January 18 / 13.45 Newbury

13.45

Heavy

Bloomfields Horseboxes Presents The Raceline Professional Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 0f 69y
  • Class 4
  • 17 runners
RTV
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Bloomfields Horseboxes Presents The Raceline Professional Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 00

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; beaten out of sight on last month's British/hurdle debut at Taunton (80-1).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:05 Plumpton

Abbeyhill

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Dual hurdle winner last season (once over C&D) but was pulled up on reappearance outing in October and has largely been disappointing over fences since (five starts); seems very versatile regarding ground but reverts to hurdling with quite a bit to prove; swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers.

7/2

4th

5

3rd Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:05 Plumpton

Abbeyhill

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

led, awkward jump and reminders 1st, headed 1st, bad mistake and lost ground 10th, weakened before 2 out

7/2

4th

4

23rd Feb 2025

Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

16:30 Fontwell

Abbeyhill

10st 6lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Won two staying handicap hurdles last winter, on good to soft and heavy; hasn't reached the same heights this season (sent chasing for last four runs) but the upside is that he's back on a very good mark.

9/2

Form: 7

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three Flat wins at up to 2m (all on good or quicker, has run well on soft, peak RPR 83); beaten 40l+ on last month's hurdling debut, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Byron Hill

11st 12lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Patrick Neville

On a long losing sequence and he was tried in a change of headgear when a below-form fourth of eight in 2m1f handicap here 13 days ago; this return to a longer trip should suit though so he's no forlorn hope from a slipping mark.

10/1

4th

7

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

17:10 Sedgefield

Byron Hill

11st 4lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Patrick Neville

Made the frame in two handicaps at Catterick (1m7f/2m3f, good/soft) in January before respectable third in claimer there (1m7f, good); continues to edge down weights and might not be far away; cheekpieces replace blinkers.

7/1

Form:

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest Flat maiden and tailed off on this month's hurdling/stable debut at Exeter; tongue-strap now fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

16

8th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:15 Uttoxeter

Heresmax

10st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Modest maiden on the Flat (runner-up twice over 1m4f/1m5f) who accomplished little in his three runs over hurdles (first two were for Polly Gundry); absent 232 days before latest; handicap debut in this sphere comes off a basement mark.

33/1

5th

3

18th Sep 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Worcester

Heresmax

11st 4lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

took keen hold, held up in rear, headway after 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, weakened before 2 out

33/1

4

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 49y

Class 4

15:25 Fontwell

Heresmax

11st 10lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Polly Gundry

Twice runner-up (1m4f and 1m5f) off basement Flat marks last summer for Micky Hammond; 100-1, beaten 53l in novice hurdle at Exeter (2m, heavy) on debut for new connections and best watched despite now having tongue tied.

100/1

Form:

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Too green to do himself justice in a bumper seven weeks ago (also hung left); limited appeal now switched to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Worcester

Hey Mister Dj

10st 11lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Barry Brennan

0-8 under rules, but was returning from over a year off when second of nine on stable debut at Fontwell (2m2f, good) last month; the longer trip looks to be in his favour and a contender if taking a step forward.

4/1

5th

7

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Worcester

Hey Mister Dj

10st 11lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Barry Brennan

0-8 under rules, but was returning from over a year off when second of nine on stable debut at Fontwell (2m2f, good) last month; the longer trip looks to be in his favour and a contender if taking a step forward.

4/1

2nd

7

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

14:50 Fontwell

Hey Mister Dj

10st 3lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Barry Brennan

held up in rear

25/1

Form: 3120-3

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Good French bumper form in 2021 (well beaten at Aintree last April on British debut); lacked fluency and reportedly hung left on first attempt over hurdles last month but still shaped with promise in finishing third; likely to be sharper for the experience and shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Warwick

Imperial Bede

12st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Cheekpieces fitted in last three races; won at Catterick and back to form when a clear second at Haydock (2m4f, good); back up 3lb but still well handicapped on old exploits.

2/1

2nd

1

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 4

15:55 Haydock

Imperial Bede

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Evidently not the force of old but he built on an encouraging C&D reappearance when winning in first-time cheekpieces at Catterick (2m3f, soft) in February; made early mistakes when a disappointing favourite at Hereford since but it's possible he'll be happier back on a left-handed course and likely he's still on a winnable mark if putting his best foot forward.

100/30

5th

1

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

16:40 Hereford

Imperial Bede

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Evidently not the force of old but built upon an encouraging reappearance when winning in first-time cheekpieces at Catterick (2m3f, soft) a fortnight ago and has good claims here if the headgear continues to aid him.

