May 31 / 17.03 Newton Abbot

17.03

Good

newtonabbotracing.com Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5527.68
  • 2m 2f 110y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
SKY
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newtonabbotracing.com Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 4992-2

Last run: 13 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden but he's finished a close second in both runs for new yard this spring including on his handicap debut at Fontwell (2m1f, good; got hampered in closing stages) two weeks ago; up 5lb but he's open to more progress and is a key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

15:10 Huntingdon

Charlie My Boy

11st 1lb

J: James Davies

T: J R Jenkins

Won this last year off a 5lb lower mark and he was returning from 192 days off that day, so a break might well have done him good.

13/2

5th

2

7th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

15:07 Huntingdon

Charlie My Boy

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: J R Jenkins

Returned to form with 20-1 C&D (good) win in May and also ran very well at Newton Abbot a few weeks later; never going well when pulled up on latest outing (reportedly lost action) and not an easy one to predict here but has possibilities if all goes to plan.

12/1

4

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Charlie My Boy

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: J R Jenkins

Returned from a break with a win at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) in May and, although the race didn't go ideally, ran creditably in his follow-up bid off this mark at Stratford (2m2f, good to firm) last time; still well handicapped on older form and worth considering with Harry Cobden booked.

9/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 565-5

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Two 1m4f wins on the Flat in France but she's finished down the field in four hurdle runs for new yard this year; kept plugging on when fifth in a Huntingdon handicap (2m, good) last time but she needs to significantly raise her game on the step up to this trip; hood reapplied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

7th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

14:42 Stratford

Only Fools

11st 1lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

Looked as good as ever when clearcut winner at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in July and was placed off today's mark at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) soon afterwards; had another wind op during 82-day break; won't be far away if still in good form.

8/1

3rd

3

17th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:15 Uttoxeter

Only Fools

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Dual Flat winner who recorded her third hurdle win when justifying support on rain-softened ground at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) 12 days ago; up 5lb but that latest form looks solid and all of her hurdle wins have come under Jack Tudor; respected.

5/1

1st

3

5th Jul 2024

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

17:45 Newton Abbot

Only Fools

11st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Two hurdle wins last season (2m5f/2m3f); often gives her running but well beaten at Worcester last month and 5lb above her most recent winning mark; would need considering if the ground were to ease.

11/2

10/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: /449-5

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
0-6 over hurdles for Paul Nicholls; finished fifth of eight on his recent stable debut at Southwell (2m, good) but he shaped with some promise and wasn't beaten far; continues to edge down the weights and has possibilities if he can build on that comeback run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(8)

21st Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Zoran

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Emma Lavelle

Tailed off at Southwell last time which was too bad to be true as does have form there; he's won twice here and ran well over C&D in December behind one who scored impressively last week; considered under Oisin Murphy.

11/4

12

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:40 Uttoxeter

Zoran

10st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Won at Southwell (2m4f, good) in November and also successful on AW in January; unseated early when an 8-1 chance for his return to hurdling at Statford (Supreme Yeats runner-up in that race).

10/1

Form: 5P52-3

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
0-6 over hurdles but he's been placed in 2m handicaps at Ffos Las (soft) in his last two runs and he did best of the closers when a 4l third last time; still has potential and he could make a serious impact if he's unfazed by this return to fast ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:18 Ffos Las

Imperial Measure

10st 4lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Inconsistent 7yo who has modest 1-21 strike-rate and needs to rebound from a heavy defeat last month; competes off career-low mark here but needs a good boost from the new cheekpieces.

10/1

5th

11

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

15:47 Fontwell

Imperial Measure

10st 4lb

T: Evan Williams

Inconsistent but wasn't beaten far when third of four at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) and then fell early at Ffos Las (4-1); should be in the mix.

4/1

5

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

14:05 Ffos Las

Imperial Measure

10st 6lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

0-5 over fences and not very consistent but wasn't beaten far when third of four at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) last month and remains on career-low mark for this first venture beyond that trip.

4/1

Form: 84537-

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Improved form when third on his handicap debut at Exeter (2m, good) in November but he was a well-held seventh of 18 there (2m2f, good) on his return last month; may have needed that run but he's now 0-8 and needs to resume his progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

20th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:00 Warwick

Testflight

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

1-28 under rules, his win coming over fences off this mark at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) last July; has been off since October and needs to hit the ground running.

