November 23 / 14.40 Wetherby

14.40

Soft

Watch Race Replay At Racing TV Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4084.5
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Watch Race Replay At Racing TV Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1-7 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Solid success in Huntingdon bumper (2m, soft) on rules debut, beating a subsequent dual winner by 11l; only midfield at Chepstow on the switch to hurdles, having made a bad mistake two out; should improve if avoiding errors.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

12:45 Haydock

Pembroke

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced wide, prominent, mistake 3rd, not fluent and lost position 5th, dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch

14/1

8th

1

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

12:45 Haydock

Pembroke

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced wide, prominent, mistake 3rd, not fluent and lost position 5th, dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch

14/1

6th

1

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Pembroke

12st 0lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Well handicapped on last season's best novice chase form and he reappeared with a fair sixth in the Welsh Champion Hurdle; however, he was well beaten at Carlisle only a fortnight ago and needs to bounce back.

9/1

7/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 22-1 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Strong form in bumpers, having finished a solid second (behind subsequent hurdle winners) twice before going one better with a 13l success at Ayr (2m, good to soft); nicely bred and should improve further; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Magic Wave

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won off 2lb lower at Kelso (2m5f, good) last April but he's not seen much action since and has been beaten 39l in both runs this year; has some questions to answer and he needs a big turnaround.

14/1

10th

3

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

14:30 Kelso

Magic Wave

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Course winner (2m5f, good) a year ago; absent since disappointing run in January but his C&D (good to soft) second just after Christmas was a good effort and he'll be right in the thick of things if back on song today.

8/1

10th

6

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 50y

Class 4

15:10 Haydock

Magic Wave

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Campaigned at Kelso (2m5f/2m6f) since last April, posting form figures of 132; edging back up the weights and now goes into a much bigger field switched back to elsewhere; not certain to remain competitive.

14/1

12/1

  • Place: £4.00

Form: 4-

Last run: 263 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran to a modest figure on sole attempt over hurdles but should be capable of better, having reached a fairly useful standard on the Flat (7f/1m winner on soft); stamina is still a question mark, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

16

(2)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Lightening Company

8st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Form figures of 5075 at this meeting in the last four years; one win a season had previously appeared his quota but he's already exceeded that in 2026, having scored at Pontefract (1m4f/1m2f) on last two outings; that demands some respect but this race is a higher grade.

10/1

1st

2

(2)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:33 Pontefract

Lightening Company

9st 8lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Ben Haslam

Four-time Flat winner, including C&D, who has been all or nothing since scoring over hurdles at Cartmel in July; three AW no-shows followed good second over C&D (soft; 40-1) in October but market support predicted a going day when scoring here (1m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; might not want the ground to get too quick but otherwise a key player under 2lb nudge.

5/4

1st

5

(4)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 5

16:27 Pontefract

Lightening Company

9st 6lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Now 5lb lower than when second here (1m2f, soft) last October but did not emerge from the rear division when a big-priced outsider for all three subsequent AW runs; considered only if much strong in betting today.

9/1

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair handicapper on the Flat in 2021, winning on turf (1m) and AW (9.5f); below par in two runs this year but has possibilities if he responds well to this change of code; major stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

27th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

19:08 Cartmel

Dickens

11st 5lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

In a consistent run of form when last seen in November, mostly hooded but also in just a tongue-tie last time; this mark is very manageable but he does lack a recent run.

13/2

1

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

12:47 Stratford

Dickens

11st 12lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Has been in fine fettle since joining current yard in the summer with four wins in handicaps; incurs 12lb penalty here partially offset by Luke Scott's 3lb claim; should be hard to beat at this level.

Evs

1

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

12:47 Stratford

Dickens

11st 12lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Has been in fine fettle since joining current yard in the summer with four wins in handicaps; incurs 12lb penalty here partially offset by Luke Scott's 3lb claim; should be hard to beat at this level.

Evs

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Gamely made all in Irish point eight months ago; granddam is a half-sister to Denman; interesting rules debutant, especially if the market speaks positively.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

16th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

15:30 Musselburgh

Henry Gray

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

9yo point winner who is 0-7 under rules but there were encouraging signs over fences last winter and he shaped on his comeback over hurdles two months ago as though he would improve for that run; he's one to consider.

4/1

5th

5

20th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:55 Uttoxeter

Henry Gray

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

raced slightly wide, midfield

7/1

5th

5

20th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:55 Uttoxeter

Henry Gray

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

raced slightly wide, midfield

7/1

Form: 709

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Comfortably held in two Irish bumpers and it was the same story in 2m3f novice hurdle here 11 days ago for new stable; opposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

17th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 78y

Class 5

13:00 Doncaster

Out For The Count

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Jennie Candlish

Modest maiden hurdler; unseated rider at first fence on chasing debut in September and was tailed off when fourth at Huntingdon (2m7f) last month; needs this sharp drop back in trip to show him in a much better light; 1lb wrong.

