July 26 / 14.10 Uttoxeter

14.10

Good

Brit Direct Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 1m 7f 168y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Brit Direct Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/8 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 2-B

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Clear second on last summer's bumper debut and, following a layoff, was in contention for a place at least when brought down at penultimate flight on recent hurdle debut over C&D (soft); likely contenter today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 3

14:05 Market Rasen

Deploy To Spy

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

4-7 over hurdles and he posted a personal best when winning in a small field at Worcester (2m7f, good to soft) five weeks ago; may still have some untapped potential; major contender in first-time cheekpieces.

9/4

1st

2

12th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

19:10 Worcester

Deploy To Spy

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Completed hat-trick with ready win on handicap debut at Aintree (2m1f, good) in November; ended 2024 with a lesser effort and was safely held when upped to 2m4f for reappearance in April but may still have potential over this even longer trip.

3/1

8th

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Deploy To Spy

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Brought up his hat-trick on handicap debut at Aintree in November (2m1f, good) and his following run at Doncaster off this 7lb higher mark looked too bad to be true; arrives here fresh and may well have further improvement lurking.

9/1

5/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2-3

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who was placed in a bumper on rules debut and came third on hurdle debut at Ffos Las (2m, good; short of room in closing stages) in May; that form already makes him of strong interest here, and he has scope for improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:22 Ffos Las

Boyles Hill

11st 4lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

C&D win in late 2024 (heavy) initiated a double; today's the first time since that he's returned below the mark of the second leg; have to hope confidence hasn't been sapped entirely by this term's heavy defeats.

25/1

9th

11

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

Boyles Hill

11st 0lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Three-time hurdle winner last season, most recently off mark 1lb lower than today's in this race (heavy); chasing has not gone to plan this term (three attempts) but he might fare better now back over hurdles.

20/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 5-8

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Largely disappointing since her winning 2yo debut in summer 2022 but was respectable fifth at Taunton (2m, good to soft) on hurdling debut in December and has each-way claims in a race lacking depth here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

14th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 3

16:18 Perth

Pure Gold

11st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lisa Harrison

Couldn't fault her momentum last year, rising from a mark of 88 at Uttoxeter in July to 102 when scoring readily at Hexham (2m, good to soft) in October; found life tougher in better races (Wetherby and Cheltenham) thereafter; this is equally tough, but she could strip fitter for C&D comeback run.

12/1

5th

9

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

16:10 Perth

Pure Gold

11st 5lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lisa Harrison

Has won three races this season, the second over this C&D in September; up in the ratings and off since November; may be better for the run.

20/1

9

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Wetherby

Pure Gold

10st 8lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lisa Harrison

Better than ever since joining this stable, winning three of her last four races; easily beat four rivals at Hexham (2m, good to soft) four weeks ago and an 8lb rise should not stop her being competitive again.

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished last on first two Flat starts (both on AW) and was tailed off when encountering soft turf on latest outong; can only be watched on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Worcester

Principessa

11st 8lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: John Butler

18-1 winner of a C&D maiden (good) last August but pulled up on handicap debut (2m4f) next time and was tailed off back on the Flat (first run after wind op) on her return in May; still lightly raced but has some questions to answer and others are more convincing.

20/1

2

(10)

22nd May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 17y

Class 6

14:25 Yarmouth

Principessa

9st 8lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: John Butler

Lightly raced 5yo who scored over hurdles last August and had wind surgery since running poorly in September; has weak claims on Flat form but may improve off her opening mark; heed the market signals.

7/1

2

(10)

22nd May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 17y

Class 6

14:25 Yarmouth

Principessa

9st 8lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: John Butler

Lightly raced 5yo who scored over hurdles last August and had wind surgery since running poorly in September; has weak claims on Flat form but may improve off her opening mark; heed the market signals.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 6

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Safely held in low-grade Flat handicaps on first two starts for Joe Tizzard and made low-key hurdle debut when midest sixth at Worcester (2m, good) last week; needs to take a good step forward here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

21st Oct 2024

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

15:25 Plumpton

Conservative

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

prominent, not fluent and lost position 4 out, weakening when not fluent 3 out

25/1

5

22nd Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

16:50 Plumpton

Conservative

11st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Regressive on the Flat nowadays and has shown only minor promise in three novice/maiden hurdles (2m-2m2f) this summer; moves up in trip and sports refitted blinkers on handicap hurdle debut; improvement needed.

10/1

4th

1

22nd Aug 2024

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

14:10 Newton Abbot

Conservative

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Winning miler but now regressive on the Flat; has made a low-key start over hurdles.

33/1

Form: 18

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
1-11 in points; led close home to cause 50-1 surprise in tactical Hexham maiden (2m4f, good) on last month's rules debut but that form looks modest, and she was tailed off at Perth recently; drops in trip here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(6)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:12 Thirsk

Pop The Question

9st 11lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

2m4f hurdle winner; well held (7f/1m) on Flat and hard to fancy until tackling handicaps over longer distances.

100/1

6th

3

(6)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

14:27 Pontefract

Pop The Question

9st 11lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Point/hurdles winner; modest fourth of six at Newcastle (7f, AW) on the belated switch to this code; others preferred.

