February 13 / 14.15 Newcastle

14.15

Soft

Al Dousari Qatar Equine Products UK Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 0f 190y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
SKY
View Course
Al Dousari Qatar Equine Products UK Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.80
  • Place: £4.20

Form: 544-54

Last run: 46 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 6yo who comes here on the back of a promising fourth of 14 in 2m Kelso novice hurdle after Christmas; he has more to offer now going into handicaps so merits serious consideration.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

20:20 Hexham

That One

11st 10lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: James Walton

Made all to win a 2m novice hurdle here last April and follow-up effort when runner-up in a handicap at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) was promising; however, both hurdling efforts since haven't been so good and he was a mid-race faller on last month's chase debut; should stay this far and he's on a competitive mark if recapturing initial promise.

25/1

2

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

14:30 Hexham

That One

12st 0lb

J: Jack Power

T: James Walton

Won the novice hurdle (2m, good) on this card 12 months ago; he needs to improve upon what he produced in two handicap hurdles in February but the return to Hexham could help and he might be suited by the switch to fences.

12/1

OUR TIP

12/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: -P6436 BF

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Failed to build on earlier promise when only sixth of eight in 2m Doncaster handicap hurdle after Christmas; he's in good hands and worth another chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:40 Carlisle

Willie Shake Hands

10st 8lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won on chase debut at Hexham (1m7f, good) last May and close third of six at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) in December; however, beaten 20l in fifth when upped in grade at Haydock (2m, good to soft) last month and remains in Class 3 company today; a career-best is required.

12/1

5th

10

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

15:45 Haydock

Willie Shake Hands

10st 8lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Sam England

Won on chase debut at Hexham (1m7f, good) last May and some good runs since, most recently close third of six at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) after a break; however, a career-best is needed now back up in grade.

14/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 94-113 CD BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Bagged handicaps over C&D and at Wetherby (2m) in December before a good third of ten in 2m4f handicap here four weeks ago; he can go well again nudged up 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

18th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Wetherby

Mister Smarty

11st 7lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Tina Jackson

held up in rear, headway after 4 out, outpaced after 3 out, kept on

11/4

2nd

8

22nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:05 Newcastle

Mister Smarty

11st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Tina Jackson

His defeat of Double Oban at Wetherby on Boxing Day now reads really well and he's since finished right on the scene in two visits here; remains on a good mark and has a lot less to prove than many of these; trip/ground ideal.

11/4

3rd

10

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

14:15 Newcastle

Mister Smarty

10st 10lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Tina Jackson

held up in rear

6/1

Form: P256

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Keen-going sort who wasn't disgraced when sixth of 12 in 2m Ayr handicap 24 days ago; he can't be ruled out off a 2lb lower mark in his bid for a maiden victory.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:00 Newcastle

Mix De Gris

10st 4lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

Seems to have learned to settle better on recent outings and kept on well for close fourth (just behind Willie Shake Hands) over C&D (good to soft) last month; slightly disappointing at Ayr since but still considered.

5/1

5th

6

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:00 Newcastle

Mix De Gris

10st 4lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

Seems to have learned to settle better on recent outings and kept on well for close fourth (just behind Willie Shake Hands) over C&D (good to soft) last month; slightly disappointing at Ayr since but still considered.

5/1

4th

9

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Ayr

Mix De Gris

10st 11lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

Remains winless but he posted a good fourth of 13 in 2m Newcastle handicap hurdle 22 days ago given he was set plenty to do; this keen-going sort can't be discounted off the same mark.

4/1

Form: 8-688

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Showed some fair form without winning on the Flat but he's failed to match it in a trio of hurdling runs, eighth of 11 in 2m4f Ayr novice last month; he may still do better though now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 2

15:22 Musselburgh

Vampire Slayer

10st 12lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

Won in a first-time visor (retained since) at Catterick (1m7f, soft) in January and easily made all at Sedgefield (2m1f, good to soft) next time; having gone up 9lb he was beaten 9l when third of 14 at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) last time but today's sharper track may help; could make bold bid.

14/1

3rd

6

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Vampire Slayer

11st 7lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

Two from two since visor went on, winning at Catterick (1m7f, soft) and Sedgefield (2m1f, good to soft; won by 13l); put up 9lb for last win but should be competitive again.

100/30

1st

4

4th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:42 Sedgefield

Vampire Slayer

11st 10lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

0-26 (0-9 over hurdles) prior to getting off the mark in a first-time visor at Catterick (1m7f, soft) a fortnight ago; came clear with the favourite and he's a strong candidate if the headgear maintains its effect.

5/2

Form: 2/55

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Son of Sea The Moon has been brought along steadily, posting his best effort when fifth of nine in 2m Wetherby novice hurdle 48 days ago, despite going very keenly; appeals as a likely improver now handicapping so he's a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

13:05 Hexham

Moonlight Monarch

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Michael & David Easterby

held up in rear

3/1

6th

6

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

14:15 Newcastle

Moonlight Monarch

11st 3lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Michael & David Easterby

towards rear, outpaced and plenty to do 6th, switched right towards near side before 2 out, stayed on approaching last, never on terms

10/1

27

27th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:00 Wetherby

Moonlight Monarch

11st 0lb

T: Michael & David Easterby

Form: 3-1125 D BF

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Bagged her second success in 2m Uttoxeter handicap in November but she came in just a fair fifth of eight at Aintree (2m4f) on Boxing Day; she shouldn't be written off for good yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Crystal Glance

11st 8lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Record of 4-12 over hurdles but she was vulnerable in her final three runs last year including over C&D (good); now only 1lb higher than for her last success but she needs to rediscover her spark after six months off.

