February 20 / 13.45 Carlisle

13.45

Good To Soft

Brown Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4629.1
  • 2m 3f 61y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Brown Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

8/13 (Won)

  • Win: £1.67
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1-1

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Two from two having won bumper at Exeter and maiden hurdle at Ffos Las, both over 2m on soft ground; overcame racing freely and making some errors in latter; ideally needs to do better in those departments but otherwise looks promising and warrants respect under the 7lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Altobelli

11st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Won two handicaps in a row at Ascot (2m3f, good) early last year; also effective on soft ground and didn't stay 3m in Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot latest; all of his best form has come at Ascot but he hasn't had many chances to show what he can do elsewhere and he's in the picture on his peak efforts.

7/1

8th

1

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Altobelli

11st 10lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Successful in a couple of useful handicaps at Ascot (2m3f, good) since wearing cheekpieces; open to further progress in the headgear but appears to have a stiff task on these terms and the trip is an unknown.

16/1

OUR TIP

3/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 22 BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Hereford bumper and Wetherby maiden hurdle for new yard this winter, both over 2m on soft ground; should improve for this longer trip as he's a 3m Irish point winner who has stamina in pedigree; respected in receipt of weight from the other main form contenders.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

12th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Worcester

Ballybeg Boss

11st 8lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Ran well when third (albeit well held in the end) on chase/handicap debut at Bangor (2m1f, heavy) in December 2023 but we haven't seen him again since and he encounters much faster ground here.

7/1

3rd

1

15th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

12:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Ballybeg Boss

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Runner-up on first two hurdling starts (2m/2m3f) and had excuse when beaten favourite on latest outing in March (finished lame); switched to fences for today's seasonal/handicap debut and has significant potential.

5/2

4/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 3-661P CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Not totally solid as he has one standout performance in four attempts over hurdles, namely his 20-1 success over C&D (on soft ground) in November; however, certainly has a major chance on that form and the return to Carlisle looks a positive angle with being 1-1 here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

Knockanore

11st 9lb

J: Mr Lucas Murphy

T: Ryan Potter

Generally very disappointing since winning last season's Eider Chase at Newcastle (4m1f, good to soft) by 16l but took small step back in right direction when fourth over hurdles last month (wore first-time blinkers) and is too well handicapped to rule out on this return to chasing; usual cheekpieces back on.

7/1

4th

2

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Knockanore

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Ryan Potter

Hasn't run a race of note since winning last season's 4m1f Eider Chase at Newcastle, in which his struggles continued last time out (tailed off or pulled up over hurdles prior to that); too well handicapped to rule out and blinkers go on for cheekpieces.

12/1

7th

10

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Knockanore

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Ryan Potter

Stormed clear for a 16l win under Freddie Mitchell in this race last year, form which has not been seen from him before or since but his last three outings were over hurdles; 11lb higher (10lb out of the handicap) than 12 months ago but well treated if he returns to that peak form and stranger things have happened.

11/1

Form:

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Always towards the rear in Doncaster bumper (2m, good) last month when making debut; bred to be better suited by this scenario but needs a big step forward on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

16th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

15:10 Hexham

Rue Galilee

11st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

in touch with leaders, struggling 3 out, weakened 2 out, tailed off when pulled up before last

50/1

4th

10

20th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

13:45 Carlisle

Rue Galilee

11st 3lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

prominent, not fluent 3rd, dropped to midfield with one circuit to go

100/1

Form: 70

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Opened his account at the sixth attempt in Irish points; soundly beaten in novice hurdles (2m/2m1f) for new stable; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Breeze Of Wind

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

Pulled up two runs ago but solid efforts in defeat on either side of that and he's an assured stayer at this trip; the blinkers are new, as were the cheekpieces when third at Kelso last month.

10/1

3rd

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:13 Kelso

Breeze Of Wind

10st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

Strong stayer who was 6lb out of the weights when runner-up in the Scottish Borders National here in December; off the same mark for this but has to bounce back from a pretty poor run at Bangor; cheekpieces added.

12/1

Form: 66

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Both starts at Newcastle, showing some promise in bumper but soundly beaten in 2m4f novice hurdle; perhaps one for handicaps later on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:48 Carlisle

Ballin Bay

11st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Has won his last three races, all at Sedgefield, two 3m3f handicap hurdles and last time (second run with cheekpieces) a 3m2f handicap chase; these conditions fine and should go well again despite career-high mark (5lb higher than last win).

5/1

1st

2

19th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

14:40 Sedgefield

Ballin Bay

11st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Failed to threaten in 2024 on his two previous chase starts but he's in much better form now having won over hurdles here on his last two starts (3m3f, good to soft/soft); has shown promise on good ground; he's just 5lb higher than when easily making all four weeks ago in first-time cheekpieces (retained) and can have a big say if transferring that form back to fences.

