12:55 Haydock 14 Feb 2026
Richard Howard 80th Birthday Celebration Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle
GBB Race | Class 2 | 4YO only
Winner £10,892 - 8 run
Soft-heavy in places (prec inspection 8am)
Draw Advantage: None
Forecast: Light sleet
Temperature: 1.9° - 6.2°
Rainfall: 1.15mm
Wind: 7.1 mph SE
Last Update: 14/02/2026 07:00
- Winner
- Top 3 Finish
- Top 2 Finish
- W/O Manlaga
- W/O
- W/O Manlaga And Pourquoi Pas Papa
- W/O Pourquoi Pas Papa
- Top 4 Finish
- W/O The Mighty Celt
- W/O Manlaga And The Mighty Celt
- Insure 3 Places
Bookies best price percentage = 112.22% | Standard bookmaker terms: 3 places, 1/5 odds
AT THE RACES is not liable for any services or information offered or provided by its bookmaker partners. Please note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure odds and information are up to date and correct, differences between these and actual odds/information available from bookmakers at time of placing a bet may occur.
Jumped abysmally and was well held up in class when fourth, beaten 37l, in the Grade 2 Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow latest. Cheekpieces are fitted for the first time; effective at 2m and acts on soft; could bounce back in the headgear.
Successful in a hurdle race and a NH flat race at 1m 4f and 2m on good to soft and soft ground. Well beaten at 10-11fav behind Tenter Le Tout when fourth of 5 on his latest outing in a Grade 2 hurdle race in the Group 2 Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow over 2m (good to soft) in December last year. Has won at Sandown and Vichy this season.
Jumped abysmally and was well held up in class when fourth, beaten 37l, in the Grade 2 Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow latest. Cheekpieces are fitted for the first time; effective at 2m and acts on soft; could bounce back in the headgear.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% | |
| Hurdle | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| G | Similar Going | 3 | 2 | 0 | 66.7% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (P only) | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | S Bowen | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | G & J Moore | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| BF Was beaten favourite last time out | |||||
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Bit below form when upped in grade and well beaten in a Grade 1 hurdle at Auteuil latest. Hood fitted for the first time; returning from a layoff; effective over 2m–2m2f with cut and has undergone a wind operation ahead of his stable debut.
A winner of a hurdle race at 1m 7f on heavy ground. Well beaten at 12-1 behind Leopard Du Berlais when eighth of 11 on his latest outing in a Grade 1 hurdle race in the Group 1 Prix Cambaceres - Grande Course de Haies des 3 ans Hurdle at Auteuil over 2m 2f (soft) in November last year. Having his first run for a new stable today.
Bit below form when upped in grade and well beaten in a Grade 1 hurdle at Auteuil latest. Hood fitted for the first time; returning from a layoff; effective over 2m–2m2f with cut and has undergone a wind operation ahead of his stable debut.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 6 | 1 | 3 | 16.7% | |
| Hurdle | 6 | 1 | 3 | 16.7% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 5 | 1 | 2 | 20% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (T & H) | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hood | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Harry Skelton | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | Dan Skelton | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Yard has won four of the last 10 runnings of this race; improved to get off the mark with plenty in hand when winning a maiden hurdle at Wincanton by 7l last time. Effective around 2m, acts with cut; worth a shot at this level.
Won on his latest outing in a maiden hurdle race when 5-4fav at Wincanton over 1m 7f (heavy) last month, beating Aguellid by 7l.
Yard has won four of the last 10 runnings of this race; improved to get off the mark with plenty in hand when winning a maiden hurdle at Wincanton by 7l last time. Effective around 2m, acts with cut; worth a shot at this level.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 4 | 1 | 3 | 25% | |
| Hurdle | 4 | 1 | 3 | 25% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| G | Similar Going | 4 | 1 | 3 | 25% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 4 | 1 | 3 | 25% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Freddie Gingell | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | P F Nicholls | 3 | 1 | 2 | 33.3% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Improved when winning a juvenile hurdle at Newbury by 8l last time and returns from a short break. Effective at 2m and acts on soft and good ground; progressive, but this represents a much tougher assignment.
Successful in two hurdle races at 2m on good and good to soft ground. A winner at 6-1 in a hurdle race at Newbury over 2m (good to soft) on her latest outing in December last year, beating Cayman Dancer by 8l. Has also won at Hereford this season.
