November 25 / 12.05 Haydock

12.05

Good To Soft

Betfair Racing Podcasts Newton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £28475
  • 1m 7f 144y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Betfair Racing Podcasts Newton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.20
  • Place: £1.40

Form: B13-12 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner and went in at the first time of asking over hurdles with the minimum of fuss at Worcester in October (good to soft); held his own in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham next time (good) and that form looks all the stronger now, with the winner finishing second in last week's Greatwood; appealing form claims for last year's winning owners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

Kamsinas

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has faced a couple of difficult tasks since returned to hurdles but was beaten when taking a late fall returned to handicap level most recently; can be opposed off current mark in this deeper field.

16/1

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Kamsinas

11st 11lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Second in two small-field chases this season before reverting to hurdles at big odds for two Cheltenham Grade 2s, soundly beaten on latest occasion; runner-up off the same mark in this race last term; 5lb claimer takes over and they are considered each-way.

4/1

5th

5

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Kamsinas

11st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Some progressive form in handicap hurdles last season at up to 3m and, after two defeats over fences, he reverted to hurdles and finished fifth of six in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle (2m4f) here on New Year's Day; that was a respectable performance but he faces another tough task today.

33/1

Form: 1

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £50,000 after winning a 3m soft-ground Irish point; good value for his narrow winning margin on hurdling debut at Carlisle (2m1f, heavy; 13-8 favourite) but he's into deeper waters here and drying ground might not be ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

22

12th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Making Headway

10st 11lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Two novice hurdle wins this term (2m1f/2m, heavy) along with a Grade 2 second, and he rallied for a near-9l fourth of 16 on handicap debut in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, soft) last month; this 3m point winner is open to improvement now up in trip and is one to consider; cheekpieces go on.

6/1

15th

22

12th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Making Headway

10st 11lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Two novice hurdle wins this term (2m1f/2m, heavy) along with a Grade 2 second, and he rallied for a near-9l fourth of 16 on handicap debut in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, soft) last month; this 3m point winner is open to improvement now up in trip and is one to consider; cheekpieces go on.

6/1

4th

7

9th Mar 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Making Headway

11st 4lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

3m point winner who scored on hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m1f, heavy) in October and, after making the frame in Graded races the next twice, won Newbury novice (2m, heavy) last month when back down in grade; improvement needed on handicap debut but that's possible from this unexposed 6yo, who could prove well suited by this big-field scenario and expected strong pace.

5/1

14/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 1-312 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Merely pushed out to win his maiden at Perth but was put in his place by Primoz when penalised at Ayr (2m, good to soft); racing freely didn't help his cause but he'll need a much improved display to take this strong Grade 2.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unable to win any of his five Irish points but strong in the market when only just missing out on his switch to hurdles at Kelso (2m, soft) where he jumped well; however, the second has disappointed since and he's probably up against it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

6th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 4

16:32 Kelso

Flash Du Pistolet

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

Two wins over fences, one over C&D, in March 2025 (good/good to soft); ran one of his best races since when second at Hexham (1m7f, good) last time and should go well again.

9/2

2nd

6

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

14:30 Hexham

Flash Du Pistolet

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

Mixed form this term but when soundly beaten at Carlisle last time he was in a competitive series final; now just 2lb higher than when readily completing a double at Kelso (2m1f, good to soft) last March so can go well if back on song; tongue-tie added to cheekpieces adopted last time.

12/1

7th

7

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 2

15:17 Carlisle

Flash Du Pistolet

10st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

This month last year he won successive handicap chase at 2m4f (good) and 2m1f (good to soft); hasn't recaptured that form (beaten 12l when second two runs ago) but cheekpieces are now given a go.

20/1

Form: 55-33

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Only third on his hurdling debut at Hexham and while his Aintree run 15 days later reads a lot better, that was a muddling event in which they dawdled for most of it; could be flattered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

12th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

16:13 Wetherby

Rich Spirit

11st 1lb

J: Jack Power

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Fell twice in three chase starts and well held in the other; offered little on return to hurdling here 11 days ago.

