May 17 / 14.35 Newton Abbot

14.35

Soft

Alan (Rabbit) Welch Tribute Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3158.68
  • 2m 0f 167y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Alan (Rabbit) Welch Tribute Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 4361- D

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Improved form to win at Chepstow in March (made all); that form has been boosted by subsequent wins of the placed horses so, even under a 7lb penalty, is worth considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:12 Warwick

Oakley Dancer

11st 11lb

J: Mr James King

T: Robert Waley-Cohen

Two hurdle wins (2m-2m1f) on slow ground for Olly Murphy in 2023, but she's not seen much action since and was pulled up in two runs (point/handicap chase) during the winter; still unexposed in this sphere but she needs a major revival with cheekpieces added.

25/1

6

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:12 Warwick

Oakley Dancer

11st 11lb

J: Mr James King

T: Robert Waley-Cohen

Two hurdle wins (2m-2m1f) on slow ground for Olly Murphy in 2023, but she's not seen much action since and was pulled up in two runs (point/handicap chase) during the winter; still unexposed in this sphere but she needs a major revival with cheekpieces added.

25/1

3

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

15:15 Leicester

Oakley Dancer

11st 7lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Robert Waley-Cohen

Dual hurdle winner (2m-2m1f, on slow ground) when with Olly Murphy; not seen under rules since January 2024, since when she has changed hands; pulled up in a point last December; handy mark if revived.

6/1

Evs

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2-

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well clear of the rest when chasing home a progressive rival at Wincanton in March; that was a promising start to his career and should be a leading force in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

King Of The Lake

10st 11lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Four wins in 2025 and now only 2lb higher than for the last of those at Chepstow in December (2m7f, good to soft); however, he was a 33-1 chance last month at Uttoxeter and he ran like one.

20/1

13th

13

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

King Of The Lake

10st 9lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Scored four times in 2025 but shot up the weights as a consequence and may be in the assessor's grip now; only just made the frame in the Chepstow race won by Keable most recently.

33/1

4th

5

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

King Of The Lake

10st 10lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Registered a hat-trick last February/March and scored over C&D this Christmas to enhance record under his now regular rider Chad Bament; the Lanzarote at Kempton proved too hot for him on latest start (he was running respectably when falling at the last) but he's an each-way contender.

9/1

40/1

  • Place: £12.70

Form: 085-

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in two bumpers; better when fifth on last month's hurdle debut but unlikely to trouble a few of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

7th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:15 Newton Abbot

Mairis Icon

11st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Seamus Mullins

prominent, pulled up quickly before 3rd, broke down

5/1

4

7th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:15 Newton Abbot

Mairis Icon

11st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Seamus Mullins

prominent, pulled up quickly before 3rd, broke down

5/1

2nd

6

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Mairis Icon

10st 8lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Seamus Mullins

ran in snatches, in touch with leaders, headway 4 out, went second before 2 out, kept on but no match for winner

7/1

100/1

Form: 0/P-

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in an Irish point two years ago and was pulled up on last month's British/hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:07 Newton Abbot

Zufal

10st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Jimmy Frost

0-11 over hurdles; did not achieve a great deal when remote third over C&D (good) last month and needs combination of refitted tongue-tie and first-time cheekpieces to generate improvement.

33/1

3rd

6

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

19:27 Newton Abbot

Zufal

10st 11lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

Well beaten here on both outings this year (2m5f/2m1f) and has now been unplaced all ten hurdling starts; difficult to enthuse over.

33/1

4

13th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

20:25 Newton Abbot

Zufal

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

Yet to be placed from ten starts under rules and was pulled up here (21.5f, good) when last seen in April; hard to fancy.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 138/3- D

Last run: 173 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Good bumper form and solid third on hurdle debut at Ffos Las, six months ago; leading contender on that, if ready after the break, but probably wouldn't want the ground to dry out too much.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:45 Newton Abbot

Astronomic View

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sue Gardner

Didn't appear to stay 3m5f at Bangor two starts ago but fared little better when pulled up at Exeter last month back at a trip that should have suited; had been in good form prior to those runs and would hold at least place claims if able to rekindle that earlier spark.

10/1

6

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

14:55 Exeter

Astronomic View

11st 9lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

In good form over fences prior to heavy defeat at Bangor where he failed to stay 3m5f; could go well now back down in trip on first hurdle start since December 2024.

16/1

6th

8

25th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

16:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Astronomic View

11st 4lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

0-7 over fences but has been running well, not beaten at all far the last twice in races at about 3m; however, although a 3m2f winner over hurdles, 3m6f appeared too far at Exeter in December.

10/1

Form: 37-

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in Irish points and on hurdle debut, in March, but tailed off since (2m7f+); even a return to the initial effort would leave him with a lot to find; down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

17th Oct 2023

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

16:10 Hereford

Shot Tower

11st 5lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Joe Ponting

Seemed to excel himself when second of three from a long way out of the handicap at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) last month but was grossly flattered by his proximity to idling winner and the form looks somewhat dubious; soundly beaten off correct mark since; others preferred.

