January 07 / 14.33 Newcastle

14.33

Soft

Join The Bet Club At Vickers.Bet Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qual’) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 0f 190y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
SKY
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Join The Bet Club At Vickers.Bet Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qual’) (GBB)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 0-152 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner (2m, good) who was well beaten on hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) in October but bounced back in the reapplied tongue-tie (retained) when clear second at Doncaster (2m5f, good); the drop back in trip should be fine and he's a strong contender if handling the slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Densworth

12st 0lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: J M B Cookson

Showed the odd snippet of very useful form in 2024, winning easily at Wetherby (2m3f, good) that November on his second chase start; however, his subsequent exploits put him well down the pecking order in this line-up.

100/1

2nd

1

6th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

17:03 Leicester

Densworth

12st 6lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: J M B Cookson

Useful handicapper over hurdles and fences as recently as 2024; finished well held on final two starts for Ben Pauling, albeit in strong handicap chases, and heavy defeat on stable/point debut last month following a break leaves him with something to prove; still, he'd be the one to beat on these terms if anywhere near his best.

2/1

8th

5

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Densworth

11st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Pulled up at Newbury in December and tailed off at last month's Cheltenham Festival, following wind surgery; however, he looked good when winning easily at Wetherby (2m3f, good) in November on his second chase start, and he's a contender if tapping back into that promise now back down in grade.

14/1

13/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 554

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
3m point winner who took a step forward when fourth of 17 at Wetherby (2m, soft) 11 days ago on his third rules start; open to further improvement for in-form stable and he might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Worcester

Sageburg County

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Three-time chase winner; just missed out at Uttoxeter in March (2m4f) and it was a Class 2 in which he couldn't land any real blow the last time; can cope with this mark and should go well in this easier race.

4/1

3rd

1

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Worcester

Sageburg County

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Three-time chase winner; just missed out at Uttoxeter in March (2m4f) and it was a Class 2 in which he couldn't land any real blow the last time; can cope with this mark and should go well in this easier race.

4/1

4th

9

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:34 Chepstow

Sageburg County

10st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Rebounded from poor performance and went down fighting when second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) last month; up in grade and 2lb higher but ran very well over C&D on both previous visits to Chepstow, more notably when winning by 3l on good ground a year ago.

6/1

OUR TIP

7/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 043

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Left his bumper form behind when third of 24 on last month's hurdle debut at Naas (2m3f, soft); that performance makes him a key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Worcester

Artiste DAinay

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Billy Aprahamian

Won a point before joining this yard for £10,000; ran well for a long way at Hexham before weakening (2m7f, good); this flatter track could suit and Sean Bowen is booked.

13/2

5th

4

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:50 Hexham

Artiste DAinay

11st 7lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Billy Aprahamian

2-12 in points but took ten attempts to add to his maiden success, though had earlier shown a fair level of ability over hurdles; returns to this sphere after last month's easy point win, after which he was purchased for £10,000; worth considering off a workable mark back over hurdles on stable debut.

9/2

1

22nd Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

14:10 Cartmel

Artiste DAinay

11st 10lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Placed on all six hurdling starts for Stuart Crawford (once here) and has won a point for his new connections this year but returned to racing under rules with two below-par runs this spring (2m5f/2m7f); drops back in trip for this handicap debut; needs to up his game.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Four-time Flat winner (1m2f/1m4f; RPR 78), the latest last September, and he's effective on soft ground; has the credentials to be effective over hurdles and he's an each-way possible on his jumping debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

9th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

15:50 Pontefract

Carrigillihy

10st 1lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Comes alive at Pontefract and was gaining his fifth course win from seven goes when gamely scoring over 1m4f in June; not disgraced at Haydock last time; stays 2m and will probably see out this slightly longer distance; seems equally effective on good to firm and good to soft; solid contender.

100/30

5th

6

(7)

21st Jul 2023

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Haydock

Carrigillihy

9st 0lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Tim Easterby

Took Pontefract record to 5-7 (4-6 over 1m4f) ten days ago, as with the other wins gained on quicker ground than awaits here; penalty which obliges him to race off his highest ever mark is more of a concern.

