January 07 / 13.58 Newcastle

13.58

Soft

Vickers.Bet Proud To Support British Racing Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 2m 7f 149y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Vickers.Bet Proud To Support British Racing Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 03-741 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Form went wrong way for Jonjo O'Neill but he capitalised on a reduced mark when winning at Haydock (3m, soft) in November on his second start for this yard; did it in good style and a 7lb rise may not prevent a follow up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:13 Ayr

Theme Tune

11st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

11yo whose mark continues to fall but for good reason, having been well beaten on both outings this season; major turnaround required.

33/1

33/1

  • Place: £10.40

Form: 3PP-PP D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
He continues to tumble down the weights and is one to watch in the betting but he's been tailed off/pulled up on his last five starts stretching back to December 2021; lots to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

30th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

15:13 Catterick

Bushypark

12st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

12yo who is without a win since December 2023 but he ran his best race for some time when fourth at Carlisle (3m2f, soft) in November and when seventh at Ayr last time he was back up in grade; his mark continues to fall and this front-runner, who has won here, could make a bold bid.

11/2

16/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 3P-F74

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo who was a fair fourth when upped to 3m2f at Kelso (soft) in November last time out; vet reported he had an over reach and that he lost his right fore shoe, so he could be capable of better, and he has first-time headgear here; others are more compelling, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

7th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 149y

Class 3

13:58 Newcastle

Tough Out

10st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Jackie Stephen

prominent on outer, joined leader 8th

16/1

4th

6

24th Nov 2022

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

13:55 Kelso

Tough Out

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Jackie Stephen

midfield

16/1

7th

1

28th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

13:10 Wetherby

Tough Out

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Jackie Stephen

midfield on outer, reminder after 4th, pushed along 5 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened from 2 out

16/1

Form: 444-21 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Reappeared with good second at Sandown (2m4f, heavy) in November and was suited by the step up in trip when winning at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) last month; he's not straightforward but he could have more to offer over staying trips and is respected up 6lb for last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

32

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Top Of The Bill

10st 5lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

One of several who are now in the veteran stage but also in the form of their lives; 7l winner at Haydock (extended 3m1f) in November and returned there with an excellent, rallying second in the Grand National Trial (extended 3m4f, again good to soft) in February; ridden last three starts by Toby McCain-Mitchell; back up 2lb and an interesting prospect for 4m2f but this is a much stronger race.

50/1

2nd

1

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Top Of The Bill

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

10yo who posted a career-best performance with comfortable win here (extended 3m1f, good to soft) in November, and he's also won on soft ground; not written off after just one below-par run but he was well held in the Tommy Whittle here in December and has to leave that effort miles behind.

25/1

1st

1

21st Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

15:40 Ffos Las

Top Of The Bill

12st 0lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Took very well to fences last season, winning three times over 3m (good to soft-soft), but returned with two disappointing runs in the autumn; needs to get back on track and will have something to prove if the ground stays good (unraced on anything quicker than good to soft).

11/2

Form: 211-16 D BF

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Completed a Carlisle chasing hat-trick (3m-3m2f, soft) when winning on his reappearance in October; respectable sixth in competitive handicap chase at Haydock in November last time out; unproven over hurdles (0-3) but has a lower mark in this discipline and he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

26th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Houston Texas

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Won 3m/3m2f handicaps on testing ground last year but has been struggling of late and cheekpieces didn't work wonders for him last time; no headgear here but others have more pressing claims.

10/1

Form: 1-53

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Won Ayr novice hurdle (2m, good) on rules debut in October 2021 and has run just twice since; stayed on for 2l third in handicap at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in November last time out and this 3m point runner-up, who is from the family of Bristol De Mai, is open to progress now up in trip; contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

29th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 6f 70y

Class 3

13:55 Kelso

Gentleman De Mai

11st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Rose Dobbin

Came good over fences at fourth attempt, with hard-fought course win (2m7f, good to soft) on last month's seasonal debut; drew clear of the others with the runner-up that day and a 5lb rise ought to be manageable.

