Unibet Tolworth Hurdle: runner-by-runner guide and tip

Changed hands for £305,000 late in 2021 despite being beaten in his two point-to-point runs. Went some way to justifying his chunky price tag when easily landing a 22-runner maiden hurdle at Cork last month, despite a couple of scruffy jumps in the second half of the race (also unseated in his first point). Henry de Bromhead suggested afterwards that the Grade Two Moscow Flyer Hurdle at Punchestown in the middle of this month might be his next race and it is interesting connections are instead considering fast-tracking him into Grade One company. Ireland’s sole winner of this race has been Yorkhill in 2016.

The pick of his five runs in bumpers was when fifth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March, and he’s made a promising start over hurdles – winning in commanding style at Lingfield before following up at Sandown despite a blunder at the final flight. Fiddlerontheroof (2020) and Constitution Hill (2022) won that same Sandown race before taking this. Authorised Speed looks to have a decent mix of speed and stamina, with soft/heavy ground clearly no issue for him. Josh and Jamie Moore believe it will be a case of the softer the better for him. He seems sure to run well.

Showed plenty of ability, plus some quirkiness, in his three bumpers without winning, although he was no match for Luccia on one occasion and on another came off second best against Tahmuras when getting 10lb. He came good over hurdles at the second time of asking at Kempton in November, when typically moving well through much of the race. This is going to ask a lot more of him, for all that his handicap mark of 126 probably underestimates him. For what it’s worth, his dam is a half-sister to none other than Faugheen.

He was sold for £130,000 after landing his second point-to-point and confirmed the promises of his Rules debut at Uttoxeter when going one better here on heavy ground in early November, despite sweating up beforehand. That form does not amount to much – the placed horses have since been beaten at Ffos Las and Taunton - but he’s a work in progress and is probably capable of better.

There was plenty to like about the way he edged out Tahmuras on his debut in a bumper at Ffos Las 11 months ago, when that rival got first run. He again looked a good prospect when winning on his hurdling bow at the same track in late November. On the latter occasion he was green in front and fluffed the final flight but he was well on top at the finish. In both his races, he moved like a good horse. How he can be available at 20-1 with bet365, when Tahmuras is no bigger than 7-4, is hard to fathom. In terms of prices, it was a similar story when they met on their respective debuts.

He was a smart stayer for Andre Fabre on the Flat in France, finishing runner-up in the Group Two Prix Chaudenay at the Arc meeting in 2020. We’ve not seen much of him since then, but he’s made a decent start over hurdles – winning in zestful fashion at Hereford (runner-up has done little for the form) before chasing home Hullnback under a penalty at Haydock. That latest effort should not be dismissed, as the winner was a smart bumper horse last season. Trainer Kerry Lee is not usually one to over face her horses.

Paul Nicholls landed this prize four times between 2003-08 but has had no joy since. Tahmuras warrants his place after winning both his starts over hurdles in pleasing fashion. He was not extended when making all at Chepstow and then pounced from off the pace when following up in Listed company at Haydock. Clearly, the six-year-old is versatile regards tactics and he looks straightforward. On the minus side, all three of his wins have featured the word “good” in the going description and deeper going could blunt some of his undoubted pace. And, as mentioned earlier, he was beaten fair and square by L’astroboy when they met in a Ffios Los bumper. That horse is trading at much bigger odds.

Didn’t achieve a great deal, at least in terms of form, when winning his first three races but we learnt more about him when he split Fennor Cross and Springwell Bay (neither have run since) in a Grade Two contest at Cheltenham in mid-November, when low sun meant only five hurdles were negotiated. Others have achieved more and he’s now likely to find himself on much more testing ground but it’s doubtful he’s reached his ceiling. He wore a red hood on the way to post last time and did show a little inexperience when hitting the front after briefly looking the most likely winner.

Luccia looked a worthy ante-post favourite and her absence gives the race a more open look. Four of the remainder are unbeaten over hurdles, including Authorised Speed, who seems certain to be on the premises. However, those after an each-way play should look no furter than L'ASTROBOY who is underestimated in the betting given he already has one verdict over the much shorter-priced Tahmuras. The race sponsors make him 14-1, but you can get 20-1 with bet365. Arctic Bresil slips into the “could be anything” category and would be the most intriguing of the remainder if he travels over.

1 L'ASTROBOY 2 AUTHORISED SPEED 3 TAHMURAS