January 14 / 14.20 Kelso

14.20

Soft

William Hill Bookmakers Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 0f 51y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
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William Hill Bookmakers Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £1.54
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1/3/21 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who ran well here the next twice before comfortable win at Ayr (2m, soft) last month on second hurdle start; judged on that latest evidence he's the one to beat today under a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

13:10 Kelso

Doyen Du Bar

12st 1lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Three wins last season (2m, various ground) and ran well to be placed towards the end of last year on first two starts for this yard; faded when upped to 2m5f last month and firmly in calculations now back down in trip.

7/2

3rd

6

16th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

14:05 Market Rasen

Doyen Du Bar

11st 1lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Nicky Richards

Won three small-field chases for Pauline Robson last season and was placed on first two starts for Nicky Richards this term, more recently when second at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) just after Christmas; untested beyond an extended 2m1f but is a major player if this new trip suits.

5/2

1st

1

24th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

15:25 Ayr

Doyen Du Bar

11st 10lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Pauline Robson

made all, went clear going easily after 3 out, nudged out run-in, comfortably

4/5

100/1

  • Place: £25.70

Form: 9

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed a few times on the Flat last year but at a lowly level and he's 0-22 in that code; well beaten at 150-1 on last month's hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

30th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:07 Sedgefield

Trailblazer

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Adam Nicol

Made all to score by 13l over C&D (good) in April and has remained in good form since; current mark is workable; ought to give this a good shot.

6/1

7

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Trailblazer

10st 4lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

Sometimes races a bit too freely but made all to win by 13l at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in April and has performed fairly well on all three outings since (2m-2m1f); worth another crack at 2m4f; probably won't be far away.

5/1

8

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:47 Perth

Trailblazer

11st 3lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

Sometimes races a bit too freely but made all to score by 13l at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in April and has also performed well on both subsequent outings (once over C&D); refitted cheekpieces are the headgear of choice today; probably won't be far away.

12/1

20/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 84

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £80,000 last April after impressive win in Irish mares' maiden point (3m, soft) on debut; yet to transfer that promise to rules, in two attempts (2m/2m4f, good to soft), but Musselburgh last time was a step in the right direction and perhaps this softer ground will help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

13th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 149y

Class 5

12:55 Newcastle

Fiveafterfour

11st 10lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

held up in rear

4/1

3rd

2

13th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 149y

Class 5

12:55 Newcastle

Fiveafterfour

11st 10lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

held up in rear

4/1

Form: 4451 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Point winner who built upon his previous rules promise to score over C&D (heavy) last month on his third rules start; carries penalty and Doyen Du Bar appeals as having stronger form, but he can give another good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:15 Kelso

Dream Boy

10st 5lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

prominent on outer, niggled along briefly after 9th, not fluent 5 out, pushed along omitted 5 out, mistake 4 out, weakened after 2 out

8/1

4th

5

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:15 Kelso

Dream Boy

10st 5lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

prominent on outer, niggled along briefly after 9th, not fluent 5 out, pushed along omitted 5 out, mistake 4 out, weakened after 2 out

8/1

5th

6

19th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

12:30 Carlisle

Dream Boy

11st 7lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

prominent, lost ground 8th, lost position before 10th

6/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won in good style in Irish maiden point (3m, good to yielding) in April 2022 on his second start; sold for £40,000 the following month; absent since but he's with a good trainer and it will be no surprise if he has a part to play on this rules debut, for which he wears a tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Rattling Road

11st 0lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

Record of 4112 since switched to chasing, beaten only narrowly at Newcastle (2m4f) most recently; looks a solid contender.

3/1

5

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Rattling Road

11st 0lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

Record of 4112 since switched to chasing, beaten only narrowly at Newcastle (2m4f) most recently; looks a solid contender.

3/1

Form: 22- BF

Last run: 302 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in bumpers early last year on her first two starts (2m/2m1f, soft/heavy); returns from some time off having had wind surgery; may need further now hurdling but she's in good hands and could run well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

9th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

14:45 Musselburgh

March Wind

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Sandy Thomson

Unable to transfer her bumper promise to hurdles and she was pulled up at Ayr last time; however, she may have needed that first run since May and back then she was a fair fifth of 15 on her handicap debut at Perth (2m4f, good to soft); her mark has fallen and she's not written off.

16/1

Form: 23-98

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on bumper debut at Sligo in July 2022 but unable to reproduce that promise on his three runs since (over hurdles the last twice); changed hands for £10,000 last month and others make greater appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:00 Hexham

Eire Street

10st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jackie Stephen

Won two in a row in February 2024 and very well treated on that form, but pulled up/tailed off on his last three starts; a visor goes on.

20/1

8th

5

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:50 Wetherby

Eire Street

11st 7lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Jackie Stephen

Too risky when he's pulled up in four of his last five races and over two years since he last won.

25/1

8

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

13:35 Newcastle

Eire Street

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Jackie Stephen

Pulled up in three of his four races this season and didn't look an easy ride when he completed.

