Grade Two Adonis Juvenile Hurdle Guide 2023

Joe Glayshier | @joeglayshier

Kempton - February 25 2023
Kempton 13:50
1
Paddy Brennan

Scriptwriter

J: Paddy Brennan
T: Milton Harris
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-5
OR: 132
Days: 28

Useful gelding on the flat before beginning over hurdles at Sedgefield in October, winning by two lengths at 11/10 favourite.

He has taken well to the obstacles, finishing first at Cheltenham in the Grade Two JCB Triumph Trial ahead of Perseus Way and then finishing second at the same course in the Finesse Hurdle in January, three quarters of a length behind Comfort Zone.

He’s bang in form and looks like the leading player in this race.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
07/11/23FLE16Gd7-1312
25/10/23GEE12Gd8-95
26/08/23YOR14GF9-98
15/07/23YOR14GS9-02
20/06/23ASC14Gd9-117
Kempton - February 25 2023
Kempton 13:50
5
Robert Dunne

Sarsons Risk

J: Robert Dunne
T: B F Brookhouse
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-0
OR: N/A
Days: 16


Flat winner for Ian Williams who had a breathing operation before his hurdling debut over 2m at Doncaster earlier this month.

He won by five lengths when priced at 7/2 joint favourite with Ring Of Beara, who finished in second place.
There should be more to come from the 4-year-old after that comfortable display, can not be dismissed in this open contest.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
17/11/23NCS16.5St10-25
28/05/23UTT16Gd11-33
07/05/23NMK14Sft8-512
13/04/23AIN17GS11-210
29/03/23KEM16St/Slw9-56
Kempton - February 25 2023
Kempton 13:50
3
Daryl Jacob

Nusret

J: Daryl Jacob
T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-0
OR: 130
Days: 42

Another one of the runners who had runs on the flat before winning the John Lynch 3-Y-O Hurdle at Punchestown last November, comfortably ahead of Morning Soldier.

He’s followed that with third place finishes at Leopardstown and Fairyhouse in the Race Displays Hurdle, where the duo of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend won with 8/13fav Blood Destiny.

He should be in the mix for victory after his impressive start to his hurdling career for Joseph O’Brien.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
24/09/23CUR17Sft9-326
09/09/23LEO13Gd9-16
07/06/23CUR14Gd9-101
29/04/23PUN16Gd/Y11-04
13/04/23AIN17GS11-23
Kempton - February 25 2023
Kempton 13:50
2
Jamie Moore

Perseus Way

J: Jamie Moore
T: Gary Moore
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-3
OR: 125
Days: 43

Decent flat horse who made hurdling debut in the JCB Triumph Trial at Cheltenham in November, finishing second behind favourite Scriptwriter when priced 25/1.

Then won at Leicester next time out before third in the Grade Two Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow over Christmas in a contest where Jonjo O’Neill trained Comfort Zone won.

Last time out, he brought more success with a victory at Huntingdon over 1m 7f and may continue upward curve in this contest. He should be respected.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
20/11/23KEM16St/Slw9-93
04/10/23KEM11St/Slw10-02
13/04/23AIN17GS11-27
14/03/23CHL16.5Sft11-210
25/02/23KEM16Gd11-32
Kempton - February 25 2023
Kempton 13:50
6
A P Heskin

Spartan Army

J: A P Heskin
T: Alan King
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-0
OR: 118
Days: 23

Winner on the flat for Joseph O’Brien at Down Royal over 1m 2f before winning on hurdling bow at Wetherby in November last year.

Followed that with fifth in the Grade Two Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow in December before coming second in a novice hurdle contest at Wincanton earlier this month.

He had every chance in that race, just being pipped for victory by a length by Celtic Art. Alan King has an excellent record in this race, with five previous winners coming from his yard.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
02/12/23DON16.5Gd10-94
06/11/23PLU16GS11-123
18/10/23BAT14Hy10-03
30/03/23TAU16.5Sft11-71
25/02/23KEM16Gd11-05
Kempton - February 25 2023
Kempton 13:50
7
Nathan Moscrop

The Churchill Lad

J: Nathan Moscrop
T: Rebecca Menzies
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-0
OR: 118
Days: 20

4-year-old flat winner at Newcastle last August before winning on hurdle debut at Cartmel later that month.

Has since won again at Catterick and recorded a second place finish behind the Paul Nicholls trained Afadil in the bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle at Musselburgh earlier this month.

He pulled a bit that day but ran on well for second and can do better. This race seems to be an open one with value for the horses going off 118 with every runner in decent form.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
08/11/23MUS15.5GS11-57
24/03/23MUS17.5GS11-115
25/02/23KEM16Gd11-07
05/02/23MUS15.5Gd11-02
27/12/22CHP16Sft11-04
Kempton - February 25 2023
Kempton 13:50
8
Nico de Boinville

Pawapuri

J: Nico de Boinville
T: Nicky Henderson
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 10-7
OR: N/A

Lovely flat winner for William Haggas who now makes hurdling debut for Nicky Henderson. She has won her last two outings at Yarmouth and Kempton and comes into this one with lots of potential for a top yard.

The daughter of Golden Horn should be considered for the win in the hands of top jockey Nico de Boinville.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
13/04/23AIN17GS10-99
25/02/23KEM16Gd10-74
31/10/22KEM11St/Slw9-91
25/09/22YAR10GS9-21
14/05/22NMK12GF9-23
Kempton - February 25 2023
Kempton 13:50
4
Harry Cobden

Rare Middleton

J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-0
OR: N/A
Days: 47

Had a couple of flat runs in Ireland for Andrew Oliver before making his hurdling debut for Paul Nicholls last month in the Invest Southwest Maiden Hurdle at Taunton in a class four, winning by three quarters of a length.

He was in control of that run and looks another prospect for the Paul Nicholls yard. He can go close again if progressing.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
04/11/23ASC15.5Sft10-38
17/03/23FAK16Sft10-124
25/02/23KEM16Gd11-03
09/01/23TAU16.5Sft10-91
15/10/22LEO10Y/Sft9-81