13:30 Doncaster

Saturday 13 December 2025

All11:5512:2512:5513:3014:0514:4015:17

bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 6m 10.30s

Bridge North^p¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: Alex Chadwick⁽³⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 116

16/1

Quirky sort (fairly useful at best for Henry Daly) showed more spark in a change of headgear (retained) when runner-up at Southwell (24.3f, good to soft) 11 days ago. Well-treated on best form and hasn't been long with excellent new yard.

Form: U/466-82

Stratton Oakmont³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Jack Tudor| T: K Woollacott| OR: 114| D

7/2

Relished testing conditions (previous 2 wins on heavy) when making a winning return from wind surgery at Exeter (23.1f, soft) last month. There have been a few improvers from that race and he merits respect despite a 9 lb rise.

Form: 3PP64-1

Monty Bodkin^t⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 112| C

12/1

Attractive gelding was a promising bumper winner at this track for Ben Pauling but has clearly had issues since joining current yard, given another breathing operation prior to a considerate comeback at Worcester (23f) 59 days ago. Worth a market check now sent handicapping with tongue tie back on.

Form: 61/6FP-5

Heather Honey²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 112| D

11/4

Progressive mare shaped well in a stronger race at Aintree (solid form) prior to landing her fourth win from 6 starts (all on ground good or better) when a ready winner at Catterick (25.3f) last month. Races in a similar grade here and one to be interested in if the ground dries out.

Form: 1-11361

Breezethroughlife^t³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 111

25/1

Confirmed promise of Irish maiden hurdle debut when making a successful start for the Neil King yard in a weak maiden 4-runner at Fakenham (20f) in October. Ran poorly in a better race at Kempton the following month and remains to be seen if he gets back on track upped in trip for handicap bow.

Form: P-315

Betty's Tiara^p,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 110

9/1

Belatedly off the mark in a 5-runner novice at Uttoxeter (23.3f, good) and ran to a similar level back in a handicap when third at Stratford (22f). Below par under a penalty back in a Exeter novice last time but may be seen to better effect over this trip/track on return to handicap.

Form: 222134

Not A Light^h1²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Liam Harrison| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 109

14/1

Placed in points/bumper and scored over hurdles in maiden at Hexham in December 2024. Beaten favourite on handicap bow prior to finishing well held on chase debut/reappearance at Windsor last month. Lightly raced for age and worth a market check upped to 3m in first-time hood for hurdles return.

Form: 262/17-6

Diamond Koda^p1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 106

6/1

Maiden has proven expensive to follow, with a string of runner-up finishes to his name. Proved he retains ability when fourth in a 5-runner handicap on comeback at Southwell last month but cheekpieces will need to sharpen up his jumping on first try over 3m.

Form: 23222-4

Romeo Brown^p¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Oscar Palmer⁽⁷⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 102| CD

4/1

Veteran front-runner capitalised on a career-low mark when landing his first success for nearly 3 years over C&D last month. However that was a thin 4-runner handicap and he has more on his plate in a deeper race.

Form: 23-F8P1

Forecasts

Heather Honey (11/4), Stratton Oakmont (7/2), Romeo Brown (4/1), Diamond Koda (6/1), Betty's Tiara (9/1), Monty Bodkin (12/1), Not A Light (14/1), Bridge North (16/1), Breezethroughlife (25/1)

The ground could prove key in an open-looking handicap, progressive HEATHER HONEY has won four of her last 6 starts (all on good ground or better) and may continue her upward trajectory, with optimism for drying conditions. Stratton Oakmont relished the test of stamina in rain-softened going at Exeter and with a few in-behind running well since, he's respected despite a 9 lb rise, while lightly raced course bumper winner Monty Bodkin merits a market check on his handicap bow.