The Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle can lay claim to being the most exerting race of its kind over timber. At a track known for requiring staying power and with soft ground likely, Joe Napier previews this year’s Haydock field and gives his 1-2-3.
Botox Has ran out a ready winner on heavy ground in the race last season.
BEAUPORT
(Nigel Twiston-Davies/Tom Bellamy)
An inconsistent staying handicap chaser, Beauport was nevertheless very talented on his day in that sphere. The nine-year-old claimed last season’s Midlands National at Uttoxeter over 4m2f on heavy in one of the more remarkable performances of the previous jumps season, as he jumped well to his right on occasions.
That would also be an issue here, but Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge made a smooth transition back to hurdles, finishing third in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot last time out. He did that from the front and will likely attempt something similar here. With his previous inconsistency yet to be on show this season, he is the one to beat with conditions highly favourable.
BOTOX HAS
(Gary & Josh Moore/Caoilin Quinn)
Having previously looked like his form was on the wane, Botox Has bounced back for a much improved effort at Cheltenham last time out. Between that third-placed effort under a penalty in the Cleeve Hurdle and his win in this last year, he had run four times without remotely troubling the judge.
Testing ground at this venue clearly suit the Moores’ hurdling veteran. He is two from two over course and distance and won by nine lengths last season when also carrying a Grade 2 penalty. He should therefore be right on the premises again, although looks to face some more serious rivals than he did in 2024.
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NEMEAN LION
(Kerry Lee/Richard Patrick)
For sheer ability, Nemean Lion would be number one on the shortlist in this field. The son of Golden Horn has won six of his 13 hurdles starts, enjoying a brace of Grade 2s in his career too, while he was sent off at just 12/1 for last year’s Champion Hurdle after having won the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.
After wins at around 2m4f on his last two starts though, connections have stepped him right up in trip. He was second in the 2m5f Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton last term, but with this likely to turn into a slog, it is worth watching how he gets on before fancying his chances to defeat some proven stayers.
THUNDER ROCK
(Olly Murphy/Sean Bowen)
On a similar path to Beauport, Thunder Rock has returned to hurdling this term after reaching his peak over fences last term. He won at Listed level at Kelso among his five starts, though could not make the required leap up to Grade 1 company at Aintree in the Bowl in April.
Stepping back to hurdling has not been as seamless as it has for Beauport though. He was pulled up on his seasonal reappearance at Ascot before finishing fourth of six in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham over 2m4f. That form is well below what is required and he is not known for being the stoutest stayer either.
THE FIELD
Sounds Russian was the highest calibre performer of any of these at his best, finishing second in the 2023 Cotswold Chase and being brought down when still travelling with the pack in that year’s Gold Cup. He needed his reappearance run in this a year ago though and has been off for nearly as long this time around too.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we never got to see Indiana Dream’s full potential for Willie Mullins. He was tailed off on his debut for Jonjo & A J O’Neill, so is best watched, though both Gwennie May Boy and Kerryhill are unexposed at this level.
The former looked a handicapper going places last season. It has not quite worked out as well this term, but he shot up the ratings and has still largely been consistent, so could make his presence felt given his evident stamina, while Kerryhill was a Grade 2 winning novice, though may want the rain to stay away.
Ascot Chase Preview – Presse For Success In Saturday Grade 1
The Grade 1 Ascot Chase headlines one of the final big racing weekends in the run up to the Cheltenham Festival. Joe Napier analyses the six-strong line-up for this season’s renewal and gives his verdict. At a track he has a superb record at over fences, Pic D’orhy saw out an accomplished victory 12 months…
Thu 13 Feb 2025
VERDICT
Having nearly won a Grade 1 returning to hurdles, BEAUPORT has an excellent chance of burnishing that effort with a victory one tier below. Stamina will be required in abundance, and he has that based on his best chasing efforts and he should be difficult to pass if similar front-running tactics to Ascot are used. Botox Has won this impressively a year ago, but may just bump into a useful rival in receipt of 6lb this time, while Gwenniw May Boy is worth a step up to Graded company in a race such as this.
- Beauport
- Botox Has
- Gwennie May Boy
