February 08 / 13.50 Newbury

13.50

Soft

William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers’ Hurdle Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £10926.3
  • 3m 0f 52y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
ITV4
View Course
William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers’ Hurdle Series Qualifier)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain and snow

OUR TIP

11/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.30
  • Place: £3.30

Form: 101-52

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Always ridden these days by Ben Sutton; regular improvement has brought five handicap wins (latest last March) and he was a good second at Hereford on latest outing; those were over 2m3f-2m5f but he was also a close third in April 2023 on one of his two attempts at 3m under rules and could be worth another attempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Santos Blue

11st 8lb

J: Ben Sutton

T: Olly Murphy

Did well for Dan Skelton and posted best effort for new stable when second behind easy winner at Sandown (2m7f, heavy) last time; however, likely needs a new level of form to go one better.

14/1

2nd

1

31st Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 103y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Santos Blue

12st 0lb

J: Ben Sutton

T: Olly Murphy

Successful six times under regular rider Ben Sutton, including on heavy going at Uttoxeter in 2024 and over 3m at Newbury last February; the latter was his final start for Dan Skelton and he's been well beaten this term on both runs for new yard; needs a career best to win this.

11/1

1st

2

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Santos Blue

12st 0lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear

11/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 512-32 BF

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Upped to about 3m for both starts this season and good second of nine at Haydock (heavy) last time, well clear of the third; up 2lb and needs to find extra but he's the youngster of this party and may have more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Magical King

12st 1lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Runner-up off this mark at Newbury (3m, soft) last February but he's not hit the same level since and was beaten 19l back at Newbury (third of nine) last month; overall record is now 1-15 and others are more persuasive.

7/1

3rd

5

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Magical King

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Consistent over hurdles last season, with best effort a C&D second (soft) just over a year ago; disappointing over fences this term (three attempts; blinkers tried last time) and this switch back to hurdling needs to rekindle his enthusiasm; usual cheekpieces back on today.

20/1

3

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:27 Kempton

Magical King

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Consistent over hurdles last season; ran well to a point on chasing debut at Bangor (3m, heavy) in November and may have found the good ground too lively when safely held at Doncaster in December; not out of this if change of headgear gives him a boost.

10/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 11-211 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Won twice in the mud as a staying novice hurdler last spring and has made a cracking transition to chasing this season, with handicap wins on better ground at Aintree and Cheltenham on last two starts; now has Grade 1 novice chase entry at Cheltenham; hurdles mark has gone up in tandem, so there is a bit more to prove back in this sphere but recent credentials still look stronger than most of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Haiti Couleurs

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

In the last 13 months he's won Cheltenham's NH Chase (3m6f), the Irish National (3m5f), a hurdle race, Welsh National (near 3m7f; 12lb higher today) and a Newbury Grade 2; no way can he be ruled out, particularly as he finished well on top in those four chases, but there have also been two major blips this season; latest was in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, for which he was just 6-1 and made most but went to nothing turning for home (writing on the wall four out); however, he's bounced back before, the likely tempo of this race can suit him better and the trip looks like doing so as well.

16/1

6

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Haiti Couleurs

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

Prominent-racer who won the NH Chase (Handicap) at this meeting 12 months ago (3m6f, good to soft) and bounced back from November's Betfair Chase flop to win the Welsh National (3m6f, good to soft) and also the Grade 2 Denman Chase (2m7f, heavy); this highly progressive 9yo is now 6-8 over fences and should prove well suited to the demands of today's race, all the more so if there's rain and stamina is at a premium; firmly in calculations.

5/1

1st

3

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 1

14:10 Newbury

Haiti Couleurs

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

Superbly progressive novice last term, winning Cheltenham's NH Chase (3m6f, good to soft) and the Irish National (3m5f, soft to heavy); hurdles win here in November before something seemed amiss in a Grade 1 at Haydock 16 days later, but he bounced back from that with a sparkling display to dominate the Welsh National (3m6f) six weeks ago; that was another serious advance and he looks like earning his place in top Graded races after this.

