December 29 / 14.48 Kelso

14.48

Heavy

Subscribe To Racing TV Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 0f 51y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Subscribe To Racing TV Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.80
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 61-1 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Joined Sandy Thomson after wide-margin Irish bumper win in summer 2021 (good ground) and was successful in C&D maiden (good to soft) on this month's belated stable/hurdle debut; will need to pull out more to overcome his penalty today but that's possible if the slower ground suits.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

15:43 Ayr

Carcaci Castle

11st 1lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Sandy Thomson

10yo who isn't the force of old but has dropped down the weights accordingly and finished second to an improving winner at Musselburgh last month; could be a contender if backing up that performance.

15/2

5th

2

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

16:05 Hexham

Carcaci Castle

11st 8lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

Fair third at Kelso in December (2m1f, good to soft) but has failed to complete on both outings since, latest over 2m4f at Perth (fell four out); on a fair mark at present but a bit to prove.

14/1

5th

2

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

16:05 Hexham

Carcaci Castle

11st 8lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

Fair third at Kelso in December (2m1f, good to soft) but has failed to complete on both outings since, latest over 2m4f at Perth (fell four out); on a fair mark at present but a bit to prove.

14/1

8/11

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 3P-241 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 4yo who displayed the benefit of a wind op when making all in conditional jockeys' handicap over C&D (soft) this month; escapes a penalty for that and has good chance at the weights on return to novice company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:10 Ayr

Traprain Law

10st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Running well in the main this season, winning at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in December and good third at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in January last time; this two-time course winner was runner-up in this race two years ago and could again have a part to play.

4/1

3rd

6

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

Traprain Law

10st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Runner-up to progressive winner at Kelso (2m1f, soft) last month then went one better at Wetherby (1m7f, soft; by 3l); he remains 3lb lower than when third in this last year (good to soft) and could be firmly involved.

11/2

7/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 314/1 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Won heavy-ground bumper at Ayr in early 2021 (beat Ahoy Senor) and rewarded an enterprising Bruce Lynn ride on hurdle debut there (2m, soft) last month, striding on with a circuit to go in race that began at a crawl; it might be wise to treat that form with a degree of caution, but he still features prominently in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

5th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

14:02 Carlisle

Fortescue Wood

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: N W Alexander

in touch with leaders, bad mistake 1st

8/1

4th

3

30th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 2f 191y

Class 3

14:35 Haydock

Fortescue Wood

11st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

towards rear, headway and in touch with leaders 7th

4/1

1st

4

27th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Ayr

Fortescue Wood

12st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

took keen hold, prominent, led 2nd, clear 4th, reduced lead 4 out, went well clear from 2 out, easily

5/1

Form: 76-16 C

Last run: 214 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Improved to cause 25-1 surprise in good-ground course bumper in May, her third start, but the form has taken some hefty blows since and she was safely held in a stronger bumper here later in May; unraced on ground slower than good to soft; best watched on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

22nd Sep 2026

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:48 Warwick

Pipers Cross

11st 2lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: David Evans

Three-time winner who is below her last winning mark and is one to watch in the betting on her stable debut; however, she was soundly beaten in February when last seen and has to be at the top of her game on this return.

6/1

5th

2

20th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:05 Warwick

Pipers Cross

11st 9lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

Three-time winner, the latest at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) last May, and she hasn't been running badly this season (good to soft/soft); edging back down the weights and might not be far away.

5/1

4th

5

26th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:20 Plumpton

Pipers Cross

11st 2lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

Has won on soft but best form on good to soft or quicker; yard continues in fine form but Either Or had her measure at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) last month and she has no strong turnaround claims.

13/2

Form: 76-56

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Not beaten that far when fifth of six on hurdle debut in October but took a backward step at Hexham last month; not the obvious answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:46 Kelso

Cowboy Cooper

10st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Donald Whillans

Won in good style at Ayr (3m, soft) in January and he's also effective on good to soft ground; however, this 10yo has been pulled up/soundly beaten on his last two starts and needs to get back on track.

16/1

4th

5

3rd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

16:05 Newcastle

Cowboy Cooper

10st 12lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald Whillans

Beat a subsequent winner when scoring at Ayr two runs back (3m, soft) but pulled up over same C&D last time; needs to bounce back.

