March 18 / 16.35 Newcastle

16.35

Soft

Guinness Perfect Pour Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4330.42
  • 2m 4f 62y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
SKY
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Guinness Perfect Pour Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.30

Form: /23-34

Last run: 46 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 8yo who has made the frame on all his four runs over hurdles, posting a creditable fourth of ten in C&D novice in January; tongue tied after his break and he's one for the shortlist on his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(2)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:43 Catterick

Fabuleux Du Clos

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Simon West

Dual winner over hurdles (2m4f/3m) but he's 0-5 on the Flat; plugged on for a modest fourth in a maiden at Carlisle (1m3f, soft) 22 days ago and now steps back up in trip on this return to handicap company.

16/1

4th

1

(4)

9th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

18:15 Carlisle

Fabuleux Du Clos

10st 0lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Simon West

A dual winner over hurdles in 2023 (2m4f/3m); struggled over hurdles/Flat since returning from a lengthy absence; beaten 13l when seventh of nine at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in July and now drops back in trip.

100/1

25/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: /78-78

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Placed in a bumper but he's yet to offer much since sent hurdling and beat only one in 2m Ayr handicap last month; tongue tie fitted now with others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 218y

Class 4

16:05 Carlisle

Enemy At The Gate

11st 3lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Donald Whillans

Remains a maiden after 14 starts but he's consistent and was a good third over C&D (soft) in March; didn't quite see out 3m1f here later that month; has had wind op since and holds each-way claims on his return.

11/1

3rd

5

30th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Carlisle

Enemy At The Gate

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald Whillans

Consistent maiden who was close up over 3m at Ayr (just behind Artic Mann) before finishing third here where dropping back to 2m3f found him out (was staying on); unlikely to be far away.

4/1

3rd

5

7th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

14:05 Carlisle

Enemy At The Gate

11st 5lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Donald Whillans

in rear early, midfield 4 out

9/2

13/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 5-3803

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Showed fair form in bumpers and matched that when third of nine in 2m Ayr handicap hurdle 45 days ago; he needs considering now stepped up in distance off a 2lb lower mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

Eloi Du Puy

11st 3lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

These cheekpieces and a switch to prominent tactics have prompted good performances at Ayr (2m4f, soft) on his last two starts, finishing second then first; he's won three times here in the past (including on good to soft) and might be thereabouts.

9/1

1st

3

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:00 Ayr

Eloi Du Puy

11st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Third in this last year (heavy) and achieved his best result of this season when 6l second to Diamond Geezer in first-time cheekpieces (retained) over C&D (soft) last month; could be thereabouts.

10/1

2nd

3

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

13:43 Ayr

Eloi Du Puy

11st 3lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Four-time hurdle winner, including three over 2m5f at Kelso (good to soft/soft); disappointing start to chasing career in the autumn but he ran respectably back over hurdles at Kelso (extended 2m6f) last month; now back on last winning mark and he could be dangerous on this drop back in trip; cheekpieces added.

16/1

Form: 69-283

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 6yo who made a promising start to life in handicaps when third of eight at Wetherby (2m) 12 days ago, sticking to his task well having hit two out; this step up in trip promises to suit and he's a big player off an unchanged mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

Burrows Hall

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Made all at Uttoxeter (2m4f), Market Rasen (extended 2m7f) and Doncaster (3m, good) on last three outings, with a last-flight mistake not helping his margin of victory last time; up another 5lb but he's on a roll.

100/30

5th

4

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

Burrows Hall

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Made all at Uttoxeter (2m4f), Market Rasen (extended 2m7f) and Doncaster (3m, good) on last three outings, with a last-flight mistake not helping his margin of victory last time; up another 5lb but he's on a roll.

