February 01 / 12.50 Sandown

12.50

Heavy

Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qual’) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £8584.95
  • 1m 7f 216y
  • Class 3
  • 4 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qual’) (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/8 (Won)

  • Win: £1.73

Form: 7-221 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 221 over hurdles, most recently justifying favouritism at Wetherby (2m, soft) where he didn't need to improve; helps to set the standard in this uncompetitive field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:50 Taunton

Diamonds For Luck

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

raced in second, led 3 out, soon clear, easily

1/14

OUR TIP

Form: 860U

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has unconvincing form and appears to be one of his yard's lesser lights; unseated rider early when 33-1 shot here last week; seems likely to be more interesting in handicaps soon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

17:25 Punchestown

Noble Park

11st 2lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

British runner; commenced chase career with good-ground wins at Hereford and Lingfield; below par in two subsequent starts but bounced back to form with a 4.25l win at Newbury last time (2m4f, good to soft) and a few of those in behind have won since; up 7lb now but ground and distance look like his optimum.

17/2

1st

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 3

14:40 Newbury

Noble Park

11st 4lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Commenced chase career with a couple of good-ground wins; below par in two starts since but the combination of 3m and soft surface perhaps contributed to latest defeat; drop back in trip looks a plus.

11/2

3rd

3

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

14:38 Doncaster

Noble Park

11st 6lb

J: David Bass

T: Nicky Henderson

Disappointing favourite, having lacked fluency, at Kempton (2m4f) on Boxing Day when bidding to take chase record to 3-3; however, this Henderson runner can't be written off; bred to stay this new trip.

9/4

Form: 3

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed some ability in British points and was the subject of positive words in Stable Tour in October; promising third in Newbury novice hurdle (2m, soft) on the switch to rules and that form looks solid; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 1

14:25 Kempton

Old Cowboy

11st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Just one win from six attempts over hurdles but already better over fences; ready winner of handicap at Newbury (2m, good) in December and might have followed up over this C&D but for falling two out when a narrow leader (bled from the nose); needs further improvement but he's going the right way.

12/1

Form: 7-05

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; has modest rules form and may find better opportunities in handicaps shortly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Worcester

Ballela Blaze

11st 1lb

J: David Noonan

T: Thomas Gallagher

0-8 over hurdles but was making first appearance for 13 months when keeping on for third at Southwell (2m4f, good) in May and is sure to be suited by this move back up in trip; shortlisted.

8/1

3rd

11

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:47 Southwell

Ballela Blaze

10st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Thomas Gallagher

Runner-up in his last two races but those were at about 3m and over a year ago now; fully entitled to need this.

10/1

10

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:25 Southwell

Ballela Blaze

10st 7lb

J: David Noonan

T: Thomas Gallagher

0-6 over hurdles; evidently well suited by step up in trip when keeping on well for close second at Plumpton (3m1f, good) 12 days ago but that modest race was won in a slow time and others in this line-up have much more compelling form.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.40
Straight Forecast £9.07
Trifecta £9.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Old Cowboy

Daily Mail:

Diamonds For Luck

LAMBOURN:

Noble Park

RP RATINGS:

Old Cowboy

TOPSPEED:

Old Cowboy

POSTDATA:

Old Cowboy

The Times:

Old Cowboy

Telegraph:

Old Cowboy

The Guardian:

Old Cowboy

D Express:

Old Cowboy

Daily Mirror:

Old Cowboy

The Sun:

Old Cowboy

The Star:

Old Cowboy

Daily Record:

Diamonds For Luck