April 26 / 15.00 Perth

15.00

Good To Soft

British EBF BetVictor Gold Castle ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13098.5
  • 2m 7f 207y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
RTV
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British EBF BetVictor Gold Castle ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £3.90

Form: 11

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
3m point winner (soft to heavy) who is 2-2 under rules having twice won easily over hurdles last month (2m4f/2m3f, good/heavy); this is a much tougher test of his credentials but he's a highly likeable prospect and it remains to be seen where his limitations lie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

12th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Giovinco

11st 7lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

Acts on heavy ground; the only C&D winner in this field, ran well in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham (3m) most recently and represents a trainer who landed this prize two years ago; therefore has respected credentials and cannot be dismissed.

9/1

3

12th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Giovinco

11st 7lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

Acts on heavy ground; the only C&D winner in this field, ran well in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham (3m) most recently and represents a trainer who landed this prize two years ago; therefore has respected credentials and cannot be dismissed.

9/1

3

13th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 1

14:10 Cheltenham

Giovinco

11st 7lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

Strong traveller who has won two small-field handicaps this season but Stay Away Fay had too much for him in 3m Sandown Grade 2 on soft ground in December; pulled up in Kauto Star at Kempton later that month on his other attempt at Graded level; playing for minor honours unless his form takes a leap forward.

20/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 21331P

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in Grade 1 at Aintree just 12 days ago but soft ground may not have suited; he was a clear third in a Grade 2 at Doncaster (3m, good) in January and, with that form having received major boosts from the first two, he's a leading player if bouncing back now returned to better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

12th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 4

19:26 Market Rasen

Hurricane Bay

12st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Not particularly consistent but won at Huntingdon early last month (2m4f, good) and would have a chance on that form; however, pulled up when favourite at Fakenham last time having reportedly made a respiratory noise.

6/1

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

Form: 811241

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Two-time bumper winner (including on good to soft ground) who was winning for the second time over hurdles when getting up late in a handicap at Naas (2m3f, soft) last month; others have better form but this step up in trip could prompt further improvement and he's a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Carnfunnock

12st 0lb

J: Sophie Connor

T: S R B Crawford

Two-time hurdles winner, rated 126 over fences, 3m his best trip, this too sharp.

10/1

10th

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Carnfunnock

12st 0lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: S R B Crawford

Ran well for a 100-1 shot in this last year (sixth), doing best work late on; that was also the case when only 6l off Its On The Line at Down Royal over Christmas and, like last year, he arrives here after winning a point; cheekpieces offered nothing when tried once before (hurdles); place squeak.

33/1

2

2nd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Carnfunnock

12st 0lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: S R B Crawford

midfield

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2-1121 D

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Made it 3-5 over hurdles when narrowly prevailing in a Grade 2 novice at Haydock (3m, good to soft) in February last time out; now carries a 5lb penalty against some very interesting rivals but this progressive stayer could have more to offer for his top trainer and holds solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Makinyourmindup

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Made low-key return from long layoff when remote fourth at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) last month but well handicapped on form shown in February/March 2024 and has possibilities on first attempt at a marathon trip.

12/1

2nd

1

31st Mar 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 152y

Class 3

15:40 Plumpton

Makinyourmindup

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Second run over fences was disappointing but he's come back with wins in two small-field handicaps over 2m7f at Newbury (again on heavy); raised another 5lb but he's on the up and today's extra yardage may well help.

13/8

Form: 3-2112 BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won two consecutive novice hurdles this winter (2m4f/2m3f, good to soft/soft) before a near-miss on handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) last month; this 3m point runner-up rallied in the closing stages last time and there's every chance he'll be suited by this step up in trip; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

18th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Hitching Jacking

11st 8lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

midfield but in touch with leaders

6/1

6th

9

18th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Hitching Jacking

11st 8lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

midfield but in touch with leaders

6/1

Form: 1

Last run: 93 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Easily won a British maiden point (2m5f, heavy) last November on his second start and also impressive when winning a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) in January; goes up in grade today but he comfortably beat a solid yardstick last time and possesses considerable potential; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Regal Blue

11st 7lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent 9yo who often looks very unenthusiastic; made all in valuable novices' handicap chase at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) in March 2024 but absent since two lacklustre runs at end of that year; had wind in September and now sports first-time cheekpieces; this first run after a layoff might be a good day to catch him in the right mood, but others are much less risky.

25/1

3

21st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Regal Blue

11st 8lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent and pulled up on last month's reappearance at Bangor but he may have needed the run and this lightly raced 7yo could be tailor-made for today's assignment in view of last season's best efforts, including two fine runs on heavy ground here and a win at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) in March.

8/1

3

21st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Regal Blue

11st 8lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent and pulled up on last month's reappearance at Bangor but he may have needed the run and this lightly raced 7yo could be tailor-made for today's assignment in view of last season's best efforts, including two fine runs on heavy ground here and a win at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) in March.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £61.90
Straight Forecast £52.64
Trifecta £231.90

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Regal Blue

The Times:

Makin'yourmindup

SPOTLIGHT:

Hurricane Bay

POSTDATA:

Hitching Jacking

The Star:

Giovinco

Daily Mail:

Carnfunnock

The Guardian:

Hitching Jacking

The Sun:

Makin'yourmindup

Daily Record:

Makin'yourmindup

RP Ratings:

Hurricane Bay

TOPSPEED:

Hurricane Bay

Telegraph:

Regal Blue

D Express:

Regal Blue

Daily Mirror:

Regal Blue