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Friday 5 December 2025

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Betfair Racing Podcasts 'Four Years Old' Handicap Hurdle

4YO only | Class 4 | 1m 7f 216y | 11 Runners | Turf

Age: 4| Weight: 12-1| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 121| BF| D

A fairly useful Flat winner in France who struck at the first time of asking over hurdles at Wetherby last November. Highly tried after but got right back on track when second of 8 in handicap hurdle at Wetherby (16f, soft) 20 days ago. Weighted to go well.

Form: 12420-2

Galactic Charm^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 118

16/1

Fairly useful Flat performer who has quickly reached a similar level over hurdles. Went without usual headgear when pulled up in 2m2f Fontwell handicap on his return and no surprise to see him bounce back with cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 1P222-P

Ocean Conquest^p1²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 117| D

7/2

On the up this autumn and bids for a hat-trick following back-to-back wins at Ludlow in 2m novice and 2m5f handicap, despite jumping left each time. Up another 5 lb but firmly in the picture again with cheekpieces added.

Form: 4225-11

Torrent^v1³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: James Bowen| T: N J Hawke| OR: 117| D

9/1

Returned with a very good second at Chepstow but only eighth of 11 in 2m handicap hurdle at Ascot since. Needs to bounce back in a change of headgear.

Form: 3334-28

Courageous Strike^h1⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 113| D

13/2

Fair on the Flat in Ireland and he was quick to make his mark in this sphere for his current yard, scoring easily at Chepstow and Newton Abbot in the spring. Returned with a fair fifth of 8 in 2m handicap at Newton Abbot 48 days ago and not ruled out with hood added.

Form: 21-15

Fight My Fire²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Jones| T: J Tizzard| OR: 112

22/1

Got off the mark at Fontwell in October and not discredited under a penalty when third of 6 in novice hurdle at Wincanton (15.2f, good) 27 days ago. May do better now going into handicaps so needs considering.

Form: 68-U13

Caelan^h,t1²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 111| D

10/1

A fair Flat scorer who has shown better form since sent over hurdles, winning at Worcester in September and an excellent second of 8 in handicap at Huntingdon (15.8f, good to soft) 24 days ago. Very much one to consider with tongue tie added.

Form: 45152

Across Earth¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 110| D

4/1

Has returned an improved model, landing 2m Hereford handicap before a very good third of 10 at Kempton (16f, good to soft) 11 days ago. Not taken lightly off the same mark.

Form: 234-13

Knight Templar¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: R Stephens| OR: 110| D

12/1

Opened his account in this sphere in 2m juvenile at Kempton in December. First form since when third of 7 in handicap at Exeter (16.7f, soft) 12 days ago. Needs to back it up.

Form: 218-P3

La Belle Argentee⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 100

6/1

In the frame in a pair of 2m novice hurdles at Wetherby and Newton Abbot but failed to kick on sent handicapping when seventh of 10 at Chepstow (16f, good to firm) 56 days ago. Still looked a bit green there so could do better for top yard.

Form: 4-27

Non-Runners

Benvoy⁵⁵

Weight: 11-10| Age: 4

T: Miss J S Davis J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Marche D'aligre (3/1), Ocean Conquest (7/2), La Belle Argentee (5/1), Across Earth (6/1), Courageous Strike (7/1), Caelan (12/1), Torrent (14/1), Knight Templar (14/1), Galactic Charm (20/1), Fight My Fire (25/1), Benvoy (33/1)

Lots with chances but Jamie Snowden's MARCHE D'ALIGRE rates just the pick of the weights on the back of a resurgent Wetherby second and hails from a yard in fine form so edges the vote. Excellent Huntingdon second Caelan heads the list of dangers, although Across Earth, Ocean Conquest and Fight My Fire all warrant plenty of respect too. Courageous Strike completes the shortlist.