January 27 / 16.10 Newcastle

16.10

Good To Soft

Border Minstrel Sunday Lunch Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 4f 62y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Border Minstrel Sunday Lunch Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Snow showers

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.80
  • Place: £1.80

Form: /458-3

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Ex-Nigel Hawke; fair third to a subsequent winner in a novice handicap chase at Musselburgh on stable/chase debut last time; hood now tried and although 2lb out of the handicap, hails from a yard in fine form; not without a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

28th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

19:00 Market Rasen

Parish Star

10st 11lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

2-5 for new stable this year; gained the wins on heavy and good to soft ground but coped perfectly well with good ground when close third at Kelso (2m5f; first-time tongue-tie) last month; hood (worn for three of her last four races) is discarded; likely contender again.

9/4

3rd

8

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Parish Star

10st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Won when the hood went back on at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) in January and followed up at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft); disappointing at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) last time but she was missing the hood, which returns today along with a first-time tongue-tie; could have a part to play.

9/2

16/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 2-54P8

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden over hurdles; showed some promise when placed in novice company last season but has been rather disappointing in handicaps from 2m-3m this term; cheekpieces now tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

10th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

13:35 Ayr

Burning It Up

11st 11lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Maiden; best run this season when a head second to a well-handicapped, subsequent winner when fitted with cheekpieces (retained) at Newcastle last time (2m4f, soft); clear of the rest that day so although up 2lb is one with a chance.

2/1

2nd

3

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

16:10 Newcastle

Burning It Up

11st 8lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Eight-race maiden over hurdles; showed some promise when placed in novice company last season but has been rather disappointing in handicaps from 2m-3m this term; cheekpieces now tried.

16/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: -4P854

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Yet to win in 11 tries under rules, but has run well enough on his last two starts, particularly when fourth in first-time headgear at Carlisle last time (2m1f, soft), to suggest he has an each-way chance here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 5

14:23 Carlisle

Rock N Roll Champ

10st 5lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Sandy Forster

Gave pretty good account before fading into fifth at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) on Tuesday but he's 0-11 over hurdles now and has to compete from just out of the weights.

16/1

5th

9

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

17:00 Newcastle

Rock N Roll Champ

10st 4lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Sandy Forster

13-race maiden; mainly fair efforts since returning from a break on last five starts; on a career-low mark; not without a chance;

14/1

Form: 46-333 BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Yet to win in seven runs over hurdles; fair third at Musselburgh in November (2m4f, good to soft) but not so good over same C&D on soft ground last time; may fare better here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Snow Dragon

11st 4lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Fourth to Parish Star over C&D (heavy; beaten 13l) in January and went closer (runner-up) in a five-runner affair at Musselburgh subsequently; usual 10lb claimer Gregor Walkingshaw retains the ride; can added cheekpieces make a difference?

4/1

2nd

4

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

16:50 Musselburgh

Snow Dragon

11st 4lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Eight-race maiden who has consistent form figures, including over C&D, this season; reasonably solid but chance of winning may depend on whether he's able to show better progress.

6/1

4th

4

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

16:10 Newcastle

Snow Dragon

11st 8lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Yet to win in seven runs over hurdles; fair third at Musselburgh in November (2m4f, good to soft) but not so good over same C&D on soft ground last time; may fare better here.

4/1

Form: /43PP-

Last run: 395 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish pointer; signs of promise over hurdles and fences but pulled up in two handicap chases in November/December 2024 and hasn't been out since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Kingofthegame

10st 2lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

A fading third over fences here on Saturday (2m5f, good) when all headgear was left off; back hurdling off 1lb higher (out of the weights) and stamina could be stretched over this far.

12/1

3rd

11

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Kingofthegame

10st 4lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

0-10 and lasted only three fences in a debuted visor (discarded) latest; saw out 3m well enough on the latter of two Irish point starts, but yet to hit the line strongly over 2m3f or beyond under rules.

10/1

11

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

19:15 Hexham

Kingofthegame

10st 4lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Martin Todhunter

Nine-race maiden; two fair efforts since returning from a 395-day break, notably when fourth over 3m at Carlisle last time (good; second-time cheekpieces); visor now tried and he's a possible.

12/1

Form: 25-066

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a Carlisle mares' handicap last February (2m1f, good to soft; cheekpieces on for first time); hasn't done as well since and stable companion Velvet Vulcan looks to have stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

9th May 2026

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:47 Hexham

Breadalbane Lass

10st 11lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: R Mike Smith

Off the mark over hurdles at 12th attempt, with clearcut success at Perth (2m, good) last month; 8lb rise demands more from her here but something may have clicked.

4/1

1st

14

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

16:40 Perth

Breadalbane Lass

10st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: R Mike Smith

Remains a maiden after 12 starts but she ran well when fourth at Carlisle (2m1f, good to soft) last month and could get closer to the target today if staying straight (hung badly left on the run-in last time).

