March 15 / 15.47 Newcastle

15.47

Good

Smirnoff At Spy Bar Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £5650.67
  • 2m 0f 190y
  • Class 3
  • 4 runners
SKY
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Smirnoff At Spy Bar Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Qualifier)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10

Form: 4-1403 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful triple hurdle winner; not at best on his last two hurdle starts (beaten 15l when third latterly) and also well held on AW Flat a fortnight ago but this is a bit less competitive and his yard won the race last year; has a first-time tongue-tie added to the cheekpieces he's worn recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Givemefive

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has won both races since the tongue-tie joined cheekpieces, latterly making all for a narrow success over C&D three weeks ago (good); a 5lb rise isn't the end of the world but dominating this bigger field with likely pressure up front could be challenging.

10/1

4th

1

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Givemefive

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has won both races since the tongue-tie joined cheekpieces, latterly making all for a narrow success over C&D three weeks ago (good); a 5lb rise isn't the end of the world but dominating this bigger field with likely pressure up front could be challenging.

10/1

1st

1

19th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Givemefive

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Posted personal best in first-time tongue-strap five weeks ago, making all in four-runner race at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft); that was his fourth hurdles win, and with more improvement possible he should go well again.

9/4

OUR TIP

Form: 212123 C

Last run: 78 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Two chase wins over 2m1f at Kelso (good/good to soft) in the autumn; creditable efforts at Wetherby (2m3f/1m7f) on his last two outings and has a lower mark to work with back hurdling; probably the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Kelso

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Won this 12 months ago on his reappearance when 4lb lower and then finished a 2l second to Primoz at Wetherby, the form of which could be reversed on these more favourable terms; consistent and should have every chance.

3/1

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ann Hamilton

Has consistent form figures and should give his running but this 10yo may have to settle for a supporting role off top weight; returns to fences after two runs over hurdles.

6/1

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ann Hamilton

Has consistent form figures and should give his running but this 10yo may have to settle for a supporting role off top weight; returns to fences after two runs over hurdles.

6/1

Form: 554-74 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
French recruit (won hurdle there) who made a respectable start to life in Britain when fourth of ten over C&D (good to soft) three weeks ago; beaten 13l so he will need to have come on but that's possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

6th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

14:55 Kelso

Jericoacoara

11st 8lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Yet to add to his French hurdle win (2m1f, very soft) in 2023 but he's been placed in last three runs including when second behind Kilmore Rock over C&D (good) last month; should go well again and any rain would be a bonus.

4/1

2nd

2

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

14:30 Kelso

Jericoacoara

11st 12lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Yet to add to his French hurdle win in 2023 but was placed on both starts this year, more recently when close second in valuable series final here (2m5f, good to soft) last month; must be considered.

5/1

2nd

9

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

Jericoacoara

10st 13lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

His French win came in 2023 and he's 0-6 in Britain, but he's dropped down the weights and ran well when third to Eloi Du Puy at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month; has also shown promise on good to soft; might not be far away.

10/1

Form: 165P28 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won at Market Rasen (2m4f, good) last June and returned to form with 7l second of six to progressive winner at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day; patently failed to stay an extended 3m1f at Catterick six weeks ago and this former 2m winner is treated as if still in form now back over significantly shorter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

17:15 Market Rasen

Ballygeary

11st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Inconsistent 9yo who kept on for third at Uttoxeter (2m4f) without threatening; others preferred.

16/1

3rd

4

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

17:20 Uttoxeter

Ballygeary

11st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Inconsistent 9yo who is falling in the weights (17lb below peak 2024 mark) but his last piece of persuasive form was in July last year.

25/1

5th

2

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:47 Southwell

Ballygeary

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Beaten 6l in his penultimate race but following run was a reminder of his inconsistency; others safer.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.70
Straight Forecast £4.83
Trifecta £10.30

Selections

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