Improved when winning a juvenile hurdle at Newbury by 8l last time and returns from a short break. Effective at 2m and acts on soft and good ground; progressive, but this represents a much tougher assignment.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% | |
| Hurdle | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| G | Similar Going | 3 | 2 | 0 | 66.7% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 8 | 4 | 1 | 50% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | James Davies | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| T | Tim Vaughan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Travelled well but was unable to wear down a race-fit rival who led all the way when second, beaten 3/4l, in a Listed Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle at Doncaster latest. Trainer in form; effective at 1m7f–2m1f on heavy and soft; brings further potential.
A winner of a hurdle race at 1m 7f on heavy ground. Beaten 3/4l by Manganese when second of 5 at 5-4 on her latest outing in a hurdle race at Doncaster over 2m 1f (soft) last month.
Travelled well but was unable to wear down a race-fit rival who led all the way when second, beaten 3/4l, in a Listed Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle at Doncaster latest. Trainer in form; effective at 1m7f–2m1f on heavy and soft; brings further potential.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% | |
| Hurdle | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | B S Hughes | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | N J Henderson | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Bit keen and green under pressure, not knocked about and showed promise on debut when well beaten in a juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown on his only start. Effective at 2m2f on good to yielding; should improve for the experience, but this is tough.
Full brother to Draiocht, won at 1m. Finished 12l behind Lynches Knock when sixth of 15 at 25-1 on his racecourse debut at Leopardstown over 2m 2f (good - yielding) in December last year.
Bit keen and green under pressure, not knocked about and showed promise on debut when well beaten in a juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown on his only start. Effective at 2m2f on good to yielding; should improve for the experience, but this is tough.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Hurdle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Similar Going | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (H only) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Donagh Meyler | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | E Mullins | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Improved on a moderate debut when second, beaten 1 1/2l, in a maiden hurdle at Catterick latest. Effective at 2m on soft ground; hard to fancy at this level.
Placed in a hurdle race from two starts. Beaten 1 1/2l by Belaya River when second of 9 at 13-2 on his latest outing in a maiden hurdle race at Catterick over 2m (soft) last month.
Improved on a moderate debut when second, beaten 1 1/2l, in a maiden hurdle at Catterick latest. Effective at 2m on soft ground; hard to fancy at this level.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| Hurdle | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| G | Similar Going | 7 | 2 | 1 | 28.6% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 13 | 3 | 3 | 23.1% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | James Bowen | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| T | Mickey Bowen | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Bit below form when up in grade and well beaten in a maiden at Galway latest. Effective at 11f on the Flat; brings potential to hurdles, but this looks a tough ask on debut.
Beaten 20l behind Edelak at 9-2 when seventh of 18 on his latest outing at Galway over 1m 4f (yielding - soft) in July last year. Having his first run for a new stable today, previously with John Joseph Murphy in Ireland.
Bit below form when up in grade and well beaten in a maiden at Galway latest. Effective at 11f on the Flat; brings potential to hurdles, but this looks a tough ask on debut.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hurdle | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Similar Going | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Craig Nichol | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | O Greenall & J Guerriero | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Verdict
Macktoad beat Pourquoi Pas Papa at Sandown prior to proving a very disappointing odds-on favourite in a Grade 2 at Chepstow. Some may forgive that effort and give him another chance, but MANLAGA might get the better of him. Nicky Henderson's filly shaped with lots of promise when just touched off in a Listed contest at Doncaster last month. With any amount of improvement to come, she can take a step forward to score.
Expert View Verdict
The Mighty Celt is an interesting recruit for the Skeltons, having been placed at Graded level in France, and he's undergone a wind op ahead of this British debut while the fitting of a first-time hood could also act as a catalyst for improvement, but we'll side with the filly MANLAGA instead. Nicky Henderson's runner won her only start in France and ran a race full of promise on her British debut three weeks ago at Doncaster, just unable to reel in the useful front-runner. Marked improvement can be expected and she's just favoured. Macktoad looked a smart juvenile when making a winning debut at Sandown in December but was never going a yard on quick ground at Chepstow over the festive period. Back on deeper ground and with cheekpieces now added, he could easily bounce back and have a big say.
