July 09 / 16.33 Uttoxeter

16.33

Good

Nigel Kirby Photography Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 1m 7f 168y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Nigel Kirby Photography Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.40
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 13/4 D BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner; raced too freely and had to settle for fourth when favourite for hurdling debut at Ffos Las (2m, good) in May but that run came after a 474-day absence and he can improve if the first-time hood helps him to settle better here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

12

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Guard Duty

11st 1lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Not the greatest jumper and he comes from the back, which risks trouble in running, but competitive in all six of his completed handicaps over this sort of trip; won three of them, in just a four-runner race at Doncaster on latest start, though, and further improvement is needed.

16/1

1st

2

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 2

14:15 Doncaster

Guard Duty

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Progressive last season and has continued the good work this term, finishing second of 15 at Newbury (2m4f, soft) then third of 12 at Windsor (2m4f, good); trainer won this last year and he's a major player.

6/4

9th

5

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Guard Duty

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Emma Lavelle

didn't always jump with fluency, held up in rear

15/2

5/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
3-9 on the Flat in France, the latest win gained in a Listed race (1m4f, heavy) in April 2023; changed hands for 16,000euros in September; makes stable/hurdle debut after 450-day absence but is half-brother to two winning hurdlers (one of them smart) and Harry Cobden is a good booking.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

26th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

13:40 Uttoxeter

Virtual Rock

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Robert Eddery

Won a Listed Flat race in France in April 2023 and, following a long absence, made good start to hurdling career when second to Guard Duty over C&D (soft) this month; will be dangerous if that recent run has brought him on; unraced on turf faster than good to soft; tongue-tie fitted.

15/8

2nd

10

9th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:33 Uttoxeter

Virtual Rock

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Robert Eddery

3-9 on the Flat in France, the latest win gained in a Listed race (1m4f, heavy) in April 2023; changed hands for 16,000euros in September; makes stable/hurdle debut after 450-day absence but is half-brother to two winning hurdlers (one of them smart) and Harry Cobden is a good booking.

5/1

100/1

  • Place: £23.90

Form: 95C

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has some fair Flat form but failed to win in that sphere and was soundly beaten on his first two hurdling starts (2m/2m5f); unlucky to be carried out in early stages at Stratford last week but still overlooked here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

26th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:46 Huntingdon

Dartman

10st 8lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Well beaten when 50-1 for Ludlow handicap a fortnight ago and now 0-8 over hurdles; fitted with first-time tongue-tie here; difficult to enthuse over.

25/1

4

26th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:46 Huntingdon

Dartman

10st 8lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Well beaten when 50-1 for Ludlow handicap a fortnight ago and now 0-8 over hurdles; fitted with first-time tongue-tie here; difficult to enthuse over.

25/1

7th

7

11th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:50 Ludlow

Dartman

10st 10lb

J: Miss Jess Stewart

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Fair third in novice hurdle at Uttoxeter last July and he's dropping down the weights; however, he's struggled since that Uttoxeter run and was fading when falling three out at Chepstow last time; now 0-16 across both codes.

33/1

Form: P-

Last run: 415 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won two low-level AW races during the winter (both 8.6f) but was pulled up on his only previous hurdling attempt (in May 2023) and makes very limited appeal on return to this discipline.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(12)

14th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Pyrrhic Dancer

10st 8lb

J: Mr Lewis Kent

T: Gary Brown

Patchy since returning from almost a year off and it's a long time since he went this far; yard been dry for a while and others hold more pressing claims.

16/1

5th

7

(2)

25th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

16:12 Lingfield (AW)

Pyrrhic Dancer

9st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Gary Brown

Over two years since his last win but he has only had seven runs (three over hurdles) since his Wolverhampton success in January 2024; this winter's efforts need bettering and he ran poorly when tried in blinkers once in the past.

16/1

8

(8)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

14:15 Lingfield (AW)

Pyrrhic Dancer

9st 3lb

J: George Bass

T: Gary Brown

Hat-trick and good third to Port Noir last four Flat starts; not seen for nearly a year but his ability to get the job done counts for a lot in this; market can guide.

8/1

Form: 8/

Last run: 1326 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Four-time Flat winner in low-grade AW handicaps, most recently in December 2022; this year's AW form is very underwhelming and he can only be watched on today's hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

28th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 4

18:00 Market Rasen

Prince Abu

11st 4lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: L J Morgan

Lightly raced since his two very underwhelming hurdle runs for Derek Shaw in summer 2024 and returned from 318-day absence with 19l defeat off basement Flat mark last month; swaps hood for refitted cheekpieces; tongue-tie a first.

