December 29 / 14.13 Kelso

14.13

Heavy

SPG Fire & Security Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 6f 151y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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SPG Fire & Security Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Rather workmanlike when winning three-runner novice hurdle at Hexham (2m4f, soft) on last month's rules debut and the bare form isn't anything to get excited about but the horse he beat on his Irish point debut in April has looked useful in recent novice hurdles (for this stable).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

De Legislator

10st 5lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

His two chase wins have been at 3m but he got the 4m fine when third at Kelso in December; he has performed shockingly on his last two starts with no trip/ground excuses and arrives here under a cloud, but possible positives are the removal of headgear and his stable's form.

16/1

3

25th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

16:00 Bangor-on-Dee

De Legislator

11st 13lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

2-5 over fences and an assured stayer having finished a 5l-third over 4m at Kelso in December; Windsor last time was disappointing but not all horses take to that track.

8/1

5/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 21-11 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won good-ground Sedgefield bumper in the spring and began hurdling career with easy wins at Catterick (2m3f, soft) and Newcastle (2m6f, good to soft) this autumn; faces tougher assignment under 12lb penalty but we don't yet know the limit of his ability.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Imperial Merlin

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: John & Sean Quinn

Pulled up at Warwick in January last time but was in pretty good heart towards the end of last year and he's now 1lb lower than when winning at Haydock (3m, good) last March; also handles soft; capable of going well.

12/1

1

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

14:37 Warwick

Imperial Merlin

12st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: John & Sean Quinn

Only 1lb higher than for his Haydock win over a similar trip last March; does have a lot of weight though and was only fifth at Haydock last time, finishing just behind Gwennie May Star.

8/1

2

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

16:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Imperial Merlin

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: John & Sean Quinn

Not well handicapped but arrives here after a 3l second of eight at Uttoxeter when tried in cheekpieces (2m7f, good); no reason why he won't be involved once more.

6/1

Form: 45/P0-

Last run: 578 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced in two bumpers in March 2021 but both hurdle runs that May were poor; returns from 578-day absence here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

12:53 Kelso

Gypseys Secret

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Sandy Forster

towards rear

33/1

11th

12

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

12:53 Kelso

Gypseys Secret

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Sandy Forster

towards rear

33/1

6th

12

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

13:30 Kelso

Gypseys Secret

10st 5lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Forster

in rear, not fluent 4th

14/1

Form: 0P

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Struggled on both hurdling starts last month; moves up from 2m3f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

28th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

15:45 Hexham

How Much

11st 2lb

J: Mr William Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

held up in rear, pushed along after 3 out, struggling 2 out, pulled up approaching last

25/1

11

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

How Much

10st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Tim Easterby

Form: 7U8

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unshipped his rider soon after the start in the second of his three hurdle races and finished last at triple-digit odds in the other two.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

17:15 Hexham

Something Golden

12st 0lb

J: Miss Rebekah Duffy

T: Victor Thompson

0-14 over hurdles and just 1-12 in points; third in five consecutive restricted points since February but most of those were small-field affairs and others in this line-up have more pressing claims.

25/1

5

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

17:15 Hexham

Something Golden

12st 0lb

J: Miss Rebekah Duffy

T: Victor Thompson

0-14 over hurdles and just 1-12 in points; third in five consecutive restricted points since February but most of those were small-field affairs and others in this line-up have more pressing claims.

25/1

Form: 09-

Last run: 279 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well down the field in two bumpers last season (good/heavy); can only be watched on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 3

13:43 Newcastle

Ellistrin Star

10st 9lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

Down the field in two bumpers and two novice hurdles.

50/1

7th

4

6th Feb 2023

Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

14:45 Carlisle

Ellistrin Star

11st 2lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

Soundly beaten in two bumpers and a 2m6f novice hurdle, all in Scotland; poor chance on form.

100/1

6th

7

29th Dec 2022

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

14:13 Kelso

Ellistrin Star

10st 7lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

Well down the field in two bumpers last season (good/heavy); can only be watched on today's hurdling debut.

66/1

Form: 56-

Last run: 261 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a slow-ground Irish point last December; showed only minor promise in two maiden hurdles towards end of last season and will probably be of greater interest once qualified for handicaps and with today's run under his belt but, nevertheless, there's a chance he might sneak into a place.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

10th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:38 Sedgefield

Goodoldbill

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Jane Walton

Seeking a hat-trick after wins over C&D (soft) and at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft); up another 5lb for latest success but drying ground not ideal.

5/2

1st

11

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Goodoldbill

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Jane Walton

Reportedly jumped better than on his previous start (here) when returning to form to win at Sedgefield last time (3m2f, soft); has a chance on that, but isn't particularly consistent.

12/1

1st

5

19th Feb 2026

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:08 Sedgefield

Goodoldbill

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Jane Walton

Won a novice handicap chase at Newcastle in November 2023 (2m7f, soft); mainly disappointing since and hard to fancy.

66/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3-21

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Built upon last month's promising seasonal/hurdle debut when scoring by 6l at Uttoxeter (2m4f good to soft) three weeks ago and connections evidently feel today's stiffer stamina test will suit; leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

18th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Hitching Jacking

11st 8lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

midfield but in touch with leaders

6/1

6th

9

18th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Hitching Jacking

11st 8lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

midfield but in touch with leaders

6/1

Non-runners

Hitching Jacking

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £2.90
Straight Forecast £2.75
Trifecta £38.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hitching Jacking

The Times:

De Legislator

POSTDATA:

Imperial Merlin

Telegraph:

De Legislator

The Star:

De Legislator

Daily Record:

De Legislator

RP Ratings:

Hitching Jacking

TOPSPEED:

Hitching Jacking

The Guardian:

Hitching Jacking

Daily Mail:

Hitching Jacking

D Express:

Hitching Jacking

Daily Mirror:

Hitching Jacking

The Sun:

Hitching Jacking