Alexei Claims the Kingwell Hurdle with a Workmanlike Display to Announce Champion Hurdle Credentials

Stepping out of handicap company for the first time, Joe Tizzard’s Alexei proved he is at least Grade 2 quality with a controlled performance in the BetMGM Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. The race was run on heavy ground following an 8 am precautionary inspection, and the conditions, while testing, posed no problem for the 1/2 favourite.

The race was dominated from the start by Rubaud, trained by Paul Nicholls, who took up his customary front-running position. The replay shows Brendan Powell sitting patiently on Alexei in second, tracking the veteran Rubaud into the home straight. Despite having a long look at the final flight, momentarily appearing to put himself in a difficult spot, Alexei met the hurdle adequately enough and jumped into the lead.

Rubaud, an eight-year-old who has been a consistent performer at Wincanton over the years, kept finding on the run to the line and tested Alexei’s resolve. The winner responded well enough to pull clear by a length and a quarter, confirming his superiority at the weights.

Key Observations on Replay

– **Alexei’s gearing:** He did not win with a flash of brilliance but demonstrated a good level of professionalism for a horse stepping into Grade 2 company for the first time. His win in the Greatwood Hurdle earlier this season had come on soft ground and the heavy conditions at Wincanton were therefore not an obvious concern.
– **The final flight:** Alexei did take a long look at the last hurdle, a quirk that was noted. His rider Brendan Powell managed it effectively, keeping him focused enough to land in the lead and extend on the flat.
– **Rubaud’s effort:** The runner-up ran another brave race and is a useful yardstick. His form at Wincanton is well-established, he is a front-runner who is hard to pass when in full flow, making Alexei’s win over him genuine Champion Hurdle form.

Trainer’s Assessment

Joe Tizzard, watching from Ascot where he had other runners, was measured but clearly excited: “He’s a good traveller through a race. Whether he’s good enough [for the Champion Hurdle] we’ll find out. One thing he will do is travel into it and if he’s good enough, he’s good enough. Rubaud is a good yardstick, and he loves it round Wincanton, so I’m pleased.”

He added: “If you’d said to us in the autumn, he was a Champion Hurdle horse, he was nowhere near it. But we’ve had a cracking season with him and we’ll roll the dice.”

Context

The Kingwell Hurdle has served as a Champion Hurdle trial of note, most recently the 2025 winner, Golden Ace, went on to land the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham at long odds. While Alexei is not a 33/1 shot in the market, connections clearly believe he has further improvement in him and his workmanlike performance here at least suggests he will not be out of place at the Festival.