January 17 / 14.30 Newbury

14.30

Good To Soft

British EBF Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (EBF Mares’ NH Novices’ Hurdle QualifIer) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £5446
  • 2m 4f 118y
  • Class 3
  • 15 runners
SKY
View Course
British EBF Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (EBF Mares’ NH Novices’ Hurdle QualifIer) (GBB)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 27-511

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won at Exeter (2m, good to soft) in November in her only two handicaps; return to a novice race under a double penalty looks a very tough task, even with 7lb claimer on board.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

17:40 Exeter

Asian Spice

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Jimmy Frost

Three of her four wins have come here on good or good to soft, including over this trip; well treated on her form of late 2024; has been well below that level since over both hurdles and fences; back down in grade for this return to hurdles but there's a bit to prove at present.

9/1

6

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 150y

Class 4

14:51 Taunton

Asian Spice

11st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Jimmy Frost

Won twice over hurdles towards the end of 2024 but has lost her way since and things have not gone well in two chase runs (tailed off/unseated) this winter; has something to prove and she's never won over this far.

25/1

6th

9

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:02 Warwick

Asian Spice

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Jimmy Frost

4-15 over hurdles; absent since modest fourth of seven in low-grade Newton Abbot handicap (2mf, good) in May, though, and set a tough assignment on this chasing debut; cheekpieces removed after one use.

33/1

Form: 221-23

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won at Hereford on second hurdle start; has never finished out of the first three (five races) and her third of six in Listed event at Taunton (2m, good to soft; stays 2m3f) 18 days ago was her best form; a leading player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

4th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Warwick

Jaminska

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Big player on her form during the first half of last season but neither run this year was anywhere near that level; reservations for now.

10/1

6th

3

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:08 Stratford

Jaminska

11st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Close third in Cheltenham Grade 2 novice (2m good to soft) in October and again ran commendably well when third in Newbury Listed race (2m, soft) a few weeks later but was tailed off when reappearing in a handicap last month and it's hard to know what to expect from her here.

8/1

7th

5

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:10 Exeter

Jaminska

11st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Absent since late November but was in a good run of form back then, finishing close up in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham before again placed in a Listed race for mares; beaten off lower marks in her previous handicaps but looks a better horse now.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 4-1 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
£235,000 buy after making all to win by 10l on Irish point debut in October 2021; had just one run for Dan Skelton but made a winning start for this yard when always front rank in 13-runner novice at Ludlow (2m5f, soft; 11-1) four weeks ago; one of the leading candidates on form and potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Smiling Getaway

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

raced in last but in touch with leaders, headway 4 out, soon went fourth, weakened run-in

10/1

4th

5

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Smiling Getaway

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

raced in last but in touch with leaders, headway 4 out, soon went fourth, weakened run-in

10/1

Form: 233-12 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won comfortably at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft) on hurdle debut and better form when second of five to a 1-2 shot at Market Rasen (2m5f, soft) six weeks ago; open to further progress, so in each-way contention.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Take No Chances

11st 3lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Not at the top of her game in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month but this sort of trip may be her optimum; neck second to Strong Leader at Wetherby (3m, good) in November and creditable third behind Impose Toi and Strong Leader in another Grade 2 at Newbury (3m, soft) later that month; ran well here 12 months ago; each-way claims if back on song.

25/1

4th

6

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Take No Chances

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won Grade 2 mares' event at Ascot before finishing third to Lossiemouth in this and the Aintree Hurdle (Wodhooh 8l ahead in second) last spring; has slightly bettered those RPRs in defeat on all four outings this season and she's an each-way player again.

9/1

3rd

3

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Take No Chances

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won Grade 2 mares' hurdle at Ascot (1m7f, good) last January and she's looked better than ever when running really well in defeat against males in Grade 2s at Wetherby (3m, good) and Newbury (3m, soft) on last two starts; she'll be fine now back down in trip and may well be in the mix.