4/5

Form: 212-33 C BF

Last run: 60 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Best efforts under Freddie Gingell, including when runaway winner over 2m5f here last March; tried an extended 2m7f in the mud at Uttoxeter on two of his three starts since and ran creditably to be placed, but he can race a bit freely and looked the winner two out on latest start (finished a close third) so he needs to see it out a bit better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Kruger Park

11st 2lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Good fourth over C&D (soft) in November and outstayed next-time-out winner Jalisco Star when scoring at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; still on workable mark after latest 2lb rise; likely contender again.

5/1

1

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Kruger Park

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Took a hiding at the weights for Newbury win (2m4f, heavy) last March; he's run to a similar level in defeat twice since but was pulled up at Fontwell in February and 3m2f may be further than he wants to go.

12/1

Form: 323-21 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Frequently competitive but Ffos Las (3m, soft) four weeks ago was his first actual win since December 2021; he raced apart (on the inner) from the others for much of that race, which may have played some role, and has also now gone back up 6lb, so there's more work to be done this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

31st May 2025

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Up For Parol

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Largely consistent 9yo who makes a quick reappearance after finishing well to take close fourth from a long way off the pace at Cartmel (3m1f, good to soft) on Monday; may not be ideally suited by the faster ground here.

7/2

2nd

2

31st May 2025

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Up For Parol

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Largely consistent 9yo who makes a quick reappearance after finishing well to take close fourth from a long way off the pace at Cartmel (3m1f, good to soft) on Monday; may not be ideally suited by the faster ground here.

7/2

5

26th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:30 Cartmel

Up For Parol

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Ended a long losing run at Ffos Las (3m) in January and not disgraced when sixth of 17 in 2m7f Uttoxeter handicap last time; possibilities eased 1lb.

14/1

Form: /511/1 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won twice late in 2022 and reappeared at Fontwell (extended 3m2f, soft) six weeks ago to complete his hat-trick, with tongue tied first time and drawing 11l clear from two out; up 8lb and in grade, for second run since a long layoff, but there was plenty to like about that latest performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

28th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

17:05 Newbury

Shutupshirley

10st 10lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

in touch with leaders

7/1

6th

12

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Shutupshirley

10st 5lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won twice late in 2022 and reappeared at Fontwell (extended 3m2f, soft) six weeks ago to complete his hat-trick, with tongue tied first time and drawing 11l clear from two out; up 8lb and in grade, for second run since a long layoff, but there was plenty to like about that latest performance.

6/1

6th

12

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Shutupshirley

10st 5lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won twice late in 2022 and reappeared at Fontwell (extended 3m2f, soft) six weeks ago to complete his hat-trick, with tongue tied first time and drawing 11l clear from two out; up 8lb and in grade, for second run since a long layoff, but there was plenty to like about that latest performance.

6/1

Form: /25679 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Seven hurdle wins, all on good ground but similar form in the odd run on soft; returned from a long absence with three very unconvincing chase runs in August-October and two hurdle races this winter (tongue-tie) have been poor; dropped 12lb from his peak mark but he's been under a major cloud.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

An Tailliur

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed last season and has not fired this term but he's now 14lb below his peak mark and all of his wins have been on good ground; he's been too well beaten for comfort this term, notwithstanding the softer ground, but needs a close look and market check.

7/1

2

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

An Tailliur

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed last season and has not fired this term but he's now 14lb below his peak mark and all of his wins have been on good ground; he's been too well beaten for comfort this term, notwithstanding the softer ground, but needs a close look and market check.

7/1

Form: 15-214 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Pulled it out of the fire when winning under 7lb claimer at Taunton (3m, good to soft) in December; best results last term were on soft (unraced on heavy) but he was readily left adrift from three out when below-form fourth at Haydock three weeks ago; player on the earlier evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Tiny Tetley

12st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won four times over hurdles last season (2m7f-3m) but chasing didn't go to plan in the autumn and he was soundly beaten when back over hurdles on Boxing Day; needs to get career back on track.

