July 15 / 17.25 Newton Abbot

17.25

Soft

Newton Abbot Racecourse On Facebook Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

  • Prize money: £6416.41
  • 2m 2f 110y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Newton Abbot Racecourse On Facebook Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: /90-40

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 6yo who made quite encouraging stable debut when keeping-on fourth over C&D in May; always behind here (2m, good) last month and clearly needs a better performance today but Harry Cobden keeps the ride.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

28th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:48 Newton Abbot

Bears Hug

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Jimmy Frost

Tailed off in three runs after running okay in a C&D handicap last May on stable debut; absent since September.

33/1

12

28th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:48 Newton Abbot

Bears Hug

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Jimmy Frost

Tailed off in three runs after running okay in a C&D handicap last May on stable debut; absent since September.

33/1

9th

7

20th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:25 Newton Abbot

Bears Hug

10st 11lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

led, headed 3 out

25/1

Form: 499-65

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Placed in two bumpers in 2022; yet to match that level of form over hurdles but there was promise in both his novice runs in May (2m/2m2f); no surprise if he displays the necessary improvement on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

15:42 Newton Abbot

Get The Value

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: John O’Shea

Completed a spring double last year off 8lb higher; struggled for form after returning in December from a break but fared better when back to front-running tactics at Stratford (extended 2m2f; good to firm) a fortnight ago and a repeat of that effort would put him in the mix.

11/2

3rd

3

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

19:48 Stratford

Get The Value

11st 9lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: John O’Shea

Completed back-to-back wins last spring, including over 2m here, but has been badly out of form since returning from a break in December and failed to justify market support when pulled up at Newton Abbot this month; on a good mark but hard to recommend in current form.

25/1

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

Form: /P6-41 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Came good over hurdles at eighth attempt, keeping on strongly to score by a neck over C&D (good) three weeks ago; recent 4lb rise does not look excessive and further progress is possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

21st Jul 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

15:05 Newton Abbot

Konigin Isabella

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Had been vulnerable in handicaps this year but she ran better at Stratford two starts ago and there was nothing wrong with her attitude when a narrow winner over C&D (good) in June; has gone back up 4lb but in good heart and likely to go well.

7/2

1st

6

25th Jun 2024

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:00 Newton Abbot

Konigin Isabella

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Raced prominently before proving one paced at Stratford last time (2m, good) when just behind Queen Of Steel; that was better, though.

8/1

Form: 95PP/4 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in his first two handicaps but, following a long absence, fared much better when close fourth at Worcester (2m, good) last month; big player if he builds on that performance in first-time cheekpieces here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

15

21st Oct 2024

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

15:25 Plumpton

Invictus De Brion

10st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

not fluent 1st

7/1

7

22nd Sep 2024

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

14:50 Plumpton

Invictus De Brion

10st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

About 17l behind Belgarum when third at Fontwell (2m5f, good) on recent chasing debut but significant positives can be drawn from that performance and he's 11lb better off with that rival here; contender if new cheekpieces have any positive effect.

13/2

3rd

7

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

16:25 Fontwell

Invictus De Brion

11st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Bumper winner; 0-7 over hurdles but returned from long absence with two pretty good efforts this season (2m/2m2f) and it will be interesting to see how he fares over this new trip on chasing debut.

6/1

Form: 5346-

Last run: 180 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Unexposed after only four runs but was beaten about 47l on handicap debut at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in January and has not raced again since; considered only if lively in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

13

27th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

16:22 Stratford

Bravewhenineedtobe

11st 1lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Alastair Ralph

Tailed off on handicap debut in January but fared better at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) last month, where she emerged from the pack to finish best of the rest behind the runaway winner; might have more to offer if today's longer trip suits.

7/1

2nd

10

21st Jul 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:10 Newton Abbot

Bravewhenineedtobe

10st 10lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Alastair Ralph

Unexposed after only four runs but she was tailed off on handicap debut at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in January and could be considered only if lively in the betting.

25/1

Form: 570-65

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in all three qualifying runs but was very respectable fifth on handicap debut at Worcester (2m4f, good) last month, and could plausibly still have a bit more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

9th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:48 Perth

Jormungandr

10st 5lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: D J Jeffreys

Did well to be beaten 10l at Worcester (2m4f handicap debut; good) given he refused to settle and perhaps the ground was too soft at Uttoxeter; remains of interest.

8/1

8th

11

17th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:45 Uttoxeter

Jormungandr

10st 5lb

J: Cian Chester

T: D J Jeffreys

Happier for the step up to 2m4f on last month's Worcester handicap debut (good), keeping on late despite initial refusal to settle; grounds to expect better and 2lb drop is most welcome; remains of interest.

