13:10 Kempton

Saturday 21 February 2026

All13:1013:4514:2515:0015:3516:0516:40

Ladbrokes 'New Horse Racing Bet Builder' Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 5f | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 142

Useful and consistent sort (Scottish Champion Hurdle winner) but he's been off the track for 10 months since posting a good third of 20 in 2m4f handicap hurdle at Aintree last April. Has won off a break though so can't be discounted.

Form: 61/6403-

Royal Infantry^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 138| D

15/2

Useful hurdler who got back on track after a disappointing chasing debut at Chepstow when a close last of 5 in 2m4f Windsor conditions event last month. Needs considering back in handicap company.

Form: 52-3435

Charlus^h⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 133

40/1

Fairly useful 1m2f Flat winner who arrives in decent nick over timber, in third when fell 2 out in 2m1f Clonmel conditions event last month on his final run for Willie Mullins. Since changed hands for 50,000 gns and much respected starting out for another top yard here.

Form: 10-2F

Whatsupwithyou^b,t⁶⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: Elliott England⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 129| D

20/1

Veteran who resumed winning ways in 12-runner handicap hurdle at Ascot (21.7f, good to soft) in December. Up 5 lb and this is tougher so more is required.

Form: 162-P41

Bourbali³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Rian Corcoran⁽⁷⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 125| C| D

9/1

On a losing run but has posted several good efforts, latest when second of 5 in 2m3f Taunton handicap hurdle 35 days ago. In the mix once more from an easing mark.

Form: 333262

Fasol^t,p⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Miss Olive Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 123

4/1

Useful winning stayer on Flat in France who is in great nick for his current yard this winter, landing Wetherby novice and Musselburgh handicap. Also fourth of 15 off a career-high mark in Lanzarote Hurdle over C&D last month so he's firmly in the picture again.

Form: 3-55114

Hold The Serve^t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 123

2/1

Won sole point last winter. Well held on Cheltenham hurdle debut but different proposition after wind surgery (tongue tie also added) when landing novices (around 2½m) at Wincanton and Market Rasen since. This son of Jukebox Jury has more to offer now handicapping and shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 1-011

Tranquil Sea^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: C J Todd| T: D Skelton| OR: 119

28/1

Bagged 3m Chepstow handicap in October but his more recent form is not so encouraging, a below-par fourth of 9 in 3m Newbury handicap hurdle two weeks ago. He needs to take a step forward.

Form: 162684

Grenadier Jed²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford| OR: 118

3/1

Much improved for the switch to handicaps, going 3-3 on his return at Fontwell (19f) in November and posting an excellent clear second of 10 at Chepstow (2m3f) 25 days ago. Up another 2 lb but he rates a player once more.

Form: 511-1F2

Forecasts

Hold The Serve (5/2), Fasol (4/1), Grenadier Jed (11/2), Royal Infantry (6/1), Whatsupwithyou (15/2), Favour And Fortune (15/2), Bourbali (10/1), Charlus (20/1), Tranquil Sea (25/1)

This is wide open but GRENADIER JED rates the pick of the weights on the back of an excellent Chepstow second so is taken to bag a fourth success since being switched to handicap company. Olly Murphy's unexposed dual novice scorer Hold The Serve could emerge as the main danger now switched to handicaps, although Lanzarote fourth Fasol and the Dan Skelton-trained pair Royal Infantry and Charlus also need factoring in. The returning Favour And Fortune completes the shortlist.