May 20 / 14.13 Newton Abbot

14.13

Soft

newtonabbotracing.com Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5809.1
  • 2m 0f 167y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
SKY
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newtonabbotracing.com Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: P2-

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Went close on Irish point debut in March 2023 and left disappointing rules debut a long way behind when 100-1 second at Warwick (2m3f, good) last month; that form already makes him a leading contender and he ought to have more improvement to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

14:25 Ffos Las

Fortified Fortune

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

midfield, prominent 6th, weakened after 3 out

5/1

7th

7

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

14:25 Ffos Las

Fortified Fortune

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Staying-on second at 100-1 in maiden at Warwick (2m3f, good) in April on his second start over hurdles; 6-4 favourite when going one better at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) in May; it's striking to see that this handicap debut (after nearly six months off) is over so much further and he seems to bring stacks of potential.

5/1

OUR TIP

7/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 28412- D

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Built upon encouraging hurdle debut when ridden-out winner of Exeter maiden (2m, soft) in March, and probably ran at least as well when second of four over same C&D (heavy) on handicap debut a fortnight later; has a big role to play if coping with the drying ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

20th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:42 Newton Abbot

Pirates Tale

11st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Chris Honour

Won 2m maiden hurdle in March 2024 but an unknown quantity now, having been pulled up in two hurdle runs either side of three non-completions in points; now has a go in headgear.

33/1

3

14th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

15:55 Newton Abbot

Pirates Tale

11st 8lb

J: David Noonan

T: Chris Honour

Returns to rules action on the back of three non-completions in points but he has been competitive off this mark in the past and still only a 7yo; could be a surprise package after changing yards.

25/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 85-2

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bettered low-key hurdling debut when keeping on strongly for second at Stratford (2m, good) 11 days ago; that form probably isn't anything out of the ordinary but further progress is possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

9th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

19:07 Warwick

Impecunious

11st 12lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: I Chanin

Won twice when trained by Chris Down last year; resumes following 293 days off for new trainer; betting will be best guide to his chance.

8/1

1st

5

20th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:42 Newton Abbot

Impecunious

11st 9lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

Off the mark at Chepstow (2m3f, good) in April and consistent at up to 2m7f since; unraced beyond that trip but there are some strong stayers on the dam's side of his pedigree so there's a chance he'll improve for the new distance.

3/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
72,000euros 3yo; fourth foal; half-brother to useful Irish chaser Handsworth; dam unraced sister to high-class jumper Bog Warrior; one of two newcomers representing Joe Tizzard; market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

17:32 Wincanton

Sea Warrior

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Looked quite promising when fifth in an Exeter novice (2m, good to soft) on seasonal debut in November but has gone the wrong way since; might be aided by new tongue-tie here but has questions to answer.

6/1

7th

13

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

13:40 Exeter

Sea Warrior

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Perhaps thinking of his fall (going well at the time on handicap debut) when only tenth last time; his fifth here behind the useful Harry Lowes entitles him to each-way claims.

20/1

10th

7

19th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

14:20 Lingfield

Sea Warrior

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Very lightly raced 7yo who displayed clear promise in three novice/maiden hurdles (2m-2m3f); unlucky to come to grief mid-race on last month's handicap debut and remains unexposed.

14/1

Form: /499-6

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in two good-ground bumpers in 2022; always behind in first two hurdle races but caught the eye of the stewards when keeping on steadily for sixth at Stratford (2m, good) 11 days ago; can probably progress again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Get The Value

11st 10lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: John O’Shea

Completed back-to-back wins last spring, including one here, but has been badly out of form since returning from a break in December; now 4lb below his last winning mark, but hard to make a case for in current form.

10/1

7th

1

5th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:48 Ffos Las

Get The Value

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: John O’Shea

Exposed 8yo who has topweight and he's looked out of sorts in four runs following a break.

25/1

Form: 4958-

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed promise in two of her three bumpers but was soundly beaten when 150-1 for recent hurdling debut at Chepstow (2m3f).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

20th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

15:15 Uttoxeter

Dropitlikeitshot

10st 5lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Lightly raced 5yo who has run okay when fifth the last twice but hasn't been shaping as though a first win is imminent.

16/1

Form: 234P-

Last run: 153 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in three run-of-the-mill bumpers on good/good to soft last summer, but struggled to get competitive (albeit on soft ground) when a big-priced outsider for hurdlng debut in December.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

5th Jul 2024

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

17:10 Newton Abbot

Dontmesswithme

10st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Syd Hosie

Close up in a bumper here on debut but that's weak form and she's shown nothing in three hurdle starts since, tailed off when fitted with a tongue-tie over C&D last month; opposable on handicap debut.

12/1

6th

7

5th Jun 2024

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

14:40 Newton Abbot

Dontmesswithme

10st 9lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Syd Hosie

Close up in a bumper here on debut but that's weak form and she's shown nothing in either hurdle start (1m7f, soft; 2m1f, good); now tongue tied; opposable.

33/1

7th

13

20th May 2024

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

14:13 Newton Abbot

Dontmesswithme

10st 9lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Syd Hosie

Made the frame in three run-of-the-mill bumpers on good/good to soft last summer, but struggled to get competitive (albeit on soft ground) when a big-priced outsider for hurdlng debut in December.

