April 24 / 13.40 Hexham

13.40

Good To Soft

Hexham Racecourse Welcomes Racing To School “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 0f 48y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Hexham Racecourse Welcomes Racing To School “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1-1331 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Has record of 3-7 and all of his wins have been gained here, including a bumper last spring and two hurdle events over C&D (soft/heavy) this season; his latest success was in a small-field handicap but he travelled strongly before forging clear and is open to more progress back in a novice event; respected under double penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

16:23 Newbury

Bingoo

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Lightly raced and inconsistent since completing a hat-trick in 2023; last off five finishers at Hereford most recently, failing to back up reappearance effort; others preferred.

33/1

5th

1

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

16:33 Hereford

Bingoo

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Four-time hurdles winner for James Moffatt but disappointing during light campaign for that yard last season; encouraging stable debut when clear second of four at Leicester (1m7f, soft) in December; well handicapped on older form, while he's won over this sort of trip and on heavy; considered.

7/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 211UB7

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Enters the reckoning on her easy win in a Cartmel novice (2m6f, good; RPR 123) last summer but things have not gone well in three runs since and she was tailed off in a Downpatrick handicap (2m3f, soft) 22 days ago; has some questions to answer and she needs a major revival back in a novice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

13th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

16:55 Cork

Bella Bliss

11st 10lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

In decent form over hurdles and fences this year and only 1lb higher than for latest gallant second in a 2m5f handicap chase at Roscommon; stays this far.

9/2

2

30th Sep 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 147y

17:45 Roscommon

Bella Bliss

11st 7lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

In decent form over hurdles and fences this year; has been runner-up on her last three starts in this discipline including handicaps at Cartmel and Bangor; handles all ground but best on good.

9/2

2nd

6

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 3

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Bella Bliss

11st 3lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Good second at Cartmel (2m5f, good) on latest chase start in June and placed in big-field handicap hurdles on next two outings; below form when tried in cheekpieces (now removed) for latest hurdling start but has a significant role to play if all goes to plan here.

9/2

16/1

  • Place: £5.20

Form: 5

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Narrowly ahead when falling at the final fence on debut in an Irish maiden point (3m, soft to heavy) in December but he was a never-dangerous fifth when switched to hurdling at Wetherby (2m, good to soft) 22 days ago; shaped with some promise in that race but he has plenty to find here and is probably one for further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:30 Uttoxeter

Harper Valley

11st 13lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Took step back in right direction when respectable fourth at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) last month and is now 1lb below his last winning mark but still needs to build upon that recent effort here.

16/1

4

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:30 Uttoxeter

Harper Valley

11st 13lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Took step back in right direction when respectable fourth at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) last month and is now 1lb below his last winning mark but still needs to build upon that recent effort here.

16/1

Form: 2-3613 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Very useful triple chase winner (peak RPR of 151) who had no trouble taking advantage of a golden opportunity in a novice hurdle at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) last month; wasn't at his best over fences last time but he's still lightly raced over hurdles and is a major payer back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

13:40 Hexham

Eclair DAinay

11st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Very useful triple chase winner (peak RPR of 151) who had no trouble taking advantage of a golden opportunity in a novice hurdle at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) last month; wasn't at his best over fences last time but he's still lightly raced over hurdles and is a major payer back in this sphere.

13/8

3rd

2

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

15:10 Chepstow

Eclair DAinay

11st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

led, not fluent 3rd, mistake 8th, soon pushed along and headed, lost ground before 3 out, mistake when weakening 2 out

9/4

1st

2

29th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

13:25 Market Rasen

Eclair DAinay

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Good chaser at best and ran well on seasonal return in December; poor effort latest and now makes first start over hurdles since October 2020; cheekpieces added and, all being well, should have no trouble winning this; makes the running.

1/6

Form: 9

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well held in his two completed starts in Irish points and was tailed off on recent hurdling debut at Southwell (2m, good to soft); can only be watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 3

20:08 Cartmel

Hostile Hotelier

10st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Four-time hurdle winner who is 0-6 over fences (despite a lower mark) and was beaten a good way at Hexham (3m) on his return to this discipline after a break; the other two appeal more.

100/30

4th

4

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:30 Hexham

Hostile Hotelier

11st 13lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Four-time hurdle winner, including over 2m on heavy ground here; decent second over fences at Sedgefield in October (3m2f, good) but last two runs have been over hurdles (took a heavy fall when running well last time); a possible.

