January 16 / 14.10 Newcastle

14.10

Good To Soft

Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 0f 190y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £14.20
  • Place: £2.80

Form: -3P850

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Showed a bit of ability in two bumpers but his four hurdle races have not gone well, 22-1 when tailed off on handicap debut at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last time; hard to recommend despite hailing from a top stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Gwennie May Star

11st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Christian Williams

Won twice over today's trip at Warwick for Dan Skelton last season (soft/good to soft); started off for Christian Williams with two pretty good efforts on good ground towards the end of that campaign but may find others in this line-up better handicapped.

12/1

4th

11

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

14:40 Perth

Gwennie May Star

11st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Won races for Dan Skelton (2m1f/2m3f) and Olly Murphy (3m1f); now on a career-high mark, off which he was no match for the front two on stable debut at Bangor (2m7f).

9/1

3rd

6

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

13:37 Bangor-on-Dee

Gwennie May Star

11st 7lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Christian Williams

Won twice over hurdles for Dan Skelton last season (2m1f/2m3f) and twice for Olly Murphy this term (3m1f); ran poorly on latest outing five weeks ago, though, and remains on career-high mark for this stable debut.

7/2

7/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 0672

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Made a promising start in handicaps at Fontwell (2m2f, soft) last month when readily outgunned by the winner (who's scored twice since) but beating the other seven; tongue tied first time today; up 2lb but one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:40 Perth

Soldiers Leap

11st 5lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Won two in a row in the autumn (2m2f/2m, good to soft/soft) and, after a couple of respectable fifth placings, he was a close second at Stratford (2m2f, good) last month; in the mix if seeing out this longer trip; the hood worn on his last four starts is left off.

7/2

2nd

6

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

17:08 Stratford

Soldiers Leap

11st 8lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: T Ellis

Scored twice in the autumn, including over C&D, and comes here after a respectable fifth of 14 in 2m1f Carisle handicap last month; in the mix off a 3lb lower mark.

9/2

5th

3

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Soldiers Leap

11st 9lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Has progressed since wind surgery early last year, winning handicaps at Stratford (2m2f, good to soft) and Uttoxeter before decent fifth at Newbury (2m, good to soft) latest; 10lb higher than last winning mark but solid chance.

5/1

OUR TIP

16/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 0/767-

Last run: 356 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Sole hurdles win (14 attempts) was in March 2023 and it's been a struggle in this sphere since, including when tailed off last January in his latest hurdle race; 7lb lower today and he still showed fair Flat form through most of the second half of 2024, so he's not totally dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

7th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Galahad Threepwood

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

Dual AW Flat winner (1m4f); only hurdle win was for Ben Pauling off 11lb higher at Doncaster in March 2023 (2m3f, good); some fair form last term, stable in good form and he's a possible.

7/1

3rd

1

7th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Galahad Threepwood

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

Dual AW Flat winner (1m4f); only hurdle win was for Ben Pauling off 11lb higher at Doncaster in March 2023 (2m3f, good); some fair form last term, stable in good form and he's a possible.

7/1

6th

9

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:58 Ayr

Galahad Threepwood

10st 9lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Ewan Whillans

Kept on for fair third at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) in January and is now 4lb lower; however, his subsequent form hasn't come up to scratch and he's won just one of his 18 hurdle starts; needs something extra.

20/1

Form: 177408 D

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Longstanding Flat maiden but he has won once from ten starts in this sphere, under 7lb claimer at Perth (2m, good) last July; showed similar form only once since (three starts back, again on good ground) but he'd be a contender if this is one of his better days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

30th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:07 Sedgefield

Trailblazer

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Adam Nicol

Made all to score by 13l over C&D (good) in April and has remained in good form since; current mark is workable; ought to give this a good shot.

6/1

7

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Trailblazer

10st 4lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

Sometimes races a bit too freely but made all to win by 13l at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in April and has performed fairly well on all three outings since (2m-2m1f); worth another crack at 2m4f; probably won't be far away.

5/1

8

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:47 Perth

Trailblazer

11st 3lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

Sometimes races a bit too freely but made all to score by 13l at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in April and has also performed well on both subsequent outings (once over C&D); refitted cheekpieces are the headgear of choice today; probably won't be far away.

12/1

Form: F5-896 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Record of 1-17 in France, mostly over hurdles; 100-1 and never dangerous, beaten 19l, on stable debut in a handicap at Kelso (2m, soft) last month; down from Class 3 with a 5lb lower mark today, a tongue-tie returns and Brian Hughes replaces a 7lb claimer, so she could get more competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:10 Cartmel

Magnolia

11st 2lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

A dual 2m hurdles winner at Kelso last winter and back in good nick of late, finishing third of six at Perth (2m) nine days ago; not out of things off a 2lb lower mark.

16/1

3rd

4

14th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 3

16:18 Perth

Magnolia

11st 6lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Both British wins have come at Kelso, comfortably seeing off Joltin And Jiving there (2m, soft; 13-8 favourite) last November; slowly edging back down the weights (2lb above last winning mark); second-best to another Olly Murphy-trained runner over C&D (25-1, beaten 11l) latest.

8/1

2nd

8

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

16:10 Perth

Magnolia

11st 8lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Runner-up in the 2m4f mares' handicap here last April when rated 13lb lower; won twice over 2m at Kelso in the autumn (good/soft) but hasn't done as well since; bit to prove now.

33/1

Form: 34

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Had two wind operations even before his debut; third in a C&D maiden (2m1f, good) in October was better than his remote last of four at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) last month but he looked a fair bit better than the latter result, making most of the running; back down in trip and tongue tied for this handicap debut, improvement could be forthcoming.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 51y

Class 5

15:30 Catterick

Athair Mor

11st 1lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Paul Robson

0-8 under rules but runner-up on last three runs over fences, all at this sort of trip, last time at Wetherby (soft); should go well again.