3/1

Form: 3 BF

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Comfortably justified evens favouritism in Irish maiden point (3m, good to yielding) last February and fetched £290,000 at the sales in March; 8-13, therefore, for rules debut in novice hurdle here (2m, good to soft) ten weeks ago but weakened from two out into 18l third of 11; had wind surgery later in November and may be able to put that run behind her; interesting to see if her backers return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

9th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

14:25 Killarney

Break My Soul

11st 0lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Dual winning hurdler for Nicky Henderson and took fourth in Grade 1 company behind Lossiemouth at Aintree in 2025 (2m4f, good to soft); made a winning chase debut for this yard, and ran a valiant race when third in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good); pulled up at Fairyhouse when last seen off top weight; top-rated of these reverting to hurdles; new headgear.

9/4

1

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 140y

16:25 Fairyhouse

Break My Soul

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Chase debut win at Gowran Park (2m, heavy) in November and easily best of four attempts since on latest when fine third of 20 in 2m Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month on handicap debut (good); no easy task for top-weight but has to be respected.

11/2

3rd

17

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Break My Soul

10st 9lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Has failed to kick on since chase debut win at Gowran Park (2m, heavy) in November; however, the best run of her career came when fourth of five finishers in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle (2m4f, good to soft) last April and on that evidence there could be some mileage in her mark; not written off.

16/1

Form: 67

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran in two Irish maiden points in May, winning on second occasion; modest form at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) on hurdle debut and showed little when 200-1 at Lingfield (2m3f) later in November.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

21st Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

17:30 Plumpton

Chief Lady

10st 6lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Cynthia Woods

disputed lead, weakened from 3 out

66/1

7th

5

8th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

13:55 Fontwell

Chief Lady

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Cynthia Woods

prominent

33/1

7

9th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

14:25 Huntingdon

Chief Lady

11st 3lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Cynthia Woods

Won an Irish point last May; first attempt, however, has seemingly been the best of her four efforts under rules and there was a heavy defeat at Plumpton (2m4f; 50-1) last time on handicap debut; bred to stay 3m.

50/1

Form: 6

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won Irish maiden point (3m, yielding to soft) and sold for £30,000 later last April; 7-1, nearly 2l behind Ici La Reine when sixth of 13 in maiden hurdle at Market Rasen (2m6f, good to soft) two months ago; should improve but this race looks too tough; stable won it with a hot favourite in 2022 and also now sends out Lucky Rose.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

15:12 Uttoxeter

Dairylane Daisy

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Noel Williams

Lightly raced 6yo who ended last season with good second on handicap debut at Ludlow (2m5f, good; first-time cheekpieces); encounters slower ground here but her Irish point win in 2023 was gained on yielding to soft, and she probably still has potential; respected.

6/1

4th

1

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

15:12 Uttoxeter

Dairylane Daisy

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Noel Williams

Lightly raced 6yo who ended last season with good second on handicap debut at Ludlow (2m5f, good; first-time cheekpieces); encounters slower ground here but her Irish point win in 2023 was gained on yielding to soft, and she probably still has potential; respected.

6/1

2nd

1

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:37 Ludlow

Dairylane Daisy

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Noel Williams

Irish point winner whose hurdles form is not devoid of promise; open to progress now handicapping in first-time headgear; Joe Anderson takes off useful 5lb; one to consider.

13/2

Form: 137-42

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner last term for Fergal O'Brien and close second in novice at Wetherby (2m4f, soft; made most) on Boxing Day on second run for this yard; this race looks a fair bit more demanding, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

14:30 Wetherby

Dontyawantme

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Never got into it on stable debut over hurdles at Newcastle last month; however, that was her first outing since March 2024 and she may have needed it; this point, bumper and novice hurdle winner could go well on her first chase start if tapping back into her old ability.

10/1

8th

10

23rd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 1

15:15 Newbury

Dontyawantme

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Craig Lidster

Interesting on some of her bumper form as wasn't far behind Larchmont Lass in a Listed race at Sandown; the form of her Carlisle win (2m3f, soft; Drumlee Spud third) carries substance but now has to rebound from a poor run at Doncaster (well behind Baby Shally).