16/1

7th

5

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Tiny Tetley

11st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

In excellent form in the spring, completing hat-trick with ready success in series final at Haydock (3m) in April before going very close in another competitive handicap over that C&D (also on good) in May; obvious contender if in similar nick after 168-day break.

16/1

2nd

4

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Tiny Tetley

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Ended last season in excellent form, completing a hat-trick with a ready C&D success (good; Thank You Ma'am second) in a quite valuable series final three weeks ago; last two wins were under today's claiming rider Callum Pritchard; probably still on the upgrade; good chance.

7/2

Form: -34F6P

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Has flattered to deceive over fences (1-12) and jumping mistakes played a part; a bit below his best on his two completions this autumn/winter and has now left Dan Skelton; blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces for this first hurdle race since March 2023; well handicapped judged on best efforts but he's now a 10yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has flattered to deceive over fences (1-12) and jumping mistakes played a part; a bit below his best on his two completions this autumn/winter and has now left Dan Skelton; blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces for this first hurdle race since March 2023; well handicapped judged on best efforts but he's now a 10yo.

20/1

9th

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has flattered to deceive over fences (1-12) and jumping mistakes played a part; a bit below his best on his two completions this autumn/winter and has now left Dan Skelton; blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces for this first hurdle race since March 2023; well handicapped judged on best efforts but he's now a 10yo.

20/1

2

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 3

15:45 Wincanton

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd

14/1

Form: 2F2-PU

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; fell on last season's penultimate hurdle start and unseated a fair way out six weeks ago on second attempt over fences; stamina has not been proved beyond an extended 2m5f and, returning to hurdles today, he needs a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

The Four Sixes

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

But disappointing in four runs over hurdles since a spell chasing; has dropped to a good mark as a result and better run last time; down in grade; could go well.

5/1

4th

3

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 2

16:05 Ayr

The Four Sixes

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Easily made all in this last year when 5lb higher and he's one to watch in the betting; however, he's struggled for form over fences/hurdles since winning a novice chase at Kelso in December.

11/1

7th

3

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

The Four Sixes

11st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Won this last year before following up at Ayr and is well handicapped on all that; however, this season's wins have been over fences and it's been a struggle back hurdling the last twice.

5/1

Form: 014/0- D

Last run: 637 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
10yo who is 5-16 over hurdles, with his last win in February 2023; ran well over 3m that April but not seen since a remote finish that May; dropped 6lb in his absence but perhaps best watched this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

20th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 3

19:40 Huntingdon

Press Your Luck

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

A five-time winner over hurdles but he's been struggling to recapture that level of form since returning from a long absence; has come a long way down the weights but others make more immediate appeal.

16/1

4th

2

20th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 3

19:40 Huntingdon

Press Your Luck

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

A five-time winner over hurdles but he's been struggling to recapture that level of form since returning from a long absence; has come a long way down the weights but others make more immediate appeal.

16/1

5th

1

21st Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

14:00 Plumpton

Press Your Luck

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

in touch with leaders

50/1

Form: F451/9

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Tended to race freely two seasons back and had plenty to learn before he easily made all in a handicap at Ascot (extended 2m5f, good to soft; up 7lb today) that April, with a change of tactics; missed last season and always behind at 80-1 when he reappeared here ten weeks ago, with stamina to prove at 3m too, but there's a big feeling of unfinished business with him and he needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ivaldi

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

in rear

14/1

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ivaldi

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

in rear

14/1

9th

6

30th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 2

13:54 Newbury

Ivaldi

11st 7lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

always behind

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £102.90
Straight Forecast £84.21
Tricast £344.55
Trifecta £501.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Shutupshirley

RP RATINGS:

Up For Parol

The Times:

Haiti Couleurs

Telegraph:

Magical King

The Star:

Kruger Park

TOPSPEED:

Santos Blue

Daily Mail:

Haiti Couleurs

WEST COUNTRY:

Shutupshirley

The Guardian:

Shutupshirley

D Express:

Shutupshirley

The Sun:

Shutupshirley

Daily Record:

Shutupshirley

POSTDATA:

Up For Parol

LAMBOURN:

Up For Parol

Daily Mirror:

Up For Parol