December 26 / 12.20 Sedgefield

12.20

Good To Soft

Castle Construction North East Ltd EBF “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 0f 178y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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Castle Construction North East Ltd EBF “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: 4-739

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced on either start over hurdles (both races have thrown up winners) and is the type to do better in this sphere; no surprise to see him run well in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

24th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:30 Southwell

Broderick

12st 0lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

He was lucky to win his maiden 14 months ago and is now 0-5 in handicaps after pulling up at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft); others have more going for them.

6/1

3

3rd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

15:35 Newcastle

Broderick

11st 7lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Fortunate winner (left in the lead three out) of a 2m1f maiden here in January 2025; fared slightly better than at Haydock previously when fourth at Ludlow (2m5f, soft; beaten 12l) a fortnight ago; steadily easing mark isn't enough to tempt.

10/1

4th

8

18th Feb 2026

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

Broderick

11st 1lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Had a solid spell at maiden/novice level last winter but form dipped in the spring and he was well beaten last month after an eight-month break; stamina not proven and ground worse than good to soft looks a problem.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 6-945

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No more than a hint of ability so far and the best of him unlikely to be seen until he goes handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

18:20 Hexham

Diamond Mix

11st 13lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Paul Robson

Dual C&D winner who should strip fitter following a decent third at Newcastle (2m, good to soft) in March; still lightly raced with the promise of more improvement to come.

5/2

3rd

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:15 Newcastle

Diamond Mix

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Paul Robson

Winning seasonal reappearance at Hexham (2m, good to soft; from 9lb lower) in November, and has presumably been kept away from the worst of the winter conditions since; that wasn't a particularly strong Class 4 contest but this isn't either, and the chances are he has more to offer; key player.

15/8

Form: 87

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-2 in points and soundly beaten both hurdle starts at Carlisle; this looks easier but needs to raise game if he's to win on these terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

14:41 Hexham

Didntgotwenty

10st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Martin Todhunter

On the up since fitted with cheekpieces and he readily got off the mark in 2m4f handicap at Musselburgh last month; hiked up 9lb but he seems sure to go well if his stamina holds out over this longer trip.

15/8

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on debut (point) in March and off since; tried in a hood on this rules/stable debut but easy enough to take on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

14:10 Sedgefield

Follow The Leader

11st 6lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: John Wainwright

always behind

200/1

6th

2

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

14:10 Sedgefield

Follow The Leader

11st 6lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: John Wainwright

always behind

200/1

Form: 53

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in a soft-ground point on debut and has shown ability in bumper and on C&D hurdle debut, each time shaping as though further should suit; however, has claims in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Paddys Policy

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Only won a maiden over hurdles but was placed in two handicaps and gets in off a lower mark for this debut over fences (second in his only point); worth considering.

11/4

7th

1

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

15:37 Musselburgh

Paddys Policy

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

1-7 over hurdles; returned from wind surgery with creditable third at Doncaster (2m, good; handles good to soft) five weeks ago; 1lb lower here and should be involved again.

6/1

2nd

3

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:20 Wetherby

Paddys Policy

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Made all in Sedgefield maiden (2m1f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; below that form on next outing and absent since falling in March but could quite plausibly have improvement to come in handicaps this season.

8/1

Form: 34V-54

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Stable in good form and this one has shown ability at an ordinary level in bumpers and over hurdles; will be suited by handicaps in time but he's a player in this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

20:20 Hexham

Red Cadillac

11st 12lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Nicky Richards

Came good with hard-fought success on his reappearance at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in November and has improved on that in two Ayr outings since, upped to around this trip and winning on soft last time; up 8lb which demands another career best but he has to be respected in current form.

8/1

1st

8

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:20 Ayr

Red Cadillac

11st 3lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Nicky Richards

Came good with hard-fought success on seasonal debut at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in November, his seventh start over hurdles, and bettered that performance when clear second to a handicap blot here (2m3f, soft) the following month; no surprise if he plays another major role.

7/1

Form: 0-P7

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hasn't shown much so far and has only raced on a soft surface; will need a big step forward if he's to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

15:50 Wetherby

Stress Reaction

10st 10lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Tim Easterby

midfield, not fluent in rear 7th

25/1

8

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

15:50 Wetherby

Stress Reaction

10st 10lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Tim Easterby

midfield, not fluent in rear 7th, detached from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out

25/1

Form: 4222

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promise at an ordinary level in bumpers and showed ability on hurdle debut over this trip on good ground at Newcastle; the one to beat on that evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:07 Fakenham

Blackwater Lilly

10st 11lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Twice made the frame at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) for Brian Ellison last month; left that yard after a disappointing Flat run but was in contention before awkward jumps at last two flights proved costly on recent stable debut at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good); swaps usual cheekpices for first-time visor; can make her presence felt.

5/1

4th

1

13th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

18:00 Newton Abbot

Blackwater Lilly

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Recently changed hands for 8,000gns after a quiet run on the Flat; did win over hurdles for Brian Ellison and was second off this mark at Sedgefield last month; could feature.

5/1

Betting Forcast

9/2 Broderick, 10/1 Diamond Mix, 50/1 Didntgotwenty, 33/1 Follow The Leader, 9/2 Paddys Policy, 7/1 Red Cadillac, 50/1 Stress Reaction, 4/5 Blackwater Lilly

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Blackwater Lilly

POSTDATA:

Paddys Policy

The Star:

Red Cadillac

RP RATINGS:

Blackwater Lilly

The Times:

Blackwater Lilly

Telegraph:

Blackwater Lilly

The Guardian:

Blackwater Lilly

Daily Mail:

Blackwater Lilly

D Express:

Blackwater Lilly

Daily Mirror:

Blackwater Lilly

The Sun:

Blackwater Lilly

Daily Record:

Paddys Policy