February 02 / 14.25 Southwell

14.25

Good To Soft

Off The Fence On youtube.com/attheraces Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hdl Qualifier) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Off The Fence On youtube.com/attheraces Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hdl Qualifier) (GBB)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Windy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 14 D BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won 1m2f maiden (soft) in Ireland last July for Jim Bolger, from five Flat starts; odds on for both hurdle starts for new yard, scoring by a wide margin at Catterick (1m7f, good to soft) but failing to build on that when fourth for 7lb claimer at Musselburgh (soft; raced freely); the latter was in cheekpieces, as was second Flat start; should still have potential.
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 7f 25y

Class 5

18:10 Exeter

Teorie

12st 0lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Two-time winner over hurdles on good to soft, at around 2m (acts on a sound surface); stays 2m5f; some way below his best since last spring; well treated on form of almost a year ago if bouncing back but has that to prove.

10/1

6th

7

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:50 Chepstow

Teorie

11st 9lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

Out of form on slow ground during the winter but his recent fifth at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) was a step back in the right direction, and he might be seen to better effect if the ground is genuinely good here.

20/1

5th

7

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

13:37 Wincanton

Teorie

11st 5lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Well below best on soft/heavy ground in recent months and not yet proven beyond about 2m5f but now very well handicapped on last spring's good-ground form, and the drying conditions here offer renewed hope.

14/1

14/1

  • Place: £5.90

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
52,000euros 3yo; fourth foal; half-brother to Belgian/German 6f-9.5f winner Dormio; dam won in Germany, sister to German 1m3f Listed winner Dickens, half-sister to 1m/1m1f Group 2 winner Diplomat; hooded for this debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

27th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

17:23 Ludlow

Diskatek

11st 9lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

Three lesser runs have followed his debut second at Southwell (2m, good to soft) last February but he would be a possible player if rediscovering that initial promise on today's handicap debut; watch the betting.

7/1

6th

2

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

12:12 Huntingdon

Diskatek

11st 8lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

took keen hold, held up in rear

25/1

6th

2

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

12:12 Huntingdon

Diskatek

11st 8lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

took keen hold, held up in rear, outpaced when not fluent 3 out

25/1

OUR TIP

4/6

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 22-161 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £200,000 after winning an Irish point; beaten 11l in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham (2m, good) in October but easy odds-on winner from the front at Bangor (soft) on his other two starts over hurdles; sets a clear standard with all of those three pieces of form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Act Of Authority

11st 10lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

Finished fifth with cheekpieces applied at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft) for another sound effort in the Martin Pipe; broadly consistent; likely to give his running in the retained headgear.

16/1

5th

13

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Act Of Authority

11st 6lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

Hasn't won since November 2024 but he's a broadly consistent sort and posted a cracking effort in this race (good to soft) 12 months ago, beating all bar smart mare Wodhooh who was very well handicapped; only 1lb higher and again has each-way possibilities; wears first-time headgear.

14/1

8th

4

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Act Of Authority

11st 8lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

Acts on soft ground; on a 15-month losing spell but is a consistent sort, creditable fourth to Listentoyourheart at Windsor (2m4f) most recently; again has frame possibilities.

7/1

Form: 4-

Last run: 586 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful stayer on the Flat at his best but he last won in 2021 and lost his form last year for John Butler or Martin Dunne; sole run over hurdles (June 2022) was modest form; new trainer (unchanged ownership) also runs Act Of Authority.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(4)

8th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 68y

Class 6

17:45 Lingfield

Arabescato

9st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Martin Dunne

in rear

16/1

7th

5

18th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

18:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Arabescato

11st 3lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Olly Murphy

Five-time Flat winner; 0-4 over hurdles and was safely held in two handicaps towards end of last season (2m/2m4f) but may yet come good for Olly Murphy; cheekpieces removed after one use.

13/2

7th

5

18th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

18:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Arabescato

11st 3lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Olly Murphy

Five-time Flat winner; 0-4 over hurdles and was safely held in two handicaps towards end of last season (2m/2m4f) but may yet come good for Olly Murphy; cheekpieces removed after one use.

13/2

Form: 5

Last run: 85 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second last February when favourite for his only Irish point; 50-1, 29l fifth of 13 in Newbury bumper (2m, good to soft) in November but he disputed the lead briefly about 3f out, so there's something to build on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Express Surprise

11st 1lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Only defeat in his last four races came in a good-quality 3m4f handicap at Windsor; jumped well and stayed on best at Chepstow last time (2m7f, soft) where the front two pulled well clear; raised 7lb but Ned Fox takes away 3lb out of that; respected.

13/2

1st

6

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Express Surprise

11st 11lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Back-to-back wins at Wetherby (3m, soft) and Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) before finding a Class 3 beyond him at Windsor (3m4f), though didn't run at all badly; considered back at this level.