33/1

7th

4

2nd Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 1

15:10 Doncaster

Dontyawantme

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Craig Lidster

Gamely beat Lunar Discovery at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) last month on third run for new stable; worse off with that rival but could well improve further over this longer distance, being a point winner who has some 3m winners in pedigree; shortlisted.

7/1

Form: 22F

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner who was runner-up this autumn in a bumper at Worcester (good) and novice at Bangor (near 2m4f, soft; beaten a neck); had a narrow lead when falling at the last at Stratford (2m6f, soft) in November, form which gives her a good shout against today's penalised winners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Ffos Las

Drumlee Spud

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Ridden by Beau Morgan all starts under rules; placed in two 2m3f novice hurdles (on soft) last season; handicap debut in March was in a tough race but she had just started backpedalling when making a mistake two out at Fontwell (2m3f; 7-4 favourite) on reappearance 18 days ago; headgear is now given a go and this is a weak race.

4/1

2

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Ffos Las

Drumlee Spud

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Ridden by Beau Morgan all starts under rules; placed in two 2m3f novice hurdles (on soft) last season; handicap debut in March was in a tough race but she had just started backpedalling when making a mistake two out at Fontwell (2m3f; 7-4 favourite) on reappearance 18 days ago; headgear is now given a go and this is a weak race.

4/1

1

23rd Oct 2024

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

16:45 Fontwell

Drumlee Spud

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Placed in two 2m3f novice hurdles (both on soft) last season before very respectable seventh in Grade 2 on handicap debut at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in March; makes seasonal reappearance from 5lb lower in a much easier race and looks the one to beat.

7/4

Form: 17-22

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Her only blip came on heavy ground at Sandown last March; Wincanton bumper winner who was runner-up in November over hurdles at Plumpton and Wincanton; well-related mare who needs marked improvement but now goes beyond 2m for the first time, which is likely to help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

13th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Worcester

Goodtimecrew

11st 13lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Harry Fry

Did not jump well enough when switched to fences for last month's handicap debut at Stratford (2m3f, good) but still kept on for a respectable third; reverts to hurdling with cheekpieces fitted today; probably still has a bigger run in her.

6/1

3rd

1

19th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:05 Stratford

Goodtimecrew

12st 0lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Harry Fry

Bumper winner who made the frame on three of her four hurdling starts last season (1m7f-2m3f); switched to fences for today's handicap debut and ought to have some improvement to come.

3/1

3rd

1

19th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:05 Stratford

Goodtimecrew

12st 0lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Harry Fry

didn't always jump with fluency, prominent, lost position when slow jump 3rd, dropped to rear when awkward jump 4th, detached from 6th, steady headway from 4 out, not fluent 2 out, went third approaching last, kept on

3/1

Form: 110-5

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won bumpers at Newcastle (2m, AW) on her first two starts but tailed off at 80-1 in Grade 2 at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft); while hurdle debut at Market Rasen (nearly 2l in front of Dairylane Daisy) showed some promise, a leap forward is required against the best of today's opposition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:10 Ludlow

Ici La Reine

10st 9lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

Two bumper wins early in 2023 kicked off her career but she's struggled over hurdles and pulled up on recent chase debut; fourth run for this yard and they now turn to headgear.

20/1

9

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:10 Ludlow

Ici La Reine

10st 9lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

Two bumper wins early in 2023 kicked off her career but she's struggled over hurdles and pulled up on recent chase debut; fourth run for this yard and they now turn to headgear.

20/1

3

2nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:55 Exeter

Ici La Reine

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Two bumper wins for previous yard but she's generally struggled in six hurdle runs and was last of ten in a Southwell handicap (2m, good to soft) last month; dropped another 5lb but has plenty to prove back up in trip on chase debut.

