December 26 / 12.15 Newcastle

12.15

Good To Soft

Join The Vickers.Bet Free Bet Club Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4683.56
  • 2m 4f 62y
  • Class 5
  • 18 runners
SKY
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Join The Vickers.Bet Free Bet Club Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 18 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.10
  • Place: £3.40

Form: 565524 BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Creditable second in a Hexham mares' handicap two runs ago (2m4f, good); didn't appear to stay 2m7f last time; place chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

19:00 Market Rasen

Lone Star

11st 13lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Capitalised upon some considerable help from the handicapper when winning over C&D (good) just under a year ago and returns here after a decent effort at Kelso this month, but she's nothing like the force of old and has become inconsistent.

9/2

5th

5

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Lone Star

11st 11lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Last win came off a 5lb lower mark at Market Rasen in June last year (2m4f, good); not at her best last time but has a chance on her previous run when third at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft).

9/1

10th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:07 Newcastle

Lone Star

11st 11lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Scored at Market Rasen (on good ground) last June and she returned from a seven-month absence with a very good third of nine over C&D 11 days ago; this C&D winner can go very well off an unchanged mark.

6/1

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: -95481 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Settled better when beating Rockmann (who is now 4lb better off) by nearly 3l at Kelso last time (2m5f, soft); up 6lb but won off a higher mark in Ireland and not without a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 218y

Class 5

15:42 Carlisle

Coral Blue

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Daragh Bourke

10yo who is a five-time hurdle winner and ran well when second at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in February; however, his campaign concluded with two lesser performances and he returns from some time off today.

20/1

7th

9

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

17:12 Carlisle

Coral Blue

10st 11lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Daragh Bourke

Without a victory since early 2023 but he comes here in good order, ridden too aggressively when a fading sixth in 2m4f Hexham handicap 25 days ago; considered with cheekpieces refitted.

12/1

7th

9

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

17:12 Carlisle

Coral Blue

10st 11lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Daragh Bourke

Without a victory since early 2023 but he comes here in good order, ridden too aggressively when a fading sixth in 2m4f Hexham handicap 25 days ago; considered with cheekpieces refitted.

12/1

33/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 24F7-7

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Has become well handicapped but was well beaten on stable debut at Kelso this month (2m6f, soft) after a long break; cheekpieces now tried again (well beaten the previous time he wore them)
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(8)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Socks Off

9st 0lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Kevin Frost

AW bumper/minor hurdle winner; in fair form over hurdles last spring but makes his stable debut after eight months off and his last Flat run was back in April 2023.

20/1

4

20th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:58 Hexham

Socks Off

11st 12lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Michael & David Easterby

2-29 under rules and no win since the start of 2023; third on good ground at Newcastle (2m1f) and Carlisle (2m3f) in his last two starts, though, and each-way possibilities again.

5/1

4

20th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:58 Hexham

Socks Off

11st 12lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Michael & David Easterby

2-29 under rules and no win since the start of 2023; third on good ground at Newcastle (2m1f) and Carlisle (2m3f) in his last two starts, though, and each-way possibilities again.

5/1

28/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: 4306P-

Last run: 251 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Third to Coral Blue (who is now 15lb worse off) at Catterick in March but his form tailed off after that and he returns from a break with a bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

20th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:58 Hexham

Rumble B

11st 6lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Justin Landy

Record of 3-39 over hurdles, latest win coming over C&D in March 2024 (heavy); placed on last five starts, last time beaten just over 2l in third to Tartan Cookie (who's now 2lb worse off) over C&D (good); solid each-way contender.

3/1

3

20th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:58 Hexham

Rumble B

11st 6lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Justin Landy

Record of 3-39 over hurdles, latest win coming over C&D in March 2024 (heavy); placed on last five starts, last time beaten just over 2l in third to Tartan Cookie (who's now 2lb worse off) over C&D (good); solid each-way contender.

3/1

3rd

4

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

19:40 Hexham

Rumble B

10st 13lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Justin Landy

Dual C&D winner who has finished runner-up at Catterick (3m1f, good to soft) and Wetherby (3m, good) in his last two runs; up another 3lb but he was only narrowly denied last time and remains well treated on his old form; key player.

4/1

Form: /53674

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Has a chance on his best form, particularly having been dropped 4lb after finishing fourth at Kelso last time (2m6f, soft).
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: 475-05

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Unexposed sort who has shown modest form; could well improve for the step up in trip on his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

11th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

13:10 Ayr

Eden Mill

10st 5lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Donald Whillans

in touch with leaders

7/1

7th

9

11th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

13:10 Ayr

Eden Mill

10st 5lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Donald Whillans

Sole win came at Kelso (2m5f, soft) in November 2023 off 3lb lower mark; pulled up when last seen in March last year but wind surgery and the subsequent break may have helped.