4/5

Form: 470

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ability in bumpers but well beaten on last month's Chepstow hurdling debut (80-1); tends to race freely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

16:13 Chepstow

Ito Ditto

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Nicky Martin

Very progressive in 2023-24 season (gained two of his three wins over C&D) but lightly raced (mainly over fences) and very disappointing since; current ability hard to gauge; market may guide.

14/1

5th

2

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Uttoxeter

Ito Ditto

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Won three times over hurdles last season (2m-2m3f) but stopped quickly and was pulled up in both chases this autumn, so it takes a big leap of faith to support him here; hood refitted.

16/1

5th

2

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Uttoxeter

Ito Ditto

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Won three times over hurdles last season (2m-2m3f) but stopped quickly and was pulled up in both chases this autumn, so it takes a big leap of faith to support him here; hood refitted.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for 310,000gns after romping home in an Irish point; no match for the winner when runner-up over C&D on hurdling debut in November but still ran with credit; could prove hard to beat if benefiting from that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Ittack Blue

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Made all in two Market Rasen novice hurdles (both 2m, good) in May but was soundly beaten in both subsequent handicaps, the latter his chasing debut; still has plenty of time to get career back on track but comes here with a point to prove.

12/1

7th

1

21st Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

17:10 Stratford

Ittack Blue

12st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won back-to-back minor hurdle races on good ground at Market Rasen but didn't look obviously well treated for handicap debut back there and ended up tailed off; that was not his true running but, off just 2lb lower, he faces no straightforward task unless improving for fences (bred for it).

3/1

Form: 4-46

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ability in first two bumpers but well beaten in the latest, at Haydock last month; should have a future over hurdles but possibly at further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Jack Sprat

11st 13lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: James Moffatt

Capable on his day for Jamie Snowden, winning three times; didn't sign off for that yard in bad form and he joined this one for £12,000; could go well.

33/1

4th

5

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

18:40 Exeter

Jack Sprat

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Course scorer who went freely when a below-par seventh of ten in 3m Wincanton handicap 25 days ago; drops back in trip now.

9/1

7th

8

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Jack Sprat

11st 9lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Jamie Snowden

Three-time hurdle winner who seemed to have been refreshed by a 12-week break when a very respectable fourth over C&D (good to soft) in refitted cheekpieces this month; in the mix if in similar form.

10/1

Form: 57

Last run: 75 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not beaten too far on hurdling debut last June but tailed off at Exeter since; no real appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

9th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Ffos Las

Mangrove River

11st 3lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

led

100/1

6

23rd Jan 2023

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:30 Ffos Las

Mangrove River

11st 10lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

Beaten in two points and down the field in two novice hurdles on good ground at about 2m; others much preferred.

100/1

Abandoned

Form: 565-6

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran quite well in two bumpers and again on his hurdling debut last February; however, no threat at Fontwell last month, after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 136y

Class 5

14:50 Chepstow

Night Jet

10st 11lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Won chase debut in February 2025 and back to form with blinkers enlisted when second on last two outings, but all three of those runs were over 2m and there is plenty to prove judged on his attempts at 2m4f/3m; cheekpieces return and their previous usage includes that one win.

9/1

2nd

5

6th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

16:30 Leicester

Night Jet

10st 12lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Took a step forward in a change of headgear when second of eight in handicap over C&D 22 day ago, hindered by a blunder two out; this C&D winner is a likely player if blinkers have the same effect a second time.

9/2

2nd

8

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:15 Leicester

Night Jet

10st 12lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Opened his account when winning on chase debut over C&D (soft) last February but he's not come close to that form in four subsequent runs; overall record is now 1-21 and he needs new headgear to give him a boost.

7/1

Form: 1-45 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner on debut a year ago and by no means disgraced twice since in tougher company; might have each-way prospects now hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

7th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

15:45 Exeter

Odins Quest

11st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

1-9 over hurdles; ended last season on a low note and was again well beaten when back in action in January; makes chasing debut from a good mark but others look much less risky.

14/1

13th

8

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:00 Wincanton

Odins Quest

11st 10lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

visibility reduced by fog

10/1

Form: 694

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Definitely has ability and left behind a very modest hurdling debut when fourth at Haydock last month; capable of winning races though stable appears to hold stronger claims here with Imperial Bede.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

21st May 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Warwick

Playtogetaway

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Bounced back to form with hard-fought win at Southwell (2m4f, good) in November but was pulled up when reappearing over 3m1f in February and has been off for another three months since; not an easy one to predict.

9/1

3rd

3

21st May 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Warwick

Playtogetaway

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Bounced back to form with hard-fought win at Southwell (2m4f, good) in November but was pulled up when reappearing over 3m1f in February and has been off for another three months since; not an easy one to predict.

