November 26 / 15.10 Southwell

15.10

Good

Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
SKY
View Course
Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 13P343 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Mainly seen over fences these days, winning on his return from six months off at this course (2m, good) in June; showed he still retains some aptitude for hurdles when third of nine back here (2m4f, good) last month and drops into a 0-95 for the first time; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

4th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

15:15 Warwick

Neigh Botha

10st 13lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won at Southwell (2m, good) in October but looked set to be second when left in the lead at Bangor; however, only 2lb higher now and he reportedly finished lame in November on his final run.

13/2

1st

3

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

13:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Neigh Botha

11st 13lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Watch the weather as all his best form is on good ground, including latest comfortable win at Southwell (2m); could deal with the 6lb rise under suitable conditions.

7/2

1st

3

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

13:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Neigh Botha

11st 13lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Watch the weather as all his best form is on good ground, including latest comfortable win at Southwell (2m); could deal with the 6lb rise under suitable conditions.

7/2

10/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: -765F6

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Well held in three bumpers and two completed starts over hurdles; from a successful family and stable in fine form, though, so worth a second look now switched to a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

17:05 Fakenham

Runaway Train

11st 12lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: James Owen

Ten-race maiden whose best form has been at 2m and he was tailed off when raised to 2m4f at Southwell (good) only recently; now goes in cheekpieces.

2/1

3

1st Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

17:05 Fakenham

Runaway Train

11st 12lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: James Owen

Ten-race maiden whose best form has been at 2m and he was tailed off when raised to 2m4f at Southwell (good) only recently; now goes in cheekpieces.

2/1

1

20th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:50 Southwell

Runaway Train

11st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

0-7 over hurdles and absent since a poor performance in January but his second of 13 here (2m, good) in November was a good effort and he could plausibly have untapped potential over this longer trip.

11/2

6/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 7323

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Placed in her last three starts on good ground over hurdles, albeit beaten a fair way when third of four at Hereford (2m) a fortnight ago; not dismissed on handicap debut, though she may not want too much rain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

23rd Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

15:58 Warwick

Window Of Time

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Has yet to win and placed again on her first run for this yard in a 2m maiden at Worcester 18 days ago; still appeals as a likely contender and she has been competitive off this sort of mark.

9/4

8

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:00 Worcester

Window Of Time

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Made the frame on five of her eight hurdling starts for Alex Hales, most recently when second of seven in Huntingdon handicap (2m, good) in May; soundly beaten on final two outings for that stable and not sure to be favoured by the forecast rain here but has good claims if back on song for new trainer Olly Murphy.

11/4

6

16th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

16:38 Uttoxeter

Window Of Time

11st 3lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Placed off today's mark in first two handicaps (both 2m, good) but needs to get back on track after a disappointing run in May.

14/1

Form: -72560

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
1-28 in Britain; looked as though he might be getting it together over hurdles when second of 11 off 8lb higher at Uttoxeter (2m, good) in July, but not built on it under either code since; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 116y

Class 4

18:09 Plumpton

Motazzen

11st 1lb

J: J P O’Neill

T: Henrietta C Knight

Four-time hurdle winner and career-best form to win by 10l at Fontwell two runs ago (2m5f, good to soft); went up 8lb for that and was back down to earth on his return visit when beaten 20l; hard to know entirely what to expect from him.

100/30

8th

3

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

18:10 Fontwell

Motazzen

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Four-time hurdle winner who rewarded good market support and showed career-best form when drawing clear to score by 10l here (2m5f, good to soft) in March; 8lb rise asks a fair bit of him but the forecast faster ground should not be a problem.

5/1

1st

3

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Fontwell

Motazzen

11st 12lb

J: J P O’Neill

T: Henrietta C Knight

Four Flat wins and three over hurdles; has yet to win this season over jumps but two of his three placed efforts came here and he's likely to be a strong contender, for all that last two runs (hurdle/AW) weren't his best.

3/1

Form: 70-648

Last run: 158 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
From a successful family for this stable and put up her best effort over hurdles when fourth of seven over C&D (soft) in May; didn't build on it on handicap debut at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) the following month and has something to prove after 158 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

20th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

18:10 Huntingdon

Darting Rose

10st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

From a successful family for this stable but she's yet to really shine in five starts over hurdles, although her latest run in November (2m, good) when returning from a break was more encouraging (second run in handicaps); another absence to overcome but she has each-way claims if building on that.

