July 17 / 15.25 Newton Abbot

15.25

Good To Soft

Fiddy Thornes Birthday Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6889.18
  • 2m 5f 122y
  • Class 3
  • 6 runners
SKY
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Fiddy Thornes Birthday Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £2.10

Form: P1723- D BF

Last run: 98 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Had very mixed campaign last season but picked up two wins, the latter at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in February; not seen since a poor performance in April and not an easy one to predict but current mark is workable if he's in the right mood; has won on good and soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(9)

24th Jan 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Thirtyfourstitches

9st 6lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

A fairly useful 2m4f hurdles winner but he has yet to match that form in four runs on the Flat, coming in a never-dangerous fifth on his handicap debut at Wolverhampton (2m) 17 days ago; he may still do better.

9/2

0

7

(12)

7th Jan 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Thirtyfourstitches

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

dwelt start, towards rear, took keen hold after 4f

7/1

2

(12)

18th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Thirtyfourstitches

9st 11lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Experienced 8yo who is a ten-time hurdles winner; has raced in two C&D events since switched to Flat, finishing third then sixth; the balance of that form gives him something to find.

16/1

11/2

  • Place: £3.70

Form: P46P-3 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Generally very disappointing since switching to current stable last spring but returned from layoff with respectable third at Worcester (2m4f, good) last month and has possibilities here if able to build on that performance; suited by good/good to soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

22nd Aug 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:00 Worcester

Eritage

10st 11lb

J: James Best

T: Syd Hosie

0-8 for current stable; 312 days off before rediscovering some form this summer with two placed efforts over hurdles; not so good on latest outing; well treated judged on peak chase efforts but failed to complete last May/June on last two attempts in this sphere; below form sole run over this far.

20/1

5th

1

31st Jul 2023

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 2

16:30 Newton Abbot

Eritage

12st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Syd Hosie

in touch with leaders

6/1

2nd

1

17th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 3

15:25 Newton Abbot

Eritage

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Syd Hosie

Generally very disappointing since switching to current stable last spring but returned from layoff with respectable third at Worcester (2m4f, good) last month and has possibilities here if able to build on that performance; suited by good/good to soft ground.

11/2

Form: 344-51 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
5-21 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Cartmel (2m6f, good) in May; still on a workable mark after a 3lb rise and certainly won't be inconvenienced by slower ground here; must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

15:02 Cartmel

Pyramid Place

11st 4lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Useful hurdler in his prime but out of form for a good while now, including on this month's two runs (latest a rare Flat run) for new stable; it's therefore hard to see him adding to the trainer's recent winners; Divilabother looks a much better chance for the yard but Harry Reed (who rides most of their British runners) is on this one.

12/1

10th

12

(10)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:20 Carlisle

Pyramid Place

8st 10lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Useful hurdler in his prime but has been out of form over jumps for a good while now, including when last of six on recent stable debut; this will be his first Flat run since a heavy defeat in summer 2023.

14/1

6th

3

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

18:43 Hexham

Pyramid Place

11st 12lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

9-39 hurdles, but no win since quickening clear in a four-runner Class 2 at Kempton (2m5f, good; from 19lb higher) in November 2024; pulled up over fences (bled from nose) on final start for Harriet Dickin nearly four months ago; best watched on stable debut (£6,000 purchase).

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 422P-4

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Better known as a chaser now and was outpaced at the business end when fourth of five over hurdles at Fontwell (2m3f, good to firm) in May; however, he went close off a higher mark over C&D last summer and won't mind what the weather does; might be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:55 Stratford

Vision Des Flos

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Smart hurdler/chaser in his prime but without a win since September 2022 and looked out of sorts on latest outing in September; current ability tricky to gauge.

12/1

0

5

23rd Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 3

14:40 Wincanton

Vision Des Flos

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

prominent, outpaced when short of room after 3 out

8/1

Form: 323P/P

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Pulled-up 50-1 shot at Southwell last month, his first start for 603 days; entitled to have benefited from that outing but could be considered only if much stronger in the betting here; seems best on good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

19:30 Taunton

Blackhillsofdakota

10st 5lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Alexandra Dunn

in touch with leaders, prominent after 5th, outpaced from 3 out, kept on run-in

25/1

7th

8

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

19:30 Taunton

Blackhillsofdakota

10st 5lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Alexandra Dunn

Sole hurdle win was in 2019 and he's struggled over fences and hurdles in three runs after a long absence; mark is tumbling but he has plenty to prove after another break.

25/1

5th

7

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Blackhillsofdakota

11st 0lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Alexandra Dunn

Pulled up over fences in November, after a long absence, and struggled over C&D when back over hurdles two weeks ago; needs to prove some ability remains.

33/1

Form: O/119- CD

Last run: 297 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 7yo who won twice in novice company (once over C&D) in early part of last season; not seen since 36l defeat in valuable series final in September but in calmer waters here and probably still has potential; had wind op in December; placed on good to soft ground but seemingly best suited by good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

3rd Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:05 Worcester

San Giovanni

11st 10lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Harry Fry

Low-mileage 7yo who won twice in novice company (once over C&D) in early part of last season; well beaten in both subsequent handicaps, the latter in July after a layoff/wind op, but has a tongue-tie fitted here and may yet get back on track.

8/1

6th

4

17th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 3

15:25 Newton Abbot

San Giovanni

11st 6lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Harry Fry

Low-mileage 7yo who won twice in novice company (once over C&D) in early part of last season; not seen since 36l defeat in valuable series final in September but in calmer waters here and probably still has potential; had wind op in December; placed on good to soft ground but seemingly best suited by good.

11/4

9th

4

23rd Sep 2022

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Worcester

San Giovanni

11st 2lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Harry Fry

prominent, ridden home turn, weakening when mistake 3 out

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.20
Straight Forecast £36.71
Trifecta £63.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Pyramid Place

WEST COUNTRY:

San Giovanni

TOPSPEED:

Thirtyfourstitches

The Times:

Eritage

SPOTLIGHT:

Vision Des Flos

Telegraph:

San Giovanni

The Guardian:

San Giovanni

Daily Mail:

San Giovanni

POSTDATA:

Pyramid Place

D Express:

Pyramid Place

Daily Mirror:

Pyramid Place

The Sun:

Pyramid Place

The Star:

Pyramid Place

Daily Record:

Pyramid Place