Kingwell plan for Ascot third Alexei

Alexei is due to step out of handicap company after a brave effort under top weight at Ascot’s Christmas meeting.

Joe Tizzard’s German-bred gelding has been a real success story during the first half of the season, starting out with a second-placed run in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and then winning both a valuable Ascot handicap and the Greatwood at Cheltenham.

He has shot up 20lb in ratings as a result of his exploits, and was therefore required to carry 12st and give away weight to all rivals in the Ascot Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle on Saturday.

Regardless, he was the 85-40 favourite and, after travelling smoothly and looking a real threat throughout, the extra weight he was carrying eventually told and he was beaten into third by Wilful and Hot Fuss.

“He ran a lovely race, Wilful was actually the horse I was most worried about with their Welsh Champion Hurdle form (third behind Alexei) and the big turnaround in the weights,” said Tizzard.

“I thought he travelled really well into the race and then the weight just took its toll which probably cost us second, but we were very happy with the run on what was perhaps not the nicest ground.”

The Grade Two Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton next year is an early 2026 target, marking a move into more exalted company for the five-year-old.

“He’s just got better and better with racing, and with the way he travelled, I think he’s not going to find the pace of a graded race a problem,” added Tizzard.

“We thought we’d head now for the Kingwell in February, and then he’ll have entries for everything in all the big Festivals.

“He’s been great fun so far, to win at Ascot and then win the Greatwood and then run a very solid race on Saturday. We’re having a great time with this horse and long may it continue.”