February 16 / 14.10 Newcastle

14.10

Good

quinnbet.com Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 0f 190y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
SKY
View Course
quinnbet.com Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 23-212 BF

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Good-ground bumper runner-up who won at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) in November on his second hurdle start and followed that with a good second at Wetherby (2m, soft); strong claims under 7lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

15:33 Newbury

Royal Mogul

11st 11lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

2-4 in novice company over hurdles last season but he's been pulled up in both his handicaps including on his chase debut at Ayr (2m, good to soft) in November; now returns to hurdling after a second win operation but he needs a major revival after another break.

33/1

0

7

4th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

15:28 Ayr

Royal Mogul

10st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

2-4 in novice company over hurdles last season; not seen since struggling in Scottish Champion Hurdle here in April but still looks interesting on today's chasing debut.

11/1

11

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Ayr

Royal Mogul

10st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Has won two minor events in the north of England and was found an easy opening in which to defy a penalty last time; 4lb 'wrong' for this severe hike in class and it looks a big ask.

25/1

7/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 45-223

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Runner-up at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in October on final bumper start and filled the same position on hurdle debut at Kelso (2m, soft; 1l behind the now-penalised Chapel Green); the form of his last-time-out third at Catterick (2m3f, soft) reads well and he's a leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:30 Kelso

Chase A Fortune

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Won in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Wetherby (2m, soft) in December and has continued in good form, finishing second on his last two starts (1m7f/2m1f, good to soft); very solid claims.

4/1

2nd

2

25th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

15:10 Sedgefield

Chase A Fortune

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Record of 212 since switched back to hurdles from chasing, the win at Wetherby (2m, soft) in first-time cheekpieces; Musselburgh effort (1m7f, good to soft) last time resulted in a career-best RPR; should go well in the retained headgear.

11/2

1

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 5

14:45 Kelso

Chase A Fortune

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Both his wins have been over 1m7f at Catterick, the latest off this mark in February 2024 (soft); several fair efforts since, including after a 325-day break last time; each-way chance.

11/2

50/1

  • Place: £4.70

Form: 43-78

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not devoid of ability in bumpers but tailed off on hurdle debut over C&D a fortnight ago and considerable improvement is required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

8th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

14:10 Kelso

Split The Bill

11st 1lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

took keen hold, held up in rear, no impression before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

9/1

9

8th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

14:10 Kelso

Split The Bill

11st 1lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

took keen hold, held up in rear, no impression before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

9/1

3rd

4

16th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Aintree

Split The Bill

11st 10lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Eight-race maiden for Micky Hammond, best run when fourth over this trip at Perth in April (good to soft); well beaten next time (didn't jump well) and now makes debut for Rebecca Menzies with a first-time tongue-tie.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Two-time Flat AW winner who went close on AW track here last month on his final outing for Julie Camacho (1m4f; RPR 67); it's possible he'll be effective over hurdles but it's a concern that he's never run well on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

1

(14)

18th Aug 2023

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

19:45 Thirsk

Riggsby

10st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Sam England

Progress as a hurdler has flatlined, but he's 5lb below his highest winning mark on Tapeta, and although yet to record an RPR above 56 in four Flat turf starts this is easier than any of those; cheekpieces added.

25/1

5th

7

6th Aug 2023

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:52 Market Rasen

Riggsby

10st 10lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Travelled strongly when third of six on handicap hurdle debut at Southwell (2m, good) in June and he won over staying trips on the Flat which suggests he may have potential at this distance; however, he has to bounce back from two below-par runs over hurdles (2m/2m4f, good); unraced on slow turf.

8/1

6th

2

25th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:30 Southwell

Riggsby

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

towards rear of midfield

6/1

Form: 58-7

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed some ability in bumpers (both 2m, good to soft) and may not have stayed when well beaten on last month's hurdle debut at Musselburgh (3m, soft); drops back in trip here but others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

3rd Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Hexham

Shantous Temple

11st 6lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Pauline Robson

Beaten about 25l when sixth of 12 on last month's handicap debut at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) but was quite badly hampered by a mid-race faller there and remains unexposed.

20/1

6th

5

10th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Shantous Temple

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Pauline Robson

Shaped with promise on bumper debut; has not built on that effort but may well improve now handicapping; pedigree suggests he should have something to offer off this modest opening mark; shortlisted.

10/1

6th

6

24th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 4

13:20 Musselburgh

Shantous Temple

11st 6lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Pauline Robson

Regressive RPRs in four runs (two bumpers, two hurdles); best watched.

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won on the Flat (1m, AW; RPR 67) for James Evans last January but he wasn't at the same level in the summer when last seen; sold for £2,500 in November and needs to prove his stamina on this hurdle/stable debut, for which he wears a first-time tongue-tie; may be best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(7)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

17:48 Newcastle (AW)

Last Mission

8st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Maurice Barnes

led at steady pace

20/1

7th

7

(7)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

17:48 Newcastle (AW)

Last Mission

8st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Maurice Barnes

led at steady pace

20/1

7th

7

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

17:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Last Mission

11st 2lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Maurice Barnes

Fair on the Flat in 2022 but has not shown a great deal over hurdles; unseated rider at fourth flight when 125-1 for handicap hurdle debut in May; returns from 108-day break here.

50/1

Form: 08

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Represents in-form stable and he's one to watch in the betting on this third start, but he's been well beaten at 50-1 on his first two outings (2m, good/heavy) and may be one for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

16th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

14:10 Newcastle

Steel My Thunder

11st 5lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Represents in-form stable and he's one to watch in the betting on this third start, but he's been well beaten at 50-1 on his first two outings (2m, good/heavy) and may be one for handicaps.

