June 24 / 18.57 Newton Abbot

18.57

Good

Happy 80th Birthday June O’Dwyer Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4488.85
  • 2m 5f 122y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Happy 80th Birthday June O’Dwyer Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 4PF-61

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Came good over hurdles at seventh attempt, comfortably drawing clear to win Warwick handicap (2m3f, good) by over 7l three weeks ago; back in a novice hurdle with a 7lb penalty here; looks the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:56 Newton Abbot

Byzantium

11st 11lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Two hurdle wins last June and latest was over C&D (good); no joy in just three runs since but he was in lead when he ran out and crashed through the rails before the second-last at Wincanton (3m, good) last month; has possibilities if he can maintain his focus this time and he's well handicapped on his best form.

7/4

3

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:20 Wincanton

Byzantium

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

All three wins on good ground; won a 2m3f handicap at Warwick pretty easily and followed up back in novice company; well held since but he was returning from a lengthy break when pulling way too hard to Ludlow last month (2m5f); will need to settle if he's to stay this far but Harry Cobden takes over.

6/4

4th

6

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:20 Ludlow

Byzantium

11st 7lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Came good with comfortable handicap win at Warwick (2m3f) in June and easily followed up in modest novice event at Newton Abbot (2m5f) three weeks later; didn't shape too badly when fourth at Ascot (about 2m3f, also good) on his November comeback but absent since; can race freely but this drying ground should suit and he's respected.

6/1

Form: 89-4

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed only minor promise when a big-priced outsider for first two hurdle runs (2m/2m3f) and will probably be of greater interest when qualified for low-grade handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:37 Uttoxeter

Beau Gold

10st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Tailed off in a bumper and three hurdles races from 2m to 2m5f; enters handicaps with an awful lot to prove and principally of interest due to his connections.

9/1

2

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

18:57 Newton Abbot

Beau Gold

11st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Showed only minor promise when a big-priced outsider for first two hurdle runs (2m/2m3f) and will probably be of greater interest when qualified for low-grade handicaps.

33/1

1

21st May 2025

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Warwick

Beau Gold

11st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Some appeal on pedigree for 2m-2m5f hurdles, but looked in need of more time when fading right out of a Uttoxeter bumper (good) and Ffos Las maiden hurdle (2m, soft) last autumn/winter.

66/1

OUR TIP

Form: 867-75

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
0-9 over hurdles; not disgraced when fifth of 11 off his lowly handicap mark here (2m2f, good) last month but a minor role is probably his best hope on these terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

18:57 Newton Abbot

Kentucky Bluegrass

11st 1lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

0-9 over hurdles; not disgraced when fifth of 11 off his lowly handicap mark here (2m2f, good) last month but a minor role is probably his best hope on these terms.

20/1

8

28th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:48 Newton Abbot

Kentucky Bluegrass

11st 4lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Underwhelming form in handicaps and behind Privilege at Ffos Las despite that rival making a bad mistake.

25/1

8

28th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:48 Newton Abbot

Kentucky Bluegrass

11st 4lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Underwhelming form in handicaps and behind Privilege at Ffos Las despite that rival making a bad mistake.

25/1

Form: 035P-

Last run: 85 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Had excuse when pulled up on hurdling debut in March (saddle slipped) but did not show much in three bumpers beforehand.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:20 Wincanton

Sure To Be Sure

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Helen Nelmes

Well held in his three bumpers and he's been pulled up at big prices in both hurdle runs (saddle slipped on first occasion); can only be watched.

100/1

4

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

18:57 Newton Abbot

Sure To Be Sure

11st 1lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Helen Nelmes

Had excuse when pulled up on hurdling debut in March (saddle slipped) but did not show much in three bumpers beforehand.

100/1

Form: 115-1F C

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Late-maturing 10yo who won three good-ground chases this spring (2m3f-2m7f); fell heavily when in contention at the business end here last month and now reverts to hurdling for first time since 2022 but ought to play a significant role in this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:53 Newton Abbot

Time To Bite

11st 13lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Admirable veteran who recorded his ninth chase win when making all to score from 2lb out of the weights at Fakenham (3m, good) this month; this is tougher off 4lb higher but he seems as good as ever as an 11yo and three of his wins have come at this track; key player.

9/4

1st

7

4th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:03 Fakenham

Time To Bite

10st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Eight-time chase winner who often makes the running and is very well suited by good or faster ground; went close off his lower hurdle mark last month; on career-high mark from just out of the weights here and usually runs over slightly shorter trips but still features prominently in calculations.

7/2

2nd

6

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

16:00 Wincanton

Time To Bite

10st 9lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Most wins and best form are over fences and he ran pretty well at Exeter last month; the time before, in October, he won a small-field handicap hurdle at Exeter off his much lower hurdle mark (now 3lb higher); could have some part to play.

9/2

Form: 09-33

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed the benefit of a wind op when third in good-ground Plumpton bumper last month and stuck to her task pretty well when filling same position over hurdles at Market Rasen (2m2f, good) three weeks ago; should still have more to offer; no surprise if she features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

20:17 Hereford

Kill The Groove

11st 9lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Karen Jewell

0-7 over hurdles though reaching the frame on three starts at Plumpton this year, all over 2m; made an underwhelming switch to fences last month at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) trailing in last of the five finishers; needs to raise her game.

20/1

5th

2

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:47 Fontwell

Kill The Groove

11st 10lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Karen Jewell

0-7 over hurdles but made the frame on all three outings this year (all over 2m at Plumpton); moves back up in trip for this chasing debut with cheekpieces (worn once) removed; seems versatile regarding ground; can feature if he gets into a good jumping rhythm.

9/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed on Irish point debut in March (good to yielding) but well beaten twice since in that sphere; changed hands for £3,000 last month; has tongue-tie fitted for rules debut; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

15:37 Ludlow

Needtoknow

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Joe Ponting

Not as far out of the weights as when an outpaced fifth on this month's handicap debut, and the longer trip may prove a plus; still a lot to find with the best of these, however; cheekpieces already discarded.

50/1

8

3rd Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

16:48 Fontwell

Needtoknow

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Joe Ponting

Limited promise thus far and finds herself 11lb out of the weights for handicap debut; cheekpieces added.

33/1

Non-runners

Golden Echo

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.50
Straight Forecast £3.81
Trifecta £7.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Byzantium

The Times:

Kill The Groove

D Express:

Golden Echo

Telegraph:

Kill The Groove

RP RATINGS:

Byzantium

TOPSPEED:

Byzantium

POSTDATA:

Byzantium

WEST COUNTRY:

Byzantium

The Guardian:

Byzantium

Daily Mail:

Byzantium

Daily Mirror:

Byzantium

The Sun:

Byzantium

The Star:

Byzantium

Daily Record:

Byzantium