5/4

1st

7

19th Feb 2026

3m 3f 9y

Class 4

14:33 Sedgefield

Ballin Bay

10st 11lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Got off the mark for the season when winning over C&D earlier this month (good to soft); only 3lb higher, but this a stronger race; cheekpieces now tried; contender.

5/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Opened his account on fourth and final attempt in 3m Irish points, albeit somewhat fortuitously as two of the leaders took late falls (he was left in the lead at the final fence); pedigree suggests 2m3f will be a minimum under rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

20:15 Hexham

Robert DOres

10st 13lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

All three wins have been over C&D, including in this race last season; shaped as though returning to form when sixth at Bangor last time; back on his last winning mark; one to consider.

14/1

6th

9

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Robert DOres

10st 5lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

All three hurdle wins have been on slow ground at Hexham (2m7f) and latest was in October; only 2lb higher than for that success but he's been well held in his last two starts; may have needed the run at Carlisle last month but this is competitive and others are preferred.

20/1

Form: 3P0

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed useful form on the Flat in France and twice for current connections; has not transferred that ability to hurdles in three attempts, however, and may be more interesting when sent into handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(4)

18th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Bath

Merveillo

9st 8lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won 1m4f Listed race (very soft) in France during 2021; wasn't beaten far in a better race than this over 2m at Haydock last spring but he's generally struggled under both codes since and was tailed off back at Haydock (1m7f, heavy) 18 days ago; lots to prove.

40/1

5th

3

(2)

30th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Haydock

Merveillo

10st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won 1m4f Listed race in France during 2021; wasn't beaten far in a better race than this over 2m (good) on this track in May 2022 but all at sea over hurdles since and that mark is now lower than his Flat one; no joy at Goodwood recently and has it to prove at present.

20/1

8th

6

(3)

5th Sep 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Goodwood

Merveillo

9st 5lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Listed winner on Flat in France; 0-12 in Britain, mostly over hurdles (well held off modest marks the last twice); well treated on best form in this sphere but is by no means guaranteed to reproduce it.

16/1

Form: 04-2

Last run: 276 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed a bit of improvement at Worcester (2m4f, good) when last seen nine months ago but was a distant second in that weak race; modest claims on bare form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

6th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 5

16:30 Ffos Las

Hi Riko

10st 2lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Carroll Gray

Ran quite well over hurdles here (2m4f, good to soft) on stable debut in November but not much has gone to plan since; well held when unseating rider on last month's return to fences and effectively 5lb higher from out of the weights today; others appeal much more.

14/1

8

6th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 5

16:30 Ffos Las

Hi Riko

10st 2lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Carroll Gray

Ran quite well over hurdles here (2m4f, good to soft) on stable debut in November but not much has gone to plan since; well held when unseating rider on last month's return to fences and effectively 5lb higher from out of the weights today; others appeal much more.

14/1

8

2nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:55 Exeter

Hi Riko

10st 3lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Carroll Gray

17-race maiden with form figures of P5P over fences and he was pulled up over hurdles in his final run during the winter; opposable back in this sphere after a short break.

20/1

Form: 5-54UP

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Horse

OR:

Form & Verdict
Only minor form in bumpers; has failed to complete in two races at Wetherby (2m) since switched to hurdles; opposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Jul 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

19:40 Southwell

Dee Day Landing

11st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Mark Weatherer

held up in rear, ridden and no impression from 3 out

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
3,800euros 3yo; first foal; dam unraced daughter of placed (hurdle) half-sister to bumper/hurdle/chase winner Nordic Prince (2m4f-3m2f) and hurdle/chase winner Noels Dancer (2m2f-3m); market instructive on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

13:23 Bangor-on-Dee

Short Change Hero

11st 7lb

J: Benjamin Abbott

T: Sam Allwood

Well beaten at triple-digit odds on first two starts (2m3f/2m2f); makes no appeal here.

250/1

7

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 2f 140y

Class 4

13:33 Market Rasen

Short Change Hero

11st 5lb

J: Benjamin Abbott

T: Sam Allwood

Pulled up when 150-1 for last month's debut at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) and can only be watched here.

100/1

Non-runners

Dee Day Landing

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.20
Straight Forecast £3.44
Trifecta £7.40

Selections

RP Ratings:

Altobelli

SPOTLIGHT:

Ballybeg Boss

D Express:

Ballybeg Boss

Daily Mirror:

Ballybeg Boss

Daily Record:

Ballybeg Boss

TOPSPEED:

Altobelli

POSTDATA:

Altobelli

WEST COUNTRY:

Altobelli

The Times:

Altobelli

Telegraph:

Altobelli

The Guardian:

Altobelli

Daily Mail:

Altobelli

The Sun:

Altobelli

The Star:

Altobelli