15:20 Catterick

Thursday 1 January 2026

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:20

Racing Again 8th January Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 3m 50.27s

Byron Hill^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Paddy Hanlon⁽⁵⁾| T: P Neville| OR: 104| D

15/2

A fair winning hurdler at Carlisle but ended last season out of form and yet to fire this season, sixth of 13 in handicap hurdle at Newcastle (20.3f, good to soft) 21 days ago. Back down in trip with more required.

Form: 395-4P6

John Betjeman¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 102| D

5/2

Made a winning start for current yard at Sedgefield in November and backed it up with a good third of 11 in handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (15.6f, good to soft) 10 days ago. Very much one to consider.

Form: 41-8913

Killycarn²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 100

8/1

Runner-up sole completed start in Irish points and has hinted at promise in a trio of novice hurdles this term, eighth of 14 at Wetherby (16f, soft) 26 days ago. Not ruled out now going into handicaps.

Form: P2-938

Bodygroove^b⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 96| D

22/1

A fair Flat winner who made a successful handicap hurdle debut at Wetherby in March. Largely below par since and pulled up at Sedgefield (16.8f, soft) 49 days ago. Others are preferred.

Form: P/61U5-P

Wind Your Neck In^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: S England| OR: 95

6/1

Remains a maiden but he came in a good fourth of 6 in handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (16.6f, good to soft) 28 days ago. Weighted to go well eased 1 lb.

Form: 245364

Gozo^t,p²⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽³⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 94

20/1

Made a winning debut over hurdles at Plumpton in 2023. Posted a solid fourth in Flat handicap at Newbury (10f) in April on his final run for Ben Brookhouse so can't be ruled out on his yard/handicap hurdle debut after a lay-off.

Form: 1/

Character Testing^t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 92

8/1

Had a wind op before coming in only seventh of 10 in handicap hurdle at Doncaster (16.6f, good to soft) 34 days ago on his final run for Tom Ellis. More is required for his new handler.

Form: 324-847

Cawthorne Banker^p⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: K Brogan| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 89| BF| D

11/2

Resumed winning ways at Uttoxeter in October but well held at Stratford (18.7f) day later and subsequently disqualified for rider failing to weigh in. Can bounce back after a break.

Form: P2131D

Lahire^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 87

5/1

On a losing run and retried in cheekpieces when ninth of 12 in Flat handicap at Southwell (14.1f) 13 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 227F-74

Susiesparkle^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 83

80/1

Arrives well below par, ninth on Flat at Southwell (14.1f) 42 days ago. Very hard to warm to back over hurdles.

Form: 3475-P0

Forecasts

John Betjeman (5/2), Lahire (5/1), Cawthorne Banker (11/2), Wind Your Neck In (6/1), Byron Hill (15/2), Killycarn (8/1), Character Testing (8/1), Gozo (20/1), Bodygroove (22/1), Susiesparkle (80/1)

Not as competitive as the numbers suggest and WIND YOUR NECK IN is taken to gain a deserved breakthrough victory here and continue the good run of Sam England. In-form John Betjeman rates the chief threat, although handicap debutant Killycarn can also have a say along with Gozo and Cawthorne Banker.