May 04 / 18.45 Hexham

18.45

Good To Soft

Bobby Roberts Memorial Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 0f 48y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Bobby Roberts Memorial Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

4/6 (Won)

  • Win: £1.67
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 41221- D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner; found one just too good when warm favourite for hurdling debut at Huntingdon (2m, soft) in March but was nicely clear of the others, and easily took advantage of good opportunity at Fontwell (2m3f, heavy) later that month; obvious contender here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

18:40 Punchestown

Wilful

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Progressive 7yo won a competitive Ascot handicap in December (15.5f, good to soft) and was second in a valuable Windsor handicap next time (2m, soft); posted career-best effort in the County Hurdle last time, keeping on well to win by three lengths (2m1f, soft); has course form after filling the second spot in a festival handicap here last season; enters Grade 1 company now and will need a good fist of improvement again, but he's clearly thriving.

11/1

1st

6

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Wilful

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Progressive 7yo who made it 5-11 over hurdles when making all in competitive handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) in December; backed that up when second of 14 in another valuable handicap at Windsor (2m, soft) in January; likeable but he will need more again.

14/1

2nd

1

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Wilful

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Progressive 7yo who made it 5-11 over hurdles when making all in competitive handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) four weeks ago; had nearly 3l to spare over the runner-up Hot Fuss and he's respected up 7lb.

15/2

20/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 365-

Last run: 178 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Displayed significant ability on two of his three hurdling starts last year, latterly when fifth of 12 at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) in November, but a minor role might be his best hope here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

18:20 Hexham

Conquer The Breeze

10st 9lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Well supported when landing his second C&D success (good to soft) on his stable debut ten days ago following a five-month break; 8lb rise may not be enough to stop him going in again.

10/11

1st

9

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

15:55 Hexham

Conquer The Breeze

10st 10lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

C&D win for Maurice Barnes last June; good second at Perth next time; hasn't fared quite as well since but has a good chance on debut for new yard.

11/4

14/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 5-

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in two heavy-ground Irish points last season and ran well for long way when fifth of 12 (albeit well held in the end) in soft-ground Cork bumper on last month's rules debut; should have a future over hurdles for new stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

14:30 Hexham

Rock On Jet

11st 10lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

Front-runner who was beaten 9l when last of the three finishers at Ayr (2m, soft) in January; however, he's been dropped a handy 3lb since and is capable of better judged on last season's evidence; not written off.

7/1

Form: 25-

Last run: 91 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on Irish point debut in March 2023 and filled same position in run-of-the-mill Kelso maiden (2m, heavy) on hurdling debut in December; safely held in stronger maiden at Wetherby in February but considered each-way here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

6th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

14:25 Kelso

Walk On Quest

12st 1lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won four handicaps on the trot two seasons ago (2m-2m5f, good to soft/soft); hasn't won since but was beaten only by a nose over C&D on good last time; contender.

6/5

2nd

6

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:30 Kelso

Walk On Quest

11st 0lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Last season's chasing four-timer included two course wins (2m1f/2m5f) but he's been disappointing since, barring a keeping-on second at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in December; pulled up in Carlisle series final won by Wolfburg last month, and moves back up in trip with questions to answer.

12/1

2

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Walk On Quest

11st 13lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Ran creditably behind Trac at Newcastle (2m4f) on penultimate start but otherwise far from consistent since completing a four-timer last term; not exactly guaranteed to give his running.

12/1

Form: F3PP-

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Found to have irregular heartbeat when flopping badly on penultimate appearance and seemed to find 3m1f on heavy ground far too taxing when again pulled up last time; arrives here with questions to answer but ran big race when third at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) in November and has strong claims if judged on that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

27th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

19:15 Hexham

Le Jeune Bresil

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Mark Walford

Point winner; failed to complete in three of five starts over hurdles and was pulled up on chase debut at Sedgefield (2m3f, good to soft) in December; still lightly raced but he returns after another absence and has something to prove for new yard.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 8-

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Middle-distance winner on the Flat for William Knight last summer (RPR 77); beaten about 41l after racing too freely on stable/hurdle debut at Catterick (1m7f, soft) in February but that run was not devoid of promise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

20:42 Market Rasen

Bunker Bay

11st 1lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Reportedly had breathing issue when well beaten at Perth last month and is now 0-9 over hurdles but his clear second to next-time-out winner Ruler Legend over C&D (good) two starts ago was a good effort; big player if back at that level.

4/1

8th

12

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

16:40 Perth

Bunker Bay

10st 10lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Micky Hammond

0-8 over hurdles but has posted some good performances this season, most recently runner-up at Market Rasen (2m, good) 18 days ago; also effective on soft ground; makes a lot more appeal than most of these.

11/2

Form: 65-

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in two Irish points in 2022 but, following a long absence, made low-key start to rules career last season; weakened into fifth on hurdling debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) in March and needs to take a good step forward here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

8th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Uttoxeter

Sovereign Star

10st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Has had some gaps in his career but he gave an improved display on second chase start when winning at Bangor (about 2m4f, good) in June, where a persistent rival left him ahead two out; up 3lb; can progress.

