April 05 / 13.30 Newcastle

13.30

Good

Quinnbet Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 4f 62y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Quinnbet Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 1P3 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won a 2m maiden hurdle here in November (good; third has won since); pulled up when tried over 2m6f next time; subsequently had a wind op then well-beaten third here last time (2m1f, good); should fare better with a tongue-tie tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:30 Newcastle

Small Town Kid

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: James Ewart

made all, pestered from 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well run-in, won going away

4/1

1st

2

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:30 Newcastle

Small Town Kid

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: James Ewart

made all, pestered from 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well run-in, won going away

4/1

3rd

1

15th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

13:27 Newcastle

Small Town Kid

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: James Ewart

led early, headed before 3rd, lost second 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out

5/1

OUR TIP

1/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 361

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in an Irish point in November 2023; off the mark on second hurdles start when winning by a short head at Huntingdon last time (2m, good; first two clear); this longer trip should suit; obvious contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

17:42 Hereford

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12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Beat the only other finisher by 35l over C&D (good) last month on third chase attempt and second start in cheekpieces; open to further progress in this sphere and warrants respect up just 2lb.

5/2

1st

1

16th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

16:22 Hereford

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11st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Good-ground hurdle winner; jumped better on second run over fences when third on soft ground at Wincanton (3m1f; first-time cheekpieces) and these conditions should be more to his liking; off for three months but should have every chance.

Evs

Form: 30-4

Last run: 194 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Signs of promise in three bumpers and in five runs at up to 2m on the Flat (AW; cheekpieces tried last time); more needed to take this on hurdles debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

17:00 Hexham

Saxon Star

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

Made the frame in two bumpers and, after a modest spell on the Flat, didn't run badly when third on last month's hurdle debut at Newcastle (2m4f, good), albeit no match for the first two; could run into a place now back down in trip in first-time blinkers.

7/1

2nd

11

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

17:00 Hexham

Saxon Star

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

Made the frame in two bumpers and, after a modest spell on the Flat, didn't run badly when third on last month's hurdle debut at Newcastle (2m4f, good), albeit no match for the first two; could run into a place now back down in trip in first-time blinkers.

7/1

3rd

7

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:30 Newcastle

Saxon Star

10st 12lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Brian Ellison

held up in rear, steady headway from 6th, went third when not fluent 3 out, weakened from 2 out

12/1

Form: 7

Last run: 114 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
French-bred; 68,000euros 3yo; 7l-seventh of 12 in a Warwick bumper in December on only outing so far (2m, good to soft; 12-1); plenty to find, but improvement likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

24th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:12 Uttoxeter

Mr Griffiths

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won two of his four handicaps over hurdles and wasn't beaten far when fifth two months ago (over 3m on good); may prefer softer ground but brings potential to his chase career.

13/2

5th

5

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Mr Griffiths

11st 10lb

J: Mr Freddie Robson

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Launched handicap career with two soft-ground wins over 3m2f this year (one under Freddie Robson); fell when last in action and needs to prove he's fully effective on good ground but could still have significant further improvement to come.

5/2

7

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

15:57 Doncaster

Mr Griffiths

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Well-backed winner when upped in trip on handicap debut at Fontwell (3m2f, soft) in January and easily followed up in conditionals'/amateurs' handicap at Warwick (3m2f, soft) last Friday; in a more competitive race today but escapes a penalty for last time and he could be tough to beat.

4/5

Form: 705

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on all three starts so far and others have stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

21st Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

15:35 Perth

Auchinlek

11st 3lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Sandy Thomson

Unable to land a significant blow in three maiden/novice hurdles (2m3f-2m4f) in February-April and makes chase/handicap debut after 199-day break but is open to improvement over fences; watch the betting.

14/1

5th

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:30 Newcastle

Auchinlek

11st 5lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders on inner, lost position 6th

25/1

5th

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:30 Newcastle

Auchinlek

11st 5lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders on inner, lost position 6th, struggling 4 out, lost touch from 3 out

25/1

Form: 89-6

Last run: 156 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest form in bumpers and best watched on hurdles debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

15

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:50 Wetherby

Moveonbuy

10st 6lb

J: William Maggs

T: Andrew Crook

Cartmel winner who nearly doubled her tally over C&D in January; needs to leave subsequent efforts behind.

20/1

6th

6

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 71y

Class 5

15:40 Catterick

Moveonbuy

10st 8lb

J: William Maggs

T: Andrew Crook

Only win was at Cartmel last June (2m6f, soft); best run since when runner-up at Wetherby in January (3m, soft); well beaten since and cheekpieces now tried.

14/1

6th

9

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Carlisle

Moveonbuy

10st 7lb

J: William Maggs

T: Andrew Crook

Inconsistent sort who was soundly beaten at Southwell a fortnight ago; however, she won at Cartmel (2m6f, soft) last June and was beaten just a head at Wetherby (3m, soft) two starts ago; not discounted.

12/1

Form: 4865

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Best effort when fourth in a bumper here on debut in December (2m1f, good to soft); hasn't fared as well since, including on both starts over hurdles; probably a longer-term prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:30 Newcastle

Little Roger

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ann Hamilton

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, struggling from 5th, reminders before 4 out

16/1

7th

4

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:30 Newcastle

Little Roger

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ann Hamilton

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, struggling from 5th, reminders before 4 out, tailed off before 3 out

16/1

5th

6

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

14:30 Carlisle

Little Roger

11st 5lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Ann Hamilton

Showed minor promise before weakening into sixth over C&D (good to soft) on debut three weeks ago but is probably one for further down the line.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.30
Straight Forecast £4.85
Trifecta £16.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

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D Express:

Mr Griffiths

POSTDATA:

Saxon Star

The Star:

Mr Griffiths

RP RATINGS:

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The Times:

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Telegraph:

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The Guardian:

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Daily Mail:

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Daily Mirror:

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The Sun:

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Daily Record:

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