January 23 / 14.00 Newbury

14.00

Good To Soft

Newbury Welcomes Sky Sports Racing Junior ‘National Hunt’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5446
  • 2m 0f 69y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Newbury Welcomes Sky Sports Racing Junior ‘National Hunt’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £3.13
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 21 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Both starts at Exeter, finishing second to subsequent Grade 2 winner then going one better in hard-fought fashion; far from impressive last time but remains open to progress and warrants respect even with 7lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

18:20 Fontwell

Valadon

11st 3lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Scored with a tongue-tie added at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft) last month and he ran to a similar level when a 2l third at Wincanton (2m4f, good) last time; has been as good as ever in those last two runs and he won this race last year; respected.

7/2

3rd

8

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 3

16:57 Wincanton

Valadon

10st 13lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Back in prime form when scoring in first-time tongue-tie at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft; front pair clear) a fortnight ago and now 4-10 over hurdles; recent 4lb rise does not look excessive and he should be fine on the faster ground here; likely contender.

4/1

1st

2

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 4

16:30 Plumpton

Valadon

11st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Pulled up on seasonal debut but fared better when fourth (albeit tired and well held in the end) at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) in January and is now only 1lb higher than for last spring's Fontwell win (2m5f, good); contender if aided by new tongue-tie.

6/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£38,000 2yo; first foal; dam French 2m2f chase/2m3f hurdle winner, sibling to two French 2m1f/2m2f hurdle/chase winners; sole newcomer in the field; heed the market signals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

19:07 Chepstow

Wreckless Eric

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

For two years in a row now he's followed a second in the Imperial Cup with a disappointing effort at Aintree, second-time cheekpieces presumably not to blame latest as they're retained here; record of 1F12 in handicaps of Class 3 or below, and ought not mind any dryout (2-4 on good).

2/1

17th

3

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Wreckless Eric

11st 8lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Returned to form in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when runner-up in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, soft) for the second year in succession; 12 months ago he followed up with a disappointing effort at this meeting but that was over 2m4f and this is more his trip.

12/1

2nd

14

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Wreckless Eric

10st 13lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

He's been a long way below his best on his three starts this season and arrives with something to prove; however, there have been possible excuses on each occasion, namely the lack of a recent run, then the step up to 2m5f, and most recently heavy ground; now 3lb lower than when second in this 12 months ago (good to soft) and he's not written off in first-time headgear.

13/2

13/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 9

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Down the field in Listed bumper at Cheltenham on New Year's Day but shaped better than the bare result and is open to improvement with the experience under his belt; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

15:25 Fontwell

Kalif DAiry

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

0-10 overall but he's finished a close second in four of his last five runs including in a maiden here (2m1f, good) last month; this step back up in trip is no problem and he's a big player again back in a handicap.

11/4

4

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

15:25 Fontwell

Kalif DAiry

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

0-10 overall but he's finished a close second in four of his last five runs including in a maiden here (2m1f, good) last month; this step back up in trip is no problem and he's a big player again back in a handicap.

11/4

2nd

4

28th Mar 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

15:10 Fontwell

Kalif DAiry

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

0-9 overall but second on a variety of ground at Fontwell (2m3f), Fakenham (2m) and Sandown (2m4f) in three consecutive starts this winter; flop in first-time cheekpieces here (extended 2m5f) last time is the big worry but he has a huge shout on those earlier performances.

11/4

Form: 5123

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Distant third, well below par, at Ludlow most recently; one of the main players on earlier form, notably success in Huntingdon bumper (good) and second over hurdles at Ludlow (soft); may bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 1

14:05 Doncaster

Dameofthecotswolds

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Big improver this season in winning three times, the latest over 2m3f here on good (handles softer); another good run last time in a Listed race at Warwick (2m5f, soft) and her form is right up there in this company; the nagging concern is that she was keen and didn't get home over 3m at Windsor two runs back, although the ground was soft.

9/2

5th

2

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Warwick

Dameofthecotswolds

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Others have a lot more substance to their form but she impressed when winning three mares' novice hurdles in the autumn (2m3f-2m5f, good/good to soft; also effective on soft) and failed to settle when fading over 3m last time; retains potential now back down in trip and none of the form horses arrive with rock-solid credentials; interesting contender.