100/30

1st

5

14th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

15:02 Doncaster

Burrows Hall

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

led, faced challenge from 7th, shaken up after 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in

7/4

16/1

Form: 3/P7

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
A fair 2m Flat winner in 2020 but he's offered little in two hurdling runs this year after a two-and-a-half-year absence; he has plenty to prove now going handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:50 Cartmel

Calevade

10st 11lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Ben Haslam

Gained all four hurdling wins over C&D (good-soft); well beaten here last month, after a layoff, and Miss Maverick is unlikely to allow him an uncontested lead today but, nevertheless, his course record can't be ignored.

20/1

9th

3

27th Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

17:30 Cartmel

Calevade

11st 13lb

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Ben Haslam

Gained all four hurdling wins over C&D (good-soft), including the last two editions of this race; absent since poor Flat run in October but there's a good chance he'll be primed to make a bold bid from the front today.

10/1

11th

6

(9)

2nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:23 Catterick

Calevade

9st 3lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ben Haslam

C&D winner (good to soft); returns to this code after a successful spell over hurdles; was below par when seen here (1m6f, good to firm) in June but it would be no surprise to see him closely involved now on slower ground, back up in trip and from 2lb lower.

11/2

Form: 3733-P

Last run: 134 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Ended last term in good form but she ran poorly after eight months off when pulled up in 2m Hexham handicap hurdle in November; she needs to take a big step forward if she's to gain her breakthrough success here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

7th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:42 Southwell

Poetria

10st 5lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

0-14 but was placed over hurdles and she did go off favourite for chase debut at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) where an early mistake didn't help matters (ended up last of five); better was expected by all accounts and she tries cheekpieces.

8/1

10

7th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:42 Southwell

Poetria

10st 5lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

0-14 but was placed over hurdles and she did go off favourite for chase debut at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) where an early mistake didn't help matters (ended up last of five); better was expected by all accounts and she tries cheekpieces.

8/1

5th

5

13th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

Poetria

10st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Mark Walford

13-race maiden who hasn't threatened over hurdles the last twice; however, she's on a competitive mark on her best form in that sphere and she's only six; one to watch in the betting on her chase debut.

7/1

Form: 75F-P

Last run: 107 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
A winner in points but he's yet to show much in four starts over hurdles, pulled up on his return in 2m7f Market Rasen handicap in December; he has lots to prove after his break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

21st May 2024

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

19:10 Huntingdon

Baghdad Central

10st 9lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Nick Kent

Respectable sixth over hurdles here (2m4f, good) in March and now 4lb lower than when winning in that sphere last spring but lacked fluency and was pulled up on his only previous chasing attempt (in December).

10/1

5

21st May 2024

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

19:10 Huntingdon

Baghdad Central

10st 9lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Nick Kent

Respectable sixth over hurdles here (2m4f, good) in March and now 4lb lower than when winning in that sphere last spring but lacked fluency and was pulled up on his only previous chasing attempt (in December).

10/1

6th

8

25th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Baghdad Central

11st 1lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

Gained his breakthrough victory at Carlisle (2m3f) last April and wasn't disgraced after 11 weeks off when a fading fifth of 12 in 2m3f Doncaster handicap last month; he should take a step forward now.

12/1

Form: 7-7709

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Has yet to show any form of note, coming in a well-held ninth on her handicap debut at Ayr (3m) 19 days ago; she's 3lb out of the handicap too.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

10th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Farne Island

10st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Adam Nicol

in rear

12/1

5th

11

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

16:40 Newcastle

Farne Island

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Adam Nicol

took keen hold, prominent on outer

11/1

2nd

6

29th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

16:10 Newcastle

Farne Island

10st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Adam Nicol

Down the field at big odds in both handicaps, more recently over C&D (heavy) 11 days ago when 66-1, and she's hard to fancy.

25/1

Form: 94F-P0

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Capable of fair form over hurdles/on the level on his day but he can't be relied upon; tried in a visor when last in 2m Flat Southwell handicap 11 days ago so others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

8th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

14:50 Musselburgh

Green Planet

10st 13lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Following wind surgery he was a fair fourth over hurdles on his reappearance at Market Rasen (2m2f, good) in September; however, he has a patchy profile nowadays and this ex-Flat performer was an early faller on his sole chase start back in April 2022.

