground; open to further improvement for his top yard and is firmly in calculations.

3/1

1st

7

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

14:35 Haydock

Dalston Lad

10st 13lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

3m point and two-time bumper winner who has improved with each of his three hurdle starts, winning easily at 4-9 at Sedgefield (2m4f, good to soft) last time in first-time cheekpieces (retained); bred to be suited by this step up in trip on handicap debut (half-brother to leading Peter Marsh contender Myretown, among others) and could have lots more to offer for top yard.

3/1

33/1

  • Place: £4.70

Form: 135

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Smart stayer on the Flat in his prime and won on hurdle debut at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) in December; another good run when third at Kelso (2m6f, good to soft) next time then well beaten in Grade 2 here (1m7f, good to soft); this longer trip could suit but others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

2

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Tashkhan

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Brian Ellison

Off since a mixed hurdles campaign ended in March; formerly very smart on Flat but he's not scored in this sphere since 2023, had a disappointing 2025 and all wins have been on soft or heavy ground; tailed off in this race in 2024.

40/1

Form: 211

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
3m point winner who is 2-2 over hurdles following wins at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) and Fontwell (2m3f, soft); up in grade today and others have more substance to their form but his dam is a half-sister to Gold Cup winner Native River and he could relish this step up in trip; he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 2

13:30 Haydock

Legendary Luke

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

3m point winner; relinquished his unbeaten record over hurdles in a 3m Grade 2 here in February but that was no backward step and he'd have finished closer than 12l to the winner Dalston Lad but for hitting two out; heading in the right direction and respected.

5/1

4th

4

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Legendary Luke

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

3m point winner who is 2-2 over hurdles following wins at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) and Fontwell (2m3f, soft); up in grade today and others have more substance to their form but his dam is a half-sister to Gold Cup winner Native River and he could relish this step up in trip; he's one to consider.

6/1

1st

3

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Ffos Las

Legendary Luke

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Out of unraced half-sister to Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River; joined Jamie Snowden after winning Irish point debut in March (good to yielding); no match for easy winner and did not look entirely straightforward when second of 12 in Worcester bumper (good) last month but that was still a promising start to his rules career and today's longer trip ought to suit.

11/4

Form: 2-1

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in sole bumper and won warm novice at Ascot (2m5f, soft) last month when wearing a first-time tongue-tie (retained) on hurdle debut; his talented brother Ed Keeper (same connections) was at his best over 3m and this bright prospect could play another leading role now up in trip/grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Ffos Las

Whiskey Yankee

11st 12lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Showed that stamina is his strong suit on hurdling debut at Ascot (2m5f, soft) in January, battling on well to win by over 2l, and fared much better than Lon Chaney when fifth in Haydock Grade 2 (3m, good to soft) last month, despite a sketchy round of jumping; obvious contender.

4/7

5th

10

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Whiskey Yankee

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Runner-up in sole bumper and won warm novice at Ascot (2m5f, soft) last month when wearing a first-time tongue-tie (retained) on hurdle debut; his talented brother Ed Keeper (same connections) was at his best over 3m and this bright prospect could play another leading role now up in trip/grade.

15/2

1st

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 146y

Class 3

16:05 Ascot

Whiskey Yankee

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Brother to the same connections' useful 2m3f/3m hurdle winner Ed Keeper and made a promising start when second of five in Ffos Las bumper (good ground; 5-2) last spring; related to lots of winners over jumps and he's respected on hurdling debut after ten months off; fitted with a tongue-strap.

9/1

Form: 11462P

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Two wins at Cartmel (2m6f, soft/good) last summer and went close in a handicap over this C&D (good to soft) in December; however, pulled up at 100-1 in a Grade 2 at Doncaster (3m, soft) last time; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:47 Cartmel

Caughtinyourtrance

11st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Moffatt

In good form over fences here since wind op in April, most notably when winning over 3m1f (good) three weeks ago; should be fine back over this hurdles and over this shorter trip; respected in current mood.

6/1

1st

1

26th Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 4

15:50 Cartmel

Caughtinyourtrance

12st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Moffatt

Won twice over hurdles at Cartmel in 2025; following a wind operation, he's finished runner-up in 3m1f/2m5f handicap chases here, last time only reeled in late on; clear claims off an untouched mark.

