February 23 / 14.45 Warwick

14.45

Heavy

EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4084.5
  • 2m 3f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 5 runners
RTV
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EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 1

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Solid record (1222) in Irish points; rallied to win Sandown novice hurdle (2m, soft) on the switch to rules and should continue to perform well; major player even with 6lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

30th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

14:25 Newbury

Ballybentragh

10st 13lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Successful over a testing 2m on rules debut then twice finished second over 2m4f here, prior to facing a stiff task in 3m Grade 1; possibly not crying out for this marked drop back in trip.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 21-61 C

Last run: 89 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Absent since game success at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in November when taking record to 2-4; open to further progress and warrants respect back at the scene of his bumper win; also declared 3:05 Exeter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

19th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

14:20 Ayr

Ten Lengths Tom

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

prominent

15/2

9

19th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

14:20 Ayr

Ten Lengths Tom

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

prominent

15/2

2nd

1

23rd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:05 Exeter

Ten Lengths Tom

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Bumper winner who built upon November's encouraging seasonal/hurdle debut when battling well to collect Uttoxeter maiden (2m4f, soft) four days later; has a major role to play here.

7/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Absent since his Irish point success (third start) in May 2022; sold for £22,500 shortly afterwards; market instructive on rules debut and belated return to action.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:40 Southwell

Captains Road

11st 7lb

J: Cian Chester

T: Charlie Longsdon

Makes rules debut after long absence but won an Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) in May 2022 when last seen (sold for £22,500 later that month) and trainer has had a good season with his point recruits; not ruled out.

7/1

Form: 7-5

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Midfield in Doncaster bumper and beaten long way in Hereford novice hurdle (2m5f), with 12-month layoff in the interim; has plenty to find on bare form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Worcester

Just Chasing May

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

6yo who made it 2-12 over hurdles when winning in good style here in June; up 9lb but it was even more emphatic when disposing of 11 rivals on his chase debut back here (also 2m4f, good) on Sunday; same mark today and he stays this trip; the one to beat.

11/10

7

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Worcester

Just Chasing May

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

6yo who made it 2-12 over hurdles when winning in good style here (2m4f, good) in June; also effective on soft/good to soft; not bred for fences but he's in good hands and is respected on his debut in this sphere.

5/1

1st

10

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

Just Chasing May

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Mark over a stone in excess of that for last June's Uttoxeter win (2m4f, good) is owed to some good runs in defeat since; 142-day absence won't be an issue judged on last October's effort after similar.

12/1

Form: -36242 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Best form when clear second at Ffos Las on two occasions, including latest start (2m4f, heavy); now 0-7 and takes on some previous winners but holds a fighting chance at the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Tedley

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Launched chasing career with two wins in the autumn (2m/2m3f. good to soft/good) and generally remained in good form until end of last season; looked a non-stayer over 2m7f on latest outing and now drops back in trip with usual cheekpieces refitted; recent 3lb drop gives him a decent chance.

6/1

5th

3

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Tedley

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Launched chasing career with two wins in the autumn (2m/2m3f. good to soft/good) and generally remained in good form until end of last season; looked a non-stayer over 2m7f on latest outing and now drops back in trip with usual cheekpieces refitted; recent 3lb drop gives him a decent chance.

6/1

5th

2

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

14:30 Newbury

Tedley

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Has done well since switched to this discipline (winning twice) and his blowouts have come in strong races, latterly in the 2m4f Greatwood Gold Cup here three weeks ago; more exposed than some in here and he's unraced past 2m5f, but can be competitive off this mark.

6/1

Verdict

Sandown winner BALLYBENTRAGH should be suited by this longer trip and is taken to defy a 6lb penalty. Ten Lengths Tom (second choice) and Tedley are the main form dangers.[Steve Boow]