October 03 / 13.53 Warwick

13.53

Good To Soft

racingtv.com “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £3539.9
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
racingtv.com “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.70
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 454- BF

Last run: 199 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on Irish point debut in February 2023 and looked quite promising in bumpers last season, albeit managing only fourth when warm favourite at Southwell (soft) in May; makes hurdling debut here; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:15 Wetherby

Strong Foundations

10st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Not obviously well treated judged on what he produced in his two handicap hurdles in the spring but this point runner-up and novice hurdle winner (2m, good) represents a trainer who has a much better strike-rate with chasers than hurdlers; possible improver now going over fences.

5/1

8

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:15 Wetherby

Strong Foundations

10st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Not obviously well treated judged on what he produced in his two handicap hurdles in the spring but this point runner-up and novice hurdle winner (2m, good) represents a trainer who has a much better strike-rate with chasers than hurdlers; possible improver now going over fences.

5/1

9

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

12:57 Fontwell

Strong Foundations

10st 13lb

T: Samuel Drinkwater

5/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1 C

Last run: 145 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to useful jumpers Whisperinthebreeze, Silver Kayf and Silver In Disguise; travelled strongly before asserting in six-runner course bumper (good) on debut in May; the value of that form is open to question but, nevertheless, he's an interesting candidate for novice hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

28th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Worcester

Sunray Shadow

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Hasn't had a lot of racing and he makes his chase debut off the same mark he defied fairly comfortably in a 3m1f handicap hurdle last week at Huntingdon (good to firm); major claims if he takes to his new discipline.

9/4

1st

7

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 1f 10y

Class 3

19:30 Huntingdon

Sunray Shadow

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Just 1-8 over hurdles but looked suited by the step up to 2m7f when clear second at Uttoxeter (good to soft) in March, where she travelled strongly for a long way; up in trip again here; must be considered.

5/2

2nd

10

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Sunray Shadow

11st 4lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced 7yo who justified favouritism in Aintree maiden (2m4f, good) in October 2024; hasn't made a big impact in handicaps since but his latest fourth at Haydock was a fair effort after a short break; continues to slide down the weights and he's one to keep an eye on at this new trip.

7/2

Form: 5-5 BF

Last run: 142 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Joined Donald McCain after winning soft-ground Irish point on debut in March 2023 but showed only minor promise when fifth on first two hurdling starts; needs subsequent wind op to aid his finishing effort; hood fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

22nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 51y

Class 5

15:08 Catterick

Just Gino

11st 11lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

towards rear, headway after 4th, in touch with leaders before 7th

5/1

3rd

3

22nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 51y

Class 5

15:08 Catterick

Just Gino

11st 11lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

towards rear, headway after 4th, in touch with leaders before 7th

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3/5-4

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in good-ground Aintree bumper on rules debut in May 2022 but seen only twice again since, latterly when safely held over C&D last week; not the most obvious answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Warwick

Just Four Fame

10st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: David Dennis

0-10 over hurdles; went down fighting when second here (3m2f, good) last March but we haven't seen him since and this drop back in trip may not be ideal.

10/1

2nd

7

27th Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:57 Warwick

Just Four Fame

10st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

Continues to fall in the weights but he's had a few chances now in handicaps and is not progressing.

20/1

8th

8

21st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Warwick

Just Four Fame

10st 4lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: David Dennis

prominent, lost ground before 4 out, weakened before 2 out

25/1

Form: 75-

Last run: 225 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
From a good jumping family and made quite encouraging debut when midfield in Newbury maiden in January but his second run was a backward step and Harry Skelton evidently prefers Sunray Shadow here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:53 Ludlow

Entity Of Substanz

11st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Runner-up at Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft) in December on second handicap start and this lightly raced 6yo retains potential for his top yard; has a question to answer regarding soft ground following his soundly beaten fifth at Wetherby (3m) but he's not ruled out today.

6/1

5th

2

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

15:15 Wetherby

Entity Of Substanz

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Stamina in pedigree and stepping up to an extended 2m7f triggered improvement when second of eight at Market Rasen (good to soft) seven weeks ago, with cheekpieces added; up 3lb but could have more to offer as a stayer.

7/2

5th

2

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

15:15 Wetherby

Entity Of Substanz

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Stamina in pedigree and stepping up to an extended 2m7f triggered improvement when second of eight at Market Rasen (good to soft) seven weeks ago, with cheekpieces added; up 3lb but could have more to offer as a stayer.

7/2

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in all three Irish points last season but the form does not look anything out of the ordinary and he's probably best watched on this rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

16th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Rockvale

10st 8lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Sam Allwood

Placed in points but yet to make the frame in six starts under rules, a well-held sixth in 3m handicap chase at Bangor last month; easy to look elsewhere.

12/1

6th

10

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Rockvale

10st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Sam Allwood

Jumped moderately when beaten 25l on chase debut two runs back and again well held over hurdles here when tried in a hood.