33/1

Form: 3-97

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third on debut in bumper here (2m, good) last April and he's in good hands, but soundly beaten seventh of nine behind Dream Boy over C&D (heavy) 16 days ago on his first hurdle start, and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

13:57 Perth

Northern Cardinal

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Easily his closest finish since debut came when second of 13 over C&D (soft) in April latest, in his second handicap; had wind surgery one month ago; considered.

3/1

2nd

7

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

17:20 Perth

Northern Cardinal

11st 3lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

Third in a Kelso bumper on debut last April (2m, good); fairly ordinary form over hurdles, including on handicap debut at Ayr last time (2m, good to soft); improvement needed.

15/2

2nd

7

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

17:20 Perth

Northern Cardinal

11st 3lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

Third in a Kelso bumper on debut last April (2m, good); fairly ordinary form over hurdles, including on handicap debut at Ayr last time (2m, good to soft); improvement needed.

15/2

Form: 8-05

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Took a step forward when 13l fifth of nine behind Dream Boy on hurdle debut over C&D (heavy) 16 days ago; open to further improvement but may not come into his own until tackling a longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

19:30 Perth

Master Bricklayer

11st 6lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

0-8 over hurdles; placed off today's mark at Ayr (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in February but pulled up both runs either side; not yet proven over 3m or on good ground; tricky to predict on chase debut.

5/1

3

14th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

19:30 Perth

Master Bricklayer

11st 6lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

0-8 over hurdles; placed off today's mark at Ayr (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in February but pulled up both runs either side; not yet proven over 3m or on good ground; tricky to predict on chase debut.

5/1

8

8th Mar 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 5

16:35 Ayr

Master Bricklayer

11st 6lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: N W Alexander

Made the frame last spring in first two handicaps (2m4f, good to soft/soft) and returned to form when third in first-time cheekpieces (retained) here (2m4f, soft) last month; there's stamina in his pedigree and today's step up in trip could eke out some improvement.

11/2

Form: 440

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Related to winners and has shown some ability among his first three starts, but improvement is needed if he's to get off the mark today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:32 Worcester

Melton Mossy

11st 4lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Multiple hurdle winner at up to 2m5f on a sound surface; 1-2 over fences; won a three-runner chase at Wincanton (1m7f, good) when last seen in March; encouraging record after a break; up 3lb and is unexposed as a chaser over this trip; player.

6/1

1st

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

15:47 Wincanton

Melton Mossy

11st 5lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

5-19 over hurdles, with all wins gained on good/good to firm; well beaten on last month's chasing debut at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) but will be much better suited by today's quicker conditions and may yet have a future over fences.

6/1

6th

9

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:17 Chepstow

Melton Mossy

11st 8lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

5-19 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Taunton (2m3f, good to firm) in November; makes chasing debut from fairly tough mark, though, and does not have a good record on soft ground.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 551- CD

Last run: 364 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fifth in both bumpers and improved to win five-runner 4yo hurdle over C&D (heavy) last January; absent since and others have more substance to their form, but he has a classy Flat pedigree and could have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

2

30th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

15:00 Newcastle

Point Franklin

11st 12lb

J: John Kington

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won a Kelso juvenile contest (2m, heavy) on his hurdles debut this time last year; well below that level when returning to that C&D for his only run since; bit to prove after that.

25/1

11th

3

14th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:20 Kelso

Point Franklin

11st 8lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Fifth in both bumpers and improved to win five-runner 4yo hurdle over C&D (heavy) last January; absent since and others have more substance to their form, but he has a classy Flat pedigree and could have more to offer.

9/1

2

15th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Wetherby

Point Franklin

11st 7lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Has a classy Flat pedigree and he improved upon his bumper form to win on last month's hurdle debut at Kelso (2m, heavy); it was probably a weak race but he could continue to progress and is respected under a penalty.

11/2

Form: PF-P

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
It's been a long time since he showed any worthwhile form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(7)

12th Mar 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:40 Newcastle (AW)

Run At Dawn

9st 0lb

J: Sam James

T: Adam Nicol

in touch with leaders

25/1

8th

9

(7)

1st Mar 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Run At Dawn

9st 9lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Adam Nicol

12-race maiden; belied 40-1 odds and gave good account when fourth in recent C&D event won but Ledger but overall profile remains unappealing.

12/1

4th

8

(9)

22nd Feb 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Run At Dawn

9st 9lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Adam Nicol

Struggled on the Flat last year and, after being pulled up twice in a row over hurdles, he finished down the field here (1m2f) 12 days ago.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £199.00
Straight Forecast £183.25
Trifecta £1819.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Doyen Du Bar

Daily Record:

Dream Boy

The Times:

March Wind

RP RATINGS:

Doyen Du Bar

POSTDATA:

Doyen Du Bar

Telegraph:

Doyen Du Bar

D Express:

Doyen Du Bar

Daily Mirror:

Doyen Du Bar

The Sun:

Doyen Du Bar

The Star:

Doyen Du Bar