8/1

7

21st Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

16:00 Exeter

Testflight

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sue Gardner

Usually gives his running, over hurdles and fences; close third in the latter discipline at the weekend.

6/1

4

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:54 Newton Abbot

Testflight

11st 3lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

Rallied well to win small-field C&D (good) chase off today's mark in July and reverts to fences after perfectly respectable hurdle run from out of the weights here last month; likely contender.

11/2

Form: P868-

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
0-6 in points and she's not shown much in her four hurdle runs including in a Stratford handicap (2m, good to soft) last month; can only be watched until she shows some promising signs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

23rd Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

15:20 Market Rasen

Bay Sam Bella

10st 2lb

J: Mr James Jeavons

T: Alexander Gibbons

midfield, outpaced and dropped to rear 3 out, soon lost touch

33/1

6th

11

31st May 2023

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

17:03 Newton Abbot

Bay Sam Bella

10st 2lb

J: Mr James Jeavons

T: Alexander Gibbons

0-6 in points and she's not shown much in her four hurdle runs including in a Stratford handicap (2m, good to soft) last month; can only be watched until she shows some promising signs.

66/1

10

23rd Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:45 Stratford

Bay Sam Bella

10st 2lb

J: Mr James Jeavons

T: Alexander Gibbons

0-6 in points and has achieved little in novice hurdles; almost a stone out of the weights on handicap debut; hard to recommend.

66/1

Form: 357PF-

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
11-race maiden but he's dropped some way in the weights and was close up when he fell two out at Exeter (2m, good) in March; tongue-tie is now added after a short break and he could be dangerous.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

31st May 2023

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

17:03 Newton Abbot

Ballygoe

11st 3lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

11-race maiden but he's dropped some way in the weights and was close up when he fell two out at Exeter (2m, good) in March; tongue-tie is now added after a short break and he could be dangerous.

9/2

9

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:40 Exeter

Ballygoe

11st 1lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Maiden; the medium of strong market support at Taunton last month but was pulled up; worth noting to see if the money returns but others safer.

16/1

7

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:30 Taunton

Ballygoe

11st 3lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Fair start to hurdling career in autumn 2021 but hasn't gone on from that and failed to threaten in handicaps last autumn on last two starts.

12/1

Form: 0F40-

Last run: 79 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Longstanding maiden on Flat and he's shown poor form over hurdles this year; long way out of the weights on this handicap hurdle debut and is easy to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(6)

23rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Windsor

Galactic Glow

9st 8lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Bath/fast ground specialist who wasn't too far away from landing a fifth win at that track when runner-up (1m2f) last Wednesday on his return from a break; effective elsewhere too and should go well.

7/2

2nd

3

(6)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

20:12 Bath

Galactic Glow

9st 7lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Four-time C&D winner who returns here off a workable mark; on the downside, he's been absent for four months and doesn't have a convincing record when fresh.

8/1

Form: 3245-9

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Modest 16-race maiden under both codes and he was tailed off back over hurdles in a Uttoxeter handicap (2m, soft) 25 days ago; passed over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(1)

3rd Feb 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Hill Station

9st 6lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Not beaten far into fifth in a 2m handicap here four weeks ago; on a fair mark but others bring more persuasive claims.

16/1

2nd

3

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

14:30 Fontwell

Hill Station

11st 9lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Got off the mark at the 15th attempt over hurdles at Stratford (2m, good) 16 days ago; 5lb rise will make it tougher but looks sure to run his race and unlikely to be far away.

11/4

OUR TIP

Form: 5P5PP-

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Close third on hurdle debut for Gordon Elliott at Perth (2m4f, good) last summer but he's been pulled up in three of his four runs for new yard this year, including in his last two handicaps; dropped another 5lb but has a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

4th Jul 2023

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

18:40 Stratford

Dame Prestige

11st 4lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

held up in rear, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened

40/1

2

31st May 2023

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

17:03 Newton Abbot

Dame Prestige

11st 5lb

J: Daniel Sansom

T: Seamus Mullins

Close third on hurdle debut for Gordon Elliott at Perth (2m4f, good) last summer but he's been pulled up in three of his four runs for new yard this year, including in his last two handicaps; dropped another 5lb but has a lot to prove.