50/1

9th

9

(7)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

17:17 Southwell (AW)

Prince Abu

10st 8lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: L J Morgan

Triple course winner (1m6f/2m) but his last success was in December 2022 and he didn't pose a threat in just two runs last year; returns after 318 days off and he has some work to do back in trip; hood reapplied.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Went close in good-ground Irish point on debut in May and changed hands for 48,000euros soon afterwards; has pretty good standard to reach on hurdling debut but he's an interesting recruit for Tim Vaughton.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

31st Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

14:15 Newton Abbot

Dance Rules

11st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tim Vaughan

Went close on Irish point debut in May but was tailed off in two Uttoxeter novice hurdles last month; stable has much stronger claims with Razzle Dazzle Boy.

100/1

9th

3

26th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:10 Uttoxeter

Dance Rules

11st 2lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Bought for 48,000euros after going close on Irish point debut in May but was tailed off (albeit on soft ground) when 33-1 for C&D novice hurdle on recent rules debut.

16/1

6th

3

9th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:33 Uttoxeter

Dance Rules

11st 0lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Went close in good-ground Irish point on debut in May and changed hands for 48,000euros soon afterwards; has pretty good standard to reach on hurdling debut but he's an interesting recruit for Tim Vaughton.

16/1

Form: 1 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful Flat-racer who made all to win comfortably over C&D (good) on last month's stable/hurdle debut; has 7lb penalty to should today but ought to be a very tough nut to crack.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:33 Uttoxeter

Valsad

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

led, 1 length ahead going okay when fell 2 out

4/6

1st

5

15th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

17:40 Uttoxeter

Valsad

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

made all, wandered at early obstacles, went clear after 4th, reduced lead when mistake 3 out, unchallenged

8/15

13th

7

(9)

6th Apr 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:40 Kempton (AW)

Valsad

9st 2lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Better than ever when quite a comfortable winner of a 13-runner race at Southwell (1m4f) four weeks ago; raised 5lb to a clear career-high mark so another improved effort will be required to follow up.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: PP-0

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won basement-grade AW contest in February (1m2f, AW; RPR 56) but struggled when back over hurdles in May and can't be recommended here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:33 Uttoxeter

Barbarosa

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy

Won basement-grade AW contest in February (1m2f, AW; RPR 56) but struggled when back over hurdles in May and can't be recommended here.

100/1

10th

1

21st May 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:40 Huntingdon

Barbarosa

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy

Won basement-grade AW contest for Clare Hobson in February (1m2f, AW; RPR 56) but struggled on both hurdling attempts last season; now back in the care of his owner-trainer.

66/1

10th

1

21st May 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:40 Huntingdon

Barbarosa

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy

Won basement-grade AW contest for Clare Hobson in February (1m2f, AW; RPR 56) but struggled on both hurdling attempts last season; now back in the care of his owner-trainer.

66/1

Form: 2-

Last run: 357 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a half-sister to smart hurdler Shinrock Paddy; clear second on bumper debut at Southwell (good to soft) one year ago but the form isn't anything to get too excited about and we haven't seen him agan since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 3

14:05 Market Rasen

Deploy To Spy

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

4-7 over hurdles and he posted a personal best when winning in a small field at Worcester (2m7f, good to soft) five weeks ago; may still have some untapped potential; major contender in first-time cheekpieces.

9/4

1st

2

12th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

19:10 Worcester

Deploy To Spy

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Completed hat-trick with ready win on handicap debut at Aintree (2m1f, good) in November; ended 2024 with a lesser effort and was safely held when upped to 2m4f for reappearance in April but may still have potential over this even longer trip.

3/1

8th

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Deploy To Spy

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Brought up his hat-trick on handicap debut at Aintree in November (2m1f, good) and his following run at Doncaster off this 7lb higher mark looked too bad to be true; arrives here fresh and may well have further improvement lurking.

9/1

Form: P

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up when 50-1 for last month's rules debut at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft); drops in trip here; probably one for further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

20

(23)

31st Jul 2023

Soft

2m 0f 179y

18:40 Galway

Line Out

11st 3lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

Finest hour when winning the Irish Cesarewitch in 2021; off until needing the run in a 2m handicap at the Curragh on Derby weekend; will be a lot sharper here and could well be a player.

12/1

12th

6

(10)

1st Jul 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:40 Curragh

Line Out

9st 8lb

J: Ben Coen

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

Three-time hurdles winner but better Flat horse; not seen since convincingly landing the Irish Cesarewitch in 2021; just 6lb higher and an attractive rider booking; very interesting runner.

8/1

Non-runners

Fortune DHonfleur, Thunder Gap, Line Out, Mandega, Steel Soldier

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.70
Straight Forecast £23.94
Trifecta £2443.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Valsad

SPOTLIGHT:

Guard Duty

WEST COUNTRY:

Dartman

The Star:

Guard Duty

TOPSPEED:

Valsad

POSTDATA:

Valsad

The Times:

Valsad

Telegraph:

Valsad

The Guardian:

Valsad

Daily Mail:

Valsad

D Express:

Valsad

Daily Mirror:

Valsad

The Sun:

Valsad

Daily Record:

Valsad