10/1

4th

11

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

14:45 Carlisle

Breadalbane Lass

10st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: R Mike Smith

Finished second over C&D 13 months ago when in first-time cheekpieces but precious little to crow about since then; opposable.

25/1

Form: 06-990

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Ex-pointer; only modest form under rules and others have stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

16:45 Southwell

Steel Soldier

10st 8lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: John Norton

Belied his big odds in similar event at Huntingdon (2m, heavy) last time, achieving his first piece of placed form; the quandary is whether he can be trusted to back up that effort (no guarantees).

5/1

3rd

8

19th Feb 2026

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

14:51 Huntingdon

Steel Soldier

10st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: John Norton

Hasn't raised his modest profile in two handicaps, over 2m4f on slow ground; hard to make a case.

50/1

7th

10

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

16:10 Newcastle

Steel Soldier

10st 9lb

J: Jack Power

T: John Norton

Ex-pointer; only modest form under rules and others have stronger claims.

66/1

Form: 323/P-

Last run: 288 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Former Irish pointer; placed three times over hurdles for Rebecca Menzies in 2022; pulled up after long break on stable debut at Hexham last April and has not run since; plenty to prove at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

16th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Quickasican

11st 8lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Jessica Bedi

Lightly raced 9yo who was pulled up in 2m4f handicap chase at Hexham two weeks ago; not proving easy to catch right.

16/1

5

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

19:15 Hexham

Quickasican

11st 4lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Jessica Bedi

Failed to complete on first two starts over fences, but shaped better when second of five at Newcastle last time (2m4f, good); could go well.

8/1

2nd

6

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

13:30 Newcastle

Quickasican

11st 1lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Jessica Bedi

Signs of ability over hurdles for Rebecca Menzies in 2022; lightly raced since, failing to complete in two attempts over fences (PF) for this trainer; monitor only for time being.

20/1

Form: 65-687

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish pointer/hunter chaser; has shown some promise over hurdles but has been very disappointing on last two starts and plenty to prove at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:45 Hexham

Rightbackatyou

10st 9lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Stuart Coltherd

Ran his best race for nearly two years when a close fourth over C&D last time (good) on his third start over fences; each-way chance on that form.

7/1

4th

9

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

Rightbackatyou

10st 7lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Stuart Coltherd

Bumped into progressive winner when runner-up over C&D (soft) last month on his second chase start but beaten 31l and only two completed, so it wasn't a good advertisement for his claims this afternoon.

14/1

2nd

6

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

14:41 Hexham

Rightbackatyou

10st 10lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Stuart Coltherd

Modest maiden hurdler who made mistakes when pulled up on chasing debut in 3m Ayr handicap last month; he needs to take a major step forward.

33/1

Form: 4-4642

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
AW Flat winner (2m); best run over hurdles for current yard when a head second of 19 at Ayr last time (2m4f, soft; pulled hard, made one bad mistake); put up 2lb but form looks fair and he is one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

13th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Velvet Vulcan

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: R Mike Smith

Twice narrowly beaten at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in the winter but he has struggled to get competitive at Musselburgh, Ayr and here in his last three starts; mark is manageable and trainer won a division of this last year with Follow Charlie but he needs a revival in fortunes.

12/1

6th

9

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:25 Perth

Velvet Vulcan

10st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: R Mike Smith

Dual Flat winner who showed best hurdles form when going very close at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in January/February, latterly to The Coffey Boy; does need to shrug off two lesser runs since, though.

11/1

6th

5

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:50 Ayr

Velvet Vulcan

10st 12lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

Dual Flat winner who showed best hurdles form when going very close at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in January/February and ties in with The Coffey Boy on the latter effort; had excuses (unsuited by the track and/or removal of hood) at Musselburgh since; has been taking a good hold and may benefit from this drop back in trip; possibilities.

5/1

Form: 7-6088

Last run: 82 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo who has shown ordinary form in three runs over hurdles and last time in a handicap chase at Sedgefield; best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:07 Newcastle

Diamond Trilogy

10st 5lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: John Dawson

Has offered little in a handful of runs for Dianne Sayer this term, pulled up over C&D in January; tongue tied for his new yard with lots to prove after a break.

40/1

8

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

16:10 Newcastle

Diamond Trilogy

10st 10lb

J: William Maggs

T: Dianne Sayer

Lightly raced 7yo who has shown ordinary form in three runs over hurdles and last time in a handicap chase at Sedgefield; best watched for now.

33/1

Non-runners

Gonnino, Time Was

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.40
Straight Forecast £17.44
Tricast £75.68
Trifecta £75.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Velvet Vulcan

POSTDATA:

Snow Dragon

D Express:

Kingofthegame

The Times:

Snow Dragon

The Guardian:

Snow Dragon

RP RATINGS:

Velvet Vulcan

Telegraph:

Velvet Vulcan

Daily Mail:

Velvet Vulcan

Daily Mirror:

Velvet Vulcan

The Sun:

Velvet Vulcan

The Star:

Velvet Vulcan

Daily Record:

Velvet Vulcan