9/1

2

20th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Playtogetaway

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Hurdles winner here in 2023; well held in two chases this autumn but reverted to hurdling with a win at Southwell (2m4f) in November, travelling best before asserting close home; off since and 6lb higher today, and he's unraced beyond 2m5f under rules, but keeping away from soft ground is seemingly a help.

4/1

Form: 353

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has run with credit in Irish points, two bumpers and when a keeping-on third at Fontwell on last month's hurdling debut; should find opportunities but will need improvement to beat a few of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

11th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:25 Plumpton

Proper Twelve

11st 11lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

disputed lead, led clearly before 3 out, headed on turn after 3 out, weakening when lost position last

11/2

4th

4

11th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:25 Plumpton

Proper Twelve

11st 11lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

disputed lead, led clearly before 3 out, headed on turn after 3 out

11/2

2nd

5

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

20:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Proper Twelve

11st 11lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

Ex-Chris Gordon; two fair runs over fences on first two starts for this yard and sound third at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in first-time cheekpieces when reverting to hurdles last time; a possible.

5/1

Form: 6/46

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; safely held both starts over hurdles but may well do better down in trip and after wind surgery; declared 1.00 Chepstow Tuesday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

15th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:55 Aintree

Regarde

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Has had three wind operations and tends to go well when fresh, so might not improve markedly on his latest second at Haydock (3m4f, good) after 144 days away; still ran well though and assured stamina will come in handy.

12/1

2nd

6

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

Regarde

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Has had three wind operations, two of them last year; won four-runner race over C&D (good) when upped in trip last March and ran creditably on next two starts; not disgraced at Ascot in November when last seen; has a good record when returning from a break, so goes on the shortlist.

8/1

8

24th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Cheltenham

Regarde

11st 9lb

J: Mr B O’Neill

T: Jamie Snowden

Won twice (3m/3m4f) during fairly light campaign last season and signed off with creditable second of 14 on New course here (3m4f, good) in April, form that was recently boosted by the winner; had another wind op (his third) during the summer; likely contender.

7/1

Form: 0-75

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in two bumpers and again on last month's hurdling debut at Ludlow; very much caught the eye there, staying on to finish fifth, and likely to do much better in due course.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

20th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:35 Uttoxeter

Scarpered

11st 4lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Nicky Henderson

Soundly beaten on all four hurdling starts, most recently when dropped back to 2m (from 2m4f) for handicap debut three weeks ago; in good hands and can't be written off just yet but needs this jump up in trip to enable significant improvement.

12/1

10th

1

28th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

20:00 Southwell

Scarpered

12st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Soundly beaten on all three hurdling starts, most recently in very ordinary 2m4f Plumpton maiden this month; will need to improve to make a winning handicap debut but represents a top stable and today's switch to good ground might show him in a better light.

4/1

6th

8

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

14:23 Plumpton

Scarpered

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Nicky Henderson

In a top stable but beaten a distance or more in all his four runs, twice over hurdles (2m/2m4f); there was some promise behind the useful Pembroke at Ludlow in December and this is very weak.

6/1

Abandoned

Form: P0

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
French Flat winner; unplaced in that discipline in Britain and no promise in two attempts over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(8)

29th Apr 2023

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Vissani

9st 10lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Ian Williams

midfield

4/1

5th

7

(4)

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

16:20 Windsor

Vissani

8st 10lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Ian Williams

slowly away, in rear

7/1

1

(8)

13th Apr 2023

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

14:10 Newcastle (AW)

Vissani

9st 11lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Ian Williams

1m4f winner when trained in France; it's been tough going for this yard but there was much more promise when a keeping-on sixth over the extended 1m at Wolverhampton 19 days ago; going back up in distance can help and this drop into 0-55 company also likely to be beneficial; check betting.

15/2

Form: 3O

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair third in a bumper; tore off in front on recent Wincanton hurdling debut but proved unsteerable and ran off the course on the home turn; clearly has ability and going left-handed should help but best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

8th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Worcester

Roccstar Bay

10st 11lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Early promise for Nicky Henderson when third in a Southwell bumper on debut but has looked an awkward ride in two hurdle starts; best watched for new yard.

50/1

10th

18

27th Jan 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 3

13:05 Doncaster

Roccstar Bay

10st 9lb

J: Nathan Brennan

T: Nicky Henderson

Half-sister to useful jumper Fancy Foundations; hooded and held up when promising second in Southwell bumper last May; was the clear pacesetter when switched to hurdling at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft; 14-1) on Boxing Day but she had steering issues and ran out around the home turn; comes with risks attached after that; interesting to see how she figures in the market.

10/1

Verdict

Imperial Bede should certainly improve on his Leicester third and looks the main threat to ITTACK BLUE, who ran well enough over C&D on his hurdling debut to suggest he can win this.[Jonathan Neesom]