12/1

5th

2

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Warwick

Dameofthecotswolds

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Others have a lot more substance to their form but she impressed when winning three mares' novice hurdles in the autumn (2m3f-2m5f, good/good to soft; also effective on soft) and failed to settle when fading over 3m last time; retains potential now back down in trip and none of the form horses arrive with rock-solid credentials; interesting contender.

12/1

Form: 1

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Recorded a half-length success in Newcastle bumper (1m6f, good) last month on debut; bred to develop into a useful sort, being out of a half-sister to his yard's multiple jumps winner Dear Sire; one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(4)

17th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Kabuki

10st 0lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Donald McCain

1-1 in bumpers but 0-6 over hurdles and well held in two starts on turf (1m3f/1m4f) last month; plenty to find on AW debut; hood (worn once over hurdles) returns.

66/1

10th

2

(10)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 4

18:05 Haydock

Kabuki

10st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Donald McCain

1-1 in bumpers and placed in two of his six starts over hurdles, a bit better than stablemate Dino Bellagio; 16l third of four in maiden at Hamilton (1m3f, good to firm; 40-1) two weeks ago was not such a good start under Flat rules, though.

20/1

10th

2

(10)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 4

18:05 Haydock

Kabuki

10st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Donald McCain

1-1 in bumpers and placed in two of his six starts over hurdles, a bit better than stablemate Dino Bellagio; 16l third of four in maiden at Hamilton (1m3f, good to firm; 40-1) two weeks ago was not such a good start under Flat rules, though.

20/1

Form: 9P3

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed little in two runs for David Pipe; appeared to improve (80-1 third) at Taunton for new yard and has frame possibilities if that form is backed up; booking of Harry Cobden is a plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

7th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

18:42 Southwell

Marrakushi

10st 12lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Michael Blake

Two runs in these colours for David Pipe; has shown more in his runs for this yard in races won by useful novices; could be interesting now handicapping off this low a mark.

9/2

5

7th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

18:42 Southwell

Marrakushi

10st 12lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Michael Blake

Two runs in these colours for David Pipe; has shown more in his runs for this yard in races won by useful novices; could be interesting now handicapping off this low a mark.

9/2

6th

6

23rd Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

14:00 Newbury

Marrakushi

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Michael Blake

took keen hold, led

10/1

Form: 7663

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Minor form in two bumpers and two juvenile hurdles, well-held third at Plumpton most recently; needs improvement and may find better opportunities in handicaps shortly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(2)

26th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:54 Lingfield

Macari

9st 5lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Sheena West

Four wins last year including one over hurdles and two over this trip on the Flat; just 2lb above his last winning mark, but needs to put a tame effort at Nottingham (1m6f, good) last month behind him.

14/1

6th

3

(1)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Nottingham

Macari

9st 7lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Sheena West

An excellent Flat campaign last year yielded three turf wins under Rose Dawes from May to October and he's been in AW/hurdles action this winter; absent 11 weeks but has to be considered seriously.

11/2

4th

6

9th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 4

15:45 Plumpton

Macari

11st 4lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Sheena West

Both hurdle wins have been here, the latest over this trip last April (good; off 3lb lower); three Flat wins since, including on soft ground; should go well.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: 6

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In good hands but achieved little in similar event at Ludlow 18 days ago; needs to leave that debut form well behind and stable appears to have a better chance with Kalif D'Airy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

23rd Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

14:00 Newbury

Kadiwo

11st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary Moore

towards rear, ran green on turn after 1st, dropped to last and struggling after 4 out, soon pulled up

66/1

6th

3

5th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

12:25 Ludlow

Kadiwo

11st 0lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary Moore

15,000euros yearling; sixth foal; half-brother to four winners including Lucky One (useful 1m7f-2m5f hurdle), Ladysane (French 2m1f hurdle) and Lady Wild (French 11.5f/12.5f); dam French 1m3f-1m5f winner; interesting runner for a southern yard that does very well here and won this race 12 months ago.

13/2

Non-runners

Maria's Flame

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.50
Straight Forecast £9.25
Trifecta £41.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Valadon

POSTDATA:

Dameofthecotswolds

The Guardian:

Kalif D'Airy

Daily Mirror:

Kabuki

D Express:

Kalif D'Airy

Daily Record:

Kabuki

RP RATINGS:

Valadon

WEST COUNTRY:

Valadon

Telegraph:

Valadon

The Sun:

Valadon

The Times:

Dameofthecotswolds

Daily Mail:

Dameofthecotswolds

The Star:

Dameofthecotswolds