March 14 / 17.00 Hexham

17.00

Heavy

Betting.Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 0f 48y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Betting.Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: -40063 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Sedgefield bumper winner; slow to get going over hurdles, but better when a close third on last month's handicap debut at Newcastle (2m1f, heavy; today's rival This Is Bob second); the application of a hood seems to have aided his cause; should be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

18:20 Hexham

Raffles Wonder

11st 7lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Sam England

Won twice over fences last year for Rebecca Menzies but four lesser runs since have seen him slip down to his last winning mark; has switched stables since his last run in March and any significant move in the market should be noted.

9/1

8th

8

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 2

15:17 Carlisle

Raffles Wonder

10st 8lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won this 12 months ago off 2lb lower on the back of a wind operation; got himself back on track when not beaten too far at Sedgefield last month so could put up a respectable defence.

12/1

4th

4

4th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 77y

Class 4

15:17 Sedgefield

Raffles Wonder

11st 9lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won over C&D (soft) last January and followed up at Carlisle (2m, good) in March; very much of interest on that form but he's struggled on both outings this season and needs to turn things around.

12/1

16/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 433469

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Longstanding maiden (0-21); form has dipped since twice finishing third at Carlisle and Uttoxeter (both 2m4f) late last year; first-time tongue-tie accompanies regular cheekpieces in pursuit of the breakthrough; look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

6th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Bushmill Boy

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-23 over hurdles but went very close on stable debut here (2m4f, soft) in July and also ran well when third (albeit well held) at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in August; drops back in trip with cheekpieces refitted here; no surprise if he comes good for Olly Murphy soon.

6/1

3rd

6

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

18:45 Fontwell

Bushmill Boy

10st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-22 over hurdles but very nearly made a winning stable debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) six weeks ago and will be fine on the forecast faster ground here; one to consider.

4/1

2nd

13

17th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:45 Uttoxeter

Bushmill Boy

10st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-23 but surely has a race in him, and did record a respectable C&D third (soft) last November; wind surgery since claimed for £6,000 from David Thompson and starts life for Olly Murphy back on a career-low mark.

7/2

100/30

  • Place: £1.30

Form: P-5582

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced; dropped back in trip (from 2m6f) and fared better when runner-up at Newcastle (2m1f, heavy; Raffles Wonder immediately behind) last month; a reproduction of that improved effort should see him positively involved in this winnable contest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

24th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

This Is Bob

10st 7lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Susan Corbett

Yet to win over hurdles, but good run in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when second at Musselburgh last time (2m4f, soft); shapes as though this longer trip could suit; interesting.

9/2

4th

8

24th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

This Is Bob

10st 7lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Susan Corbett

Yet to win over hurdles, but good run in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when second at Musselburgh last time (2m4f, soft); shapes as though this longer trip could suit; interesting.

9/2

8

5th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

19:10 Musselburgh

This Is Bob

10st 5lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Only his second handicap when going close at Newcastle (2m1f, heavy) in February and, on this very different track, he could bounce back from his remote third at Hexham; cheekpieces added.

3/1

Form: 7PP625

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Often placed, but still seeking his first win (0-14); was sporting a first-time visor when runner-up in a seller at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in January; failed to settle, and predictably didn't stay the longer trip (2m4f) at Market Rasen next time; drops back down in distance here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

16:50 Stratford

Tip Top Tonto

10st 8lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Alison Thorpe

In April last year he won a Fakenham handicap off 4lb higher but there's been nothing positive to take out of his last four races.

40/1

8th

7

30th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

12:50 Fakenham

Tip Top Tonto

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Alison Thorpe

Won off 1lb higher over C&D (good) for the Newland/Insole stable in April but both runs for John and Rhys Flint this season were very disappointing and he was tailed off for latest new trainer this month; the return to this track is a big plus but it still takes a leap of faith to support him.

25/1

8th

7

30th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

12:50 Fakenham

Tip Top Tonto

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Alison Thorpe

Won off 1lb higher over C&D (good) for the Newland/Insole stable in April but both runs for John and Rhys Flint this season were very disappointing and he was tailed off for latest new trainer this month; the return to this track is a big plus but it still takes a leap of faith to support him.

25/1

Form: 23B33U

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Reasonably consistent, but remains a maiden (0-15); spent force in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when badly hampered and unseating her rider at the final flight at Newcastle (2m1f, heavy) last time; has work to do with This Is Bob and Raffles Wonder.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

23rd Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 77y

Class 5

15:05 Sedgefield

Melvich Bay

10st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Danny Brooke

Only her second run over fences when successful at Cartmel (2m1f, soft) but that was a modest contest and she's been underwhelming since.