25/1

4th

7

30th Sep 2023

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

17:05 Market Rasen

Green Planet

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

prominent, kept on until no extra from last

33/1

Form: 6454

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 7yo who has hinted at promise, coming in a good fourth of nine in 3m Wetherby handicap hurdle in January; he's no forlorn hope off a 2lb lower mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

20th Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

14:15 Cartmel

Hattons Gardens

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Sandy Thomson

Irish point winner in February 2022 (3m, soft to heavy); yet to win over regulation fences, but several fair efforts including when 7l fifth of 13 at Uttoxeter last time (3m, good).

13/2

5th

5

6th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Uttoxeter

Hattons Gardens

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Flattered to deceive on a few occasions over hurdles and doesn't seem to see his races out; again weakened to be fourth on last month's chase debut at Southwell (2m4f, good); this longer trip may prove beneficial and he has dropped to a workable mark; each-way player.

6/1

4th

3

14th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

14:30 Southwell

Hattons Gardens

11st 7lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Irish point winner in February 2022 (3m, soft/heavy); patchy form over hurdles; cheekpieces now on again (pulled up with an irregular heartbeat only previous time he wore them); bit to prove on chase debut.

6/1

Form: 035364

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Yet to score but he comes here in good nick, fourth of 14 in 2m3f Taunton handicap 25 days ago; cheekpieces go back on now and he's well in the mix eased 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

14:10 Market Rasen

Gavroche Dallier

10st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-11 under rules; back from a long absence to finish third on his chase debut (2m4f, soft; beaten about 14l) and the dreaded 'bounce' appeared to rear its ugly head when tailed off back at Leicester over Christmas; the removal of cheekpieces (wore no headgear two runs back) could help matters; should stay.

13/2

6th

8

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

14:10 Market Rasen

Gavroche Dallier

10st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-11 under rules; back from a long absence to finish third on his chase debut (2m4f, soft; beaten about 14l) and the dreaded 'bounce' appeared to rear its ugly head when tailed off back at Leicester over Christmas; the removal of cheekpieces (wore no headgear two runs back) could help matters; should stay.

13/2

4th

4

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

13:55 Leicester

Gavroche Dallier

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-6 in points, 0-8 over hurdles and his third on chase/stable debut here a month ago was fairly remote; no real significance in the return of cheekpieces but it wasn't a bad latest run and this race is weak.

7/4

Form: 0P4P9

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

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

5

28th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

15:45 Hexham

How Much

11st 2lb

J: Mr William Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

held up in rear, pushed along after 3 out, struggling 2 out, pulled up approaching last

25/1

11

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

How Much

10st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Tim Easterby

Form: 556/P

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Lightly-raced mare who has shown no worthwhile form, off for 23 months before being pulled up in 3m Ayr handicap 19 days ago; a major step forward is needed from 7lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Gale Force One

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

prominent

20/1

10

27th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 5

16:25 Ayr

Gale Force One

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Showed no promise in three novice hurdles during 2020-21 season (2m-2m1f) and makes her handicap debut after a long absence but Nicky Richards has persisted with her and she's well worth keeping an eye on in the betting; 2lb out of the weights.

12/1

10

11th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:30 Uttoxeter

Gale Force One

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Non-runners

How Much

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.30
Straight Forecast £25.82
Tricast £134.09
Trifecta £147.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Burrows Hall

The Guardian:

Hattons Gardens

The Times:

Gavroche D'allier

RP Ratings:

Fabuleux Du Clos

POSTDATA:

Eloi Du Puy

Telegraph:

Burrows Hall

Daily Mail:

Burrows Hall

D Express:

Hattons Gardens

The Star:

Hattons Gardens

Daily Record:

Gavroche D'allier

Daily Mirror:

Fabuleux Du Clos