4/1

1st

4

6th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Sovereign Star

10st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Lightly raced since he was placed in two Irish points in 2022 but made quite promising chase/handicap debut when third here (2m1f, good; first-time tongue-tie) in March; absent for 11 weeks since but ought to be suited by today's step up in trip.

10/1

3rd

2

22nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

14:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Sovereign Star

11st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Very unexposed 7yo; showed nothing more than minor promise in three maiden/novice hurdles this season (2m-2m1f) but was placed in two Irish points in 2022 and is open to improvement on this chase/handicap debut; tongue-tie fitted.

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished alone to open Irish point account on heavy ground in March, his sixth start; recently changed hands for 25,000euros; interesting to see how he fares on rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

16:05 Hexham

Famous Liss

10st 13lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Stuart Coltherd

Irish point winner in March 2024 (3m, heavy); mixed form over hurdles and unseated rider at the fourth when favourite for a handicap on chase debut last month (good); interesting.

9/2

6th

6

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

16:05 Hexham

Famous Liss

10st 13lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Stuart Coltherd

Irish point winner in March 2024 (3m, heavy); mixed form over hurdles and unseated rider at the fourth when favourite for a handicap on chase debut last month (good); interesting.

9/2

2

14th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

14:48 Hexham

Famous Liss

11st 13lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Stuart Coltherd

prominent, mistake and unseated 4th

7/1

Form: 70-

Last run: 97 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
A down-the-field outsider in two good-ground bumpers last season; can only be watched on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

17:00 Haydock

Grand Geste

10st 12lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Suffered two flops in his last three races but the latest was in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham; both wins since December have been here (3m1f/3m4f), latterly in the 11-runner Grand National Trial that always takes some winning; if on a going day then he would have strong claims, for all that softer ground would be preferred.

2/1

8

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Grand Geste

11st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Impressive in a useful handicap at Haydock (extended 3m1f, soft) and, following a Doncaster flop, even better when he emerged on top in the Grand National Trial back at Haydock (extended 3m4f, good to soft); up another 6lb but little to prove regarding stamina and should have more to give.

14/1

1st

7

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Grand Geste

10st 12lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Impressive when winning the Tommy Whittle here (extended 3m1f, soft) in December and on that evidence today's 10lb higher mark may not be beyond this unexposed 7yo; he's a lot better than he showed at Doncaster (3m, soft) three weeks ago but has something to prove following that flop.

10/1

Form: 95-

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Struggled when 150-1 for recent hurdling debut at Huntingdon (2m, good); can't be recommended here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

2nd Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:30 Southwell

Belladinotte

11st 1lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Doubled her tally when successful over C&D (good) in April; always behind when last of 15 at Hexham since but may bounce back at her favourite track.

10/1

15th

13

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

20:15 Hexham

Belladinotte

10st 9lb

J: James Turner

T: Sara Ender

C&D winner in June 2025; gained a second success at Southwell last time (3m, good); conditions suit; should go well again despite 5lb rise.

10/1

1st

5

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:02 Southwell

Belladinotte

10st 12lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Second over C&D and went one better at Hexham (both good) last June on her first two starts for Sara Ender; back on form when runner-up twice at Wetherby (3m/2m5f, good) in the autumn and given a break since finishing fourth on softish ground at Market Rasen in November; should have a big say if ready to roll after 139 days off.

11/2

Form: 00P-

Last run: 67 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well down the field in both her bumpers and was a pulled-up outsider on hurdling debut at Catterick (1m7f, soft) in February.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

18:45 Hexham

Bettybea

10st 8lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Simon Waugh

midfield, mistake 1st

100/1

11

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

18:45 Hexham

Bettybea

10st 8lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Simon Waugh

midfield, mistake 1st

100/1

10

27th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

15:50 Catterick

Bettybea

11st 0lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Simon Waugh

Tailed off in both her bumpers at massive odds.

200/1

Form: 0-

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten out of sight when 200-1 for Wetherby maiden hurdle (2m, soft) on debut in March.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:05 Sedgefield

Paywave

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jacqueline Coward

didn't jump well, in rear, pecked on landing 3rd, mistake and bumped rival 5th, soon lost touch and struggling, tailed off and pulled up omitted 3 out

33/1

10

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:05 Sedgefield

Paywave

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jacqueline Coward

didn't jump well, in rear, pecked on landing 3rd, mistake and bumped rival 5th, soon lost touch and struggling, tailed off and pulled up omitted 3 out

33/1

9

27th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:35 Wetherby

Paywave

11st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Jacqueline Coward

Tailed off and pulled up in her first two races over hurdles and makes no appeal.

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.70
Straight Forecast £27.63
Trifecta £124.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Wilful

D Express:

Walk On Quest

The Star:

Famous Liss

Telegraph:

Bunker Bay

TOPSPEED:

Le Jeune Bresil

RP RATINGS:

Wilful

POSTDATA:

Wilful

WEST COUNTRY:

Wilful

The Times:

Wilful

The Guardian:

Wilful

Daily Mail:

Wilful

Daily Mirror:

Wilful

The Sun:

Wilful

Daily Record:

Wilful