8/1

4th

7

12th Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Worcester

Shot Tower

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Joe Ponting

24lb out of the weights when running surprisingly well at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) last week, though only three ran and the chances are the bare form flatters him; this should confirm one way or another, but he's 19lb lower this time so has to be taken seriously.

100/30

Form: 30-

Last run: 97 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat winner; third on hurdle debut last December but tailed off next time and well beaten back on the Flat last month; something to prove but has joined up-and-coming yard (was with Ed Walker); might have place prospects.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(7)

24th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

20:30 Bath

Tidal Storm

9st 5lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Joe Ponting

Yet to win on turf after eight attempts but he's posted a couple of better efforts of late back on good ground, latest in a first-time visor over C&D having missed the break; needs to find some improvement, however.

10/1

3rd

3

(3)

15th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

16:05 Bath

Tidal Storm

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Joe Ponting

Regressive gelding who's with his third trainer and is being tried in another new form of headgear; ran better from the front over 11.6f here a month ago but now has to build on it for a yard that also run Kraken Filly.

10/1

3rd

2

(9)

15th May 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

19:40 Bath

Tidal Storm

9st 10lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Joe Ponting

Poor for two yards last year and has struggled badly in two starts for his current trainer this spring, latterly over C&D; can't be recommended.

25/1

Form: U6-

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed once on the Flat, from three attempts; unseated on hurdle debut and beaten more than 40l at Kempton last month; limited appeal
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

10th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

20:20 Fontwell

Marley Head

10st 6lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Soundly beaten at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) a fortnight ago, his second run after a long absence, and now 0-13 under all codes; clearly needs a much better performance here.

12/1

14

28th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:48 Newton Abbot

Marley Head

10st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

No wins in 12 and exposed as modest under both codes; didn't run too badly in a couple of handicap hurdles last summer (on good ground).

14/1

14

28th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:48 Newton Abbot

Marley Head

10st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

No wins in 12 and exposed as modest under both codes; didn't run too badly in a couple of handicap hurdles last summer (on good ground).

14/1

66/1

Form: 70-

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in a bumper last August and only limited promise on hurdle debut 19 days ago; may need more time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

31st May 2023

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

13:55 Newton Abbot

Maskara

11st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Well beaten in a bumper last summer and same story at massive prices in two hurdle runs (2m1f/2m3f) this spring; remains best watched for now.

66/1

9th

10

17th May 2023

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

14:35 Newton Abbot

Maskara

10st 9lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

took keen hold, towards rear, in touch with leaders before 3 out

66/1

10th

9

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:45 Chepstow

Maskara

11st 6lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Dam bumper and useful hurdle winner; 14-1, faded to finish tailed-off last of seven in bumper at Stratford (2m, good) last August.

33/1

Form: 777-

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well held in a bumper and hefty defeats in both hurdle starts; might do better further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

17th May 2023

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

14:35 Newton Abbot

Bohemian Lad

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Anthony Honeyball

towards rear on outer, headway and in touch with leaders before 3 out

40/1

7th

2

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:30 Chepstow

Bohemian Lad

11st 5lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Minor promise in a bumper here in December; well beaten on his hurdle debut at Fontwell six weeks ago (2m1f, good); likelihood is that he's a longer-term prospect.

66/1

7th

3

6th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

15:30 Fontwell

Bohemian Lad

11st 7lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

in touch with leaders, not fluent 4th, bad mistake and dropped to rear 5th, soon reminders, struggling when slightly hampered 4 out

20/1

100/1

Form: 097-

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in two bumpers and on last month's hurdle debut
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

17th May 2023

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

14:35 Newton Abbot

Dark Moon

10st 9lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Alexandra Dunn

towards rear of midfield, shaken up after 5 out, lost ground and in rear before 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out

100/1

7th

6

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:35 Taunton

Dark Moon

10st 10lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Alexandra Dunn

always towards rear, tailed off

100/1

Form: 3P8-

Last run: 263 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ex-French; runner-up once on the Flat and third on her hurdle debut last July; two lesser efforts followed; probably best watched on British debut after nine months off unless there's some support.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

17th May 2023

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

14:35 Newton Abbot

La Bretesche

10st 3lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Jeremy Scott

in touch with leaders, mistake 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.30
Straight Forecast £14.76
Trifecta £633.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

King Of The Lake

POSTDATA:

Oakley Dancer

LAMBOURN:

Tidal Storm

TOPSPEED:

Astronomic View

RP RATINGS:

King Of The Lake

WEST COUNTRY:

King Of The Lake

Telegraph:

King Of The Lake

D Express:

King Of The Lake

Daily Mirror:

King Of The Lake

The Sun:

King Of The Lake

The Star:

King Of The Lake

The Times:

Oakley Dancer

The Guardian:

Oakley Dancer

Daily Mail:

Oakley Dancer

Daily Record:

Oakley Dancer