14:05 Haydock 14 Feb 2026
ZYN Rendlesham Hurdle
Grade 2 | GBB Race | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner £34,170 - 5 ran
in touch, went third 3rd, shaken up and switched right after 3 out, pressed leaders 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on well flat, comfortably
jumped well, close up, shaken up 3 out, ridden to lead before 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace flat
raced in last, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, rallied and went third after 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
led, slow 1st, ridden along 3 out, headed before 2 out where not fluent, weakened before last
chased leading pair, in touch 3rd, still going okay when stumbled and unseated rider 3 out
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | £8.26 (5, 2) |
| Win | £2.38 (5) |
| Place | £1.30 (5), £2.00 (2) |
| Swinger | £4.80 (2, 5) |
| Exacta | £8.20 (5, 2) |
| Trifecta | £30.50 (5, 2, 6) |
Expert Analysis
The early pace was only steady and resulted in Lud’or being about three seconds behind Dalston Lad (who won the novice grade two race half an hour later) with a circuit to go. This winner was then about seven or eight lengths quicker than the Skelton-trained novice from two out to the line in what turned out to be a relative sprint finish. The ATR sectionals suggest a finishing speed of 108% which supports this supposition.
LUD’OR The quality of this form was reduced when the second favourite’s race ended immediately after the third last hurdle. That said, he beat the 141 rated runner up with some authority and has the Grade One Liverpool Hurdle as a possible target providing the ground rides soft at Aintree. His trainer stated post-race that his jumping is improving with each run and I would concur with this view.
HENRI THE SECOND After clearly being advantaged by the very deep ground at Sandown last time out, it was encouraging to see him perform well here on this less taxing surface. That said, he remains a horse to seriously mark up the next time we see him competing on extremely heavy going.
LAVIDA ADIVA With minor doubts attached to all four of her rivals that all important third place finish and grade two black type was a realistic aim. She was given every chance by Brian Hughes and stayed on nicely to take third position without having too hard a race.
BEAUPORT I assume his connections will be happy with this performance as the good to soft ground combined with the relative sprint finish would not have helped his cause. He seemed to finish off his race well enough against younger more progressive rivals.
FRENCH SHIP He appeared to be poised to challenge when stumbling two strides after three out in remarkably similar fashion to his mishap at Chepstow in October. Despite those similarities one would have to completely assume for now that it remains an act of random. The early pace was not a strong one and the race turned into a bit of a sprint up the home straight which should have suited a horse like him with proven pace over a shorter trip.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 14:05 Haydock 14th Feb 2026
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good to Soft | 6 | Gwennie May Boy | 7 | 11 6 | - | 111-F35 | 27 days | D Skelton (111 miles) | Charlie Todd | 6/ 1 | 6:10.20 | |
| 2024 | Heavy | 6 | Botox Has | 8 | 11 8 | - | 174-166 | 21 days | G & J Moore (233 miles) | Caoilin Quinn | 5/ 2 | 6:36.70 | |
| 2023 | Good to Soft | 6 | Wakool | 7 | 11 2 | - | 23-1724 | 13 days | N W Alexander (112 miles) | Conor O'Farrell | 6/ 1 | 6:13.95 | |
| 2022 | Heavy | 6 | Wholestone | 11 | 11 4 | - | 0121-5F | 455 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (133 miles) | Sam Twiston-Davies | 16/ 1 | 6:40.35 | |
| 2021 | Soft | 8 | Third Wind | 7 | 11 2 | - | 714-525 | 63 days | H Morrison (176 miles) | Tom Cannon | 9/ 2 | 6:19.29 | |
| 2020 | Heavy | 6 | Emitom | 6 | 11 2 | - | 11112-6 | 45 days | W Greatrex (171 miles) | Gavin Sheehan | 7/ 4 | 6:17.20 | |
| 2019 | Good | 7 | Shades Of Midnight | 9 | 11 2 | - | 3U8-321 | 49 days | A M Thomson (183 miles) | Henry Brooke | 11/ 2 | 6:03.70 | |
| 2018 | Heavy | 5 | Donna's Diamond | 9 | 11 2 | - | P44U4-1 | 28 days | C Grant (132 miles) | Callum Bewley | 7/ 1 | 5:59.00 | |
| 2017 | Good to Soft | 5 | Zarkandar | 10 | 11 2 | - | 343-U57 | 63 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Harry Cobden | 9/ 4 | 5:38.30 | |
| 2016 | Heavy | 6 | Reve De Sivola | 11 | 11 10 | - | 120-625 | 28 days | Nick Williams (241 miles) | Richard Johnson | 7/ 2 | 6:21.20 | |
| 2015 | Soft | 6 | Closing Ceremony | 6 | 11 5 | - | 14-0112 | 35 days | Miss E C Lavelle (184 miles) | Richie McLernon | 12/ 1 | 5:50.11 | |
| 2014 | Heavy | 7 | Seeyouatmidnight | 6 | 11 6 | - | P3F-111 | 13 days | A M Thomson (183 miles) | Ryan Mania | 6/ 1 | 6:14.30 | |
| 2013 | Heavy | 7 | Across The Bay | 9 | 11 4 | - | P3-1127 | 42 days | D McCain Jnr (34 miles) | Henry Brooke | 9/ 1 | 6:14.00 | |
| 2012 | Heavy | 7 | Restless Harry | 8 | 11 12 | - | 9-13234 | 21 days | R Dickin (111 miles) | H Oliver | 9/ 2 | 6:11.30 | |
| 2011 | Heavy | 6 | Cross Kennon | 7 | 11 8 | - | 46-61B2 | 24 days | J Candlish (48 miles) | A O'Keeffe | 8/ 1 | 6:00.59 | |
| 2010 | Soft | 8 | Souffleur | 7 | 11 4 | - | 002-P04 | 28 days | P & M Bowen (203 miles) | Tom O'Brien | 8/ 1 | 6:00.00 | |
| 2009 | Soft | 6 | Kasbah Bliss | 7 | 11 13 | - | 12-2114 | 133 days | F Doumen | C Pieux | 10/ 11 | 6:08.70 | |
| 2008 | Good to Soft | 7 | Kasbah Bliss | 6 | 11 12 | - | 611135 | 56 days | F Doumen | F Keniry | 17/ 2 | 6:00.50 | |
| 2007 | Heavy | 6 | Labelthou | 8 | 11 1 | - | 151121 | 35 days | Miss E C Lavelle (184 miles) | B Fenton | 5/ 4 | 6:05.20 | |
| 2006 | Heavy | 6 | Neptune Collonges | 5 | 11 11 | - | 1-14121 | 14 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | C Williams | 2/ 11 | 6:08.70 |