11/2

7th

4

20th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

18:10 Huntingdon

Darting Rose

10st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

From a successful family for this stable but she's yet to really shine in five starts over hurdles, although her latest run in November (2m, good) when returning from a break was more encouraging (second run in handicaps); another absence to overcome but she has each-way claims if building on that.

11/2

5th

8

26th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:10 Southwell

Darting Rose

11st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Pam Sly

From a successful family for this stable and put up her best effort over hurdles when fourth of seven over C&D (soft) in May; didn't build on it on handicap debut at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) the following month and has something to prove after 158 days off.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 365-4

Last run: 203 days

W: 11st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
1m4f Flat winner in France; would have finished closer had she not been hampered at the last on handicap debut over C&D (good) in May, but she wouldn't have won; remains unexposed but may need this after seven months off; stable also runs Tarbaan.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 41y

19:12 Ballinrobe

Illucidate

11st 5lb

J: Mr D McGill

T: Gary McGill

Has shown ability in France and Britain for former stables; was detached when falling on debut for this stable at Bellewstown; best watched for now.

16/1

7

5th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

19:30 Bellewstown

Illucidate

11st 3lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Gary McGill

Flat winner in France showed some ability in five hurdle starts in UK; worth a market check on debut for this yard.

12/1

Form: 392275

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
0-20 under rules, but twice went close at Stratford (2m/2m3f) in the summer and is off the same mark as for the latest of those; each-way claims if reproducing that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

15:40 Stratford

Northern Rose

10st 11lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Record of 0-30 but she's been placed with cheekpieces added in last two starts and was a well-backed favourite when third at Hereford (2m3f, good) on Monday; should go well again off unchanged mark and she's in the mix.

11/2

3rd

8

13th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

17:20 Hereford

Northern Rose

10st 5lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Longstanding maiden but off this career-low mark she was a 7l second at Uttoxeter (2m, good) when cheekpieces were added; possibilities.

4/1

2nd

13

16th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:10 Uttoxeter

Northern Rose

10st 7lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Returned from break with good second over C&D (good) in May but her subsequent record is very mixed and she's now 0-20 over hurdles; tried in new cheekpieces today; would probably prefer the rain to stay away.

16/1

Form: /9PP-7

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in two bumpers and pulled up in first two starts over hurdles for Charlie Longsdon; off 318 days before well held on stable debut at Stratford (2m, good to soft) last month, but open to progress now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:17 Chepstow

No No Espresso

10st 12lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Harry Derham

Unplaced all five hurdling starts; arguably ran better than bare form suggests when fifth of 16 at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) last month but subsequent 2lb drop is not enough to tempt.

11/1

5th

14

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

13:28 Doncaster

No No Espresso

11st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Six-race maiden; needs improvement but market support should be noted on this second handicap attempt and third run for Harry Derham.

10/1

5th

14

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

13:28 Doncaster

No No Espresso

11st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Six-race maiden; needs improvement but market support should be noted on this second handicap attempt and third run for Harry Derham.

10/1

Form: 098

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Some promise in two Irish points at the start of the year, but beaten a long way at huge prices in three quick starts over hurdles last month; nicely bred, though, and may start to show more now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

31st Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Three Zambezis

10st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Hardly brings compelling form claims and heavy ground wasn't an obvious excuse when a remote fourth at Hereford on chase debut (2m5f); essentially disappointing given the promise of his point runs.

5/1

4th

8

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

Three Zambezis

10st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Solid effort when runner-up in his second Irish point (3m, heavy) in 2024 but he couldn't land a gamble when beaten 40l in a Lingfield handicap hurdle (2m7f, soft) just under a year ago; two starts over hurdles this term have been poor but needs monitoring in the market on this chase debut under rules.

9/1

3rd

8

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Lingfield

Three Zambezis

10st 11lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Runner-up in a point but has form figures of 0989F over hurdles and those last two runs have been at big prices in handicaps (2m/2m3f); has stamina on his dam's side but he needs to show a lot more on this switch to a staying trip.

