Today / 13.42 Hexham

13.42

Good

Andy Calvert Celebration Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4805.71
  • 2m 0f 48y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Andy Calvert Celebration Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

Form: 1/324/ D BF

Last run: 470 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won twice over 2m4f in 2023 for Olly Murphy but his career has been punctuated by lengthy absences since; shaped as though retaining ability when returning from a break in November 2024 and again in two subsequent starts after a second wind operation, but absent again since February 2025; makes stable debut and not ruled out if fully tuned up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

28th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

14:13 Newbury

Bobby Socks

11st 4lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

held up in rear, headway 3 out, hung left but disputing third approaching last, weakened run-in

4/1

2nd

10

3rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:50 Southwell

Bobby Socks

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won over C&D and at Perth (2m4f) on good ground in summer 2023, and returned from long absence with good third at Leicester (1m7f, good to soft) in November (had wind op afterwards); there's a slight concern that today's conditions might be slower than he prefers but, nevertheless, he helps to give Olly Murphy a strong hand in this race.

7/2

Form: F0-913 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Opened his account at the seventh attempt over hurdles in a match at Huntingdon (2m, good to firm) last month and bettered that effort when a close third over C&D seven days ago off the same mark; Paddy Hanlon's 5lb claim is unavailable here, but another effort of that calibre would put him firmly in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

18:43 Hexham

Stay In The Game

11st 5lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Made the breakthrough over hurdles at the seventh attempt, getting the better of the long-odds-on favourite in a match at Huntingdon (2m, good to firm; 6-1) 12 days ago; what that form amounts to is questionable, and this Class 4 contest is much more competitive.

4/1

1st

1

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

14:35 Huntingdon

Stay In The Game

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

15-race maiden but has competitive form on the Flat and in maiden hurdles; beaten 18l when ninth of 20 in a Down Royal handicap three weeks ago, which wasn't that bad a run; this is far less competitive.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 428/4-

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Below par on the AW this year and again failed to fire when last of five on the Flat at Carlisle (2m, good to firm) two weeks ago; however, his earlier fourth on handicap hurdle debut at Perth (2m4f, good) was more encouraging and gives him a chance of making the frame now down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(4)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:35 Catterick

Zephlyn

9st 7lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

In good form on the Flat this time last year, following up 2m win at Newcastle by winning twice over this C&D in May (good/good to firm); not been in top form on AW this year, but better run over hurdles last time; 5lb lower than last Flat win and is one with a chance.

9/2

Form: 6080-4 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Successful over 2m4f here nearly a year ago but has struggled to recapture that form since; shaped with a little more promise when fading into fourth over 2m5f at Kelso last month, but he'll need to build on that and this drop back to 2m may not play to his strengths.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Less Legacy

11st 8lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Won four-runner handicap at Hexham last June (2m4f, good to soft; cheekpieces on for first time); disappointing since; needs first-time blinkers to bring about significant improvement.

12/1

10th

3

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:11 Hexham

Less Legacy

11st 12lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Captured this prize last year (fourth win at the track) and caught the eye when eighth of 12 in 2m4f handicap at Sedgefield 34 days ago, racing wide and set a lot to do; he's a player off a 2lb lower mark now.

8/1

Form: F23-52

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Still a maiden after 16 starts over hurdles, though he has plenty of placed form and looked set to score before being caught close home in a Cartmel seller (2m1f, good) 17 days ago; requires more back in handicap company but has solid place claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:38 Cartmel

Character Testing

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Flat winner who is 0-15 over hurdles, though does have placed form off this mark; it wasn't too bad a run 19 days ago at Market Rasen.

8/1

5th

2

8th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

14:45 Market Rasen

Character Testing

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

0-14 over hurdles, and C&D second in January (good to soft) was the fourth time he's been beaten under a length in this sphere; not obviously ungenuine for all that, however, and he'll likely be just right for this after a couple of recent Flat spins; no ground concerns.

11/2

Form: P322-0 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
His sole win from 22 hurdle starts came at Musselburgh (2m, soft) in December but he has otherwise been a reliable performer and posted several solid efforts after wind surgery in January; has to be forgiven a below-par run at Kelso last time, where he weakened quickly, but could have a part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Newport

11st 4lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Iain Jardine

1-21 over hurdles, his win coming at Musselburgh in December (1m7f, soft); has continued to run well since, notably when second over 2m2f here and on the Flat last time; one to consider.

