November 09 / 16.10 Newbury

16.10

Good To Soft

British Horse Society Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £3812.2
  • 2m 0f 69y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
RTV
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British Horse Society Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race) (Div II)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.60
  • Place: £2.90

Form: 34-

Last run: 236 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Brother to good Flat/hurdle winner Navajo Pass; duly showed ability at Exeter (finished third) and Kempton (close fourth in big field) last season, on good/soft; has solid form claims and should be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

13:15 Cheltenham

Navajo Indy

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tom Symonds

Began last season in excellent form, notably when winning Gerry Feilden at Newbury (2m, good to soft); off since staying on to snatch third in William Hill Hurdle there (2m, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in February but, on that evidence, he's well worth another crack at 2m4f; no headgear today.

11/2

7/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 2-

Last run: 229 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Stayed on for promising second, albeit without troubling the easy winner, in valuable big-field contest over C&D (soft) in March; from a smart family and should progress well this term; major contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Im A Lumberjack

11st 6lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Alan King

Won twice over hurdles last term and has been placed in handicaps on his last two starts; is knocking on the door and has place claims at least.

10/1

3rd

2

5th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

14:25 Doncaster

Im A Lumberjack

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Maiden/novice hurdle winner (2m5f/2m3f, good to soft) who was runner-up at Newbury (2m4f, good) in December on his second handicap start; could continue to improve and he's one to consider.

7/4

1st

2

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

17:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Im A Lumberjack

11st 12lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

in touch with leaders, not fluent 6th, went second before 4 out, led before 2 out, shaken up and went clear approaching last, readily

9/4

2/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Comfortably justified favouritism in spring Irish point and was subsequently sold for 450,000euros; nicely bred, being by Walk In The Park out of relation to two useful jumps winners for Paul Nicholls who gave a positive review about this new recruit in Stable Tour; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:07 Ludlow

Histrionic

11st 9lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Lightly raced Irish maiden point winner; off the mark over nearly 3m in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow (good) and stopped quickly on handicap debut at Ayr's big April meeting; like many from this yard, chasing should be more his game.

5/2

Form: 8- BF

Last run: 196 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Only midfield when favourite at Warwick in May but was perhaps greener than expected and, judged on trainer's recent Stable Tour comment, is likely to be more mature now; hood applied; should do better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

17:00 Downpatrick

Strutter

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Winner of his last two handicap hurdle races seven months apart, at Uttoxeter for Nicky Henderson in May 2024 and on first run for Willie Mullins at Limerick in December that year; ought to be capable of much better than at Leopardstown on chasing; far too keen then, and dropped away very quickly before the last; tongue-tie now in addition to hood.

5/2

7th

9

3rd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 120y

16:25 Leopardstown

Strutter

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Winner of his last two handicap hurdle races seven months apart, at Uttoxeter for Nicky Henderson in May 2024 and on first run for Willie Mullins at Limerick in December that year; has a lengthy absence to overcome on chase debut.

11/4

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Mixture of Flat/jumps winners in pedigree; showed promise (clear second) when favourite for Irish point in February; new yard is 1-7 in bumpers; follow the market signals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Express Surprise

11st 1lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Only defeat in his last four races came in a good-quality 3m4f handicap at Windsor; jumped well and stayed on best at Chepstow last time (2m7f, soft) where the front two pulled well clear; raised 7lb but Ned Fox takes away 3lb out of that; respected.

13/2

1st

6

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Express Surprise

11st 11lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Back-to-back wins at Wetherby (3m, soft) and Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) before finding a Class 3 beyond him at Windsor (3m4f), though didn't run at all badly; considered back at this level.

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to bumper/hurdle/smart chase winner Potterman; dam placed bumpers, sister to useful bumper/hurdle winner Kayf Grace; from a family that has served his owners well; shortlisted debutant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Guard The Moon

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made a bad mistake at the fourth fence at Newbury in December and soon pulled up; clearcut winner of small-field novice handicaps at Aintree (2m4f, soft) and Windsor (3m, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in his other two chases and he shaped in the latter as if stamina was a strong suit.

20/1

1st

2

16th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 3

13:15 Windsor

Guard The Moon

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made a bad mistake at the fourth fence and soon pulled up at Newbury last month; however, prior to that he won in good style on his chase debut at Aintree (2m4f, soft) and he should be fine now back up in trip; likely player if minimising the blunders in first-time cheekpieces.

11/2

3

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

15:52 Perth

Guard The Moon

11st 10lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Struggled in the Pertemps Final and his previous run was no better; however, he beat recent Cheltenham winner Long Draw at Warwick earlier this season and followed that with two excellent seconds at up to 3m; if back in that sort of form he'd be a live contender.

6/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat/jumps winners in pedigree; was in the process of showing promise (about 3l third) when final-fence faller in Irish point seven months ago; however, others are more appealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Into The Park

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Ran below his mark even when placing over the winter, and none the wiser as to his staying credentials after a subdued effort behind Tiger Orchid at Wetherby latest (3m); tongue-tie added on this stable debut.

16/1

7th

3

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Into The Park

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Didn't threaten on his two runs last month (2m/2m3f, heavy/good to soft) but those weren't bad performances and it's possible this half-brother to a 3m-3m2f winner will be suited by the step up in trip; on a reduced mark and he's not discounted in first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces).