9/1

4

10th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:05 Ayr

Cowboy Cooper

11st 7lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

Won this 12 months ago (good to soft) and only his third run in the meantime when well on top again here in early January (soft); 6lb rise elevates him to a career-high mark but he should still have every chance.

9/4

Form: 56-5

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Shaped with minor promise in course bumper (good to soft) on last month's seasonal debut but needs to take a good step forward to pose a threat on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

31st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

15:10 Newcastle

Gie It Laldy

11st 5lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Donald Whillans

Displayed promise in two of three bumpers but struggled on last month's hurdling debut at Kelso (2m, heavy); up in trip with tongue-tie added.

66/1

6th

5

29th Dec 2022

Heavy

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:48 Kelso

Gie It Laldy

11st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Donald Whillans

held up in behind leaders on inner

33/1

5th

5

5th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

16:55 Kelso

Gie It Laldy

11st 0lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Donald Whillans

Some promise on debut at Ayr (2m, heavy) but didn't kick on next time when tailed off over this C&D in February; others more appealing.

25/1

Form: 55-

Last run: 317 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Made fairly encouraging start to career when fifth in two bumpers in early 2022 (AW/heavy) but today's hurdle debut comes after a ten-month break and she's probably one for further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

28th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:25 Perth

Syltezar

10st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ewan Whillans

Ordinary efforts so far, including in handicaps over this trip on last two starts; improvement needed.

20/1

4th

3

29th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

16:10 Newcastle

Syltezar

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ewan Whillans

Has displayed glimpses of ability (on various ground) but she was pulled up at 28-1 on her handicap debut at Ayr (2m4f, good) three weeks ago and has to leave that form miles behind.

14/1

8

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

14:35 Ayr

Syltezar

11st 2lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Ewan Whillans

Not solid judged on her form in novice hurdles, modest fourth of six at Kelso (2m) most recently; needs to improve for the switch to handicap level.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 9

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: —

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

4th

1

14th Oct 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

15:45 Wetherby

Breizh River

11st 7lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Won at Kelso (2m5f, good) in April and Cartmel (2m5f, good) in June and he's been a good third on his last two starts (2m5f/3m, good); he should be fine at today's shorter distance and holds solid claims.

11/10

3rd

7

23rd Sep 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:57 Perth

Breizh River

10st 10lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Generally in good form this summer, winning at Cartmel in June (2m5f, good) when wearing cheekpieces for the first time and last time coming home third in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen (2m6f, good to soft); has also finished second over C&D; should go well again.

11/2

2

31st Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

16:19 Cartmel

Breizh River

11st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Back in prime form since swapping cheekpieces for a visor in June, winning here (2m5f, good) before commendable third in Summer Plate at Market Rasen (nearly 2m7f, good); unraced beyond 3m but soft ground won't faze him and he can make a bold bid from the front.

4/1

Form: 098-

Last run: 276 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Down the field at triple-digit odds in three bumpers last season; makes hurdling debut today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Izzy Bell

10st 5lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Placed over hurdles at 250-1 at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) 13 months ago but has not shown much since; upped in trip for today's chasing debut; big leap of faith required to support her.

33/1

6

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Izzy Bell

10st 5lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Placed over hurdles at 250-1 at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) 13 months ago but has not shown much since; upped in trip for today's chasing debut; big leap of faith required to support her.

33/1

14th

10

10th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

18:20 Sedgefield

Izzy Bell

10st 5lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Placed at 250-1 at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) 13 months ago but has not shown a great deal since and is now 0-8 over hurdles; makes handicap debut after 134-day break.

50/1

Non-runners

Breizh River

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.00
Straight Forecast £4.45
Trifecta £7.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Traprain Law

Daily Mail:

Carcaci Castle

Telegraph:

Fortescue Wood

RP Ratings:

Traprain Law

POSTDATA:

Traprain Law

The Times:

Traprain Law

The Guardian:

Traprain Law

D Express:

Traprain Law

Daily Mirror:

Traprain Law

The Star:

Traprain Law

Daily Record:

Traprain Law

The Sun:

Carcaci Castle