September 30 / 14.07 Sedgefield

14.07

Good

Nigel Hawke Raceday Experiences Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Qual’)

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 0f 178y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Nigel Hawke Raceday Experiences Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Qual’)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 335-2

Last run: 119 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Bumped into revitalised opponent when well-held second on handicap hurdle debut at Southwell (2m, good) in June and has been in good form on the Flat in the meantime; may still have untapped potential over jumps; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

23rd Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:08 Worcester

Zafaan

12st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Charlie Clover

Pulled up when last seen over hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m) in May but has won on the Flat since at Yarmouth; not out of things if back on his A-game.

20/1

5th

1

(6)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:40 Lingfield

Zafaan

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Charlie Clover

Below form in 1m2f Yarmouth handicap last month (no headgear) but returned to the Flat with win in refitted cheekpieces (back on today) over that C&D (good to firm) in June and has strong claims if back at that level.

13/8

Form: 52-24

Last run: 71 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful Flat racer who came second twice over hurdles at Southwell (2m, good) in the spring; well beaten on all three subsequent Flat starts and spoiled chance by refusing to settle on return to hurdling in July but could be on a good mark for handicap hurdle debut; market helpful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

16:05 Carlisle

Wind Your Neck In

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Runner-up twice in February (including C&D on soft) before making it 14th time lucky over hurdles in 2m4f Sedgefield handicap (good) last month; he and the runner-up came well clear of the third so he should competitive off 6lb higher.

7/1

1st

5

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

14:18 Sedgefield

Wind Your Neck In

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

0-13 over hurdles and becoming rather frustrating but came second twice over 2m3f last month (soft/good to soft) and seems very likely to be in the shake-up again here.

3/1

2nd

4

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 5

14:30 Catterick

Wind Your Neck In

11st 3lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Sam England

Last Flat win came in November 2023 and he's 0-12 over hurdles; however, he ran well when second off this reduced mark at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) last Monday and can be in the mix if backing that up.

5/2

Form: 43

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who made the frame on first two hurdling starts, more recently when third at Perth (2m, good) this month; could have significant improvement to come in handicaps; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

18:36 Stratford

Captain Cool

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Progressive 6yo with 3-5 strike-rate over fences, including two 2m1f course wins this season; ran big race when close third behind Sir Tivo here (2m1f, good to firm) last month and could still have a bigger performance in him over this longer trip.

15/8

3rd

3

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:58 Stratford

Captain Cool

11st 6lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Progressive 6yo with 3-4 strike-rate over fences, including two fast-ground C&D wins this season; the form of last month's 20l success in a three-runner race is tricky to evaluate (odds-on favourite below par) but a 4lb rise could have been worse and he may still be on the upgrade.

15/8

1st

2

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 3

18:18 Stratford

Captain Cool

10st 8lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Won first two starts over fences (2m1f, good) and shaped just as well when reverting to hurdles off 13lb lower, finishing runner-up at Southwell this month; latest second, over fences at Perth 23 days ago, was perfectly respectable but his current mark looks demanding.

3/1

Form: -23U34

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Quite useful on the Flat in France last year; 0-7 and generally disappointing over hurdles but the form of his close third at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) two starts ago reads quite well, and his top trainer has an excellent strike-rate (6-14) with his occasional Sedgefield runners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

22nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Worcester

Roadshow

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Sedgefield winner in September under Freddie Keighley; that form has some substance but he failed to build on it in a higher grade next time; ran well enough on his return at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) in first-time cheekpieces last month and blinkers are now tried, but he remains on a tough mark.

12/1

6th

2

23rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

17:35 Newton Abbot

Roadshow

11st 8lb

J: Mr Lucas Murphy

T: Paul Nicholls

Off since below-par run in October but the form of his breakthrough win at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in September worked out quite well; cheekpieces (worn once last summer) are given another whirl; contender if fully tuned up.