8/1

5th

9

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Crystal Glance

11st 0lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

4-10 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Warwick (2m5f, good) in May; not seen to same effect when ridden much more patiently there this month, after a break, but kept on steadily for a modest third and may still have scope for further progress.

10/1

5th

9

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Crystal Glance

11st 0lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

4-10 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Warwick (2m5f, good) in May; not seen to same effect when ridden much more patiently there this month, after a break, but kept on steadily for a modest third and may still have scope for further progress.

10/1

Form: 7P539

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Enters calculations on the form of his good Catterick third but he came in only ninth in similar event there later in January; he needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

14:15 Newcastle

Walk In The Valley

11st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

midfield

20/1

Form: 6-77P1 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Cheekpieces on for the first time when a 40-1 winner of 2m Ayr handicap hurdle 24 days ago; hiked up 12lb but she still enters calculations with headgear again fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 3

14:43 Cartmel

Tread Softly Now

10st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Ian Duncan

Triple winner at up to 2m4f (soft and good); inconsistency tempers confidence in her backing up last month's Perth near-miss (2m4f, good; first-time visor retained), but has staying potential on breeding.

4/1

2nd

7

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:10 Perth

Tread Softly Now

10st 4lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Ian Duncan

Ayr winner in November (2m3f, soft); some fair form in lower grade events than this since; visor replaces normal cheekpieces.

14/1

4th

3

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 4

14:47 Ayr

Tread Softly Now

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Ian Duncan

Not one to rely upon heavily but won in good style here (2m3f, soft) in November and has been placed on two of her subsequent four appearances; can make presence felt if in right mood.

3/1

Form: 8-9491

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark in a change of headgear in 2m4f Sedgefield handicap hurdle eight days ago; he's not taken lightly under a 7lb penalty with the visor again sported.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Benefit Ben

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Won at Musselburgh (2m7f, soft) in December and returned to form at Sedgefield (2m5f, good) a fortnight ago, when he was narrowly in front when falling two out; won over hurdles here last May and he's on the shortlist.

5/2

1

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Benefit Ben

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

He's failed to shine on his three starts since his chase win at Musselburgh in December, last time tailed off over hurdles here; however, he won three times last year, including over hurdles here, and is not written off.

5/1

10th

8

19th Feb 2026

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:43 Sedgefield

Benefit Ben

11st 10lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

Three wins, the first over this C&D on soft, last year; hasn't been at his best on last two starts but has an each-way chance.

11/2

Form: 856-92 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Son of Kingston Hill took a step forward when runner-up in 2m Ayr handicap hurdle 24 days ago; up 4lb (including 1lb out of the handicap) but still needs considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

3rd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:02 Hexham

Am Still Here

11st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Placed in all five chases, the first two over C&D in May (good to soft/good); bumped into an improver when clear second at Perth (3m, good) in August and will be a tough nut to crack here if last month's wind op makes any positive difference.

7/2

5

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

18:38 Perth

Am Still Here

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Bang there in all four races since switched to fences and he was running on last time at Cartmel (2m5f); this trip is well worth exploring.

4/1

6

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:50 Cartmel

Am Still Here

11st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Runner-up in all three chases, most recently when going close over C&D (soft; also suited by good) last month; continues to creep up the weights but seems very likely to be on the premises again.

4/1

Form: 0-742

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Progressive Walk In The Park gelding arrives on the back of a very good second of 11 in C&D novice hurdle four weeks ago; he must enter calculations now stepping into handicap company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

8th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

Forsa Bay

11st 3lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: L J Morgan

Ostensibly a chance on the form of either of last season's third places off up to 5lb higher, one of them logged over 2m3f here; not a conspicuously strong finisher either time, however, which doesn't augur well stepping up to a new trip here; cheekpieces replace visor.

17/2

5th

3

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

15:58 Market Rasen

Forsa Bay

11st 10lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: L J Morgan

Made quite promising seasonal/chase debut over C&D in December and bounced back from a poor run with good third under Ellie Callwood at Hereford (2m, good; first-time visor) last month; could still have a bigger run in him; shortlisted.

7/2

Form: 4P5-9P D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Still a maiden, and he was off for eight months before being pulled up in 2m5f Ayr handicap hurdle 38 days ago; cheekpieces are reached for now with something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:45 Hexham

Rob Roy Macgregor

10st 13lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Thomson

Bumper winner on debut (2m1f, heavy); four fair runs with cheekpieces at up to 4m this year, all with give in the ground; worth considering.

6/1

3rd

10

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:41 Hexham

Rob Roy Macgregor

10st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Thomson

0-16 since winning on debut in March 2023 and he's 5lb out of the handicap today; however, he's been hinting in chases at about 3m this year that today's extra test of stamina may be right up his street; interesting for stable that had an excellent weekend.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £247.20
Straight Forecast £166.63
Tricast £731.32
Trifecta £1219.10

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Forsa Bay

POSTDATA:

Benefit Ben

Telegraph:

Tread Softly Now

The Sun:

Crystal Glance

D Express:

Willie Shake Hands

RP RATINGS:

Mister Smarty

SPOTLIGHT:

Moonlight Monarch

The Times:

Forsa Bay

The Guardian:

Forsa Bay

Daily Record:

Forsa Bay

The Star:

Tread Softly Now

Daily Mail:

Benefit Ben

Daily Mirror:

Benefit Ben