February 15 / 14.50 Newcastle

14.50

Heavy

High Horse Design “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 4f 62y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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High Horse Design “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £1.80
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won good-ground Irish point last spring and recovered from calamitous jumping error at penultimate flight to take clear second behind useful rival here (2m6f, heavy) on rules debut two months ago; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Young Jack

10st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Runner-up on three of his first four chase starts (2m7f/2m5f, soft/heavy) before winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) last month; it was a small field last time and he's in a hotter race today, but he did it nicely and could have more to offer in the cheekpieces, which he's worn just twice.

14/1

1st

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:25 Newcastle

Young Jack

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Chris Grant

Sound efforts on three of his four starts this term, last time finishing runner-up over 2m5f here (heavy; cheekpieces first time); headgear retained and a possible back up in trip.

11/8

2nd

3

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

15:35 Kelso

Young Jack

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Course hurdles winner who was runner-up on chase debut here (2m7f, soft) in December and bounced back from Ayr flop to go close at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) last time; he has an up-and-down profile but he's a key player if once more on a going day; wears first-time cheekpieces.

4/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: /73F-3

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Placed over hurdles in Ireland last season and started off for Mark Walford with a respectable third at Wetherby (2m, soft) last month; should be fine over today's longer trip and has another big role to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

15:11 Hexham

Goldwyn

10st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Gained a breakthrough success at Wetherby (2m) in March 2024 for Mark Walford; very lightly raced since though and off 13 months before a well-held sixth for his new yard in 2m2f Haydock handicap 20 days ago; needs to take a big step forward.

16/1

6th

11

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 191y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Goldwyn

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Ex-Irish 9yo who won a Wetherby maiden hurdle (2m, soft) for Mark Walford just under two years ago; signed off for that yard (same owner) after some poor efforts, however, so interesting to see what he can do for new stable after 397 days away.

33/1

10th

16

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

14:43 Wetherby

Goldwyn

10st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

in touch with leaders

20/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 13

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won soft-ground maiden point and small-field Catterick bumper (good to soft) last year; lost unbeaten record when well-held third on last month's hurdling debut at Catterick (2m3f, soft) but has pretty good each-way claims here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:30 Cartmel

Defence Witness

11st 8lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sam England

Justified favouritism over 2m5f on this card last year (good to soft), and added a Catterick stayers' event in the winter, both off 4lb lower; all wins on good to soft and soft but last month's Sedgefield second on good was the equal of his peak soft-ground form; chance.

9/2

2nd

3

10th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:38 Sedgefield

Defence Witness

11st 3lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Point, bumper and dual chase winner at up to 3m1f, all on slow ground; below par at Kelso latest (2m5f, good to soft); on a competitive mark if bouncing back but will need to produce better than he has previously done on good going.

7/2

7th

10

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 2

14:40 Kelso

Defence Witness

10st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Progressive in cheekpieces this season, winning twice (2m5f/3m1f, good to soft/soft) and posting a good second at Sedgefield (3m2f, soft) last time; it's possible the first-time blinkers will prompt a positive reaction today but he's up in grade and a career best is necessary.

9/1

Form: 8

Last run: 109 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in an Irish point in 2022 but, following a long absence, made low-key rules debut when 33-1 for Aintree maiden hurdle in December.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Kingofthegame

10st 2lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

A fading third over fences here on Saturday (2m5f, good) when all headgear was left off; back hurdling off 1lb higher (out of the weights) and stamina could be stretched over this far.

12/1

3rd

11

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Kingofthegame

10st 4lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

0-10 and lasted only three fences in a debuted visor (discarded) latest; saw out 3m well enough on the latter of two Irish point starts, but yet to hit the line strongly over 2m3f or beyond under rules.

10/1

11

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

19:15 Hexham

Kingofthegame

10st 4lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Martin Todhunter

Nine-race maiden; two fair efforts since returning from a 395-day break, notably when fourth over 3m at Carlisle last time (good; second-time cheekpieces); visor now tried and he's a possible.

12/1

Form: 469-55

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Ayr bumper on debut in October 2022 but his subsequent bumper form was underwhelming and he lacked fluency when safely held on first three hurdling starts; improvement required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

7th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Lucky Soldier

11st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Fair novice; generally disappointing in handicaps last season, over fences on last two occasions; back over hurdles with cheekpieces tried; others appeal more.

14/1

5th

8

7th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Lucky Soldier

11st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Fair novice; generally disappointing in handicaps last season, over fences on last two occasions; back over hurdles with cheekpieces tried; others appeal more.