25/1

4th

8

10th Oct 2023

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:20 Huntingdon

Out For The Count

10st 4lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Jennie Candlish

Modest maiden hurdler who unseated rider at first fence when 33-1 for last month's chasing debut; not the most obvious answer.

20/1

0

9

19th Sep 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:10 Uttoxeter

Out For The Count

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Jennie Candlish

held up in rear, not fluent and unseated 1st

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
12,000euros foal, 40,000euros 3yo, £22,000 5yo; half-brother to 2m5f hurdle/3m chase winner Toviere, out of sister to bumper/hurdle/high-class chase winner Thisthatandtother; market informative on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

White Rhino

11st 9lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Big progress as hurdler initially last term (2m4f-3m) and also won handicaps when switched to chasing for first two starts this season (up to an extended 2m5f); 12-1 but unseated early for 3m Grade 1 novice at Kempton on Boxing Day (has similar Cheltenham entry); has a question to answer with new trip but, barring mishaps, best days are still ahead of him.

5/1

Form: 22U1 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:56 Newton Abbot

American Sniper

12st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Has patchy profile but he's well handicapped on his Taunton second (2m3f, good) in December and he may have needed his reappearance run at Hereford this month; this step back up in trip is no problem and he's one to keep an eye on for in-form yard.

11/2

5th

1

5th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

19:17 Hereford

American Sniper

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Has become hard to predict, as his 16l fourth at Taunton (2m3f, good) in January would suggest, having failed to back up a decent effort there the previous month; back on his last winning mark and could play a leading role if at his best.

7/2

15

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

13:15 Cheltenham

American Sniper

10st 13lb

J: James Davies

T: David Pipe

Won big-field handicap off today's mark here (2m5f, good to soft) in November 2023 and was creditable sixth of 25 at Punchestown festival (2m3f, yielding) in April but his record between those two runs if very mixed and he's not an easy one to predict.

28/1

Form: 263234

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Comparatively exposed with a record of just 1-9 over hurdles, the win gained at Cartmel (2m1f, good to soft) in June; however, he's a leading player on the figures back in a novice event and has back class (formerly useful on Flat).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

31st May 2023

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

17:50 Cartmel

Battle Of Toro

11st 5lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Only win was in a modest C&D novice last June (good to soft, cheekpieces on for first time); some fair efforts since, including a second off this mark in a C&D handicap in August (good); lacks a recent run, but a chance.

4/1

2

23rd Nov 2022

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Wetherby

Battle Of Toro

11st 7lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Comparatively exposed with a record of just 1-9 over hurdles, the win gained at Cartmel (2m1f, good to soft) in June; however, he's a leading player on the figures back in a novice event and has back class (formerly useful on Flat).

10/1

4th

4

16th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

15:23 Hexham

Battle Of Toro

11st 9lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

prominent, pushed along on turn before last, soon outpaced and beaten, hit last

9/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest performer on the Flat where he has a better record on AW than on turf; sole win came over 1m2f; brings limited potential to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(5)

14th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:55 Beverley

Calcutta Dream

9st 0lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

All six wins have been on the AW; two fair runs at Newcastle in June/July but well beaten on last three runs on turf; plenty to prove.

12/1

10

(11)

26th Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

16:50 Newcastle (AW)

Calcutta Dream

9st 0lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Six-time winner but unreliable in handicaps and classified races; not the percentage call.

10/1

3

(4)

15th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 6

18:30 Thirsk

Calcutta Dream

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Won a similar race at Southwell in January; best effort since when third of 14 at Newcastle 19 days ago (1m; blinkered first time); a danger to all if the headgear works so well a second time.

5/1

Form: 319-38 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful in bumpers last term, winning twice on good ground and midfield in Aintree Grade 2; has not transferred that form to hurdling in two attempts, well beaten over 2m3f here latest; revival needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Prairie Wolf

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Northern runner who has looked as good as ever in winning two of his last three races, taking chase record to 6-18; did it quite readily at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) latest; ran respectably at Newbury in November; likely player in current form.

5/1

1st

3

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Prairie Wolf

11st 8lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

5-17 over fences and his win at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on Boxing Day was up there with his best efforts; ran poorly at Cheltenham four weeks later but in the mix if bouncing back.

5/1

Non-runners

American Sniper, Calcutta Dream, Prairie Wolf

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.30
Straight Forecast £3.46
Trifecta £19.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Magic Wave

RP Ratings:

Pembroke

Telegraph:

Henry Gray

THE NORTH:

Magic Wave

The Guardian:

Magic Wave

Daily Mail:

Magic Wave

D Express:

Magic Wave

Daily Mirror:

Magic Wave

The Sun:

Magic Wave

Daily Record:

Magic Wave

POSTDATA:

Pembroke

The Times:

Pembroke

The Star:

Pembroke