February 21 / 15.40 Doncaster

15.40

Soft

SBK Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 0f 128y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
SBK Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 21-5 D BF

Last run: 99 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten fifth on hurdle/seasonal debut at Lingfield (2m3f) in November, when fading on his first encounter with soft ground; however, he was sent off at just 11-8 having shown considerable promise in bumpers (good/good to soft), which he could tap back into when back on a better surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Support Act

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Low-mileage 7yo who made a quite promising chase debut when fourth at Newbury (2m7f, soft) in January; ran as though something was amiss when warm favourite the following month and not seen since but still has scope to progress from that Newbury run if all is well here.

10/1

6th

9

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Support Act

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Low-mileage 7yo who made a quite promising chase debut when fourth at Newbury (2m7f, soft) in January; ran as though something was amiss when warm favourite the following month and not seen since but still has scope to progress from that Newbury run if all is well here.

10/1

3

26th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

14:45 Wetherby

Support Act

11st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Bumper and novice hurdle winner with low mileage; back from a break and wind surgery when beaten under 8l on his switch to fences at Newbury (2m7f, soft); made the odd mistake there but entitled to be all the wiser this time; considered.

3/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 34-61 CD

Last run: 81 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won by 2l over C&D (good) in December on his second hurdle start; lightly raced and open to further improvement, but he carries a 7lb penalty today and others have more substance to their form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 5

15:38 Catterick

Mister Moodles

11st 9lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Hasn't kicked on since winning a novice hurdle at Doncaster (2m, good) in December 2023 but he showed spark in a first-time visor (retained) in a handicap at Sedgefield (2m4f, good to soft) last month, before fading, and is not written off now back down in trip.

12/1

4

22nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 5

15:38 Catterick

Mister Moodles

11st 9lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Hasn't kicked on since winning a novice hurdle at Doncaster (2m, good) in December 2023 but he showed spark in a first-time visor (retained) in a handicap at Sedgefield (2m4f, good to soft) last month, before fading, and is not written off now back down in trip.

12/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 13 D

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Useful on the Flat and won on hurdle debut at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) in November; another good run when third of five in warm introductory hurdle at Newbury (2m, soft) in December; leading player under a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(1)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Paradias

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

7yo who has a good record here and has been better than ever in AW handicaps this year, and he wasn't beaten far when fifth of six in Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) four weeks ago; however, his form needs to go to a new level and he's unraced beyond 1m4f on the Flat.

33/1

5th

5

(6)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Newmarket

Paradias

9st 5lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Alan King

In the form of his life this winter with a win at Lingfield (1m4f) in February and close calls in his other three outings; those were on AW, which does seem to suit him particularly well, and also in handicaps, which leaves him with something to find in his first Group venture.

40/1

3rd

2

(4)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Paradias

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Fourth in this last year on sole previous visit to Newcastle and he's now 3lb higher; went close on first two starts this winter before winning at Lingfield (1m4f) in February; could run well but may prefer a longer trip.

14/1

Form: 3-

Last run: 318 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Easily won Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) on debut last February and 13l third for Michael Scudamore in Ffos Las bumper (2m, soft) in April, a race from which some useful sorts have emerged; makes hurdle debut with new yard among the winners and the betting could be informative.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:20 Ayr

Montys Soldier

12st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

held up in last, hampered by faller 7th, soon lost ground and detached

9/2

1

11th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:20 Ayr

Montys Soldier

12st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Winning Irish pointer; maiden under rules, although sound run when second to a subsequent winner in a novice handicap chase at Ffos Las in November (3m, soft; lost right fore shoe) on final run for Christian Williams; interesting on stable debut.

9/2

2nd

4

20th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

12:50 Ffos Las

Montys Soldier

11st 11lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Raced in detached last for most of recent handicap hurdle debut at Fakenham (2m4f, good) but caught the eye making late headway to finish fourth; moves up in trip for this chasing debut, and last year's impressive Irish point debut suggests he could have considerable potential over fences.