14/1

3

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 198y

Class 5

14:17 Carlisle

Lucky Soldier

11st 3lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: N W Alexander

mistake 1st, pulled up after 3rd

12/1

Form: 4660-4

Last run: 98 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced for his age but was just a respectable fourth on seasonal/chase debut at Sedgefield (2m3f, soft) in November and is not favoured by the weights on this return to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

15th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

14:50 Newcastle

Parelliroc

11st 10lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Sue Smith

raced in second, lost position before 2nd, in touch with leaders when reminder before 3rd, pressed leader before 4th

20/1

4th

8

9th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 65y

Class 4

15:20 Sedgefield

Parelliroc

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Sue Smith

towards rear, mistake 8th

25/1

12th

9

6th Mar 2023

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

15:50 Wetherby

Parelliroc

11st 5lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Sue Smith

Very lightly raced 7yo who is one to watch in the betting now up in trip on handicap debut, but his claims aren't compelling judged on the evidence of his three runs in 2m3f novice hurdles.

16/1

Form: /443-7

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in three good-ground bumpers for Michael Appleby in early part of 2022-23 season but, following a long absence, was well beaten over C&D (heavy) on recent stable/hurdle debut; now hooded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:13 Cartmel

Zuul

10st 3lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Rebecca Menzies

19-race maiden who has been absent since some underwhelming chase runs in the autumn (bled from nose on latest outing); not the most obvious answer on this return to hurdling.

12/1

4th

5

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

14:30 Sedgefield

Zuul

10st 5lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Failed to win in 12 starts over hurdles; his chase debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) was respectable and was pulled up early at Perth when only 9-2; could feature with the cheekpieces back on (visored for last three races).

11/2

6

24th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

16:50 Perth

Zuul

10st 7lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

0-12 over hurdles but made quite pleasing start to chasing career last week, finishing third in race won easily by a handicap blot at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good); has a fighting chance here if able to build on that performance.

7/1

Form: P-54

Last run: 238 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran well to a point on hurdling debut at Bangor (2m, good) last June but absent since a lesser effort 12 days later; probably best watched on first encounter with ground slower than good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Worcester

Regal And Royal

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Both hurdles wins came at Bangor last summer; has made the frame on all three starts since and looks to have been crying out for this step up in trip; first-time cheekpieces worn last time are discarded; contender.

4/1

4th

6

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

19:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Regal And Royal

11st 9lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

prominent, outpaced after 3 out

100/30

4th

6

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

19:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Regal And Royal

11st 9lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

prominent, outpaced after 3 out

100/30

OUR TIP

Form: 955/9P

Last run: 112 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off at huge odds on stable debut in October and was pulled up (lost action) a few days later; can't be recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

15th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

14:50 Newcastle

Grand Mario

11st 10lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Hannah McMahon

held up in rear

100/1

0

1

26th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 4f 8y

Class 4

14:10 Carlisle

Grand Mario

11st 0lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Hannah McMahon

Soundly beaten in two bumpers and two maiden hurdles; 553-day absence before his run four days ago.

66/1

9th

4

22nd Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

15:50 Sedgefield

Grand Mario

11st 4lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Hannah McMahon

Poor form in two bumpers and a maiden hurdle when trained by Peter Niven; sold for £1,500 in May 2022; hard to recommend back from 553-day absence.

100/1

Form: 666

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed promise when sixth on first two hurdling starts but was over 20l behind Goldwyn at Wetherby (2m, soft) on latter occasion and will probably be of greater interest when qualified for handicaps; upped in trip today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

2nd Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:00 Southwell

Mr Mahler

10st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

0-16 under rules but has runner-up twice over fences; may be sharper following a reappearance over hurdles at Bangor last month and is now on a career-low mark; not out of this.

9/2

5th

11

16th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Mr Mahler

10st 8lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Decline in fortunes over fences last season wasn't arrested by a switch to front-running; brave to name this the day given he's 0-15 now, but new career-low mark is notably 8lb lower than when last trying hurdles.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.00
Straight Forecast £4.04
Trifecta £8.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Young Jack

Telegraph:

Goldwyn

The Guardian:

Defence Witness

RP RATINGS:

Young Jack

POSTDATA:

Young Jack

The Times:

Young Jack

Daily Mail:

Young Jack

Daily Mirror:

Young Jack

The Star:

Young Jack

Daily Record:

Young Jack

D Express:

Goldwyn

The Sun:

Goldwyn