14:35 Plumpton

Monday 1 December 2025

All12:3513:0513:3514:0514:3515:0515:35

Weatherbys & Birdie Calendars Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 5m 25.59s

Bourbali²³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 125| CD

17/2

Winless all 8 starts since bagging a 2¼m Kempton handicap chase last October, but now 2 lb below that winning mark and will be a threat if he puts his best foot forward now returned to hurdles.

Form: 345-333

Believitanducan²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 121

9/2

Ended time with Jessica Macey by winning a handicap on the Flat and took well to hurdles for new yard last term, winning 2 of his first 3 starts in this sphere. Did nothing wrong when second on return/handicap bow in this sphere at Newbury (16.3f, good to soft) and this trip should be within range.

Form: 161-2

American Sniper^t,p³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Rian Corcoran⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 120| D

13/2

Back on track making all in small-field 3m Newbury handicap last November. Ended last season with a creditable effort at Punchestown, but otherwise below par since that Newbury success and was never in the hunt on return at Cheltenham.

Form: 63606-0

Jackstell²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 116| CD

5/2

Bumper winner in Ireland last summer and off the mark at fifth time of asking over hurdles at Warwick at the beginning of October. Won again at Hereford next time before completing the hat-trick over C&D (good to soft) and he has to be taken seriously.

Form: 323-111

Grenadier Jed²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford| OR: 113

9/4

Much-improved for the switch to handicaps last season, back-to-back winner over 19f at Taunton in February (both on soft). Further progress when scoring in decisive fashion on return at Fontwell (19f, good to soft), but another step forward will be needed here up 10 lb.

Form: 97511-1

Twist Of Fatecatch^p²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 113

8/1

Fontwell maiden hurdle winner in April and held form well since, coming home fifth of 14 back from a break at Exeter (23f, soft) last month. Eased 2 lb since and this drop back in trip looks a good move, so there is cause for optimism.

Form: 21-3255

Non-Runners

Sixty Plus²¹

Weight: 11-13| Age: 5

T: James Owen J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Royal Way²²

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: G & J Moore J: Sean Houlihan

Forecasts

Grenadier Jed (9/4), Jackstell (5/2), Believitanducan (9/2), American Sniper (13/2), Twist Of Fatecatch (8/1), Sixty Plus (8/1), Bourbali (17/2), Royal Way (10/1)

Not many of these can be ruled out with any great confidence. Two of BOURBALI's four hurdles wins have been gained over this C&D and he is interesting returned to this sphere on a workable mark. Jackstell is on a roll and he should be on the premises, while Believitanducan remains unexposed as a hurdler and also enters calculations, along with Twist of Fatecatch.