March 03 / 16.00 Newcastle

16.00

Good

Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 2m 0f 190y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £3.50

Form: 843860 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won off 13lb higher just over a year ago but has been finding it tough going of late and needs a major revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

25th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:58 Kelso

Rewired

11st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Has come good off his much reduced mark and a 4lb rise for Hereford last time is more than fair (2m, good); one of his career-best runs was on soft so rain won't bother him.

11/8

3rd

2

25th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:58 Kelso

Rewired

11st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Has come good off his much reduced mark and a 4lb rise for Hereford last time is more than fair (2m, good); one of his career-best runs was on soft so rain won't bother him.

11/8

9/4

  • Place: £1.70

Form: -34222 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Has finished runner-up in all three handicaps, the latest at Bangor after a wind operation; off an untouched mark he should be bang there.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:20 Ayr

The Grafter

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sam England

Built upon his hurdling promise to win on chase/seasonal debut at Newcastle (2m, heavy) in January and he followed up there (2m, good to soft) in February; climbing the weights but this unexposed 7yo had something to spare for both wins and may well have more left in the tank.

100/30

1st

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:10 Newcastle

The Grafter

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Runner-up in four handicap hurdles last season; heavy ground could have been a factor in him showing improved form on his successful chase debut over C&D last month, though was well backed prior to comfortably repelling Spadestep; 9lb worse off with the runner-up but clearly open to further improvement.

11/4

1st

4

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

13:50 Newcastle

The Grafter

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Maiden; runner-up in four handicap hurdles last season; has no easy task on chase debut having been off for 278 days.

8/1

Form: 767-34

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
0-10 under both codes since leaving Ben Pauling; was placed here in January but in a Class 5 and struggled at this level last time (longer trip was no excuse).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

7th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Galahad Threepwood

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

Dual AW Flat winner (1m4f); only hurdle win was for Ben Pauling off 11lb higher at Doncaster in March 2023 (2m3f, good); some fair form last term, stable in good form and he's a possible.

7/1

3rd

1

7th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Galahad Threepwood

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

Dual AW Flat winner (1m4f); only hurdle win was for Ben Pauling off 11lb higher at Doncaster in March 2023 (2m3f, good); some fair form last term, stable in good form and he's a possible.

7/1

6th

9

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:58 Ayr

Galahad Threepwood

10st 9lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Ewan Whillans

Kept on for fair third at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) in January and is now 4lb lower; however, his subsequent form hasn't come up to scratch and he's won just one of his 18 hurdle starts; needs something extra.

20/1

Form: 34/2-3 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 11yo; had a wind op during a long absence before returning with a 7l third at Musselburgh (good to soft); clear claims if he can build on that but there are doubts in that respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Fostered Phil

11st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: William Young Jnr

Veteran who won twice in 2025, the second by 7l over C&D (soft) in December; now 5lb higher in a stronger race.

14/1

7th

9

1st Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:04 Ayr

Fostered Phil

11st 5lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: William Young Jnr

11yo who is lightly raced for his age and won at Perth (2m4f, good) in September before 2l third at Kelso (2m5f, good); well-beaten third at Perth (2m4f) since when the soft ground may not have been ideal, and a similar surface is expected today.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 241212 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Consistent gelding who is climbing the weights but it was another good run behind one in form at Catterick three weeks ago; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

Bathgate

11st 5lb

J: Ian Power

T: Philip Kirby

Yet to run well at Kelso (three attempts) and well beaten at Catterick last time; however, he had an excuse (bled from the nose) and he won three times in the winter (2m1f/2m3f, soft/good to soft); not written off.

16/1

6th

4

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 3

15:30 Catterick

Bathgate

11st 6lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Has won over C&D (good to soft/soft) on his last two starts to make it three wins from his last four outings; did it in good style a fortnight ago and a 7lb rise may not stop this thriving 6yo.

11/4

1st

7

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

15:00 Catterick

Bathgate

11st 3lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Has won two of his last three races, the latest over C&D last month (good to soft); back up another 4lb (10lb rise in total); each-way contender.

5/1

Form: 2444

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won a British point and then runner-up in a bumper; has come up against some useful horses in novices and he's an interesting newcomer to handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Travis Wheatley

11st 13lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Has done well both runs with cheekpieces, winning off a 9lb lower mark at Newcastle in January (2m1f, good to soft) before creditable third off this mark at Ayr last time (2m4f, soft); chance if as effective on this ground.

6/1

3rd

9

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:15 Ayr

Travis Wheatley

10st 11lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Adam Nicol

The first-time cheekpieces appeared to make a huge difference at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) where he jumped well in front and won unchallenged by just over 5l; 9lb higher in a higher grade but he arrives here a relative unknown quantity, especially over this far.

8/1

1st

7

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle

Travis Wheatley

11st 8lb

J: Jack Power

T: Adam Nicol

11lb lower now than on handicap debut and he's shown enough for his new yard this term not to be ruled out entirely; headgear first time.

11/2

Form: 165-60

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Capable Flat stayer but last month's return to hurdling was forgettable, finishing tailed off at Musselburgh when 33-1.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(7)

1st Oct 2025

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 6

16:38 Musselburgh

Rory The Cat

9st 3lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Went close off 8lb higher in this race (good) last year but he's generally struggled since (Flat and hurdles) and was a remote fourth of five here last time; that took his losing run to 12 and others are preferred.

15/2

4

(4)

14th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

15:25 Musselburgh

Rory The Cat

8st 11lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won over 1m6f here last August off 3lb higher but below form since; showed a bit more when third of five over C&D (good) 19 days ago, however, and a further 2lb drop in the weights gives him a fighting chance.

5/2

2

(3)

26th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

16:50 Musselburgh

Rory The Cat

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Now 1lb lower than his win here over 1m6f (good) last August but he's been well beaten in three starts this summer, on this track and at Ayr; bit to prove.

10/1

Non-runners

Old But Gold, Russian Virtue

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.70
Straight Forecast £23.99
Tricast £167.93
Trifecta £122.90

Selections

Telegraph:

Bathgate

Daily Mail:

The Grafter

TOPSPEED:

Fostered Phil

RP RATINGS:

Galahad Threepwood

The Times:

Travis Wheatley

SPOTLIGHT:

Russian Virtue

The Guardian:

Bathgate

Daily Record:

Bathgate

D Express:

The Grafter

The Star:

The Grafter

POSTDATA:

Galahad Threepwood

Daily Mirror:

Fostered Phil

The Sun:

Fostered Phil