9/1

Form: 7-9P06

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Subject of a gamble when runner-up at Hereford (2m, good to soft) in January, but hasn't matched that effort since including on his first start back with his former trainer (following a second wind operation) at Fakenham (2m, good) last month; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

26th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:10 Southwell

Secret Sauce

10st 13lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Anthony Charlton

Subject of a gamble when runner-up at Hereford (2m, good to soft) in January, but hasn't matched that effort since including on his first start back with his former trainer (following a second wind operation) at Fakenham (2m, good) last month; others preferred.

14/1

11th

12

26th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:10 Southwell

Secret Sauce

10st 13lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Anthony Charlton

Subject of a gamble when runner-up at Hereford (2m, good to soft) in January, but hasn't matched that effort since including on his first start back with his former trainer (following a second wind operation) at Fakenham (2m, good) last month; others preferred.

14/1

6th

5

30th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Fakenham

Secret Sauce

11st 2lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Anthony Charlton

Won a 1m claimer on soft at Gowran in May 2023; best run over hurdles when runner-up in a Hereford novice for this yard in January (2m, good to soft); not done as well for two different trainers over hurdles and on the Flat since; on a good mark and interesting back with Tony Charlton having had wind surgery.

14/1

16/1

Form: 550

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner on the Flat who showed some promise when fifth of 11 on hurdles debut at Fontwell (2m2f, good to soft) last month, but has endured heavy defeats in both starts since; not out of the question he could bounce back on handicap debut, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

26th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:10 Southwell

Tarbaan

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Amy Murphy

Four-time winner on the Flat who showed some promise when fifth of 11 on hurdles debut at Fontwell (2m2f, good to soft) last month, but has endured heavy defeats in both starts since; not out of the question he could bounce back on handicap debut, though.

16/1

12th

4

26th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:10 Southwell

Tarbaan

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Amy Murphy

Four-time winner on the Flat who showed some promise when fifth of 11 on hurdles debut at Fontwell (2m2f, good to soft) last month, but has endured heavy defeats in both starts since; not out of the question he could bounce back on handicap debut, though.

16/1

11th

13

8th Nov 2024

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

12:50 Fontwell

Tarbaan

11st 4lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Amy Murphy

Flat form has largely deteriorated in the last 12 months; shaped better than the bare result over C&D on hurdles debut but suffered a heavy defeat at Fakenham later in October.

33/1

Form: 98-496

Last run: 141 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has shown ability a couple of times over hurdles, as when an eyecatching sixth of 14 on stable debut at Worcester (2m4f, good) in July; not sure dropping back in trip is ideal, though, and he has been off for five months.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

3rd Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:30 Huntingdon

Dannys Friend

11st 8lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Michael Scudamore

Fifth foal; closely related to 2m4f chase winner Thunder In Milan, half-brother to very useful chaser Kiltealy Briggs; dam unraced sister to Grand National winner Ballabriggs; likely to need longer trips to be seen to best effect and probably best watched on debut.

12/1

Form: 6/87-

Last run: 384 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Little to get excited about in three starts over hurdles last year, but he has won six times on the Flat including this summer; could step forward now switched to a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(1)

6th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:05 Ayr

Gainsbourg

9st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Daragh Bourke

Brings positives, being a dual course scorer who is back on last winning mark; the negative is that he dropped right away and finished tailed-off last on seasonal debut.

25/1

12th

2

(4)

16th Jun 2025

Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Carlisle

Gainsbourg

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Daragh Bourke

Has two wins on soft but this is his first run on the Flat since last October, and first since pulled up over hurdles in November, and was below his best on all three previous visits to this track; best watched.

14/1

6

26th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:10 Southwell

Gainsbourg

11st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Daragh Bourke

Little to get excited about in three starts over hurdles last year, but he has won six times on the Flat including this summer; could step forward now switched to a handicap.

16/1

Non-runners

Early Morning Dew

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.10
Straight Forecast £13.67
Tricast £93.73
Trifecta £103.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Neigh Botha

The Times:

Window Of Time

RP RATINGS:

Early Morning Dew

The Sun:

Runaway Train

LAMBOURN:

No No Espresso

D Express:

Illucidate

Daily Mirror:

Window Of Time

POSTDATA:

Neigh Botha

Telegraph:

Neigh Botha

The Guardian:

Neigh Botha

Daily Mail:

Neigh Botha

Daily Record:

Neigh Botha

The Star:

Early Morning Dew