December 20 / 14.35 Newbury

14.35

Soft

BetVictor EBF Stallions ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5446
  • 2m 4f 118y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
RTV
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BetVictor EBF Stallions ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1-1

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Comfortable win in a Chepstow bumper (2m, soft) in March was good form and he had no difficulty adding a 13-runner novice hurdle at Exeter (2m, good to soft; at 1-2) one month ago; the Exeter runner-up won next time; 2m4f looks no problem on pedigree; scopey sort and lots to like.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

15:30 Aintree

Gidleigh Park

11st 10lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Made mistakes and pulled up in the Clarence House at Ascot in January when last seen; however, prior to that he reappeared with a good second to subsequent Gold Cup runner-up Jango Baie in the Grade 2 1965 Chase at Ascot (2m5f, good) and last season's best performance came when runner-up in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase over C&D (good to soft) in April; arrives fresh, whereas most of these ran at the Cheltenham Festival; interesting.

15/2

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

15:30 Ascot

Gidleigh Park

11st 10lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Lightly raced 8yo who won Grade 2s as a novice hurdler and novice chaser; ran as well as he's ever done when 9l second to top-class Jango Baie in Grade 2 chase here (2m5f, good; handles soft) in November; more needed today but the drop back in trip should not inconvenience him in the slightest.

7/1

2nd

4

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Gidleigh Park

11st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Grade 2 novice hurdle winner (2m4f, good to soft) who was pulled up on chase debut in November (irregular heartbeat) but impressed in four-runner Grade 2 novice at Windsor (2m, soft) in January, when subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Caldwell Potter was 4l behind in second; unraced on good ground; the step back up in trip seems a likely plus; firmly in calculations.

5/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 17-2

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won debut bumper at Ascot (good) last October and, at second attempt, confirmed he's a good prospect when second of 12 in Listed bumper at Cheltenham (2m, soft; still looked green but made most) one month ago; seriously considered despite this being his hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

8th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 3

16:45 Sandown

Fire Flyer

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Eventually lost his form over hurdles last season, and following a revival over fences at Exeter (2m1f) in December, he was pulled up (bled) at Kempton on Boxing Day; something to prove.

7/1

20/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 5

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish point two winters back; seen only once since, never a threat when 18l fifth of 11 on hurdling debut at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft; 6-1) in October, and this is a very hard task on that evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:13 Exeter

Theformismighty

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Held on well to exploit reduced mark in Newcastle handicap (2m7f, heavy) in January but was quickly back in the doldrums when pulled up (albeit in valuable race) at Doncaster last month; this hunter chase debut is much less competitive but it's hard to predict whether he'll warm to the task.

11/2

13

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Theformismighty

10st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Exploited what was a very good mark at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) and the front two pulled clear; raised only 3lb for that but consistent he is not; others safer.

12/1

1st

4

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:35 Newcastle

Theformismighty

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Represents top southern stable and he's very well handicapped on last season's best form; could stage a revival at some point but he struggled in the autumn on his last three starts and there's also a stamina query.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-1 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has made the perfect start with comfortable wins at Kempton (good) in a bumper in February and 13-runner novice hurdle over 2m5f in November; faces other promising sorts today but he brings the best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

East India Express

12st 0lb

J: Mr Daniel Williams

T: Nicky Henderson

Disappointing favourite back at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f); otherwise a useful sort and had returned to form with close second at Windsor the time before; not written off, albeit has stamina to prove back up in distance.

5/1

17th

10

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

East India Express

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

Best on good/good to soft; has notable C&D form, namely a respectable seventh (best of the runners who raced prominently) in this contest last year and emphatic success next time; unlucky second at Windsor on New Year's Day when last seen; back on career-high mark but looks solid.

8/1

1

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

13:15 Cheltenham

East India Express

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

Drew 6l clear of Whatsupwithyou on New course here (2m4f, good) at end of last season and is now 4-8 over hurdles; subsequent 8lb rise asks quite a lot of him but further progress is possible.

8/1

20/1

Form: 532-

Last run: 254 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unraced on worse than good to soft; showed significant ability last term in bumpers at Uttoxeter, Wincanton and Chepstow but others in this line-up have shown a good deal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Pic Roc

11st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Soundly beaten when just 17-2 at last year's Festival (2m4f); finally opened his chase account in November, before staying-on fifth in major handicap at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) where he was badly hindered at the unsatisfactory start; 13l win at Sandown (3m, soft; made most) on latest outing confirmed he's got his act together, which earned a 7lb rise but he needs respect.

16/1

1st

3

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Pic Roc

10st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Opened his chase account on reappearance, then did well to finish fifth in major handicap at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) having badly hindered at the unsatisfactory start; lost chance with bad mistake four out when beaten favourite at Ascot since; remains of interest, assuming he puts in an error-free round.