20/1

8th

9

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

14:50 Cartmel

Melvich Bay

10st 10lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Danny Brooke

0-11 over hurdles; came good over fences at second attempt, with clearcut C&D (soft) win in May, but that was a modest race and she was safely held when fourth behind Dr Sanderson here last month; needs to improve again.

8/1

4th

10

30th Jun 2024

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 4

16:20 Cartmel

Melvich Bay

10st 5lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Danny Brooke

Off the mark on first run here when winning C&D handicap from 4lb out of the handicap in May (soft); 6lb higher in what looks a tougher race, but could go well.

11/4

Form: 5885

Last run: 85 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Yet to shine (0-4), but did attract market support on handicap debut at Ayr (2m2f, soft; 5-1; fifth of eight beaten 37l) prior to Christmas; given a short break and, from this 3lb lower mark, could prove more competitive with the possibility of improvement forthcoming.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

3rd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:02 Hexham

Am Still Here

11st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Placed in all five chases, the first two over C&D in May (good to soft/good); bumped into an improver when clear second at Perth (3m, good) in August and will be a tough nut to crack here if last month's wind op makes any positive difference.

7/2

5

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

18:38 Perth

Am Still Here

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Bang there in all four races since switched to fences and he was running on last time at Cartmel (2m5f); this trip is well worth exploring.

4/1

6

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:50 Cartmel

Am Still Here

11st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Runner-up in all three chases, most recently when going close over C&D (soft; also suited by good) last month; continues to creep up the weights but seems very likely to be on the premises again.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 00-7FP

Last run: 181 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Failed to win (0-8) for John McConnell; was in the process of running creditably though when falling heavily at the final flight at Cartmel (2m1f, soft; 6-1) last August; useful claimer William Maggs booked, so worth a market check on first start for Andy Crook.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

5th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

15:20 Sedgefield

Ask Bob

11st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Andrew Crook

Ex-Irish maiden who has struggled on all three hurdling starts (2m-2m7f) for Andrew Crook this year; has too much to prove on this chasing debut.

33/1

8

5th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

15:20 Sedgefield

Ask Bob

11st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Andrew Crook

Ex-Irish maiden who has struggled on all three hurdling starts (2m-2m7f) for Andrew Crook this year; has too much to prove on this chasing debut.

33/1

9th

7

15th Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:35 Market Rasen

Ask Bob

11st 3lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Andrew Crook

towards rear

50/1

Form: 33F/P-

Last run: 677 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Struggled in low-grade Flat handicaps (1m-1m6f) last summer, and hasn't raced over hurdles (0-4) since pulling up in a 3m maiden here (80-1) in May 2022; highly unlikely to be the solution.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(3)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

14:20 Musselburgh

Star Of Markinch

9st 11lb

J: Miss Emma J Brown

T: Gary Rutherford

Longstanding maiden; effective at the track and ran creditably over 1m4f here last week; still looks opposable for win purposes.

33/1

4th

9

(8)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

14:40 Musselburgh

Star Of Markinch

8st 5lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Gary Rutherford

Placed several times (including C&D) but this 10yo remains a longstanding maiden and failed to beat a rival on her Newcastle reappearance seven weeks ago.

16/1

Form: 6P56

Last run: 86 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
12-race maiden; yet to show any obvious signs of ability, and faces a stiff task on these terms; first run for three months; swiftly dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

14th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

Red Shield

10st 5lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

12-race maiden; yet to show any obvious signs of ability, and faces a stiff task on these terms; first run for three months; swiftly dismissed.

25/1

6th

6

19th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

13:00 Catterick

Red Shield

11st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Modest Flat maiden in Ireland; poor efforts over hurdles for this yard; others appeal more.

50/1

5th

7

24th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

12:40 Catterick

Red Shield

11st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

towards rear, not fluent 2nd, outpaced and lost touch after 3 out

100/1

Non-runners

Brians Jet, Milltown Lily

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.10
Straight Forecast £23.19
Tricast £55.54
Trifecta £62.40

Selections

Daily Mail:

This Is Bob

SPOTLIGHT:

Raffles Wonder

Telegraph:

Am Still Here

The Times:

Brian's Jet

The Guardian:

Melvich Bay

The Star:

Am Still Here

D Express:

This Is Bob

Daily Mirror:

This Is Bob

Daily Record:

This Is Bob

RP RATINGS:

Raffles Wonder

POSTDATA:

Raffles Wonder

The Sun:

Raffles Wonder