3/1

2nd

2

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 3

20:08 Cartmel

Caughtinyourtrance

11st 7lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Both wins over hurdles were here; runner-up in two of his four chase starts, the latest here on Saturday when no match for the winner over 3m1f; fine over this far and has clear claims.

6/4

Form: 3371

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Left previous form behind to win easily for top yard in a novice hurdle at Kempton (2m5f, good to soft) 12 days ago, and there's every chance this 3m point runner-up will be fine now back up in trip; unraced on soft/heavy ground and he jumped to the right last time so reverting to a left-handed track may be a negative, but he's entitled to respect after last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

14:27 Bangor-on-Dee

Reckless Spending

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Ran quite well at Ascot in November but the wide-margin Kempton win in February (2m5f, good to soft) is his standout piece of form; ran poorly in a Grade 2 over 3m last time but that couldn't have been his true running.

5/4

7th

6

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Reckless Spending

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Left previous form behind to win easily for top yard in a novice hurdle at Kempton (2m5f, good to soft) 12 days ago, and there's every chance this 3m point runner-up will be fine now back up in trip; unraced on soft/heavy ground and he jumped to the right last time so reverting to a left-handed track may be a negative, but he's entitled to respect after last time.

9/2

1st

15

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:02 Kempton

Reckless Spending

11st 5lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Came up well short in Cheltenham Grade 2 last time but currently holds an Albert Bartlett entry and may yet prove useful; earlier form (point/bumper/hurdle) reads very well, based on the subsequent performances of the winners; respected back down in class.

4/1

Form: 5153

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Won at Kempton (2m5f, good) in November on second hurdle start before 5l fifth of seven in Grade 2 at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft) and solid third in warm Ascot novice (2m5f, soft); needs something extra today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Kasino Des Mottes

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Irish point winner who got off the mark over hurdles, on his second attempt, at Kempton (2m5f, good) in November; has dipped his toe into a couple of Grade 2 novice events since without success and makes his handicap debut; still unexposed but drop in trip may not be in his favour.

9/1

8th

3

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Kasino Des Mottes

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Won at Kempton (2m5f, good) in November on second hurdle start before 5l fifth of seven in Grade 2 at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft) and solid third in warm Ascot novice (2m5f, soft); needs something extra today.

14/1

3rd

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 146y

Class 3

16:05 Ascot

Kasino Des Mottes

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Bought for £130,000 after Irish point win last March, and he got up late on over hurdles at Kempton (2m5f, good) in November; made further progress when a close fifth in Grade 2 novice at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft) five weeks ago; going the right way and should be thereabouts again.

4/1

Form: 521 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
3m point runner-up who built upon the promise of his first two hurdle starts (2m4f, soft) with comfortable win in four-runner maiden at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; this is a much tougher test of his credentials but he looked good last time and could be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Ffos Las

Lon Chaney

11st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Soundly beaten when upped to Grade 2 level last month (race in which Whiskey Yankee finished fifth) but had shown useful form beforehand, notably when winning by over 8l at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good to soft) two starts ago; can cope with this drop back in trip and has a big role to play.

13/8

9th

5

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Lon Chaney

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

3m point runner-up who built upon the promise of his first two hurdle starts (2m4f, soft) with comfortable win in four-runner maiden at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; this is a much tougher test of his credentials but he looked good last time and could be involved.

5/1

Form: 11

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Skuna Bay

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.40
Straight Forecast £15.72
Tricast £202.84
Trifecta £258.10

Selections

Daily Mail:

Whiskey Yankee

TOPSPEED:

Ubatuba

RP RATINGS:

Reckless Spending

SPOTLIGHT:

Legendary Luke

The Sun:

Dalston Lad

The Star:

Lon Chaney

The Times:

Tashkhan

LAMBOURN:

Legendary Luke

D Express:

Whiskey Yankee

Daily Mirror:

Whiskey Yankee

The Guardian:

Ubatuba

Daily Record:

Ubatuba

POSTDATA:

Reckless Spending

Telegraph:

Reckless Spending