5/2

Form: 66-692

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
100-1 for C&D maiden (good to soft) last time but produced easily his most competitive display, hampered at the fifth flight and no threat to the winner but running on into second of 11; looks set to do better and makes the shortlist on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Musselburgh

Authorized Mission

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Easy win on stable debut at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in November and runner-up to progressive winner there (extended 2m6f, soft) next time; disappointing at Ayr (3m, soft) at the start of January but has had a break since and could bounce back with a bold show today.

11/2

9th

8

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:58 Ayr

Authorized Mission

10st 10lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: Chris Grant

Encouraging second in Newcastle maiden (2m1f, good to soft) in December and won there (2m6f, soft) in January on second handicap start; disappointing back at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) since but this unexposed 5yo returns from a two-month break and could bounce back with a big run.

16/1

9th

8

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:58 Ayr

Authorized Mission

10st 10lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: Chris Grant

Encouraging second in Newcastle maiden (2m1f, good to soft) in December and won there (2m6f, soft) in January on second handicap start; disappointing back at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) since but this unexposed 5yo returns from a two-month break and could bounce back with a big run.

16/1

Form: 79221-

Last run: 285 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Runner-up when ridden prominently in his first two handicaps (heavy/soft) and went one better from the front under Bradley Harris at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy; favourite) last April; up 3lb and off since, so needs to prove his fitness, but this is just his second season racing and he may be open to improvement; he's also travelled a long way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

1st Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:30 Ffos Las

Hawk Stone

11st 0lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Harriet Dickin

Rebounded from poor chasing debut when second to progressive rival here (2m, heavy; first-time visor) in January; could plausibly have untapped potential over this longer trip but was back in the doldrums on his latest outing and has become very hard to predict.

7/1

7th

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:15 Leicester

Hawk Stone

11st 8lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Harriet Dickin

Record of 1-11 over hurdles and his win was in April 2024; pulled up on chase debut at Market Rasen last month but he bounced back with a good second at Ffos Las (2m, heavy; first-time visor) 13 days ago; on same mark here and has claims if he can build on that.

4/1

2nd

5

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Ffos Las

Hawk Stone

11st 6lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Harriet Dickin

Blinkered this season, running respectably in hurdles event then poorly on chase debut; bit to prove but is on a workable mark provided the switch to a visor has positive effect.

14/1

Form: 6P-242 BF

Last run: 215 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Tongue tied all starts but not today; runner-up over 2m1f/2m2f in two of his five hurdle races in France, including in June on latest outing; better is seemingly needed but the market moves are worth a check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:20 Ayr

Kazar Forez

11st 8lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Safely held on first two British starts but has looked a different horse since returning from a layoff in December, winning three in a row (1m7f-2m1f); moves up in grade today but could quite plausibly have more improvement to come over the longer trip.

9/2

1st

1

30th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 5

16:23 Catterick

Kazar Forez

12st 7lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Landed a gamble at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) last month and easily followed up at Sedgefield (2m1f, good to soft) on Sunday; effective on testing ground in France and could be very tough to beat under 7lb penalty.

8/11

1st

2

25th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:40 Sedgefield

Kazar Forez

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Ex-French 6yo who justified market support at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) on reappearance and only third British attempt, opening his account; may build on that win and show further improvement at an ordinary level; respected.

8/13

Form: 069/7-

Last run: 419 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Finished mid-division at best in his four Irish hurdle races in 2023 for Declan Queally; reportedly made a bad noise on handicap debut (2m7f) last time; requires big improvement for his new connections but the yard (also runs Intersky Sunset) is having an excellent season; needs a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

28th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

17:20 Wetherby

Vengaboy

11st 12lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Lightly raced 6yo for whom it's early days with this yard and he's one to watch in the betting; however, he's finished down the field on both runs this year, after missing all of 2024, and he has plenty to prove.

14/1

11th

4

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

Vengaboy

11st 8lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

took keen hold, in rear

25/1

10th

4

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

14:10 Newcastle

Vengaboy

11st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

in rear

11/1

Form: -0363P

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Left Declan Queally in Ireland before pulled up at Uttoxeter (2m6f; 22-1) four weeks ago; best efforts in Ireland were over 2m3f-2m6f, so this may not be a sufficient stamina test; yard also runs Vengaboy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

15th Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 185y

15:48 Downpatrick

Intersky Sunset

11st 2lb

J: James O’Sullivan

T: Declan Queally

Some good runs last year but well beaten the last twice and has to rebound; might want easier ground so any rain that falls should help.

16/1

12th

4

3rd Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 120y

19:55 Tipperary

Intersky Sunset

11st 5lb

J: James O’Sullivan

T: Declan Queally

Sole rules win came at Gowran in 2023 off a mark of 84 (2m4f, heavy); lost her form badly in the UK and continued her disappointing runs, despite being returned to her former handler, when well beaten at Punchestown last time.

25/1

Non-runners

Fairly Fulling, Powerofjet

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £52.50
Straight Forecast £46.27
Tricast £275.20
Trifecta £375.90

Selections

The Times:

Soldier's Leap

SPOTLIGHT:

Authorized Mission

The Guardian:

Hawk Stone

RP RATINGS:

Trailblazer

Daily Mail:

Soldier's Leap

D Express:

Soldier's Leap

Daily Mirror:

Soldier's Leap

Daily Record:

Soldier's Leap

POSTDATA:

Authorized Mission

Telegraph:

Authorized Mission

The Star:

Authorized Mission

The Sun:

Hawk Stone