6/1

Form: 244-5

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Consistent form with her minor honours in bumpers last season; better is needed but she was a remote fifth of 13 in maiden hurdle at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft; 33-1) ten weeks ago; stable (won the last renewal of this race, in 2022) also runs Dairylane Daisy; best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

16th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

14:38 Uttoxeter

Lucky Rose

11st 10lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Three runs over fences and progressing, winning by a length at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) after racing up with the pace; just 4lb higher here.

4/1

1st

2

24th Jun 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:57 Newton Abbot

Lucky Rose

11st 11lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Placed over this sort of trip over hurdles in the autumn and began chasing career with two very respectable runs at Huntingdon (both 2m7f, good; behind Ann d'Arabie last time) this spring; on a workable mark and probably won't be far away.

6/1

3rd

2

26th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:20 Huntingdon

Lucky Rose

11st 9lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Runner-up twice off today's mark over hurdles last year (2m5f/3m2f); only third-best on merit when modest second over C&D (good) on last month's chasing debut but that run came after a break and she may still have potential over fences.

7/2

Form: 8

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in two point bumpers early in 2022; next seen tailed off at 300-1 in novice hurdle here (2m, good to soft) ten weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

14

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

Raindance Queen

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: William de Best-Turner

21-race maiden; big prices and well beaten in four starts since November including in a hurdle handicap at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) last month; out of the weights again and can only be watched.

100/1

12th

17

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Raindance Queen

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: William de Best-Turner

18-race maiden; massive prices and well beaten in three starts since November (chase and two maiden hurdles); no reason to expect better from 5lb wrong; better to focus elsewhere.

100/1

13

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Worcester

Raindance Queen

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: William de Best-Turner

One of her better runs when 16l fourth of 13 to King Of The Story over C&D last month but this maiden is even further out of the handicap this afternoon and is hard to fancy.

40/1

Form: 5

Last run: 243 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won the second of her two point bumpers on good ground early last year; 18l fifth of 13 in bumper at Aintree (2m1f, good) in May also showed some ability, for Max Comley; has a useful pedigree too but makes her hurdling debut in a hot race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

17:23 Stratford

Roseburg

10st 8lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won a point bumper; ran no race on her switch to hurdles at Ludlow when triple-digit odds; interesting that she's joined such a respected yard.

16/1

15

7th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:50 Ludlow

Roseburg

11st 5lb

J: David Bass

T: Tracey Barfoot-Saunt

Out of a well-connected mare who has produced two useful hurdlers; won on good ground last March in her second appearance in a point bumper; 28-1, made most when 18l fifth of 13 in bumper at Aintree (2m1f, good) last May for Max Comley, which also showed ability.

40/1

Form: 8-240

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Went close in a bumper at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) last May on her second start and again showed promise when fourth of 16 on hurdle debut there (2m5f, good to soft) in October; flopped behind two of these at Market Rasen, however, which puts her well down the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

15:45 Wincanton

Time In The Sun

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Has failed to complete in her two previous handicaps but the latest was at Ascot (2m3f, good; 28-1) and she was second in a 2m5f novice here earlier this year; wouldn't be too dismissive.

14/1

3rd

4

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

15:45 Wincanton

Time In The Sun

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Has failed to complete in her two previous handicaps but the latest was at Ascot (2m3f, good; 28-1) and she was second in a 2m5f novice here earlier this year; wouldn't be too dismissive.

14/1

6

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 58y

Class 4

12:55 Ascot

Time In The Sun

11st 4lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Henry Daly

always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

14/1

Verdict

Break My Soul started 8-13 but cracked in the closing stages of her hurdles debut at this track, which preceded wind surgery later in November. She cost £290,000 after point win, while SMILING GETAWAY cost £235,000 after hers and, at the second attempt, made a far more satisfactory transition to racing under rules with the win at Ludlow on her hurdles debut. The prospect of more improvement makes her the pick, although Jaminska (second choice), Take No Chances and Drumlee Spud are also serious contenders on form.[Richard Austen]