6/1

Form: 0-

Last run: 273 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In good hands but he was always towards the rear on his debut in a bumper at Bangor (2m, good; 12-1) last April; considerable improvement needed on hurdle debut and Brian Hughes rides stablemate Guillaume.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

1st Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 5

13:20 Catterick

Lovin Jukebox

10st 11lb

J: Abbie McCain

T: Donald McCain

Signs of promise over hurdles, notably when runner-up in a novice handicap at Sedgefield in March (2m1f, soft); could go well back from a break.

10/1

4

12th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

13:40 Market Rasen

Lovin Jukebox

11st 5lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

No match for comfortable winner when second on handicap debut at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) in March but that still goes down as a decent effort, and he may not have been suited by the heavy ground when below that form over same C&D last month; could have a say here.

6/1

Form: 8/3-6

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed-off last of six at 66-1 on hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) in November but ran better than the bare result suggests in that warm novice, fading quickly before two out having failed to settle; third in one of his bumpers and no surprise to see a good run now back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

13:35 Cartmel

Road To Rosley

11st 4lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

0-9 and tried in cheekpieces when pulled up in 2m Wetherby handicap hurdle in February; it's easy to look elsewhere.

66/1

Form: 236-18 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won on hurdle debut at Perth (2m, good) in September but he was well beaten under a penalty at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) last month; this race isn't as hot as last time and he might not be far away, but there's a suspicion he'll be vulnerable giving weight all round; unraced on soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

13

28th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:14 Kelso

Our Marty

10st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

His profile has been patchy since he won a novice hurdle at Perth (2m, good) in September 2022 and he doesn't look straightforward, dropping away tamely with blinkers added (retained) over 2m5f here three weeks ago; the return to 2m will probably help but he's still hard to be confident about.

20/1

0

4

8th Oct 2023

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:30 Kelso

Our Marty

11st 5lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

led

10/1

6th

3

20th Sep 2023

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

15:30 Kelso

Our Marty

11st 11lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

held up in rear, slightly hampered 3rd

11/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Non-runner on last year's two intended Flat starts having had issues at the start; showed promise over 7f/1m on the Flat in September 2021 (wind op since) and there's stamina in his Flat pedigree; could have a future over jumps and makes stable/hurdle debut with new yard among the winners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(4)

27th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

16:35 Beverley

Olivers Army

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Rebecca Menzies

Following a long absence he was well beaten on two hurdle starts this January; however, he didn't run badly when midfield back on the Flat at Pontefract (1m, soft) a fortnight ago and could build on that now up in trip and back on better ground, having shown promise when staying on nicely over 7f/1m on good/good to firm in 2021; interesting for last year's winning yard.

16/1

8th

3

(14)

11th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

17:05 Pontefract

Olivers Army

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Rebecca Menzies

towards rear

33/1

8th

6

26th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:25 Wetherby

Olivers Army

11st 0lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

in touch with leaders, not fluent 2nd

33/1

Form:

Last run: 147 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third in Irish maiden point in September 2020 but failed to complete in his three other points and, after a long absence, he was tailed off at 33-1 on his rules debut at Perth last August; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

18:20 Hexham

Chumlee

10st 6lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Sandy Forster

11yo who is lightly raced for his age; never threatened on his completed starts over fences last season (fell early latest); is a dual hurdle winner but suspicion he might prove vulnerable to some of the much younger legs in this line-up.

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair second of four on the Flat in Catterick maiden (1m4f, soft) in July 2021 on her second start; absent since but her dam was a useful dual-purpose performer and she's no forlorn hope on hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(8)

3rd Mar 2023

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Neverwrongforlong

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

took keen hold, held up in rear, detached over 5f out, ridden and no impression from over 2f out

10/1

7th

6

(6)

8th Feb 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Neverwrongforlong

9st 4lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

took keen hold, always towards rear

50/1

10th

12

7th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

14:33 Newcastle

Neverwrongforlong

10st 9lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Michael & David Easterby

Fair second of four on the Flat in Catterick maiden (1m4f, soft) in July 2021 on her second start; absent since but her dam was a useful dual-purpose performer and she's no forlorn hope on hurdle debut.

