16:10 Ascot
Saturday 14 February 2026
All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45
Betfair Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 3  |  2m 7f 123y  |  18 Runners  |  Turf
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Irish bumper winner who struck 3 times over hurdles last season, latterly with much improved success at Newbury. Reappearance third at Doncaster (19.4f, soft) was respectable and likely to strip fitter, he could do better now tackling staying distances.
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Three-time hurdles winner in 2023 but very lightly raced since. Showed plenty of ability remains when second on chase bow/reappearance but couldn't back that up, pulling up at Wincanton (26.7f, heavy). Something to prove back over hurdles.
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Twice raced in maiden hurdles but was much improved when winning a 4m hunter at Cheltenham on his first try over fences under Rules. Doubled his tally winning a 16-runner amateurs handicap there in November and good second in London National next time. Interesting back hurdling after poor effort.
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Healthy strike rate over hurdles (4-14) and signed off 2023/24 campaign with back-to-back handicap chase wins at Huntingdon and Taunton. Resumes on same mark for latter success, but 22-month absence is naturally a concern.
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Ran no sort of race on hurdle return in November but totally different proposition when a comfortable 4-length winner at Warwick (21f, soft). Found the Lanzarote too hot at Kempton subsequently and should be more competitive with sights lowered, if seeing out the longer trip.
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Improving son of Solider Of Fortune (closely related to the same connections' useful Alaphilippe) who readily got off the mark in 4-runner handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter and followed up in good style at Market Rasen (23.1f, good to soft) latest. Up in class for hat-trick bid but can progress again.
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Fairly useful two-time hurdle winner who was in the process of running well (in third) when fell 2 out in 2m4f Uttoxeter handicap chase. Laboured effort in Kempton chase earlier this month but has the makings of a staying hurdler and isn't handicapped out of this if back on song.
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Fairly useful at his best over hurdles in 2023/24 but let down by his jumping over fences since. Jumped better on hurdle return in visor (retained) when fifth behind Top Guy/Crazierthandaisy at Newbury latest and not ruled out if he can build on that.
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Went the right way over hurdles for Chris Gordon and campaigned as chaser for current yard, winning back-to-back handicaps at Plumpton (25.7f) in the spring and back to form when third at Kempton last month. Interesting tackling this trip over hurdles for first time but wouldn't want too much rain.
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Progressive when successful at Uttoxeter and Hereford last season but hasn't raced with the same fluency in trio of starts this season. Back on his last winning mark but remains to be seen if first-time cheekpieces have the desired effect.
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Landed third success in 2m5f handicap at Haydock last January and backed that up when fifth in a better race at Newbury next time. Shaped as if better for his reappearance at Haydock last month and well worth another go at this trip with Harry Cobden aboard first time.
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Improving in handicap hurdles at Exeter, only bettered by an unexposed stayer when runner-up in a 23f handicap last month. That form looks solid and he's entitled to hold his own upped in grade.
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Much improved to win at Market Rasen (20.6f) in April and further progress after 8 months off when making all 9-runner handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (20.7f). Seemed to find race coming too soon in hat-trick bid 10 days on (went in snatches under different tactics). Could bounce back off a break.
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Landed second hurdles success at Warwick (21f) in November and confirmed herself a stayer when encouraging fourth at Newbury last month, likely to have finished just behind Top Guy but for a late mistake. Well-backed that day and this low-mileage 7-y-o may yet be capable of better.
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Relished testing conditions (previous 2 wins on heavy) when making a winning return from wind surgery at Exeter (23.1f, soft) but not for the first time went backwards from reappearance, well beaten at Doncaster in December. Has been freshened up but this is more competitive.
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On the up last season with novice/handicap wins on soft ground at Plumpton, finding plenty. Took strong hold but stepped up on reappearance when midfield in 13-runner handicap at Lingfield (19.5f) last month and unexposed over this markedly longer trip. One to consider.
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Back on track when third behind Stratton Oakmont at Exeter (23.1f, soft) but has run poorly twice since, latest back over hurdles at Fontwell. Questions to answer at present.
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Irish point winner has benefited from going up in trip, justifying support when opening his Rules account in 3m novice handicap at Aintree and was unlucky to bump into a progressive one when runner-up in solid handicap at Newbury last time. Isn't fully exposed as a stayer and likely more to come.
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Forecasts
Crazierthandaisy (4/1), Heart Over Head (11/2), Top Guy (6/1), Diamatiste (13/2), Solar System (7/1), Kalium (10/1), Stratton Oakmont (12/1), Walden (12/1), Sea Invasion (16/1), Operation Manna (20/1), Hung Jury (20/1), Loup De Maulde (25/1), High Treason (25/1), Oh My Johnny (25/1), Confinentic (33/1), Yellow Star (33/1), Il Va De Soi (33/1), Striking A Pose (50/1)
Low-mileage 7-y-o CRAZIERTHANDAISY would have finished closer to Top Guy at Newbury barring a late error and on 3 lb better terms, she's narrowly preferred to Dan Skelton's unexposed stayer. Heart Over Head steps into a very competitive handicap for his hat-trick bid but merits plenty of respect given his recent improvement, while Sea Invasion could be interesting back over hurdles providing the ground isn't too testing.
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £10,157.002nd: £4,679.003rd: £2,339.004th: £1,171.00
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