33/1

8th

8

10th Jan 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

14:40 Exeter

Steel My Thunder

11st 8lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Tom Lacey

always towards rear

33/1

12th

12

14th Nov 2022

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

14:00 Exeter

Steel My Thunder

11st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Although Flat bred there is a winning hurdler in the family; still looks best watched first time out.

16/1

Form: 2368P

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in two bumpers for Willie Mullins but well beaten/pulled up in novice hurdles this winter on his two starts for this yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

20th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Warwick

Allibaba

11st 3lb

J: Oakley Brown

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Made light of a 538-day absence to win for the first time on his stable debut at Market Rasen (2m, good) 12 days ago; handicapper has reacted by raising him 9lb but that may not be enough to stop him following up.

6/5

1st

9

8th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

14:45 Market Rasen

Allibaba

10st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Offered nothing during the briefest of comebacks in autumn 2024, and another long absence since; now 25lb lower than when first entering handicaps, however, and remains in the same ownership now as then; check for market confidence ahead of this stable debut.

12/1

7th

7

16th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:03 Uttoxeter

Allibaba

10st 9lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Philip Kirby

held up in rear, outpaced 5th, lost touch 3 out, tailed off

14/1

Form:

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
33-1, always in rear when tailed off on last month's debut in Musselburgh bumper (1m7f, soft); the hood is left off on this first hurdle start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Heeztheboy

11st 4lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Progressive for new stable, winning four times, until form dipped sharply in last two outings; has seemingly gone off the boil and may be in the assessor's grip now to boot.

16/1

3

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 4

16:00 Catterick

Heeztheboy

11st 7lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Tailed off at Leicester (2m6f, good to soft) last month but highly progressive for new yard previously, winning four times (2m4f/3m, good to soft/heavy); no surprise if he bounces back with a big performance.

13/2

Form: 6

Last run: 81 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
16-1, tailed off in seven-runner bumper at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in November on debut; transformation needed now over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

16th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

14:10 Newcastle

Lay Down The Law

11st 5lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: R Mike Smith

16-1, tailed off in seven-runner bumper at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in November on debut; transformation needed now over hurdles.

33/1

6th

4

27th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Carlisle

Lay Down The Law

11st 2lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: R Mike Smith

14,500euros foal; seventh foal; half-brother to fair hurdle/chase winner Barrys Jack; dam unraced half-sister to high-class Flat stayer Jardines Lookout; stable 0-25 in bumpers during last five seasons.

20/1

100/1

Form: 9-906

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten on all four starts and he'll be of greater interest when upped in trip in handicaps, for which he qualifies after this run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

12th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

12:28 Huntingdon

Libor Lad

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

in touch with leaders

20/1

4

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

12:50 Market Rasen

Libor Lad

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: David Dennis

midfield, bad mistake and unseated 2nd

20/1

4

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

12:50 Market Rasen

Libor Lad

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: David Dennis

midfield, bad mistake and unseated 2nd

20/1

Form: 47-210 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on hurdle debut at Ayr (2m, good to soft) in October then won at Kelso (2m, soft; Chase A Fortune 1l behind), for which he's penalised here; down the field on handicap debut at Wetherby (2m, good to soft) since but he reverts to a novice in a race lacking depth and could be in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

24th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

16:12 Kelso

Chapel Green

11st 4lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won over C&D off a 6lb higher mark in September (good); has not fared quite as well since, although more encouraging run when 13l third of seven over 2m1f here last time (good); step back up in trip will suit.

7/1

3rd

2

6th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 4

16:32 Kelso

Chapel Green

11st 8lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won over 2m5f here following a 163-day break last September (good) but rather disappointing since; on a good mark now, but a bit to prove.

14/1

Form: 6-5

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner for whom it is very early days under rules, but he was soundly beaten at 50-1 on his recent stable debut at Catterick (2m3f, good) and has to take a sizeable step forward here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:30 Cartmel

Lights Are Green

10st 13lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

C&D record of 2-7 includes victory in this race in 2023 off 5lb higher (good); pulled up in last year's renewal, however, and other results last term offer scant optimism on this return from seven months off.

25/1

5

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

15:33 Sedgefield

Lights Are Green

10st 5lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

Has won off higher marks in the past but has regressed in four appearances this year; tried cheekpieces last time; others safer.

14/1

Form: 4

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
9-1, fair effort when 20l fourth of 12 on debut at Kelso (2m, heavy) last month; improvement needed and he may be better served by a longer trip, but he's in good hands to progress and could pose more of a threat today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

12

24th Oct 2023

Good

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

14:00 Exeter

Thistlebuffs

11st 0lb

J: Mr Martin McIntyre

T: David Pipe

Reverts back to hurdles after two defeats over fences but he was tailed off in his previous handicap hurdle; now blinkered.

20/1

0

7

12th Oct 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Worcester

Thistlebuffs

10st 13lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

Capable of better than his Perth chasing debut fifth (2m, good) once he settles better and jumping more fluently; big hike in trip asks a question starting out for David Pipe.

7/1

5th

6

17th May 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Perth

Thistlebuffs

10st 6lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, pecked on landing and slightly hampered 1st

9/1

Non-runners

Chapel Green, Lights Are Green, Thistlebuffs

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £2.70
Straight Forecast £2.75
Trifecta £18.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Chase A Fortune

POSTDATA:

Royal Mogul

The Guardian:

Chapel Green

RP Ratings:

Chase A Fortune

TOPSPEED:

Chase A Fortune

The Times:

Chase A Fortune

Daily Mail:

Chase A Fortune

Daily Mirror:

Chase A Fortune

Telegraph:

Royal Mogul

D Express:

Royal Mogul

The Sun:

Royal Mogul

The Star:

Royal Mogul

Daily Record:

Royal Mogul