3/1

Form: 5-1413 C

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Some good form towards end of last year, winning at Hexham (2m7f, good to soft) in October and coming third at Wetherby (2m5f, good to soft) recently; this headstrong sort could improve for the possible settling effect of the first-time hood and could go well if the ground suits (unproven on soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

14th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Warwick

Tiger Jet

12st 0lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Jennie Candlish

took keen hold, led, not fluent 3rd, hit 4 out, headed before 2 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened

6/4

3rd

1

14th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Warwick

Tiger Jet

12st 0lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Jennie Candlish

took keen hold, led, not fluent 3rd, hit 4 out, headed before 2 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened

6/4

2nd

3

19th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

17:35 Haydock

Tiger Jet

11st 9lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Jennie Candlish

Won over C&D (good to soft) in April 2023 and returned to form to win on stable debut at Cartmel (2m6f, heavy) last August; however, two lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track after a break.

6/1

Form: -P3114 D

Last run: 137 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won his first two starts for Fergal O'Brien last July (hurdles/fences); not handicapped out of things but he wasn't at his best over hurdles in August and has been off since; his best form is on good/good to soft going and he has something to prove on the forecast soft going on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:00 Musselburgh

Imperial Sachins

11st 7lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Susan Corbett

Won consecutive staying races over hurdles and fences for previous yard last summer; lesser efforts for new trainer this winter and although dropping down weights he probably still has further to fall.

33/1

6th

1

19th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

15:55 Musselburgh

Imperial Sachins

12st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Susan Corbett

prominent, on outer throughout

33/1

7th

2

27th Jan 2023

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

15:45 Doncaster

Imperial Sachins

11st 13lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Susan Corbett

Ex-Gordon Elliott inmate who won his first two starts for Fergal O'Brien last July (hurdles/fences); below best on final run for that yard and again on his recent debut for this one, although soft ground was an excuse; others preferred.

50/1

OUR TIP

Form: PP-0PF D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 119

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

20

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Mighty Thunder

10st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Won this race in 2021 but not remotely in the same form since; latest start was probably his best form this term but he had a remote view of Elvis Mail nevertheless and is 3lb out of the handicap today.

16/1

5th

7

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:35 Kelso

Mighty Thunder

10st 8lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

midfield on outer, in touch with leaders 4th

12/1

6th

5

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

15:25 Newcastle

Mighty Thunder

11st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Career peak when winning the Scottish National in April 2021 off 12lb higher, rounding off an excellent season; nothing resembling that since, taking a step back in the right direction on latest start (ridden by claimer Patrick Wadge) but he needs a great deal better than that.

25/1

Form: 1P6-12 D BF

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

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

4th

3

24th Oct 2023

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 3

16:00 Exeter

Gentleman Valley

11st 12lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Won three in a row in early part of this season (2m7f-3m1f) and was set to finish second off today's mark before last-flight fall at Warwick (2m5f, good) this month; respected.

7/1

0

5

5th Oct 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:35 Warwick

Gentleman Valley

11st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

In fine form in the summer and completed his hat-trick in 2m7f Worcester handicap hurdle; posted another solid effort off a 6lb higher mark when fourth at Stratford (3m2f) last time so he's shortlisted.

5/1

4th

4

3rd Aug 2023

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 3

17:25 Stratford

Gentleman Valley

11st 9lb

J: Dylan Whelan

T: Ben Pauling

Has his quirks but going great guns this summer and completed a hat-trick with a career-best effort at Worcester last month; has form on soft ground and no surprise if he proves up to this 6lb higher mark.

9/4

Non-runners

Mighty Thunder, Gentleman Valley

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £246.10
Straight Forecast £138.42
Tricast £1724.55
Trifecta £3099.50

Selections

POSTDATA:

Top Of The Bill

SPOTLIGHT:

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RP Ratings:

Tough Out

The Star:

Houston Texas

The Times:

Top Of The Bill

Telegraph:

Top Of The Bill

The Guardian:

Top Of The Bill

D Express:

Top Of The Bill

The Sun:

Top Of The Bill

Daily Record:

Top Of The Bill

TOPSPEED:

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Daily Mail:

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Daily Mirror:

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