8/1

Form: 4592-5

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
0-21 over hurdles for David Thompson; claimed for £6,000 after 27l defeat in selling handicap in May and had wind surgery last month; makes debut for Olly Murphy from good mark; interesting to see how he fares.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

6th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Bushmill Boy

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-23 over hurdles but went very close on stable debut here (2m4f, soft) in July and also ran well when third (albeit well held) at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in August; drops back in trip with cheekpieces refitted here; no surprise if he comes good for Olly Murphy soon.

6/1

3rd

6

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

18:45 Fontwell

Bushmill Boy

10st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-22 over hurdles but very nearly made a winning stable debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) six weeks ago and will be fine on the forecast faster ground here; one to consider.

4/1

2nd

13

17th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:45 Uttoxeter

Bushmill Boy

10st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-23 but surely has a race in him, and did record a respectable C&D third (soft) last November; wind surgery since claimed for £6,000 from David Thompson and starts life for Olly Murphy back on a career-low mark.

7/2

Form: 96-8

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
A modest maiden on the Flat for Jedd O'Keeffe and has not shown a great deal on his three hurdling starts for Gordon Edwards; makes handicap hurdle debut from a lowly mark but still needs to improve.
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: 987-98

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Not beaten that far in his first two handicaps, more recently when weakening eighth at Stratford (2m2f, good to firm) a fortnight ago, but latest 3lb drop is not enough to tempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:10 Exeter

Square Du Roule

11st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Nigel Hawke

C&D winner last November (good to soft; held up), when 15lb lower; also held up when showing marginal improvement to score at Wincanton (3m, good) latest; up another 6lb but looks a leading player.

11/8

1st

6

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 5

15:50 Wincanton

Square Du Roule

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Nigel Hawke

Made the breakthrough at Exeter (2m5f, good to soft) in November and he had a near-miss at Taunton (3m, good) the following month; looks interesting on that form but he was laboured at Exeter last month and that took his hurdling record to 1-18.

8/1

8th

9

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Square Du Roule

11st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Came good here (2m5f, good to soft) in November, his 14th hurdling start, and has performed well over 3m at Taunton on all three starts since; ought to be right in the thick of things again.

7/1

Abandoned

Form: 863-2U

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
16-race maiden; didn't achieve much when second in three-runner hurdle in Jersey two starts ago but was seemingly in process of running well before falling in Worcester chase a fortnight ago and can be competitive off his lowly hurdle mark here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

19th Jul 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:22 Newton Abbot

Testflight

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sue Gardner

Sole career success came in this race 12 months ago and a recent close fourth here behind Edgewell should have teed him up for his defence; nothing wrong with his mark for all that he's 1lb wrong.

4/1

4th

8

23rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:50 Newton Abbot

Testflight

10st 12lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sue Gardner

Has modest 1-29 strike-rate under rules but the win was gained over C&D (last summer) and last month's reappearance run was much more encouraging than his eventual 78l defeat suggests; each-way claims at least.

8/1

3rd

6

20th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:00 Warwick

Testflight

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

1-28 under rules, his win coming over fences off this mark at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) last July; has been off since October and needs to hit the ground running.

8/1

Abandoned

Form: F40/8-

Last run: 411 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Always behind when 66-1 for handicap hurdle debut over C&D in May last year and has not run over hurdles since; subsequently won three low-grade Flat races but still looks too risky on return to this game; 14lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(9)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

19:36 Chepstow

Galactic Glow

9st 8lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Reliable sort with five wins in the bag; a beaten favourite on his last two starts, his turn may be near once more but he is 2lb higher than his last winning mark.

13/2

6th

3

(11)

29th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 6

20:30 Windsor

Galactic Glow

9st 8lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Joe Tickle

Easily best known for exploits at Bath, where he's been runner-up three times this season; 0-10 here, admittedly twice runner-up and also third of 15 in May (1m2f) but he may have to settle for another place return.

3/1

2nd

6

(1)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:37 Bath

Galactic Glow

9st 3lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Four course wins over 1m2f on fast ground; three solid efforts in defeat this year, again over 1m2f, and he has handled slow ground in the past; unlikely to be far away back at 1m.

4/1

Verdict

Konigin Isabella might use her recent C&D success as a springboard but preference is for INVICTUS DE BRION, who returned from a long layoff with a pleasing fourth at Worcester last month and could still have a better run in him if the addition of cheekpieces has a positive effect. Bushmill Boy is 0-21 over hurdles but still looks interesting on his debut for Olly Murphy, while handicap debutant Get The Value may yet deliver on his bumper promise.[Chris Wilson]

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Konigin Isabella

The Times:

Testflight

SPOTLIGHT:

Invictus De Brion

POSTDATA:

Get The Value

RP RATINGS:

Bushmill Boy

The Star:

Testflight

Telegraph:

Konigin Isabella

The Guardian:

Konigin Isabella

Daily Mail:

Konigin Isabella

D Express:

Konigin Isabella

Daily Mirror:

Konigin Isabella

The Sun:

Konigin Isabella

Daily Record:

Konigin Isabella