8/1

4th

2

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 3

15:30 Catterick

Into The Park

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

He hasn't kicked on since going close off 2lb higher on his reappearance at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in October; also effective on soft/good to soft; however, he didn't run badly at Taunton recently and is not ruled out.

9/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
56,000euros foal, 120,000euros 3yo; by Blue Bresil out of an unraced sister to bumper and useful 2m3f-3m hurdle/chase winner Askanna; looks a potentially above-average newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

6th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:18 Worcester

Groovy Blue

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Wind surgery seems to have done the trick, with him winning an ordinary Market Rasen maiden in fair style seven weeks ago; has improvement left in him as he goes handicapping off a workable mark.

7/1

5th

12

6th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:18 Worcester

Groovy Blue

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Wind surgery seems to have done the trick, with him winning an ordinary Market Rasen maiden in fair style seven weeks ago; has improvement left in him as he goes handicapping off a workable mark.

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
30,000euros yearling, 50,000euros 3yo; dam unraced sister to French 2m1f hurdle/chase winner Moosetache, half-sister to fairly useful 2m hurdle winner Officieux; market instructive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

19th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:40 Exeter

Martalite

11st 3lb

J: Mr Tommie M O’Brien

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Responded to pressure to win at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) in October on his third handicap start; fair fourth at Southwell (2m4f, good) since, when making a bad mistake at the final flight; might not be far away.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Recorded a 4l success in small-field Irish point just over a year ago (second start); subsequently sold for £110,000; half-brother to a bumper/hurdle winner; needs a close look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Ryans Rocket

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Firmly in the picture judged on his handicap win at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November and he drops back in trip today having weakened over 2m4f at Kempton last month; not ruled out but he made mistakes last time and has unseated on two of his last four starts; needs to cut out the blunders.

9/1

6th

4

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:18 Kempton

Ryans Rocket

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

One of two hurdle wins came on this track; two later chase wins, at Chepstow and Newbury, also came at about 2m (good to soft) but he has a good chance of staying this far and is a better jumper than suggested by two unseats from his last three starts; interesting.

5/2

22

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Ryans Rocket

10st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Reserve; second-season chaser who won a shade cosily on reappearance at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November and, although there was still a fair way to go, he was travelling nicely when unseating five out at Kempton (2m, good) in December; there is a firm suspicion he's an improved performer this season and he's one to consider.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
50,000euros 3yo; half-brother to 3m hurdle winner Scrum Diddly, out of maiden sister to bumper/jumps winners Present Gesture and Cogryhill; check the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

20th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Warwick

King Of The Road

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Won three races in 2024; inconsistent since but ran well when second at Kempton (2m5f, good) on Boxing Day; two poor runs since but has undergone wind surgery and a first-time tongue-tie replaces cheekpieces; interesting if the market speaks favourably.

11/1

15th

4

27th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

15:20 Wetherby

King Of The Road

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Soft ground provides an excuse for two defeats of late; sole attempt in cheekpieces resulted in good second at Kempton (2m5f) on penultimate start; could go well in the reapplied headgear.

12/1

9th

1

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:27 Wincanton

King Of The Road

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Surprising to see the cheekpieces left off as they were on for the first time when pushing an improver close at Kempton (2m5f, good; all wins on good to soft); he was 12l clear of the third so a 4lb rise could have been worse; respected.

7/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to 7f/1m winner Haidees Reflection; wears tongue-tie on debut; sole filly in the field; has a stamina doubt judged on breeding and is best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Worcester

Darcys Glance

10st 2lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Andrew J Martin

Mostly soundly beaten after three bumpers and ten hurdle races over a range of distances; wore cheekpieces last time; flimsy claims.

25/1

5

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Worcester

Darcys Glance

11st 4lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Andrew J Martin

Didn't run badly off her lowly handicap mark here (2m4f, good) last month but looks exposed after nine hurdling starts and faces a tough task on these terms; sports first-time cheekpieces.

50/1

Form: 07-

Last run: 219 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Needs to improve markedly on his spring efforts; opposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

12th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

17:18 Fontwell

Vintage Icon

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Andy Irvine

Yet to show any worthwhile form after six starts over hurdles, given wind surgery before penultimate start (3m1f) and fitted with cheekpieces latest (2m5f); has little to recommend him from out of the weights.

50/1

11

8th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:10 Fontwell

Vintage Icon

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Andy Irvine

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 7th, bad mistake 3 out, soon dropped to rear

50/1

11

8th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:10 Fontwell

Vintage Icon

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Andy Irvine

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 7th, bad mistake 3 out, soon dropped to rear

50/1

Non-runners

Highlands Legacy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £77.20
Straight Forecast £62.80
Trifecta £230.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Histrionic

The Guardian:

I'm A Lumberjack

D Express:

King Of The Road

POSTDATA:

Highlands Legacy

LAMBOURN:

Strutter

TOPSPEED:

Navajo Indy

WEST COUNTRY:

Histrionic

The Times:

Histrionic

Telegraph:

Histrionic

Daily Mail:

Histrionic

Daily Mirror:

Histrionic

The Star:

Histrionic

Daily Record:

Histrionic

The Sun:

I'm A Lumberjack