15:22 Doncaster

Friday 27 February 2026

All13:5014:2014:5015:2215:5716:3017:05

Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 128y | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 121| CD

Shaped well (having first jumps start for 13 months) when runner-up under a positive ride over this C&D in November. Respectable sixth of 15 in a warm race at Ascot next time but he's failed to beat a rival home on the Flat both starts since the turn of the year.

Form: PP0/7-26

A Different Kind^t⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 119| DWS

12/1

Useful hurdler/chaser earlier in career. Proved that a good chunk of his ability remains when third in an 8-runner Haydock handicap (15.6f, good to soft) last time (since undergone another wind op) and will be a threat granted a strong pace to aim at.

Form: 5/80-853

Minella Jury³⁵

4/1

Fairly useful effort when bagging Wexford bumper in October and, having changed hands for £80,000, he looked a good prospect when making a winning hurdling debut at Uttoxeter. Shade disappointing when third of 8 over this C&D last month but since undergone a wind op and he remains of interest.

Form: 321-13

North Of Richmond⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Bryan Carver| T: A M Hales| OR: 115| D

15/2

£75,000 buy who was runner-up sole outing in points and went one better on Rules debut in Bangor bumper in October 2024. Also made a winning start over hurdles on return at Fakenham in October and not disgraced in novice events at Leicester and Newbury since. Worth a second look on handicap bow.

Form: 212-134

King Ulanda^t⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 114| BF| D

4/1

Betting than ever when winning impressively at Carlisle (17.2f, good to firm) on return following breathing op. Thereabouts on each of his 3 subsequent starts, most recently chasing home an in-form rival off this mark at Haydock, and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 33-1242

Light Fandango^t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 113| CD

7/1

Won a novice hurdle at Uttoxeter in summer 2024 and struck in a handicap over this C&D at the end of December. Failed to reproduce form akin to that at Wincanton next time, though, and he's probably worth taking on.

Form: 13P-518

Leaumec De Mee⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Skelton| OR: 110| D

9/2

Shaped well when runner-up only start in bumpers and positive start over hurdles this winter, confirming promise of Fontwell second when going one better at Sedgefield in December. Creditable fourth on handicap bow at Newbury next time and he remains open to improvement.

Form: 2-214

Killycarn⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 106

8/1

Runner-up sole completed start in Irish points and, having hinted at promise in a trio of novice hurdles, he took a step forward when striking on handicap debut at Catterick (15.7f, good) on New Year's Day. Stamina stretched upped to 21.2f at Haydock since and he's a player back down in trip here.

Form: 2-93816

As Fast As Wind²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: R T Dunne| T: T Davidson| OR: 102

7/2

Struck for first time in this sphere at Kempton in October for Daisy Hitchins. Placed on 2 of her 4 starts for present yard, finding just one too good at Musselburgh (15.6f, good to soft) last time, and she has to enter calculations.

Form: 133662

Forecasts

Leaumec De Mee (5/2), Minella Jury (7/2), As Fast As Wind (5/1), King Ulanda (13/2), North Of Richmond (10/1), A Different Kind (12/1), Killycarn (12/1), Parramount (12/1), Light Fandango (16/1)

All things considered, KING ULANDA did well to finish as close as he did to a thriving type at Haydock in the run-up to Christmas and he is appealing back from a short break. Leaumec de Mee is in good hands and is feared most given his obvious scope for improvement, while As Fast As Wind and A Different Kind both hold solid each-way claims. Handicap debutant Minella Jury also enters calculations.