7/1

Form: 662-05 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Exposed sort whose last win was in a Leicester seller (2m4f, soft) in December 2020; hasn't been in the best of form recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

14th May 2023

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:15 Plumpton

Perfect Man

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ryan Potter

Seven hurdle wins but none since December 2020 and has tumbled a long way; well beaten on last month's stable debut (favourite) but much better when fourth at Southwell 16 days ago (in these aids); Sean Bowen booked and this 12yo might still have another hurrah in him.

9/2

4th

9

28th Apr 2023

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

19:25 Southwell

Perfect Man

10st 10lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Ryan Potter

midfield

11/1

6th

8

1st Apr 2023

Soft

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

16:02 Stratford

Perfect Man

10st 13lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Ryan Potter

raced in last, nudged along from 5th, became detached before 2 out

8/1

Form: 36478- CD

Last run: 254 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won a Hexham bumper (2m, soft) and a C&D mares' maiden hurdle (good) last season but disappointing in two handicaps afterwards; has a bit to prove after a 254-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

7th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 5

11:37 Wetherby

Fiadh

10st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

prominent, pressed leader 4 out, led narrowly and going best 3 out, good jump 2 out, ridden clear before last, kept on run-in, always doing enough

6/1

Form: 34

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Bought for £95,000 after winning an Irish point in December 2021 (second has won two bumpers since); fair form in two runs over hurdles and quite interesting on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

28th May 2023

Good To Firm

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:40 Kelso

Rockonsoph

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Rose Dobbin

held up in last

11/10

11th

6

16th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 5

14:15 Newcastle

Rockonsoph

11st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

0-5 over hurdles but was second (albeit no match for winner) off 6lb higher at Ayr (2m5f, good) in March and her eased-down Irish point win in 2021 bodes well for her chasing prospects; not sure to benefit from today's drop back in trip but still makes appeal.

12/1

8th

8

26th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:05 Perth

Rockonsoph

10st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Rose Dobbin

took keen hold, disputed lead, led 2nd, headed 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching last

15/2

Form: 274375

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Fair form in novice hurdles and creditable effort when fifth at Kelso on handicap debut last time (2m5f, soft); could go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

21st Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

13:35 Market Rasen

Timetotalk

11st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Fionn McSharry

held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway after 8th, prominent 3 out, weakened 2 out

8/1

3rd

7

4th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:20 Southwell

Timetotalk

11st 4lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Fionn McSharry

Exposed maiden with a BHA mark of 87 and makes no real appeal back in a maiden.

100/1

10th

7

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

12:15 Newcastle

Timetotalk

11st 9lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Chris McSharry

in rear

16/1

66/1

Form: 0-3466

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish; 22-race maiden who needs to improve upon his stable debut run at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) to take this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

14:30 Stratford

Buto

10st 2lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Micky Hammond

towards rear, not fluent 7th, not fluent 12th, soon struggling and pulled up

20/1

8th

12

15th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:27 Hexham

Buto

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

2m7f course winner (good) over hurdles; hard to make a strong case for on his chase debut based on any recent form in either code.

33/1

9th

11

(9)

10th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Buto

8st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Micky Hammond

Sole win came over hurdles; ran dismally in that sphere the last twice; unconvincing record on Flat and not seen under this code for two years.

20/1

25/1

Form: 64P-8

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Unexposed sort who is making his handicap debut after modest efforts in novice company; should be suited by this step back up in trip (pulled up lame on the only occasion he ran at 2m4f) but in-form stable has a better chance with Rockmann.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

8th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 4f 198y

Class 5

14:30 Carlisle

Get Going

10st 3lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Nine-race maiden but he went close off a reduced mark at Hexham (2m4f, heavy; 4-1) last week on only his second start over fences; that was his most convincing effort so far and has claims if he can back that up.

15/2

3rd

8

30th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Get Going

10st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Mark Walford

Made no impact in his three handicap hurdles and he was behind when brought down at the final fence over C&D (heavy) on his recent chase debut.

14/1

11

16th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:10 Hexham

Get Going

10st 7lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Mark Walford

Modest hurdler who needs to improve markedly on this switch to chasing.

