March 03 / 13.25 Doncaster

13.25

Good

Virgin Bet Daily Money Back Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5446
  • 2m 0f 128y
  • Class 4
  • 4 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet Daily Money Back Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/6 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10

Form: 21

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a 3m point and kept on well for second in sole bumper before winning on hurdle debut at Catterick (2m3f, good) last month; drops back in trip but he travelled well last time; has strong claims under a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:47 Southwell

Ballygeary

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Beaten 6l in his penultimate race but following run was a reminder of his inconsistency; others safer.

20/1

6th

7

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:20 Wetherby

Ballygeary

10st 3lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Has inconsistent form for current stable but ran encouragingly last time (2m5f) while shaping as if this return to further is worth exploring; well treated on historical data, which includes wins off higher marks in 2023 and 2024.

12/1

3rd

6

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 181y

Class 4

16:20 Doncaster

Ballygeary

11st 5lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Ex-Donald McCain; creditable third on stable debut in July (2m4f, good) but hasn't been in top form since.

33/1

11/10

Form: 063331 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won a fillies' juvenile maiden at Hereford (2m, good) a fortnight ago; that was a first win at the seventh attempt over hurdles and Ballygeary provides tougher opposition here, but this Irish raider did it readily last time and has to be respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

16:47 Clonmel

Circus Act

10st 8lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: J A Nash

Won for the second time over hurdles when taking a Down Royal handicap last year; not bad efforts over hurdles and on the Flat lately but needs a fair bit more.

18/1

4th

9

(1)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 190y

15:22 Sligo

Circus Act

9st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Sullivan

T: J A Nash

Second runner for James Nash; dual-purpose mare has won twice over hurdles; maiden in this sphere but her fourth to You Make Me Smile in last year's renewal was one of her best Flat runs and she has a nice pull at the weights; place chance.

10/1

5th

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 170y

14:30 Down Royal

Circus Act

11st 2lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: J A Nash

Won her second hurdle race when winning this race a year ago off 2lb lower; has only run four times between the Flat and hurdles since; should run well with a repeat of best; ground-versatile.

11/2

66/1

Form: 98P-

Last run: 387 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on all three starts (over hurdles the last twice).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st May 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:02 Warwick

Dooby

11st 0lb

J: Benjamin Abbott

T: Sam Allwood

Well beaten at triple-digit odds on all three hurdling starts, most recently in small-field Doncaster novice in March; hood added today.

100/1

3rd

3

3rd Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

13:25 Doncaster

Dooby

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Sam Allwood

Well beaten on all three starts (over hurdles the last twice).

66/1

OUR TIP

Form: 65-7

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Didn't really threaten when mid-division in his three bumpers and improvement is needed on this first hurdle start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

13:25 Doncaster

Nortonthorpebanker

11st 5lb

J: Alison Clarke

T: Rebecca Menzies

Didn't really threaten when mid-division in his three bumpers and improvement is needed on this first hurdle start.

16/1

7th

5

31st Jan 2023

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 5

12:50 Newcastle

Nortonthorpebanker

11st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Not beaten far when midfield in two bumpers here last season (turf/Tapeta); each-way claims if fully tuned up after one-year absence.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £1.80
Straight Forecast £2.40
Trifecta £13.40

Selections

RP Ratings:

Circus Act

SPOTLIGHT:

Ballygeary

TOPSPEED:

Circus Act

The Times:

Circus Act

The Guardian:

Circus Act

Daily Mail:

Circus Act

The Sun:

Circus Act

Daily Record:

Circus Act

POSTDATA:

Ballygeary

Telegraph:

Ballygeary

D Express:

Ballygeary

Daily Mirror:

Ballygeary

The Star:

Ballygeary