33/1

6

20th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:40 Taunton

Dame Prestige

10st 7lb

J: Mr William Gough

T: Seamus Mullins

Close third on hurdle debut for Gordon Elliott at Perth (2m4f, good) last summer but this year's form for Seamus Mullins has been very underwhelming; drops back in trip after racing too freely in two handicaps last month (3m1f/3m2f); needs to turn a corner.

33/1

Form: 093/3-

Last run: 382 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Nine-race maiden who returns from 382 days off but he finished a creditable third on good ground at Warwick (2m3f maiden) and Uttoxeter (2m handicap) in his final two runs last spring; yard is in good form and he needs watching in market on his comeback.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

8th Jun 2023

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:25 Uttoxeter

Shalott

10st 10lb

J: James Davies

T: Gary Brown

Returns from 390 days off and he's still a maiden (0-9); ran perfectly well in his final two races last spring (the latest here in first-time tongue-tie) but is entitled to need this after so long off.

6/1

5

31st May 2023

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

17:03 Newton Abbot

Shalott

11st 1lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Gary Brown

Nine-race maiden who returns from 382 days off but he finished a creditable third on good ground at Warwick (2m3f maiden) and Uttoxeter (2m handicap) in his final two runs last spring; yard is in good form and he needs watching in market on his comeback.

6/1

Form: /54P0-

Last run: 155 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Down the field in two bumpers and he's struggled at big prices in his three hurdle runs; in good hands and now switches to a low-grade handicap but he needs a transformation back from 155 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:05 Stratford

Inspector Lynley

10st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

Beaten 20l by a handicap blot when second at Fontwell (2m5f, good) and was then a disappointing favourite at Southwell; however, he is on his last winning mark and Sean Bowen takes over.

7/2

7

2nd Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:15 Southwell

Inspector Lynley

10st 11lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Neil Mulholland

Just 1-17 over hurdles but returned from break with fairly good second at Fontwell (2m5f, good) last month, albeit no threat to a handicap blot; will be fine over today's longer trip; high on the list.

3/1

5

7th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:12 Fontwell

Inspector Lynley

10st 9lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Now back on same mark as for hard-fought success at Stratford (2m6f, good) last summer but returned from break with low-key C&D run in May and has been absent for another four months since.

10/1

Form: 06770-

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in both bumpers and same story at massive prices in four hurdle runs this year, including on his handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:42 Fontwell

Wellwillya

10st 5lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Helen Nelmes

Record of 2-7 over fences and he ran a big race in defeat at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) last month; is also well suited by this track and he should be in the mix again after a short break.

10/1

2nd

10

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Wellwillya

10st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Helen Nelmes

2-6 over fences and was running well when last seen 12 months ago; trip/ground fine and on a competitive mark, while has won after a break in the past.

13/2

Form: /UP67-

Last run: 83 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Struggled in bumpers and has been the same story in four hurdle runs since November; now goes handicapping after wind surgery but this is a tough task from 9lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

31st May 2023

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

17:03 Newton Abbot

Lady Amy

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Ella Pickard

Struggled in bumpers and has been the same story in four hurdle runs since November; now goes handicapping after wind surgery but this is a tough task from 9lb out of the weights.

50/1

7th

4

9th Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

14:05 Wincanton

Lady Amy

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Ella Pickard

held up in rear, not fluent 2nd

100/1

6th

3

5th Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

13:00 Ffos Las

Lady Amy

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Ella Pickard

held up in last but in touch with leaders, lost touch home turn, tailed off

100/1

Non-runners

Shalott

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £39.40
Straight Forecast £33.03
Tricast £190.35
Trifecta £237.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Charlie My Boy

TOPSPEED:

Zoran

Telegraph:

Shalott

The Star:

Only Fools

Daily Mirror:

Testflight

RP RATINGS:

Ballygoe

WEST COUNTRY:

Charlie My Boy

The Times:

Charlie My Boy

The Guardian:

Charlie My Boy

D Express:

Charlie My Boy

Daily Record:

Charlie My Boy

POSTDATA:

Zoran

Daily Mail:

Zoran

The Sun:

Shalott