December 08 / 13.30 Kelso

13.30

Good To Soft

Belhaven Black Classic Handicap Hurdle (Go North Brindisi Breeze Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 2m 6f 151y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Belhaven Black Classic Handicap Hurdle (Go North Brindisi Breeze Series Qualifier)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 2139-5

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
3m point winner (good) who made all at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) in February on his second hurdle start; hasn't threatened in his two handicaps (3m/2m4f) but didn't run badly on last month's reappearance at Carlisle and could improve for that outing and this step back up in trip; retains potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Young Jack

10st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Runner-up on three of his first four chase starts (2m7f/2m5f, soft/heavy) before winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) last month; it was a small field last time and he's in a hotter race today, but he did it nicely and could have more to offer in the cheekpieces, which he's worn just twice.

14/1

1st

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:25 Newcastle

Young Jack

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Chris Grant

Sound efforts on three of his four starts this term, last time finishing runner-up over 2m5f here (heavy; cheekpieces first time); headgear retained and a possible back up in trip.

11/8

2nd

3

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

15:35 Kelso

Young Jack

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Course hurdles winner who was runner-up on chase debut here (2m7f, soft) in December and bounced back from Ayr flop to go close at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) last time; he has an up-and-down profile but he's a key player if once more on a going day; wears first-time cheekpieces.

4/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: P26-31 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Consistent and lightly raced 5yo who was suited by the step back up in trip when getting up in the final strides here (2m5f, good to soft) four weeks ago; has also run well on soft ground here and he shapes as though today's extra yardage will be in his favour; he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Musselburgh

Forged Well

11st 5lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Martin Todhunter

Tailed off when back over hurdles at Sedgefield last month and something to prove after that; however, he's 2lb lower than for his ready win over fences here (2m7f, good to soft) in December and shouldn't be discounted.

9/1

6th

4

19th Feb 2026

3m 3f 9y

Class 4

14:33 Sedgefield

Forged Well

11st 9lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

Won a handicap chase at Musselburgh in December (2m7f, good to soft); shapes as though this trip will suit, is 7lb lower over hurdles and could go well.

3/1

20/1

  • Place: £6.20

Form: 2F3F3/

Last run: 627 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced point and 2m4f soft-ground novice hurdle winner who is on a handy mark on his best form; however, this is his first run since March 2023 (wind op in interim) and it's a very hefty absence to defy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:13 Ayr

Gaillimh A Stor

11st 3lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Went close in this last year (soft) and now 10lb lower; however, this 10yo has struggled to get competitive since, most recently over C&D (soft) four weeks ago following wind surgery; a visor replaces cheekpieces.

25/1

6

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

14:40 Ayr

Gaillimh A Stor

11st 9lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

prominent, hampered then in touch with leaders 1st, dropped to last after 6th, detached when pulled up before 7th

14/1

6

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

14:40 Ayr

Gaillimh A Stor

11st 9lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

prominent, hampered then in touch with leaders 1st, dropped to last after 6th, detached when pulled up before 7th

14/1

Form: 82000/

Last run: 728 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles and fences at Leopardstown in 2021, and he landed a point-to-point this May; however, he was tailed off in a point in June when last seen and has a modest strike-rate under rules; makes stable debut having changed hands for £4,000; others are more compelling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

26th May 2025

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

16:05 Cartmel

Siberian Star

10st 3lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Catterick winner off 6lb lower in January (3m1f, good to soft); runner-up on three occasions since, including at Perth last time (3m, good to soft); well beaten both previous starts at this trip, but wouldn't rule him out.

4/1

7

26th May 2025

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

16:05 Cartmel

Siberian Star

10st 3lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Catterick winner off 6lb lower in January (3m1f, good to soft); runner-up on three occasions since, including at Perth last time (3m, good to soft); well beaten both previous starts at this trip, but wouldn't rule him out.

4/1

2nd

7

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

15:25 Perth

Siberian Star

11st 8lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

towards rear

9/2

Form: 662-58

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
3m point runner-up who was a fairly promising second in a maiden hurdle here (2m5f, soft) in March; however, he has to produce more than he's managed at Carlisle this autumn in his first two handicaps (2m4f, good to soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

Joie More

10st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jackie Stephen

Respectable fifth of 14 at Carlisle (3m, good to soft) in February but well beaten at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) last month; has had a second wind op since, which needs to make a difference if he's to break his duck.

16/1

6th

8

3rd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

16:05 Newcastle

Joie More

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jackie Stephen

13-race maiden; pulled up behind Cowboy Cooper at Ayr in January and was behind Uptown Harry at Carlisle last time; has a bit to prove here.