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Previous Winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good to Soft | 5 | Gibbs Island | 4 | 11 5 | - | 756921 | 20 days | T Lacey (140 miles) | Stan Sheppard | 4/ 1 | 3:55.62 | |
| 2024 | Heavy | 4 | Salver | 4 | 11 8 | - | 9111 | 52 days | G & J Moore (233 miles) | Caoilin Quinn | 2/ 5 | 4:14.70 | |
| 2023 | Good to Soft | 9 | Bo Zenith | 4 | 11 8 | - | 1-3 | 42 days | G & J Moore (233 miles) | Tom Cannon | 9/ 4 | 3:53.85 | |
| 2022 | Heavy | 6 | Porticello | 4 | 11 6 | - | 1-121 | 54 days | G & J Moore (233 miles) | Joshua Moore | 3/ 10 | 4:09.25 | |
| 2021 | Soft | 4 | Monmiral | 4 | 11 6 | - | 1-11 | 70 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Sean Bowen | EVENS | 4:02.18 | |
| 2020 | Heavy | 6 | Sir Psycho | 4 | 11 6 | - | 8-34141 | 45 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Bryony Frost | EVENS | 4:03.20 | |
| 2019 | Good to Soft | 4 | Quel Destin | 4 | 11 6 | - | 121111 | 51 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Sean Bowen | 4/ 6 | 3:50.50 | |
| 2018 | Heavy | 6 | Turning Gold | 4 | 10 12 | - | 782224 | 9 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (133 miles) | Sam Twiston-Davies | 6/ 1 | 4:01.45 | |
| 2017 | Good to Soft | 5 | Don Bersy | 4 | 11 6 | - | 2F11 | 23 days | T Symonds (145 miles) | James Davies | 3/ 1 | 3:49.79 | |
| 2016 | Heavy | 4 | Frodon | 4 | 11 6 | - | 1-3F543 | 21 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Sean Bowen | 4/ 1 | 4:19.40 | |
| 2015 | Soft | 4 | Top Notch | 4 | 11 6 | - | 11-11 | 28 days | N J Henderson (170 miles) | Daryl Jacob | 2/ 13 | 4:00.93 | |
| 2014 | Heavy | 7 | Abracadabra Sivola | 4 | 10 12 | - | 2535 | 28 days | Nick Williams (241 miles) | Sam Twiston-Davies | 9/ 1 | 4:16.80 | |
| 2013 | Heavy | 6 | Only Orsenfoolsies | 4 | 11 3 | - | 214421 | 37 days | Micky Hammond (121 miles) | K Renwick | 10/ 1 | 4:11.20 | |
| 2012 | Soft | 7 | Une Artiste | 4 | 10 13 | - | 93111 | 44 days | N J Henderson (170 miles) | David Bass | 10/ 11 | 4:17.60 | |
| 2011 | Heavy | 5 | Houblon Des Obeaux | 4 | 11 6 | - | 39F222 | 42 days | Miss V Williams (118 miles) | Aidan Coleman | 5/ 4 | 4:05.10 | |
| 2010 | Soft | 7 | Me Voici | 4 | 11 6 | - | 721 | 54 days | Nick Williams (241 miles) | Daryl Jacob | 11/ 10 | 4:05.62 | |
| 2009 | Soft | 6 | Stow | 4 | 11 3 | - | 952132 | 13 days | Miss V Williams (118 miles) | Sam Thomas | 9/ 4 | 4:04.50 | |
| 2008 | Good to Soft | 7 | Serabad | 4 | 11 4 | - | 342132 | 21 days | P & M Bowen (203 miles) | Paddy Brennan | 6/ 5 | 4:07.10 | |
| 2007 | Heavy | 5 | Grand Bleu | 4 | 11 8 | - | 1 | 77 days | F Doumen | J Ricou | 11/ 10 | 4:04.20 | |
| 2006 | Heavy | 5 | Overlut | 4 | 11 8 | - | F711 | 94 days | F Cottin | D Gallagher | 5/ 1 | 4:03.10 |
Race Favourite Stats
| Year | Favourite Finish Position | Winner Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 | 4 |
| 2017 | 3 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 | 2 |
Race Record
| Distance | Record Time |
|---|---|
| 1m 7f 144y | 3:37.20 |