9/2

1st

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 3

13:48 Huntingdon

Pic Roc

11st 5lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Has the best hurdles form in this field and his good efforts (twice runner-up) over fences last season were even better; however, he was below form in first-time cheekpieces on penultimate outing and failed to complete on starts either side, the latest 11 days ago; that dents his case today (in returning cheekpieces) but he is the standout on form.

10/11

Form: 5-576

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
22l sixth of 12 when 150-1 over C&D (good to soft) last time was improvement but he's surely best watched until going handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

24th Mar 2024

Good

2m 7f 118y

Class 4

15:55 Ascot

Touch Of Thunder

11st 6lb

J: James Best

T: Camilla Poulton

Not disgraced in any of his three qualifying races (all 2m4f) but was beaten about 33l when fifth on handicap debut at Fontwell (2m5f, soft) in January and is difficult to enthuse over after that.

25/1

5th

1

28th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

13:45 Fontwell

Touch Of Thunder

12st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Camilla Poulton

Not disgraced in any of his three qualifying races, the last two in good-quality 2m4f Newbury novices; in much calmer waters for today's handicap debut and ought to get much more competitive this time.

9/2

6th

13

20th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

14:35 Newbury

Touch Of Thunder

11st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Camilla Poulton

22l sixth of 12 when 150-1 over C&D (good to soft) last time was improvement but he's surely best watched until going handicapping.

50/1

Form: 41 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third in an Irish point and fourth of 16 in a Chepstow bumper before a much improved show saw him make all in six-runner maiden hurdle at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) four weeks ago; faces much tougher opposition but has a bright future.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:44 Exeter

Itseemslikeit

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: David Pipe

Took his form to a new level after being switched to fences following wind surgery, winning his first two races (3m, heavy) before pulling up at Newbury two weeks ago after a bad mistake five out; out-and-out stayer who could resume progress with conditions ideal.

5/2

6

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Itseemslikeit

11st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

2-2 since sent chasing after a wind operation and he was well on top late on at Uttoxeter and Ffos Las (both 3m on heavy); 7lb higher than last time but firmly on the upgrade.

9/2

Form: 7

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
25-1, no show when 25l seventh of ten in novice hurdle at Kempton (2m, good to soft) late last month; looks a longer-term prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

17:40 Cartmel

Jolyjump

11st 10lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: R Mike Smith

Winning hurdler/chaser for the Moores and still fairly treated on his runner-up efforts at Southwell (2m, good to soft) and Plumpton (2m1f, good) in the spring; picked up for £16,000 last month and shortlisted on stable debut, especially if market positive.

6/1

4th

7

13th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:30 Worcester

Jolyjump

10st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

1-7 over fences and not the easiest to predict; still ran well last time at Plumpton (2m1f, good; first-time cheekpieces) where his jumping got ragged late on; hard to rule out.

3/1

4th

7

13th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:30 Worcester

Jolyjump

10st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

1-7 over fences and not the easiest to predict; still ran well last time at Plumpton (2m1f, good; first-time cheekpieces) where his jumping got ragged late on; hard to rule out.

3/1

Form: 8-

Last run: 260 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
33-1, always towards rear when 39l eighth of nine in bumper at Fontwell (1m6f, soft) in April; bred to jump but best watched on this first go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

7

8th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

12:55 Taunton

Last In Line

11st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Geoffrey Deacon

Struggled when a 400-1 outsider for recent hurdling debut at Newbury (2m4f).

150/1

0

8

20th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

14:35 Newbury

Last In Line

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Geoffrey Deacon

33-1, always towards rear when 39l eighth of nine in bumper at Fontwell (1m6f, soft) in April; bred to jump but best watched on this first go.

100/1

8th

2

4th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 5f 159y

Class 5

17:00 Fontwell

Last In Line

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Geoffrey Deacon

towards rear, outpaced and pushed along 5f out

14/1

Non-runners

Catch Catchfire, Champetre, Sonification, Thunder N Lightnin

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.70
Straight Forecast £5.05
Trifecta £38.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Gidleigh Park

RP RATINGS:

East India Express

Daily Mail:

Fire Flyer

POSTDATA:

Itseemslikeit

LAMBOURN:

East India Express

Telegraph:

East India Express

D Express:

East India Express

Daily Mirror:

East India Express

TOPSPEED:

Gidleigh Park

WEST COUNTRY:

Gidleigh Park

The Times:

Gidleigh Park

The Guardian:

Gidleigh Park

The Star:

Gidleigh Park

The Sun:

Fire Flyer

Daily Record:

Fire Flyer