December 14 / 13.05 Newcastle

13.05

Heavy

Living North Christmas Fair Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Living North Christmas Fair Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

4/5 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 12-221 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Carries a 7lb penalty against some interesting rivals but he won twice over fences in France last year (very soft/heavy) and has shown strong form in Britain, winning a novice hurdle at Worcester (2m7f, good to soft) in October last time out; he's the one to beat today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Ikarak

11st 1lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Regular winner, including at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft) and Ayr (3m, soft) this season; very good third of 24 to Supremely West in the Pertemps at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month but Sean Bowen still deserts him in favour of Hold The Serve.

20/1

3rd

12

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Ikarak

10st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Below form on his only run at this track, albeit two years ago; regular winner, including at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft) and Ayr (3m, soft) in two of three starts this season, with a creditable third to Kikijo at Sandown in between; up another 6lb but if he's in contention he will be staying on.

50/1

4

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Ikarak

11st 1lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Two from two over C&D, both wins gained this season for new stable; nearly made the frame in Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow last time; commands respect back at Warwick.

5/2

14/1

  • Place: £7.20

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Major improvement when winning Irish maiden point (3m, good) in May on second start; sold for £14,500 later that month; brings potential to this rules debut and the betting may be informative.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Young Jack

10st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Runner-up on three of his first four chase starts (2m7f/2m5f, soft/heavy) before winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) last month; it was a small field last time and he's in a hotter race today, but he did it nicely and could have more to offer in the cheekpieces, which he's worn just twice.

14/1

1st

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:25 Newcastle

Young Jack

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Chris Grant

Sound efforts on three of his four starts this term, last time finishing runner-up over 2m5f here (heavy; cheekpieces first time); headgear retained and a possible back up in trip.

11/8

2nd

3

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

15:35 Kelso

Young Jack

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Course hurdles winner who was runner-up on chase debut here (2m7f, soft) in December and bounced back from Ayr flop to go close at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) last time; he has an up-and-down profile but he's a key player if once more on a going day; wears first-time cheekpieces.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 343-4

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in his three bumpers and built upon that promise when fourth on last month's hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m4f, soft); this longer trip could prompt further improvement and he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

15:30 Kelso

Both Barrels

11st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

Goes well here and won over the extended 2m6f (good to soft) just after Christmas; ridden less prominently when only sixth of ten at Haydock next time; may bounce back, although he remains on a career-high mark.

10/1

6th

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

14:35 Haydock

Both Barrels

11st 2lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

His form can be in and out but he's been progressive among the blips and was back on song when winning at Kelso (extended 2m6f, good to soft) 19 days ago; this trip may be within range and has a chance for in-form yard.

13/2

Form: 2

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a British point-to-point bumper on debut in February (2m, good) and again showed promise when second at Sedgefield (2m4f, soft) last month on his first rules start; open to improvement and could be a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 71y

Class 5

15:40 Catterick

Workhardplayhard

12st 0lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Shaped quite well in two hurdle runs after winning a point-to-point bumper in 2023; was then absent for 763 days so should be all the better for his comeback run in a maiden hurdle at Newcastle in January (2m4f, good to soft); handicap debut.

4/1

8th

13

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:25 Newcastle

Workhardplayhard

11st 10lb

J: Mr William Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Won a point-to-point bumper in February 2023 and ran well in defeat later that year on first two hurdle starts; missed all of 2024 and 2025; interesting to see how he goes in the betting following his absence.

16/1

4th

6

14th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:05 Newcastle

Workhardplayhard

11st 0lb

J: Mr William Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Won a British point-to-point bumper on debut in February (2m, good) and again showed promise when second at Sedgefield (2m4f, soft) last month on his first rules start; open to improvement and could be a contender.

3/1

Form: 3-6

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer who is one to watch in the betting, but he's been soundly beaten on his first two hurdle starts, the latest last month following a year off, and he needs to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

23rd Feb 2024

Soft

3m 2f 202y

Class 5

15:30 Sedgefield

Fortuitous Find

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

disputed lead, mistake 4th, not fluent 9th, lost position before 11th, soon lost ground, weakened and no chance when pulled up before 3 out

5/1

5th

3

14th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:05 Newcastle

Fortuitous Find

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Winning pointer who is one to watch in the betting, but he's been soundly beaten on his first two hurdle starts, the latest last month following a year off, and he needs to raise his game.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third on debut in Irish maiden point (3m, good to yielding) in April 2022, a race that has worked out well; changed hands for £46,000 that May but he's been absent since and is perhaps best watched on his rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

11th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

12:20 Hexham

Kinder Kid

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Tina Jackson

held up in midfield, outpaced after 3 out, weakened after 2 out

6/1

8th

2

11th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

12:20 Hexham

Kinder Kid

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Tina Jackson

held up in midfield, outpaced after 3 out, weakened after 2 out

6/1

1st

2

28th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

17:05 Wetherby

Kinder Kid

11st 12lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Tina Jackson

Third in a 3m point in 2022 and he improved for the step up in trip when winning by 7l over C&D (soft) last week on his second handicap start; will be tough to beat under 7lb penalty if repeating that promise.

7/4

Form: 40-

Last run: 234 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
There's potential in his pedigree and a market check is advised now up in trip on hurdle debut, but he was tailed off in his two bumpers in the spring (2m, heavy/soft) and needs to be an entirely different proposition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

13th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

15:20 Ayr

Swedish Icon

11st 9lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Ruth Jefferson

Well beaten in two Hexham bumpers last spring and also when 200-1 for hurdle debut at Newcastle (2m6f, heavy) in December.

100/1

7th

5

14th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:05 Newcastle

Swedish Icon

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Ruth Jefferson

There's potential in his pedigree and a market check is advised now up in trip on hurdle debut, but he was tailed off in his two bumpers in the spring (2m, heavy/soft) and needs to be an entirely different proposition.

33/1

13th

13

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

17:07 Hexham

Swedish Icon

11st 2lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Ruth Jefferson

Has several bumper winners in his striking pedigree but he made a low-key debut when fourth of five over C&D (heavy) last month; was beaten 44l in that race and he needs a transformation on his second start.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.10
Straight Forecast £24.14
Trifecta £51.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ikarak

The Times:

Workhardplayhard

D Express:

Both Barrels

Daily Mirror:

Workhardplayhard

The Star:

Workhardplayhard

Daily Record:

Workhardplayhard

RP RATINGS:

Ikarak

TOPSPEED:

Ikarak

POSTDATA:

Ikarak

Telegraph:

Ikarak

The Guardian:

Ikarak

Daily Mail:

Ikarak

The Sun:

Ikarak