6/1

Form: 6

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
There's some potential in his pedigree and he's open to improvement for his top yard, but beaten 32l when sixth on last month's debut over C&D (good to soft; 13-2) and Harry Skelton rides stablemate Williethebuilder.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

12th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

14:08 Bangor-on-Dee

Skiffle Man

11st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, led 6th, prominent when headed 11th, struggling when mistake 14th, weakened after 2 out

5/1

4th

2

12th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

14:08 Bangor-on-Dee

Skiffle Man

11st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Disappointed when upped to 3m last month and is now 0-5 over hurdles but was close second in 16-runner handicap at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie/cheekpieces) two starts ago and will play a big role here if able to transfer that form to fences.

5/1

7th

5

18th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:10 Wetherby

Skiffle Man

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

midfield, headway 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, weakened before 2 out

3/1

Form: 6

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in the autumn in two Irish maiden points but well beaten on final two runs in that sphere and same story when 100-1 for his recent hurdle debut at Ludlow (2m, soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:50 Stratford

Scout Master

10st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Claire Dyson

Close up in two Irish points last autumn but little to show for his runs since in two points and four hurdle races; tailed off with cheekpieces on handicap debut (2m4f) last time; has since had wind surgery.

40/1

5th

9

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:50 Stratford

Scout Master

10st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Claire Dyson

Close up in two Irish points last autumn but little to show for his runs since in two points and four hurdle races; tailed off with cheekpieces on handicap debut (2m4f) last time; has since had wind surgery.

40/1

8th

10

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

13:35 Huntingdon

Scout Master

10st 3lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Claire Dyson

prominent, mistake 4 out

12/1

40/1

Form: PP

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful three-time Flat winner in France but struggled on first two British Flat starts and subsequently pulled up on both hurdle runs; needs to be an entirely different proposition now wearing a visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Selwan

11st 12lb

J: James Davies

T: Christopher Kellett

Three-time Flat winner and twice competitive in that scene during the summer; made an okay return to hurdling when an 18l third at Market Rasen and now tackles his first handicap.

10/1

3rd

4

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

17:50 Market Rasen

Selwan

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Christopher Kellett

Exposed as a fair Flat performer at best these days; pulled up twice and tailed off on the other occasion when tried over hurdles two seasons ago when with Alan King; best watched for now.

25/1

Form: 786

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Down the field at triple-figure odds here on his two hurdle starts and dramatic improvement is required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

11th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:50 Ludlow

Garitsa Bay

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Won at Worcester (2m, good) last June and continued in good form in the autumn; made early mistakes when 11l fourth on chase debut at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) in December; off since but ran well after a 107-day break last September and he could be in the mix.

7/1

5

11th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:50 Ludlow

Garitsa Bay

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Won at Worcester (2m, good) last June and continued in good form in the autumn; made early mistakes when 11l fourth on chase debut at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) in December; off since but ran well after a 107-day break last September and he could be in the mix.

7/1

Form: 37

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Attracted market support and displayed some ability when third on debut in Newcastle bumper (1m6f, good to soft) in November, but soundly beaten and has since finished tailed off at 100-1 over hurdles at Ludlow (2m, soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

25th Jun 2024

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:00 Newton Abbot

Ravanelli

10st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Jennie Candlish

Tailed off in three hurdles since showing some ability in a bumper; handicaps may show him in a better light and cheekpieces are added.

16/1

11th

9

14th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

17:05 Southwell

Ravanelli

10st 12lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Jennie Candlish

Displayed minor promise on bumper debut last November (good to soft) but tailed off in two subsequent hurdle races (both on soft).

66/1

11th

9

14th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

17:05 Southwell

Ravanelli

10st 12lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Jennie Candlish

Displayed minor promise on bumper debut last November (good to soft) but tailed off in two subsequent hurdle races (both on soft).

66/1

Non-runners

Williethebuilder

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.90
Straight Forecast £14.66
Trifecta £28.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Williethebuilder

The Times:

Paradias

D Express:

Montys Soldier

RP RATINGS:

Williethebuilder

TOPSPEED:

Williethebuilder

POSTDATA:

Williethebuilder

The Guardian:

Williethebuilder

Daily Mail:

Williethebuilder

Telegraph:

Paradias

Daily Mirror:

Paradias

The Sun:

Paradias

The Star:

Paradias

Daily Record:

Paradias