13/2

2

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

14:37 Warwick

Hostile Hotelier

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Had a break since finishing lame when second on his return to hurdles at Newcastle in October (2m7f, good; handles softer); looks high in the weights now but he's likeably consistent.

7/1

Form: 98-PP3

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden who seemed to find plenty of improvement when a 250-1 third at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft); that was behind two of the market leaders but she needs another major step forward here and not sure this drop back in trip will suit.
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: 54

Last run: 119 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish point in March but he was well held in two hurdle runs at end of last year; this looks another tough assignment and he will be more interesting when switched to handicaps; stablemate of Rock Hurley.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

16th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

15:30 Musselburgh

Henry Gray

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

9yo point winner who is 0-7 under rules but there were encouraging signs over fences last winter and he shaped on his comeback over hurdles two months ago as though he would improve for that run; he's one to consider.

4/1

5th

5

20th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:55 Uttoxeter

Henry Gray

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

raced slightly wide, midfield

7/1

5th

5

20th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:55 Uttoxeter

Henry Gray

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

raced slightly wide, midfield

7/1

Form: 13506 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made a good start with her 14-1 win in Catterick bumper (1m7f, soft) in November but she struggled in final run in that sphere and was never involved on her recent hurdling debut at Wetherby (2m, good to soft); others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

15:55 Cartmel

You Some Girl

10st 8lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Rebecca Menzies

Made a winning start over fences at Newcastle (2m7f) in October; has failed to build on it though and she unseated her rider at Hexham (3m) two weeks ago; has a bit to prove.

16/1

6

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:30 Hexham

You Some Girl

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won a three-runner handicap at Newcastle in October (3m, good) but hasn't done quite as well since; back on her last winning mark.

12/1

5th

3

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

13:13 Carlisle

You Some Girl

11st 6lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won a three-runner handicap at Newcastle on chase debut in October (2m7f, good); no easy task when pulled up in Lincolnshire National last time; unexposed as a chaser and should improve.

10/1

Form: 6037

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No impact in bumpers and same story in two novice hurdles this spring, most recently when seventh of eight at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft); has good pedigree and it's still early days but handicaps look the way forward after this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

15th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 5

13:00 Carlisle

Navigate West

11st 9lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

in touch with leaders, not fluent 6th

12/1

2nd

5

15th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 5

13:00 Carlisle

Navigate West

11st 9lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

in touch with leaders, not fluent 6th

12/1

9th

9

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

13:40 Hexham

Navigate West

11st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Sue Smith

No impact in bumpers and same story in two novice hurdles this spring, most recently when seventh of eight at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft); has good pedigree and it's still early days but handicaps look the way forward after this.

25/1

Form: P-U114 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Signed off in France with two impressive wins on soft ground in December (2m2f/2m1f) before being bought for 125,000euros the following month; well-backed favourite on his stable/handicap debut at Bangor (2m3f) last month but he faded into a well-held fourth of eight; still lightly raced and is a key player on his best form but has bit to prove after that last run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Rock Hurley

11st 4lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Won a C&D handicap (good to soft) last April but he's not come close to that form in four subsequent runs and latest was back here in March; has some questions to answer and he's still 3lb higher than for his last win.

16/1

4th

3

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Rock Hurley

11st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Bang out of form in his last three races but only four starts back last April he won as he liked around here (good to soft) off 5lb higher; couldn't put a line through him.

20/1

Form: 87

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished down the field at massive prices in two bumpers this spring and is best watched on his hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

18th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Wetherby

Mister Smarty

11st 7lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Tina Jackson

held up in rear, headway after 4 out, outpaced after 3 out, kept on

11/4

2nd

8

22nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:05 Newcastle

Mister Smarty

11st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Tina Jackson

His defeat of Double Oban at Wetherby on Boxing Day now reads really well and he's since finished right on the scene in two visits here; remains on a good mark and has a lot less to prove than many of these; trip/ground ideal.

11/4

3rd

10

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

14:15 Newcastle

Mister Smarty

10st 10lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Tina Jackson

held up in rear

6/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.10
Straight Forecast £13.85
Trifecta £155.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Eclair D'Ainay

Telegraph:

Bingoo

Daily Mirror:

Rock Hurley

The Times:

You Some Girl

The Guardian:

Bella Bliss

Daily Mail:

Bingoo

The Star:

Bingoo

RP Ratings:

Eclair D'Ainay

TOPSPEED:

Eclair D'Ainay

POSTDATA:

Eclair D'Ainay

D Express:

Eclair D'Ainay

The Sun:

Eclair D'Ainay

Daily Record:

Eclair D'Ainay