December 09 / 12.30 Doncaster

12.30

Good

bet365 Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6535.2
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 3
  • 6 runners
SKY
View Course
bet365 Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

10/11 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91

Form: 63

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed ability in the last two of his three Irish points; well held when favourite in a Worcester bumper on his rules debut in October but he was switched to hurdling three weeks later and showed clear promise with his third of 11 at Wetherby (2m3f, good to soft); wasn't far behind a subsequent winner in that race and he sets the standard on that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

31st May 2026

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:37 Fakenham

Tommy Cullen

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Matt Crawley

Hit prolonged flat spots before keeping on for modest fourth over 2m on latest two appearances, the latest at Warwick this month; on a good mark now and this step back up in trip could be the right move but it remains to be seen whether Jack Quinlan can keep him in touch this time.

4/1

4th

6

4th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

15:15 Warwick

Tommy Cullen

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Matt Crawley

Only 1-9 over fences but runner-up four times; seems best at Doncaster but on a fair mark and he's able when fresh; Cobden booked.

9/2

4th

4

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:55 Huntingdon

Tommy Cullen

11st 7lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Matt Crawley

Probably best known for his exploits at Doncaster; won in good style there (2m, good) in February but has fitness to prove after 220-day break and his record at this track is not good.

14/1

Form: 50

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £52,000 soon after winning an Irish point (good) on debut in April but he didn't live up to market expectations in a Bangor bumper in September and was beaten a long way when switched to hurdling at Worcester (2m4f, soft) the following month; still very early days under rules but has something to prove and yard also runs Tommy Cullen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

8th Oct 2024

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 4

16:00 Huntingdon

Catuaba

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Charlie Longsdon

prominent, pressed winner after 9th, 2 lengths down 2 out, kept on

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 25

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Was only just caught in a Ffos Las bumper (2m, good; 100-30) on his debut in October and the heavy ground may have held him back when he failed to build on that at Carlisle; now goes up in trip for his hurdling debut but he should have a future in this sphere and he needs a close look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

15:25 Downpatrick

Benny Silver

10st 11lb

J: E Walsh

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Several good runs in defeat for Nigel Twiston-Davies and might come on for his latest place effort at Southwell; bought for £15,000 and starts out for new yard; likely to be involved from career low mark.

3/1

3rd

7

14th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

14:30 Southwell

Benny Silver

11st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Ten-race maiden; placed on all three starts over fences, notably when third to a subsequent winner at Hereford in November (2m5f, good); back after a break; one to consider.

5/1

3rd

7

14th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

14:30 Southwell

Benny Silver

11st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Ten-race maiden; placed on all three starts over fences, notably when third to a subsequent winner at Hereford in November (2m5f, good); back after a break; one to consider.

5/1

Form: 459-4

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner last winter and she showed promise in bumpers this spring; finished a well-held fourth on her hurdling debut at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) last month but that was behind a smart winner in a big field and she should benefit from that run; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

4th Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

16:52 Plumpton

Criquette

10st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Billy Aprahamian

took keen hold, held up in rear, went third before 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, no impression before 2 out

4/1

3rd

7

12th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

16:45 Plumpton

Criquette

11st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Billy Aprahamian

took keen hold, held up in rear, headway 4 out, outpaced after 3 out, rallied and went third after 2 out, no extra run-in

20/1

9th

2

8th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:05 Taunton

Criquette

11st 10lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Billy Aprahamian

Winning Irish pointer but rules career has yet to get off the ground and she's achieved terribly little in handicaps over hurdles and fences; reverts to hurdles with something to prove in first-time cheekpieces.

16/1

Form: 645-6

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No real progress in four bumpers and he was a well-held sixth of eight at Catterick (1m7f, soft) on his return last month; out of a half-sister to several jumps winners at up to 2m5f but he needs a transformation upped in trip on his hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

15th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

16:52 Hexham

Barley Breeze

10st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

held up in rear

28/1

6th

10

29th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

19:50 Cartmel

Barley Breeze

10st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

Pulled up on final two starts for Philip Kirby and also failed to complete both races for new stable this spring; 2lb out of the weights here and it takes a big leap of faith to support him.

25/1

8

19th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

14:05 Stratford

Barley Breeze

10st 3lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

midfield, hampered when unseated 2nd

16/1

Form: 3

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed at a big price in a maiden hurdle at Southwell (2m, good) on her debut last month but was beaten 29l and she recorded an RPR of 83; sister to a 2m4f/2m5f jumps winner but she needs plenty of improvement on this step up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

5th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

12:55 Leicester

Harkangel

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Tom Gretton

Won a 3m handicap hurdle at Taunton earlier this year but that effort remains a standout in her profile; struggles continued on chase debut latest and soft ground might not be what she wants.

14/1

8

5th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

12:55 Leicester

Harkangel

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Tom Gretton

Won a 3m handicap hurdle at Taunton earlier this year but that effort remains a standout in her profile; struggles continued on chase debut latest and soft ground might not be what she wants.

14/1

4th

6

18th Nov 2024

Good To Firm

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

15:10 Leicester

Harkangel

10st 6lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tom Gretton

Won mares' handicap hurdle at Taunton in April (3m, good; 33-1) with tongue-tie and cheekpieces on for first time; poor efforts both starts since; has same headgear on chase debut.

14/1

Non-runners

Barley Breeze, Harkangel

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.70
Straight Forecast £10.67
Trifecta £33.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Tommy Cullen

WEST COUNTRY:

Benny Silver

Telegraph:

Harkangel

POSTDATA:

Criquette

D Express:

Benny Silver

RP Ratings:

Tommy Cullen

The Times:

Tommy Cullen

The Guardian:

Tommy Cullen

Daily Mail:

Tommy Cullen

Daily Mirror:

Tommy Cullen

The Sun:

Tommy Cullen

The Star:

Tommy Cullen

Daily Record:

Tommy Cullen