February 10 / 12.55 Newbury

12.55

Soft

Betfair Racing Podcasts Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £8169
  • 2m 0f 69y
  • Class 3
  • 13 runners
SKY
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Betfair Racing Podcasts Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 124 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; solid record in novice hurdles (at about 2m) since switched to rules, winning at Carlisle then runner-up at Haydock (Grade 2) and fourth at Aintree (Grade 1); raced only on ground softer than good; has the best chance on ratings, back down in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

22

12th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Making Headway

10st 11lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Two novice hurdle wins this term (2m1f/2m, heavy) along with a Grade 2 second, and he rallied for a near-9l fourth of 16 on handicap debut in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, soft) last month; this 3m point winner is open to improvement now up in trip and is one to consider; cheekpieces go on.

6/1

15th

22

12th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Making Headway

10st 11lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Two novice hurdle wins this term (2m1f/2m, heavy) along with a Grade 2 second, and he rallied for a near-9l fourth of 16 on handicap debut in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, soft) last month; this 3m point winner is open to improvement now up in trip and is one to consider; cheekpieces go on.

6/1

4th

7

9th Mar 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Making Headway

11st 4lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

3m point winner who scored on hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m1f, heavy) in October and, after making the frame in Graded races the next twice, won Newbury novice (2m, heavy) last month when back down in grade; improvement needed on handicap debut but that's possible from this unexposed 6yo, who could prove well suited by this big-field scenario and expected strong pace.

5/1

Form: 1-14 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Bubble was burst in similar event here (2m4f, soft) last time but the first two have boosted that form since and he may still have plenty more to offer; 2-2 otherwise, winning good-ground events in emphatic style at Kempton (2m/2m5f, bumper/hurdle); remains of interest.
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

8/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 33

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Clear promise in soft-ground bumpers at Exeter and Warwick, finishing third both times; remains open to progress; similar type to Fourtowns, being a hurdles debutant who could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

14:50 Wincanton

Jack Black

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

0-7 but he ran his best race so far when front-running second in a chase handicap at Taunton (2m, good to soft; cheekpieces added) last month; that was only his second run over fences and he's a big player if he can build on that.

5/2

2nd

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 12y

Class 4

14:43 Taunton

Jack Black

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced 6yo who has had two races since returning from a year out and his handicap/chase debut at Bangor last time was forgettable; now in cheekpieces and others look safer.

10/1

Form: 7-53

Last run: 270 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Steady progress in bumpers for Stuart Crawford, most recently third at Newcastle last May; subsequently sold for £30,000; Harry Cobden is a notable booking on debut for new yard; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

16:15 Fontwell

Fourtowns

11st 12lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

14-race maiden who was well-held when sixth of seven finishers at Warwick (2m3f, good) in June on stable debut; down 2lb and needs to find improvement.

14/1

6th

1

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Warwick

Fourtowns

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Gambin

T: Sarah Humphrey

13-race maiden who was well beaten in December on his final run for Ben Pauling; sold for £9,500 in February; however, he was a good second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in November and is worth a second look on stable debut.

7/1

6th

1

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Warwick

Fourtowns

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Gambin

T: Sarah Humphrey

13-race maiden who was well beaten in December on his final run for Ben Pauling; sold for £9,500 in February; however, he was a good second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in November and is worth a second look on stable debut.

7/1

Form: 49

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Both rules starts at Newbury, finishing fourth in bumper but only midfield in 2m novice hurdle; while he may do better still, others have stronger claims on bare form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

15:25 Chepstow

Davids Well

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Unexposed 5yo who beat four rivals fairly comfortably to make winning seasonal/chase debut at Leicester (2m, soft) this month; 7lb higher in a much stronger race here but the limit of his ability remains hard to gauge.

7/2

1st

12

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

15:25 Chepstow

Davids Well

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Unexposed 5yo who beat four rivals fairly comfortably to make winning seasonal/chase debut at Leicester (2m, soft) this month; 7lb higher in a much stronger race here but the limit of his ability remains hard to gauge.

7/2

1st

1

5th Dec 2024

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

14:25 Leicester

Davids Well

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

raced in second, led and going easily 3 out, cajoled along and went clear approaching last, pushed out final 110yds, comfortably

15/8

Form:

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Attractively bred, being by Blue Bresil out of a bumper/2m3f-2m5f hurdle winner for his owner; soundly beaten in bumper here last month but may do better with that experience under his belt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

1st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

15:15 Huntingdon

The Blueberry One

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Only had seven races but has finished tailed off in both his chases after an absence, over 2m4f and 2m7f (both heavy; in cheekpieces last time); clearly needs to raise his game.

13/2

4th

5

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

14:50 Taunton

The Blueberry One

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Lightly raced gelding who already looked to be feeling the pinch when a bad mistake four out finished him off on his 2m4f Wincanton chase debut (heavy) a fortnight ago but that was his first outing for nearly 11 months so he's entitled to be sharper now; first-time cheekpieces are also added now stepping up in trip.