100/1

4th

6

(1)

21st Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Pop The Question

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

8yo mare who has won two points (3m) and a maiden hurdle (2m4f), but she was pulled up on her last run in May and this is a tough task on her belated Flat debut.

100/1

100/1

Form: 87

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest maiden on the Flat; soundly beaten after racing too freely in two Worcester novice hurdles (both 2m, good) for new stable this month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

17:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Vertical

10st 10lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Lowly rated maiden on the Flat; not disgraced in two novice hurdles in July and now makes her handicap hurdle debut from a lowly mark but still makes only limited appeal.

20/1

7th

10

26th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:10 Uttoxeter

Vertical

10st 9lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Modest maiden on the Flat; soundly beaten after racing too freely in two Worcester novice hurdles (both 2m, good) for new stable this month.

100/1

7th

10

18th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:45 Worcester

Vertical

10st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Modest maiden on the Flat; pulled hard and was always towards rear when 125-1 for recent stable/hurdle debut over C&D.

100/1

Form: 8F

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won two low-grade Flat handicaps for Phil McEntee last year (both 1m) but was out of form on AW this year and did not show a great deal on his two hurdling attempts last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:52 Kempton

Simply Gorgeous

10st 8lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Neil King

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

7/1

10

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:52 Kempton

Simply Gorgeous

10st 8lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Neil King

Absent since ending 2024 with a disappointing run but made the frame in her first two handicaps, more notably when second at Lingfield (2m, good) in November; contender if back on song after her break.

7/1

Form: 6

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for 48,000euros after going close on Irish point debut in May but was tailed off (albeit on soft ground) when 33-1 for C&D novice hurdle on recent rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

31st Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

14:15 Newton Abbot

Dance Rules

11st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tim Vaughan

Went close on Irish point debut in May but was tailed off in two Uttoxeter novice hurdles last month; stable has much stronger claims with Razzle Dazzle Boy.

100/1

9th

3

26th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:10 Uttoxeter

Dance Rules

11st 2lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Bought for 48,000euros after going close on Irish point debut in May but was tailed off (albeit on soft ground) when 33-1 for C&D novice hurdle on recent rules debut.

16/1

6th

3

9th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:33 Uttoxeter

Dance Rules

11st 0lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Went close in good-ground Irish point on debut in May and changed hands for 48,000euros soon afterwards; has pretty good standard to reach on hurdling debut but he's an interesting recruit for Tim Vaughton.

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£4,000 3yo; third foal; brother to a point winner; dam placed 2m hurdle, closely related to useful bumper/hurdle winner Stoney Mountain; entitled to benefit from today's debut experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

26th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:10 Uttoxeter

Handsome Boy

11st 2lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sue Smith

£4,000 3yo; third foal; brother to a point winner; dam placed 2m hurdle, closely related to useful bumper/hurdle winner Stoney Mountain; entitled to benefit from today's debut experience.

33/1

Form: 3/7

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won by 7l on Irish point debut in December 2022 (yielding to soft) but was beaten about 22l when third in Stratford bumper for Nicky Henderson the following May and, following a long absence, managed only seventh (albeit not beaten far) in C&D mares' maiden on recent stable/hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

15th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Cornamona

11st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

in rear

10/1

5th

9

16th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Worcester

Cornamona

11st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Irish point winner; left Nicky Henderson after one underwhelming bumper run in 2023 and has not shown a great deal in three 2m novice/maiden hurdles for new stable this summer, but makes handicap debut from a lowly mark and ought to be suited by the step up in trip; worth a market check.

25/1

4th

7

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

16:45 Market Rasen

Cornamona

10st 7lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Irish bumper winner who was in the same ownership when lasting one race with Nicky Henderson; ran okay on hurdle debut but finished tailed off the last time; best watched for now.

16/1

Form: 63-88

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Belied 150-1 odds when third of seven in run-of-the-mill Fakenham bumper (good) in April but was well beaten in a Plumpton bumper in May and also struggled when switched to hurdling over C&D (soft) this month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Sixty Plus

11st 1lb

J: Nathan Howie

T: James Owen

Completed a four-timer when winning at Worcester (2m4f, good) in September; well beaten following an 11-week absence at Wetherby (3m, soft) last month and looks a tad high in the weights.

50/1

6th

6

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Sixty Plus

11st 10lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: James Owen

Front-runner who won four in a row last July-September (2m4f/2m2f, good) and his Newmarket trainer does very well here; however, he went off the boil on his final two outings last year and he's unproven on slow ground.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.90
Straight Forecast £5.17
Trifecta £21.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Deploy To Spy

SPOTLIGHT:

Boyles Hill

WEST COUNTRY:

Conservative

The Times:

Boyles Hill

Daily Mail:

Boyles Hill

POSTDATA:

Deploy To Spy

Telegraph:

Deploy To Spy

The Guardian:

Deploy To Spy

D Express:

Deploy To Spy

Daily Mirror:

Deploy To Spy

The Sun:

Deploy To Spy

The Star:

Deploy To Spy

Daily Record:

Deploy To Spy