33/1

Form: 2345

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Unexposed sort who has run creditably on all four hurdles starts, including when stepped up to 2m6f last time; tongue-tie now tried; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

15

14th Dec 2024

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

11:42 Newcastle

Ginger Pointe

10st 6lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Danny Brooke

midfield

9/1

8th

15

14th Dec 2024

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

11:42 Newcastle

Ginger Pointe

10st 6lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Danny Brooke

midfield

9/1

5th

9

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:00 Sedgefield

Ginger Pointe

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Danny Brooke

Scored over fences on stable debut in August and has remained in good form since (albeit suffered early mishap last time); likely to give another good account off his lower hurdle mark here.

10/1

25/1

Form: 543148 D

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Has won five of her 46 races over hurdles; hasn't been in the best of form since winning off a 5lb lower mark at Perth in September; good ground would suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

12

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

12:15 Newcastle

Calliope

11st 2lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Dianne Sayer

in touch with leaders

25/1

8th

7

20th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 8y

Class 5

16:30 Carlisle

Calliope

11st 1lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Dianne Sayer

took keen hold, prominent, ridden after 4 out, ridden and weakened from 3 out

6/1

4th

10

5th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

14:15 Sedgefield

Calliope

10st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Dianne Sayer

took keen hold, raced in second, ridden and lost position 2 out, beaten before last

7/2

Form: 5-823

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Placed behind two decent sorts in Ayr novices this season (both over 2m); quite interesting up in trip on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

18

23rd Sep 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:55 Listowel

Maughold Head

11st 1lb

T: E McNamara

midfield, stumbled badly and fell after 5th

3rd

2

16th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:10 Newcastle

Maughold Head

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Nicky Richards

Placed in novice events last autumn but has been pulled up in both handicap attempts (at 2m4f, the latest after wind surgery); ought to be capable of much better and perhaps cheekpieces can help but comes with risks.

5/1

8

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:00 Hexham

Maughold Head

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Nicky Richards

Unexposed; pulled up on handicap debut last time (December) having dropped out after pulling too hard on first run at 2m4f; has since had wind surgery; needs to settle better but worth considering.

7/2

Form: 94054-

Last run: 295 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Modest form in three novice hurdles and a watching brief is advised on handicap debut on return from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

3rd Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

16:27 Hexham

Zwicky

12st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Won over fences at Sedgefield last autumn and kept on for creditable second of 12 behind Ocean Legacy when back over hurdles there (3m3f, good to soft) in February; absent since disappointing C&D run in March but resumes on a workable mark.

10/1

13th

3

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

Zwicky

11st 9lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

towards rear

11/2

2nd

2

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

14:05 Sedgefield

Zwicky

12st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

held up in last

7/2

Form: 1-2115

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Two wins over 2m6f at Cartmel in the summer (good/good to soft) and not disgraced off this mark at Hexham last time (2m4f, soft) after a break; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

6th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

16:40 Bangor-on-Dee

On We Go

10st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Gillian Boanas

Five-time hurdle winner but not since February 2023; hinted at possible return to form when third at Carlisle (3m1f, good) in April but didn't build on that performance last time; not the percentage call.

25/1

5th

9

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

19:40 Hexham

On We Go

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Gillian Boanas

On long losing run but she showed signs of a revival when third of six at Carlisle (3m1f, good) last month; 4lb out of the weights this time but she could get involved if she can build on that last run.

12/1

5th

9

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

19:40 Hexham

On We Go

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Gillian Boanas

On long losing run but she showed signs of a revival when third of six at Carlisle (3m1f, good) last month; 4lb out of the weights this time but she could get involved if she can build on that last run.

12/1

Form: 969/22 BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Has returned in good form following a 646-day break, finishing second at Carlisle (2m4f, soft) and runner-up to Coral Blue (who is now 4lb worse off for nearly 3l) at Kelso (2m5f, soft); stable going well; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

16th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:10 Hexham

Rockmann

10st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Eight-race maiden; best run over hurdles when runner-up at Kelso in November (2m5f, soft); interesting on chase debut.

12/1

5th

9

26th Jan 2023

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:15 Wetherby

Rockmann

10st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Runner-up in the autumn in his first two handicaps (2m4f/2m5f, soft) and brought down at the fifth flight at Newcastle last time; has shaped as though this step up in trip could suit and he holds likeable claims.

8/1

16

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

12:15 Newcastle

Rockmann

10st 10lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Mark Walford

prominent

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £219.00
Straight Forecast £142.39
Tricast £2069.82
Trifecta £1545.60

Selections

The Times:

Maughold Head

SPOTLIGHT:

Rockmann

D Express:

Lone Star

RP Ratings:

Perfect Man

Telegraph:

Maughold Head

Daily Mail:

Maughold Head

Daily Mirror:

Maughold Head

The Sun:

Maughold Head

The Star:

Maughold Head

POSTDATA:

Rockmann

The Guardian:

Rockmann

Daily Record:

Rockmann