11/2

5th

5

(6)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 5

17:35 Hamilton

Newport

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

0-7 on the Flat when trained in Ireland and not seen in this sphere since summer 2024, but has largely been in good form over hurdles for Iain Jardine since the autumn; might be the answer.

7/2

Form: 43-6

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Placed on her first two starts over hurdles at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) and Market Rasen (2m, good) but failed to build on that when well beaten on handicap debut at Fakenham last month, where the 2m4f may have stretched her stamina; a 3lb drop helps, but she still has something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

14:18 Fakenham

Curious Mrs Fox

11st 10lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

Lowly rated Flat maiden; has taken pretty well to hurdling this spring, making the frame at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) and Market Rasen (2m, good), but does not look obviously well treated for handicap debut.

16/1

3rd

3

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

14:10 Market Rasen

Curious Mrs Fox

11st 6lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

Lowly rated Flat maiden; seemed to take pretty well to hurdling when respectable fourth at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) a fortnight ago but has quite a lot to find here.

33/1

Form: 51516- CD

Last run: 63 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Won three times last season (2m1f-2m4f), most recently at Carlisle on good to soft ground in March; although only sixth off this mark over 2m4f last month he was not beaten far and remains one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:07 Newcastle

National Question

11st 1lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Got back on the up with a third success of the season in 2m1f handicap at Carlisle 20 days ago; up another 4lb but this course winner is a likely player once more for his in-form yard.

100/30

Form: 7-3232 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D in 2024 from a mark 13lb higher and has steadily been returning to form this season; made much of the running when a solid second over 2m4f here last week and with Jack Stenhouse able to claim his full allowance another bold bid looks likely back at 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Malangen

10st 11lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Lisa Harrison

Won over 2m here (good; from 13lb higher) in June 2024; seems to be gradually working back to form, a staying-on third to Fine Point here (2m, good; 100-30 favourite) latest; hopes of reversal over 2m4f on 7lb better terms.

11/2

3rd

7

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:50 Hexham

Malangen

11st 1lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lisa Harrison

Returned to form at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) on Wednesday, when he was reeled in after blasting off in front but kept on gamely for second; also suited by this C&D and a recent 2lb drop has now taken effect but he had a hard race at Perth and has become inconsistent.

5/1

Form: 5851-P CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Benefited from the drop back to 2m and first-time cheekpieces when scoring over C&D in April but never travelled with the same zest when returned here the following month; soft ground a possible excuse that day and she is not without claims if rediscovering that earlier form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

9th May 2026

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:47 Hexham

Snapaudaciaheros

10st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Seemed to benefit from combination of drop back in trip and first-time cheekpieces when finishing well to snatch victory over C&D (good to soft) last month; her overall profile remains unconvincing but she's effectively only 1lb higher today and features prominently in calculations.

5/1

1st

8

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

15:00 Hexham

Snapaudaciaheros

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Not disgraced in any of her three 2m4f starts this year but has yet to be placed after eight hurdle runs; drops back in trip with cheekpieces tried here; improvement required.

14/1

Betting Forcast

11/2 Bobby Socks, 11/4 Stay In The Game, 10/1 Zephlyn, 20/1 Less Legacy, 6/1 Character Testing, 10/1 Newport, 20/1 Curious Mrs Fox, 13/2 National Question, 6/1 Malangen, 13/2 Snapaudaciaheros

Verdict

Stay In The Game is respected after a solid effort off this mark last week and heads the list of dangers. MALANGEN made most when a good second over 2m4f here on the same card and could prove tough to peg back if allowed to dictate now back at 2m with Jack Stenhouse claiming his full allowance. Bobby Socks and National Question complete the shortlist.[Tim Mitchell]

Selections

Telegraph:

Stay In The Game

The Times:

Les's Legacy

SPOTLIGHT:

Malangen

TOPSPEED:

Newport

D Express:

Snapaudaciaheros

Daily Mirror:

Stay In The Game

Daily Record:

Stay In The Game

POSTDATA:

Newport

The Guardian:

Les's Legacy

The Star:

Les's Legacy

RP RATINGS:

Malangen

Daily Mail:

Malangen