10/1

6th

2

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:03 Wincanton

The Blueberry One

11st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Lightly raced gelding who was beaten only 2l in one of his handicaps over hurdles (2m4f, soft); faces testing conditions on first run for nearly 11 months but he should make a chaser; respected.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: /23-11

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Has justified favouritism at Leicester (2m4f, heavy) and Catterick (2m3f, soft) since switched to hurdles; hard to rate that form highly and he now carries a double penalty in a better race; however, placed in Grade 2 bumper last April and retains potential; one of the main players.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Hasthing

11st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

held up in rear, not fluent 6th

12/1

6

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Hasthing

11st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

held up in rear, not fluent 6th

12/1

100/1

Form: 790

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Regressive results in three runs, latest switched to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

21st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 5

15:20 Catterick

Platenium

11st 1lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Sam England

Won at Uttoxeter in October and good third at Newcastle later that month; however, he's been well beaten on his last two starts and needs to turn things around now in blinkers; cheekpieces were given a go last time.

14/1

100/1

Form: 5

Last run: 78 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Trailed home last of five in Chepstow bumper 11 weeks ago, not looking an imminent winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

12:50 Hereford

The Big Man

10st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Not yet fully exposed after only seven starts but was beaten just over 30l in his first two chases, more recently when always towards rear over C&D (good) last month.

16/1

6th

8

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

12:50 Hereford

The Big Man

10st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Not yet fully exposed after only seven starts but was beaten just over 30l in his first two chases, more recently when always towards rear over C&D (good) last month.

16/1

10th

11

4th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

16:20 Hereford

The Big Man

10st 7lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Offered little over hurdles but he's a well-bred 5yo with low mileage and, although well beaten on his switch to fences at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft), he was well backed; shaped as though the run would bring him on.

10/1

Form: /776-P

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Holds weak claims on bumper and hurdles form; opposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:02 Hereford

Parsons Stone

11st 1lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

Unable to land any sort of blow in novice hurdles at major tracks on his two appearances this season but made fairly encouraging hurdle debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last April and has a lowly mark for his handicap debut; moves up in trip with usual hood removed.

20/1

11th

12

10th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

12:55 Newbury

Parsons Stone

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

took keen hold, always behind

100/1

20/1

Form: 7-6

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Disappointing favourite in Punchestown bumper last April for Willie Mullins; shaped better than bare result in Sandown novice hurdle (2m, soft) for new yard and is open to improvement with that outing under his belt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:20 Fontwell

Ballybay

10st 8lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Murty McGrath

This 9yo has raced seven times under rules for three different yards; completed for the first time for this one (including pulled up on chase debut) when fifth in 2m2f Plumpton handicap hurdle 19 days ago but it wasn't a performance which makes him of obvious interest.

33/1

5th

9

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 1f 169y

Class 5

14:55 Plumpton

Ballybay

10st 8lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Murty McGrath

9yo has raced six times under rules for three different yards; pulled up in both runs for this one, over hurdles and fences.

66/1

Form: 40

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed twice in Irish points and also showed ability when fourth at Fontwell on rules debut; well beaten over C&D since and, on balance of form, should be more interesting when qualified for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

12:30 Fakenham

Chancellorstown

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

prominent, not fluent 1st, not fluent 8th, lost ground after 3 out

11/2

6th

3

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

12:30 Fakenham

Chancellorstown

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

prominent, not fluent 1st, not fluent 8th, lost ground after 3 out

11/2

Form: 75

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Two Flat wins on French soil (trained in Germany at the time); has not transferred that form to hurdles in two attempts, including over C&D, and may be more interesting in handicaps shortly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

15th Dec 2023

Heavy

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

13:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Salvatore

11st 1lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Mel Rowley

Won soft-ground hunter chase over C&D in February 2022 and was also successful in that sphere at Musselburgh in March but struggled on last month's seasonal/handicap debut at Fontwell (2m3f, heavy); will be suited by today's move back up in trip but others have much less to prove.

20/1

6th

1

19th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

13:00 Fontwell

Salvatore

12st 2lb

J: Alex Edwards

T: Mel Rowley

in touch with leaders, slow jump and lost position 4th, dropped to last when slow jump 6th, lost touch 9th

11/2

1st

2

1st Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 170y

Class 5

17:00 Musselburgh

Salvatore

12st 6lb

J: Mr Darren Andrews

T: Philip Rowley

Won a hunter chase here (3m2f, soft) in February 2021 and landed another at Bangor (3m, soft) last February; fair second of four in a recent point-to-point (3m, good) and he's a leading contender now back under rules.

11/8

Non-runners

Juan Bermudez, Noble Don, Paradias, Sandmartin, Selwan

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.50
Straight Forecast £5.91
Trifecta £32.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Making Headway

SPOTLIGHT:

Hasthing

LAMBOURN:

East India Express

D Express:

East India Express

WEST COUNTRY:

Hasthing

The Times:

Hasthing

Telegraph:

Hasthing

The Sun:

Hasthing

Daily Record:

Hasthing

TOPSPEED:

Making Headway

POSTDATA:

Making Headway

The Guardian:

Making Headway

Daily Mail:

Making Headway

Daily Mirror:

Making Headway

The Star:

Making Headway