33/1

5th

12

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:04 Carlisle

Joie More

10st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jackie Stephen

Didn't run badly on final two starts in 2025 and continues to drop down the weights; however, pulled up at Ayr last month and now 0-12 under rules; needs to bounce back in a big way in a first-time tongue-tie.

20/1

Form: 63214-

Last run: 237 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
9yo who got off the mark at the 13th attempt at Carlisle (3m1f, soft) in March; however, failed to threaten when fourth over this C&D (soft) in April and absent since; improvement needed on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

12:53 Kelso

Gypseys Secret

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Sandy Forster

towards rear

33/1

11th

12

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

12:53 Kelso

Gypseys Secret

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Sandy Forster

towards rear

33/1

6th

12

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

13:30 Kelso

Gypseys Secret

10st 5lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Forster

in rear, not fluent 4th

14/1

Form: 1/45-1 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won heavy-ground bumper on debut in March 2023 and defied absence to win over C&D (good to soft) last month on his third hurdle start, despite once more flashing his tail; begins handicap life on a fair mark and he's in very good hands to progress; firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

12:18 Kelso

Lunar Chief

11st 7lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ruth Jefferson

didn't jump with fluency, in touch with leaders early, in rear when not fluent 4th, reminders after 4 out, rallied and went fourth 3 out, went third after 2 out, no impression before last

6/1

3rd

2

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

12:18 Kelso

Lunar Chief

11st 7lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ruth Jefferson

didn't jump with fluency, in touch with leaders early, in rear when not fluent 4th, reminders after 4 out

6/1

Form: 146-73

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Two wins at Ayr (2m4f, heavy/good to soft) earlier this year and he returned to form when third there (2m4f, good) last month; he needs to prove he's fully effective away from Ayr but this 5yo is not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

14th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Follow Charlie

11st 0lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: R Mike Smith

4-29, including a C&D win (from 2lb lower) at this two-day Perth fixture in 2025; has been competing over 3m recently, failing to get home when fourth to Suspected (beaten over 13l) here three weeks ago; dropping back in trip is in his favour; don't discount hastily.

12/1

4th

2

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:40 Perth

Follow Charlie

11st 13lb

J: Mr Joe Wright

T: R Mike Smith

Has won four times over hurdles, including over 2m4f here last May (good); softer ground no problem but stamina to prove.

11/1

9th

8

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Musselburgh

Follow Charlie

11st 1lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

Won at Perth (2m4f, good) last May and at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in November, and has run well at up to 3m; now just 1lb above his last winning mark and not running badly this year, but he has to better those recent efforts.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 111324 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Kept busy this year and he wasn't at his best when last of four at Wetherby three weeks ago; enjoying a productive season otherwise, however, winning four in a row at Cartmel (2m6f/3m1f, soft/good), and he's also effective elsewhere; no surprise if he bounces back with a good run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:55 Cartmel

City Derby

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won four on the bounce here last summer (2m6f-3m1f; soft/good) but has looked a little out of sorts this season, for all that he shaped a bit better last time after further wind surgery.

14/1

5th

11

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:22 Cartmel

City Derby

10st 7lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Four-time course winner (2m6f-3m1f, good-soft); lurks on a good mark but looked out of sorts here on both appearances this season and needs recent wind op to have made a difference; tongue-tie refitted.

16/1

9

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:40 Cartmel

City Derby

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Four-time course winner (2m6f-3m1f, good-soft), including this race a year ago; needs to rebound from a disappointing run here (3m1f) last month but is back on a workable mark and can't be ruled out.

12/1

Form: 1-8196 C

Last run: 141 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Looked progressive when winning here in April (2m5f, soft) and at Hexham (2m4f, good) in June; below best on final two runs in the summer; a break may have helped but he needs to return with a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

12:53 Kelso

Kingston Bridge

11st 2lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

held up in last, not fluent 6th

25/1

8th

8

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

12:53 Kelso

Kingston Bridge

11st 2lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

held up in last, not fluent 6th

25/1

10th

3

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

13:30 Kelso

Kingston Bridge

11st 12lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

midfield

20/1

Non-runners

Captain Potter, Kilbrainy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.20
Straight Forecast £7.79
Tricast £99.73
Trifecta £144.60

Selections

TOPSPEED:

City Derby

Daily Mirror:

Forged Well

The Times:

Lunar Chief

RP RATINGS:

Follow Charlie

SPOTLIGHT:

Young Jack

The Star:

Kilbrainy

D Express:

Siberian Star

The Sun:

Forged Well

Daily Record:

Lunar Chief

POSTDATA:

City Derby

Telegraph:

City Derby