14/1

8th

10

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Rockvale

10st 11lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Sam Allwood

Failed to build on a mildly encouraging hurdle debut and his first handicap was over fences when tailed off at Ludlow (2m4f) in late 2024; plenty of risks involved after his long absence with a hood now fitted.

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £46,000 after winning heavy-ground Irish point on debut in March; hard to gauge what that form is worth but the close second Three Zambezi's (also with Christian Williams now) should provide some clues in Division 1.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

14:35 Hereford

Gillespie Road

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Christian Williams

Joined Christian Williams after winning Irish point debut in March; showed nothing more than minor promise in three 2m novice/maiden hurdles this autumn but moves up in trip for this handicap debut; possible improver.

10/1

9

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

14:35 Hereford

Gillespie Road

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Christian Williams

Joined Christian Williams after winning Irish point debut in March; showed nothing more than minor promise in three 2m novice/maiden hurdles this autumn but moves up in trip for this handicap debut; possible improver.

10/1

8th

3

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

13:20 Chepstow

Gillespie Road

11st 4lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

Bought for £46,000 after winning heavy-ground Irish point on debut in March but well held in two starts over hurdles last month and may need more time.

100/1

Form: 4-5

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Perhaps unlucky not to finish closer to the target when fifth in mares' bumper at Worcester (good) in August, having been hampered, but needs to improve to make a significant impact on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:46 Haydock

Heather Honey

10st 8lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Won three in a row last April-June (about 2m7f, good) and resumed her progress with convincing wins at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November and Haydock (3m, good to soft) one month ago; raised another 6lb and in grade but such a progressive mare cannot be dismissed.

8/1

1st

4

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

15:50 Haydock

Heather Honey

11st 11lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Won three in a row last April-June (2m7f, good) and resumed her progress with convincing win at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November; two solid efforts since, including when third in a better race than this over C&D seven weeks ago; comfortably the most solid option.

9/4

3rd

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

14:35 Haydock

Heather Honey

10st 6lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Won three in a row last April-June (2m7f, good) and resumed her progressive ways with convincing win at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November; another good run when close third at Doncaster (3m, good to soft); needs something extra in this better race but further improvement isn't ruled out.

13/2

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in two of her four Irish points in the spring before changing hands for £20,000; worth a glance in the betting before this rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

14:00 Huntingdon

Ballyhiho

11st 6lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: D J Jeffreys

Fairly treated on hurdle form and seems to need good ground, on which she was well beaten on chase debut two months ago; could be wiser for that experience but she was a remote last.

9/4

5th

6

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

16:33 Stratford

Ballyhiho

10st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: D J Jeffreys

Got off the mark over hurdles at Worcester (2m4f) in August and not discredited after three months off when a fading fourth of nine in 2m6f handicap here 19 days ago; much respected on her chase debut.

13/2

Form: 2-

Last run: 310 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a sister to stable's smart hurdler Brewin'upastorm; close second in what has turned out to be a run-of-the-mill Sedgefield bumper (soft) last November; open to improvement over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Diamond Geezer

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Struck in first-time cheekpieces at Perth (2m4f, soft) in October and returned to winning ways at Ayr (extended 2m4f, soft) in January; only seventh back there since and now swaps the cheekpieces for first-time blinkers; below par on his previous outing around 3m but wasn't obviously beaten for stamina.

9/2

7th

1

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:00 Ayr

Diamond Geezer

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Perth (2m4f, soft) in October and returned to winning ways over this C&D (soft) last month; had 6l to spare from Eloi Du Puy last time and holds strong claims up 7lb.

3/1

1st

7

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

13:43 Ayr

Diamond Geezer

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Came good in first-time cheekpieces at Perth (2m4f, soft; front pair clear) in October, but he's been well held in both subsequent runs (2m3f/2m7f); still lightly raced but has bit to prove again and he needs to rediscover his spark.

4/1

Form: 2-3

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Runner-up against own age-group on debut at Hereford (soft) in February and also displayed significant ability when third at Worcester (good) last moonth; sets just a fair standard of hurdling form but is open to improvement and ought to play a significant role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

25th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

14:40 Hereford

Don Virginia

11st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

£32,000 2yo; dam French 2m1f hurdle winner, half-sister to several winners notably Viking Blond (useful 2m7f-3m hurdle/chase); major yard; interesting newcomer.

8/1

Non-runners

Ronnies Rules

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.00
Straight Forecast £20.89
Trifecta £66.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sunray Shadow

POSTDATA:

Don Virginia

Daily Mail:

Ronnies Rules

Telegraph:

Diamond Geezer

The Times:

Sunray Shadow

D Express:

Sunray Shadow

Daily Mirror:

Sunray Shadow

The Sun:

Sunray Shadow

The Star:

Sunray Shadow

Daily Record:

Sunray Shadow

WEST COUNTRY:

Don Virginia

The Guardian:

Don Virginia