July 15 / 14.30 Newton Abbot

14.30

Soft

Visit attheraces.com Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 2f 110y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Visit attheraces.com Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 2-3

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who came second in Ffos Las bumper on rules debut in April and made pretty good start to hurdling career when third there (2m, good) in May; ought to play a significant rule here too.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:22 Ffos Las

Boyles Hill

11st 4lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

C&D win in late 2024 (heavy) initiated a double; today's the first time since that he's returned below the mark of the second leg; have to hope confidence hasn't been sapped entirely by this term's heavy defeats.

25/1

9th

11

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

Boyles Hill

11st 0lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Three-time hurdle winner last season, most recently off mark 1lb lower than today's in this race (heavy); chasing has not gone to plan this term (three attempts) but he might fare better now back over hurdles.

20/1

Form: 9-

Last run: 280 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in Stratford bumper on debut in October and also struggled when reappearing on the Flat in Jersey last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

17th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:50 Fontwell

Johnnie River

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sue Gardner

Tailed off in all his races and being 10lb out of the weights clearly won't help.

50/1

11

17th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:50 Fontwell

Johnnie River

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sue Gardner

Tailed off in all his races and being 10lb out of the weights clearly won't help.

50/1

10th

4

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:50 Chepstow

Johnnie River

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sue Gardner

Tailed off in all five starts including a bumper, two Flat runs in Jersey and two maidens over hurdles; no appeal.

100/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in points at ninth attempt, in good-ground maiden at Bratton Down in May; has more on his plate on this rules debut but at least we know he's in good nick; not ruled out each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:48 Lingfield

Killard Point

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

Took nine attempts to get off the mark in points; achieved very little in his three hurdle races and a handicap chase, given wind surgery before the last named in December (3m1f); 9lb out of the handicap.

100/1

12

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:48 Lingfield

Killard Point

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

Took nine attempts to get off the mark in points; achieved very little in his three hurdle races and a handicap chase, given wind surgery before the last named in December (3m1f); 9lb out of the handicap.

100/1

9

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

12:45 Wincanton

Killard Point

10st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Richenda Ford

Took nine attempts to get off the mark in points; achieved nothing in three runs over hurdles; had a wind operation ahead of this switch to fences but very opposable.

20/1

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Left disappointing Irish point debut behind when winning 13-race race on yielding ground in May; changed hands for £6,500 soon afterwards and joined good stable for rules career; market may point the way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

13th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Manowest

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won a Worcester maiden hurdle last May (2m7f, good); creditable runs handicapping since; conditions suit; chance.

9/2

3rd

3

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Manowest

11st 4lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Won his maiden over this trip at Worcester last May and has since shown he can cope with this sort of mark; whether he'll cope with today's ground is another matter as his best form has been on good.

7/1

6th

5

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Manowest

11st 11lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

Returned from break with hard-fought maiden win at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May and probably bettered that performance when clear second in C&D (good) handicap last month; likely contender again.

9/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful Flat-racer; absent since midfield finish in Cesarewitch in October but makes hurdling debut in very ordinary race and is a very interesting contender for his top Irish stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(2)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:10 Chester

Mr Escobar

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: W P Mullins

Beaten a nose here (2m, soft) in September 2024 off 1lb lower and gave further encouragement that year, but that promise has not been fulfilled and his jumps career (latest start two months ago) has gone badly the wrong way; first-time blinkers replace his usual hood.

11/1

13th

8

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 10y

15:30 Naas

Mr Escobar

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Useful 85-rated Flat stayer; odds-on winner of a Sedgefield novice hurdle (2m1f, good) last season; placed twice at Plumpton off 126 in final starts last season; reverts to hurdles now after two poor chasing starts this term

14/1

5

6th Aug 2025

Good

2m 3f 130y

18:07 Wexford

Mr Escobar

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Useful stayer on the Flat; odds-on winner of a Sedgefield novice hurdle (2m1f, good) last November; placed twice at Plumpton in the final weeks of last season; not as good as several of these over hurdles; makes chase debut with tongue-tie added to hood.

6/1

Form: 994/

Last run: 455 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in three Irish hurdles in 2022-23 season, showing a tendency to race too freely, and makes stable debut after 455-day layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

16

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:35 Taunton

Too Sharp

10st 4lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

0-8 and was beaten when unseating in Prairie Diamond's race last week at Wincanton; blinkers added.

66/1

11th

16

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:35 Taunton

Too Sharp

10st 4lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

0-8 and was beaten when unseating in Prairie Diamond's race last week at Wincanton; blinkers added.

66/1

10

21st Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

12:45 Wincanton

Too Sharp

10st 6lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Daisy Hitchins

Open to improvement if cutting out the mistakes but his claims aren't overly compelling based on his first two handicap performances; now 0-7.

20/1

Form: 7

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair on the Flat and should be fine stamina-wise over hurdles but made early jumping errors and was well-beaten 50-1 shot (albeit badly hampered by a faller) on last month's hurdling debut at Stratford.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(2)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

14:00 Chepstow

Stage Show

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Alexandra Dunn

This year's hurdling form is uninspiring but he held on gamely to cause 66-1 shock at Salisbury a fortnight ago, his first Flat run since 2024; it's hard to tell whether he'll be in the same mood again here but he's only 2lb higher and this is a slight drop in grade.