50/1

Form: 96-

Last run: 142 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in low-grade Flat handicaps for Jedd O'Keeffe last season but didn't show a great deal in two juvenile hurdles for this stable towards end of last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

19:30 Taunton

Future Times

10st 5lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Gordon Edwards

Longstanding maiden who didn't run badly on first two starts back from a mammoth absence; out of the weights but not hard to see him hitting the frame in a weak contest, if bouncing back from a poor effort last time.

14/1

11th

11

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Future Times

10st 4lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Gordon Edwards

20-race maiden who only recently returned from a mammoth absence; beaten about 14l on both occasions and behind Vengeance last time.

14/1

8th

12

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

17:32 Wincanton

Future Times

10st 2lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Gordon Edwards

Unplaced all five hurdle starts but returned from 596-day absence with an encouraging fourth at Taunton (2m3f, good) a fortnight ago and has possibilities if that run brought him on.

6/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; dam bumper/3m1f hurdle winner, half-sister to bumper/Flat/hurdle winner Alphabetical Order and two other hurdle winners; wears a tongue-tie; stable's other newcomer Sea Warrior appeals more on paper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

6th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:42 Fontwell

Tractor Jack

11st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Joe Tizzard

Lightly raced hurdler; jumping was a bit iffy on chase debut at Newton Abbot (2m5f) but could be wiser for that experience, and he wasn't beaten all that far despite finishing last.

10/1

6th

4

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

14:35 Newton Abbot

Tractor Jack

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Only seen sporadically over hurdles the past two years, latterly when not looking to see out 3m a month ago; needs a deal of improvement on today's chasing debut.

12/1

Form: 05-

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten at triple-digit odds on first two hurdling starts (both last month); needs addition of cheekpieces to make a massive difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

21st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

16:30 Exeter

Giddy Up

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Kevin Bishop

prominent

100/1

15

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Giddy Up

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Kevin Bishop

Very lightly raced 6yo who is related to winners and makes his handicap/stable debut off a basement mark; however, he showed very little over hurdles last spring and was pulled in a point-to-point in November.

50/1

15

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Giddy Up

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Kevin Bishop

Very lightly raced 6yo who is related to winners and makes his handicap/stable debut off a basement mark; however, he showed very little over hurdles last spring and was pulled in a point-to-point in November.

50/1

Form: 87-

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Safely held in two bumpers towards end of last season and can only be watched on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

5th Jun 2024

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

14:40 Newton Abbot

Henry Pick

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Sue Gardner

Down the field in two bumpers and 250-1 when pulled up here on hurdling debut.

100/1

5

20th May 2024

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

14:13 Newton Abbot

Henry Pick

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Sue Gardner

Safely held in two bumpers towards end of last season and can only be watched on hurdling debut.

100/1

5

20th May 2024

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

14:13 Newton Abbot

Henry Pick

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Sue Gardner

Safely held in two bumpers towards end of last season and can only be watched on hurdling debut.

100/1

Form: 52-

Last run: 328 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed significant promise in two conditions hurdles on very soft ground at Auteuil last June, latterly when close second to a subsequent Grade 3 winner; makes British debut after 11-month absence, and on faster ground, but it will be interesting to see how he fares.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:05 Haydock

LudOr

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tom Symonds

Won easily on handicap debut at Bangor (2m3f, soft) in November and has continued in good form, finishing third of 15 at Windsor (3m, soft) latest; he has something to find if his opponents are at their best but that isn't guaranteed, and his current wellbeing and proven stamina are both positives.

10/1

3rd

3

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

LudOr

11st 9lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Tom Symonds

Has a solid overall record; fairly useful form switched to handicaps (at about 2m4f on soft) this term, winning by wide margin at Bangor then solid third at Newbury; remains open to further progress; major contender, provided he stays this new trip.

9/2

Form: 86P-

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in both bumpers last season and pulled up when 200-1 for recent hurdling debut (2m3f).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

17th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 5

14:18 Wincanton

Demelza Carne

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

held up in rear, no impression after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

50/1

10th

11

21st Jul 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:10 Newton Abbot

Demelza Carne

10st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Chris Down

Pulled up here (2m5f, good) when 40-1 for recent handicap debut, having racing too freely; may benefit from combination of drop back in trip and first-time hood today but huge improvement is needed.

33/1

7

5th Jul 2024

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

17:45 Newton Abbot

Demelza Carne

10st 7lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Shown no worthwhile form in her bumpers or in three starts over hurdles; goes up in trip on handicap debut but hard to make a case.

20/1

Non-runners

We Aint Walking, Ludor

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.30
Straight Forecast £4.68
Trifecta £13.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Fortified Fortune

WEST COUNTRY:

Pirates' Tale

The Guardian:

Lud'or

Daily Mail:

Pirates' Tale

D Express:

Pirates' Tale

Daily Record:

Pirates' Tale

The Sun:

Lud'or

RP RATINGS:

Fortified Fortune

POSTDATA:

Fortified Fortune

The Times:

Fortified Fortune

Telegraph:

Fortified Fortune

Daily Mirror:

Fortified Fortune

The Star:

Fortified Fortune