25/1

13th

11

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

14:43 Wetherby

Rich Spirit

11st 4lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

midfield

16/1

13th

11

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

14:43 Wetherby

Rich Spirit

11st 4lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

midfield

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: /119-4 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual bumper winner but inferior to some of these in that sphere and, after a second wind operation, he was tailed off on his switch to hurdling at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft); very opposable on the back of that in this tougher race; now tongue tied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

11th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 1

15:15 Chepstow

Bullets Hill

11st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Ella Pickard

in touch with leaders, prominent 4th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off

50/1

6th

3

6th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:43 Uttoxeter

Bullets Hill

11st 13lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Ella Pickard

Made all to win novice handicaps at Exeter (2m2f, good) and Ffos Las in April (2m, good); pulled up after early error on chase debut at Ffos Las last time; up 14lb (raised 7lb for each win); could go well but may find others better treated.

5/1

4

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:05 Ffos Las

Bullets Hill

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ella Pickard

midfield, jumped badly right 1st, soon in rear, pushed along after 2nd, reminders after 4th, lost touch and pulled up after 7th

7/4

Form: 1 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £150,000 after second in two Irish points; tongue-tie was fitted for hurdling debut at Ayr (2m, good to soft) and he made all for a comfortable defeat of I Love My Baie (who was conceding a penalty) with last season's Aintree Grade 2 bumper winner back in third; looks highly promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

28

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Primoz

10st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Exploited a reduced mark to win easily in a small field at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month and he's also effective on good/good to soft ground; his yard has done very well over these fences but from out of the handicap he's running off a mark 12lb higher than last time, and needs a career best.

20/1

1st

5

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:55 Ayr

Primoz

11st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Yet to win this season but put two below-par runs behind him when third at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft; also suited by soft) a fortnight ago and remains on a good mark; one to consider.

5/2

3rd

7

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Primoz

10st 11lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Two wins in small-field chases last season and ran creditably on his first two outings this term; those, however, have been followed by two heavy defeats; well handicapped were he to revive but he's not proven beyond 2m1f.

16/1

Form: 1144-1 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual bumper winner (on good and soft) who might well have gone close to winning the Grade 2 at Aintree's National meeting had that race panned out more favourably; didn't beat a lot on his hurdling debut at Stratford (2m, soft) but it was impressive; exciting prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

17:42 Ffos Las

Bowenspark

12st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Came good over fences with small-field win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in February but was not in the same form on his latest outing and ran poorly the only previous time he wore cheekpieces; others look safer.

8/1

5th

4

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:08 Uttoxeter

Bowenspark

11st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

Dual bumper and hurdle winner; mixed results in his first three runs over fences but he really got his act together when justifying favouritism at Bangor (2m5f, soft) last month; that was a four-runner race but he forged clear in the closing stages and a 6lb rise looks fair; shortlisted.

9/4

1st

3

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

17:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Bowenspark

11st 5lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

Useful bumper horse and hurdler but has always struggled with consistency, a pattern that's threatening to continue over fences; however, if in the same form as when second to a sharp improver at Southwell two runs back (2m4f, good to soft; fine on soft) he'd have every chance.

5/1

Form: 8110-

Last run: 218 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Only 1-6 in points; won his first two hurdle races (after wind surgery) but those were minor novices at Sedgefield (soft) and, at odds of 18-1, he was tailed off in a handicap at Ayr; that latest run was too bad to be true but he has a lot to prove at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

26th Aug 2024

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 4

17:50 Cartmel

Forcing Bull

12st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Made a winning chasing debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) last month when racing prominently throughout; up 4lb, he was unable to lead when below form over C&D (soft) 13 days later; races off the same mark and may be able to dominate here.

7/2

5th

3

22nd Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

15:55 Cartmel

Forcing Bull

11st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

prominent

100/30

1st

7

9th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Uttoxeter

Forcing Bull

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

The winner of two soft-ground hurdles but his recent efforts in that discipline weren't his best; goes chasing with a bit to prove, though pointing background bodes well.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £39.90
Straight Forecast £45.80
Tricast £461.18
Trifecta £283.10

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Kamsinas

SPOTLIGHT:

Bowenspark

Daily Mail:

Primoz

TOPSPEED:

Forcing Bull

POSTDATA:

Bowenspark

Telegraph:

Bowenspark

D Express:

Bowenspark

The Star:

Bowenspark

WEST COUNTRY:

Kamsinas

The Times:

Kamsinas

The Guardian:

Kamsinas

Daily Mirror:

Kamsinas

The Sun:

Kamsinas

Daily Record:

Kamsinas