4/1

1st

5

(2)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 5

17:03 Salisbury

Stage Show

9st 4lb

J: George Wood

T: Alexandra Dunn

Sole win from 32 starts came over hurdles at Exeter (2m7f, good to firm) in October but he's been held in three starts since and now returns to the Flat for the first time since June 2024.

8/1

6th

5

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:10 Exeter

Stage Show

10st 8lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Alexandra Dunn

Broke his duck over hurdles at the 15th attempt over C&D (good to firm) last October (held up); well below that level next time, when dropped back in trip (heavy) and beaten almost 9l at Wincanton by Square Du Roule latest (3m, good); more needed but not written off.

8/1

Form: 108-6

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Caused 150-1 shock in AW bumper for Richard Rowe on debut in November but has not shown enough on her two hurdling starts for Richenda Ford (1m7f/2m5f) to warrant serious consideration today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

15:15 Fontwell

Ask Her Out

10st 3lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

Won off 4lb higher at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft) three runs back but not nearly so good on her two runs since and she's been off for a while.

12/1

9th

9

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:47 Fontwell

Ask Her Out

10st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Richenda Ford

Bumper winner who came good at the fourth attempt in handicaps but pulled up in a Class 4 at Wincanton from out of the weights last time; she was progressing well prior to that and could easily resume progress if back on song.

8/1

11

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

15:45 Wincanton

Ask Her Out

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

Bumper winner; second to Sweet Caryline at Fontwell and went one better when getting up in the nick of time at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft); up 4lb and add another 1lb for being out of the weights; clearly a contender.

7/1

Form: 1/8-0

Last run: 60 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won soft-ground Wetherby bumper on debut in March and was not beaten far when midfield at Cheltenham (good) the following month; looks interesting on that evidence but lacked fluency and was always behind when switched to hurdling at Fontwell in May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

3rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:00 Newton Abbot

Miss Goldfire

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Harry Fry

Returned to form to win under Ciaran O'Shea at Fontwell (2m5f, good) last month; unseated before the race got serious there last time; stays 3m2f and is effective on good to soft ground; capable of having a big say.

2/1

4

24th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

15:45 Fontwell

Miss Goldfire

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Harry Fry

Bounced back to form with C&D win under Ciaran O'Shea this month and is now 3-15 over hurdles; still on workable mark after recent 5lb rise; obvious contender if in similar mood again.

15/8

1st

3

6th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:42 Fontwell

Miss Goldfire

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Harry Fry

Two wins last spring on good ground included a 2m7f handicap off this very mark; clearly a contender if back to that level, though that's not been the case in her last four races.

16/1

Form: 9

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Lacked fluency and was tailed off when 66-1 for debut here (2m1f) a month ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:20 Wincanton

Mutley Crew

11st 1lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Lightly raced 10yo, who has form figures of 121 this winter and that last win was by 7l over C&D (heavy) two weeks ago; up 8lb but she was as good as ever last time and is now 2-5 over fences; interesting contender.

5/2

1st

7

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:03 Wincanton

Mutley Crew

10st 11lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Conditions will be fine as it was heavy when she won by 9l at Fontwell (2m5f) in December; nearly followed up over C&D (good to soft) when only two finished; just 1lb higher and has solid claims.

100/30

4th

6

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

15:30 Taunton

Mutley Crew

10st 13lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

held up in rear, mistake 3rd

6/1

Abandoned

Form: 60

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not beaten far when sixth of seven in Uttoxeter bumper on last month's rules debut but finished well down the field at Worcester a fortnight ago and can only be watched on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

28th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:55 Uttoxeter

Granny Smith

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Not beaten far in two good-ground bumpers this season and ought to be suited by this step up in trip but still only limited appeal on hurdling debut.

33/1

11th

8

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Worcester

Granny Smith

10st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

Well-beaten fourth in an Irish point in May (3m, good to yielding); behind All Inn Hand when sixth at Uttoxeter on bumper debut last month; others look stronger.

16/1

Form: P-8798

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Safely held off lowly mark in 2m1f handicap here three weeks ago and has now been unplaced all seven hurdling starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

31st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

18:30 Stratford

What An Icon

10st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Unseated rider at first flight on recent reappearance outing and has now been unplaced all nine hurdling starts; 1lb wrong here; sports refitted hood; not the most obvious answer.

33/1

10

31st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

18:30 Stratford

What An Icon

10st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Unseated rider at first flight on recent reappearance outing and has now been unplaced all nine hurdling starts; 1lb wrong here; sports refitted hood; not the most obvious answer.

33/1

8

21st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:10 Warwick

What An Icon

10st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

No improvement for the return to assertive tactics on her final two outings last summer, beaten 25l in each; 5lb out of the weights on this return to action and not easily recommended.

50/1

Verdict

Boyles Hill might have been a shade unlucky not to make a winning hurdle debut at Ffos Las in May, having been denied a clear run in the closing stages, but the most interesting runner is hurdling debutant MR ESCOBAR, who was fairly useful on the Flat and is a rare runner here for champion trainer Willie Mullins. Irish point winner Manowest may also feature.[Chris Wilson]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Mr Escobar

RP RATINGS:

Boyles Hill

WEST COUNTRY:

Miss Goldfire

The Guardian:

Boyles Hill

Daily Mail:

Boyles Hill

POSTDATA:

Mr Escobar

The Times:

Mr Escobar

Telegraph:

Mr Escobar

D Express:

Mr Escobar

Daily Mirror:

Mr Escobar

The Sun:

Mr Escobar

The Star:

Mr Escobar

Daily Record:

Mr Escobar