33/1

Form: 05444-

Last run: 293 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed ability in two of her bumpers but she was tailed off on her first two hurdle starts last season and is hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

23rd Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 77y

Class 5

15:05 Sedgefield

Melvich Bay

10st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Danny Brooke

Only her second run over fences when successful at Cartmel (2m1f, soft) but that was a modest contest and she's been underwhelming since.

20/1

8th

9

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

14:50 Cartmel

Melvich Bay

10st 10lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Danny Brooke

0-11 over hurdles; came good over fences at second attempt, with clearcut C&D (soft) win in May, but that was a modest race and she was safely held when fourth behind Dr Sanderson here last month; needs to improve again.

8/1

4th

10

30th Jun 2024

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 4

16:20 Cartmel

Melvich Bay

10st 5lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Danny Brooke

Off the mark on first run here when winning C&D handicap from 4lb out of the handicap in May (soft); 6lb higher in what looks a tougher race, but could go well.

11/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Had a patchy record in Irish points and he was pulled up in November last time, but he won one in October and has joined a top northern yard for his rules career; no surprise if he's in the mix on hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

21st Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

14:15 Exeter

Guillaume

11st 3lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Only won over fences and he made it 0-10 over hurdles when beaten 12l at Kelso a month ago; however, was running fairly well in this discipline before that and certainly has each-way claims.

4/1

5th

8

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

17:30 Kelso

Guillaume

10st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Chase winner who is 0-9 over hurdles but he went close over C&D in May and has been placed at Bangor (2m) and Stratford (2m2f) in his last three starts; usually races prominently and has each-way claims again back up in trip.

4/1

3rd

7

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Guillaume

11st 1lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Battled on well for second over C&D before a heavier defeat at Stratford, where again runner-up but beaten 11l; only 1-20 overall and vulnerable to horses on handier marks but one of the more solid contenders nonetheless.

3/1

Form: 098-P

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Triple-digit odds on all four starts; down the field in her three bumpers and pulled up on recent hurdle debut at Kelso; a tongue-tie goes on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Izzy Bell

10st 5lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Placed over hurdles at 250-1 at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) 13 months ago but has not shown much since; upped in trip for today's chasing debut; big leap of faith required to support her.

33/1

6

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Izzy Bell

10st 5lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Placed over hurdles at 250-1 at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) 13 months ago but has not shown much since; upped in trip for today's chasing debut; big leap of faith required to support her.

33/1

14th

10

10th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

18:20 Sedgefield

Izzy Bell

10st 5lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Placed at 250-1 at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) 13 months ago but has not shown a great deal since and is now 0-8 over hurdles; makes handicap debut after 134-day break.

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£3,000 3yo; third foal; dam achieved little, half-sister to useful 7f-1m Flat winner; makes debut in tongue-tie; probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:30 Cartmel

Halfway House Lad

10st 10lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

5lb out of the weights when romping home on recent stable debut at Hexham (3m, good); now 8lb higher and all wins have been gained at Newcastle or Hexham so still has some convincing to do around a sharp track.

15/8

1st

13

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:45 Hexham

Halfway House Lad

10st 2lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Three chase wins for Maurice Barnes including over C&D in March 2025 (good to soft); well beaten last three starts; 5lb out of the handicap for stable debut.

16/1

6th

10

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Halfway House Lad

10st 7lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Maurice Barnes

Won this race off a 4lb lower mark last season (Hawkseye View third); mixed form this season, but the drier ground will suit and has an each-way chance.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.80
Straight Forecast £11.72
Trifecta £24.10

Selections

POSTDATA:

Artiste D'ainay

RP Ratings:

Densworth

SPOTLIGHT:

Road To Rosley

Telegraph:

Carrigillihy

The Times:

Artiste D'ainay

The Guardian:

Artiste D'ainay

Daily Mail:

Artiste D'ainay

The Star:

Artiste D'ainay

Daily Record:

Artiste D'ainay

D Express:

Densworth

Daily Mirror:

Densworth

The Sun:

Densworth