February 22 / 13.15 Doncaster

13.15

Good

Virgin Bet EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4465.72
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 4
  • 4 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

2/5 (Won)

  • Win: £1.45

Form: 3-2133 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Won here (2m5f, good) in November on second hurdle start and, after a solid third at Huntingdon (2m3f, good to soft), he showed improved form when third in a 3m Grade 2 here (good) last month; drops back in trip today but he's not short of pace and has leading form claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

31st May 2026

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:37 Fakenham

Hurricane Bay

11st 12lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Well below best last season but exploited some help from the handicapper when winning in pretty good style at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) this month; even after a 5lb rise, he's still 5lb lower than when winning this race in 2025; good chance.

7/4

1st

2

7th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

13:45 Huntingdon

Hurricane Bay

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Well handicapped if judged on his two good-ground wins in cheekpieces last spring (2m7f/2m5f) but has been well below best (in various headgear) in recent months; ran well for a long way before weakening quickly at Market Rasen (3m, good) last time and might benefit from this drop back in trip but others have much less to prove.

10/1

5th

1

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

Hurricane Bay

12st 0lb

J: Mr Cian Murphy

T: Lucy Wadham

Well handicapped if judged on his two good-ground wins in cheekpieces last spring (2m7f/2m5f) but has been out of form (in various headgear) in recent months; sure to appreciate this ease in grade but needs to turn a corner; cheekpieces refitted.

10/1

Form: 096

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Didn't run badly in midfield in novice hurdle at Fontwell (2m5f, good) recently but has plenty to find with Imperial Merlin and Hurricane Bay.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Scrum Diddly

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Chasing when last seen in June of last year, winning a four-runner handicap at Southwell before a close third off this mark at Worcester (2m7f, good); dual winning hurdler who has his ground and fitness might not be an issue given connections.

9/2

8th

2

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Scrum Diddly

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Chasing when last seen in June of last year, winning a four-runner handicap at Southwell before a close third off this mark at Worcester (2m7f, good); dual winning hurdler who has his ground and fitness might not be an issue given connections.

9/2

3rd

7

13th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

18:50 Worcester

Scrum Diddly

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Came good over fences at fourth attempt, in two-finisher contest at Southwell (3m2f, good to soft) three weeks ago; the value of that form is quite tricky to assess but he seemed to have matters in control until idling in the home straight; only 2lb higher here and probably still has potential.

3/1

Form: 21-112 D BF

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Good-ground bumper winner who scored on first two hurdle starts (2m3f/2m6f, soft/good to soft) then was second to a useful prospect at Kelso (2m6f, heavy); Hurricane Bay has better form but he can run well once more.
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: 0-89

Last run: 248 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten at big odds in his three bumpers; hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

9th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

14:09 Market Rasen

Medicine Wheel

11st 6lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Neil Mechie

took keen hold, midfield on outer

200/1

5

16th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

13:50 Hexham

Medicine Wheel

11st 6lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Neil Mechie

Beaten a long way at big prices in three bumpers before pulled up on his recent debut over hurdles.

200/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.60
Straight Forecast £8.76
Trifecta £10.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hurricane Bay

Telegraph:

Imperial Merlin

D Express:

Imperial Merlin

Daily Record:

Imperial Merlin

RP Ratings:

Hurricane Bay

TOPSPEED:

Hurricane Bay

POSTDATA:

Hurricane Bay

The Times:

Hurricane Bay

The Guardian:

Hurricane Bay

Daily Mail:

Hurricane Bay

Daily Mirror:

Hurricane Bay

The Sun:

Hurricane Bay

The Star:

Hurricane Bay