March 09 / 15.25 Carlisle

15.25

Frozen

Plough Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4629.1
  • 3m 1f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 4 runners
RTV
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Plough Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Snow

Form: 13

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won a point on debut last April (3m, good) and made it 2-2 when scoring on hurdle debut at Ayr (2m5f, good to soft) in December; no match for the first two when third at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) since but that looked a hot race and he has leading claims under a penalty in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

15:50 Market Rasen

Choosethenews

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

in rear but in touch with leaders

4/1

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

15:50 Market Rasen

Choosethenews

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

in rear but in touch with leaders

4/1

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

14:40 Newcastle

Choosethenews

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won this last year (heavy) and good second here (2m7f, soft) in January; also effective on good ground; failed to stay 4m1f in the Eider here in February and could play a leading role now back down in distance.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in November on his third start in 3m Irish maiden points and the runner-up has since finished second in a bumper for Gordon Elliott; changed hands for £85,000 in December and has joined a good yard for his rules career; could play a major role on hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

12th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Giovinco

11st 7lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

Acts on heavy ground; the only C&D winner in this field, ran well in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham (3m) most recently and represents a trainer who landed this prize two years ago; therefore has respected credentials and cannot be dismissed.

9/1

3

12th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Giovinco

11st 7lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

Acts on heavy ground; the only C&D winner in this field, ran well in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham (3m) most recently and represents a trainer who landed this prize two years ago; therefore has respected credentials and cannot be dismissed.

9/1

3

13th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 1

14:10 Cheltenham

Giovinco

11st 7lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

Strong traveller who has won two small-field handicaps this season but Stay Away Fay had too much for him in 3m Sandown Grade 2 on soft ground in December; pulled up in Kauto Star at Kempton later that month on his other attempt at Graded level; playing for minor honours unless his form takes a leap forward.

20/1

Form: 7

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish maiden point in December on his fourth start and it's still very early days under rules, but he was tailed off at 33-1 on his recent hurdle debut over 2m3f here (good to soft).
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: 25

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
3m point winner (soft) who went very close on his rules debut at Musselburgh (3m, soft) in January; well beaten in a hot novice there since (3m, good to soft) but not ruled out now back down in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

14:00 Newcastle

Shadows In The Sky

11st 12lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

10yo whose form has been mixed this season but he's edged back down the weights and his Newmarket yard is 3-6 here; capable of a big run.

10/1

1

17th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 4

16:25 Fakenham

Shadows In The Sky

11st 8lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Most consistent win or lose over either obstacle for this stable until finding a brush hurdle series final at Worcester all too much last time (2m4f, good); swimming in calmer waters again on this return to fences, albeit still above any class he's ever won in.

3/1

12

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:42 Worcester

Shadows In The Sky

11st 2lb

J: Nathan Howie

T: James Owen

Consistent over fences and hurdles for new stable this season, winning once under each discipline; suited by this C&D but may find less exposed rivals better handicapped today; swaps cheekpieces for refitted visor.

20/1

Verdict

Point winner GIOVINCO makes his rules debut with his new trainer Lucinda Russell in fine form and is the selection ahead of Ayr winner Choosethenews. Shadows In The Sky may also be involved.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

RP Ratings:

Choosethenews

SPOTLIGHT:

Giovinco

TOPSPEED:

Choosethenews

POSTDATA:

Choosethenews

The Times:

Choosethenews

Telegraph:

Choosethenews

The Guardian:

Choosethenews

Daily Mail:

Choosethenews

D Express:

Choosethenews

Daily Mirror:

Choosethenews

The Star:

Choosethenews

The Sun:

Giovinco

Daily Record:

Giovinco