4/1

Form: 0-214 CD BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Second in Newbury bumper in November; winning a C&D maiden (also good to soft) in December on hurdling debut does not approach Act Of Authority's form but heavy ground may explain a lesser show at Leicester on latest outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Tommie Gun

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Maurice Barnes

Ended last season in very poor form for Nigel Twiston-Davies but seemed to have turned a corner when close third of four (just behind Jakana) at Hexham (2m4f, good) for new stable three weeks ago, where a last-flight error might have cost him the race; has a fighting chance here; tongue-tie added.

7/2

5

22nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

17:00 Hexham

Tommie Gun

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Maurice Barnes

Winless since 2023 and he signed off for Nigel Twiston-Davies when pulled up in 2m3f handicap at Bangor in April; changed hands for £2,000 subsequently and he needs a resurgence.

8/1

6

12th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Tommie Gun

11st 7lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Ended 2024 with two good efforts on slow ground (2m4f/2m) but looked out of sorts when pulled up on both outings this year; may not be ideally suited by the much quicker ground here, and others have much less to prove.

10/1

Form:

Last run: 85 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ninth foal; half-brother to fairly useful 2m hurdle winner Monviel and French winners Wealth (2m1f hurdle) and Cash Out (1m2f); weak 10-1 for bumper at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November, racing freely, green and never dangerous; from a leading yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

20th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

15:20 Warwick

Pillar Rock

11st 1lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Had few chances and although he hasn't looked ahead of his mark in two handicap hurdles he has shaped promisingly while looking the type to improve with racing; likely candidate now switched to fences.

9/2

7

20th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

15:20 Warwick

Pillar Rock

11st 1lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Had few chances and although he hasn't looked ahead of his mark in two handicap hurdles he has shaped promisingly while looking the type to improve with racing; likely candidate now switched to fences.

9/2

6th

13

29th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

14:00 Chepstow

Pillar Rock

10st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Hung right in home straight and was unable to justify favouritism when fourth on seasonal/handicap debut at Bangor (2m, good) last month but that form has worked out well, and he could still have a bigger run in him.

4/1

Form: 8

Last run: 81 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
17-2 from 4-1, remote last of eight in bumper at Fakenham (2m, good to soft) in November.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

2nd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:25 Southwell

Pic The Power

11st 2lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: L J Morgan

17-2 from 4-1, remote last of eight in bumper at Fakenham (2m, good to soft) in November.

50/1

Form: 99/P

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Achieved little in two bumpers and pulled up in a maiden hurdle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

6th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

17:48 Worcester

Haafback

10st 2lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

Inconsistent but has frame possibilities provided latest effort (ran creditably) is backed up; one of only two runners who already have winning form over fences.

10/1

7th

8

6th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

17:48 Worcester

Haafback

10st 2lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

Inconsistent but has frame possibilities provided latest effort (ran creditably) is backed up; one of only two runners who already have winning form over fences.

10/1

4th

6

14th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:40 Warwick

Haafback

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

took keen hold, led, soon clear, went further clear before 3rd, much reduced lead before 8th, headed 2 out, weakened run-in

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; dam bumper, 1m6f Flat and fairly useful 2m3f/3m hurdle winner; probably best watched on debut but market may well guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

2nd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:25 Southwell

Buzzbee

11st 2lb

J: John Kington

T: L J Morgan

Second foal; dam bumper, 1m6f Flat and fairly useful 2m3f/3m hurdle winner; probably best watched on debut but market may well guide.

33/1

Form: 10-76 D

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won the first of his four bumpers last year in France for Nick Littmoden but did not beat many rivals in the others; 6,500euros buy in November.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

31st Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

15:05 Stratford

Ill Reef

10st 5lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Max Young

Won a French bumper in spring 2023 but has shown little on his four British hurdling starts this year; pulled up in selling handicap over C&D (good; 200-1) won by Razzo Italiano last month.

66/1

11

31st Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

15:05 Stratford

Ill Reef

10st 5lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Max Young

Won a French bumper in spring 2023 but has shown little on his four British hurdling starts this year; pulled up in selling handicap over C&D (good; 200-1) won by Razzo Italiano last month.

66/1

12

7th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:12 Stratford

Ill Reef

10st 2lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Max Young

Won a French bumper in spring 2023 but has not shown much on his three British hurdling starts this year; 2lb wrong for this handicap debut; improvement required.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £75.20
Straight Forecast £55.67
Trifecta £144.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Act Of Authority

TOPSPEED:

Teorie

WEST COUNTRY:

Tommie Gun

The Times:

Teorie

RP RATINGS:

Act Of Authority

POSTDATA:

Act Of Authority

Telegraph:

Act Of Authority

The Guardian:

Act Of Authority

Daily Mail:

Act Of Authority

D Express:

Act Of Authority

Daily Mirror:

Act Of Authority

The Sun:

Act Of Authority

The Star:

Act Of Authority

Daily Record:

Act Of Authority