11/2

3

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:46 Kempton

Roadshow

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Well down the pecking order in his top yard but opened his hurdles account in Sedgefield handicap (2m1f, good; beat a subsequent scorer) most recently and may build on that solid success; respected.

9/2

Form: 6-2136

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
1-8 over hurdles, the win gained off 1lb lower mark at Kelso (2m2f, good) in May; disappointed on both recent Flat starts, though, and arrives here with a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Spartan Warrior

11st 7lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Won twice on the Flat (1m2f-1m4f) for Ollie Sangster and once over hurdles (2m2f, Kelso) for Rebecca Menzies; beaten 22l and 76l in two starts for new trainer; easing mark isn't enough to recommend.

50/1

10th

11

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Carlisle

Spartan Warrior

10st 4lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Won at Kelso last May (2m2f, good) when with Rebecca Menzies; well beaten on stable debut last time and perhaps best watched for now.

50/1

5

30th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:07 Sedgefield

Spartan Warrior

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Rebecca Menzies

1-8 over hurdles, the win gained off 1lb lower mark at Kelso (2m2f, good) in May; disappointed on both recent Flat starts, though, and arrives here with a point to prove.

8/1

Form: 13-P

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won on hurdling debut at Catterick (1m7f, good) last November but this year's Flat form has been disappointing and he was pulled up (albeit on soft ground) when making handicap hurdle debut in selling grade in July.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(7)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

13:45 Newcastle (AW)

Game Management

9st 3lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Course winner who returned from ten months off with a creditable fourth of ten in 1m classified event at Ayr 23 days ago; not dismissed.

13/2

4th

4

(9)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

14:15 Ayr

Game Management

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Soundly beaten on all three Flat starts last year (albeit on ground slower than good) and pulled up twice over hurdles afterwards; returns from 314-day absence with a lot to prove.

14/1

Form: 633316 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Has very good 7-36 strike-rate over hurdles but needed considerable help from the handicapper before last month's success at Cartmel (2m1f, good) and dropped out rather tamely in the closing stages at Kelso recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

15:12 Cartmel

Ambassador

10st 8lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Now 9lb lower than when making all over C&D (good) last August but his form has slumped since and a revival is needed.

12/1

9th

10

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Ambassador

10st 10lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Won at Cartmel (2m1f) in August but form has slumped badly since and he has shown no sign of a revival in two runs since returning from a break in April.

66/1

Form: 12-343 CD BF

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 5-7F03

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Safely held on both recent starts for new stable (2m2f) and now 0-12 over hurdles; faced fairly tough assignment when third of five from out of the weights last time but still needs a boost from the new visor here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

17th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

17:00 Fakenham

Jos Rainbow

10st 12lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Hampered early last time, but unlikely judged on this year's struggles for both her former and current handlers that this would have cost her significantly better; cheekpieces hurriedly replace the visor.

25/1

9

30th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:07 Sedgefield

Jos Rainbow

10st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Safely held on both recent starts for new stable (2m2f) and now 0-12 over hurdles; faced fairly tough assignment when third of five from out of the weights last time but still needs a boost from the new visor here.

20/1

5

6th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:12 Stratford

Jos Rainbow

10st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Left Dan Skelton after some below-par efforts this spring/summer and was tailed off on stable debut at Market Rasen (2m2f, good) three weeks ago; 12lb out of the weights and has a lot to prove.

25/1

Form: 805P7-

Last run: 159 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
0-8 over hurdles for Jane Walton; ran well when fifth under very positive ride at Hexham (2m, good to soft) in March but two poor efforts followed; makes stable debut after 159-day absence; market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:50 Perth

Fairly Fulling

10st 13lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Won off a 7lb lower mark at Newcastle in March (2m4f, good to soft); fair run when fourth stepped up to 3m at Southwell last time; each-way chance.

7/1

4th

9

9th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:35 Southwell

Fairly Fulling

11st 1lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Came good over hurdles at 14th attempt, with clear success at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in March, but ran poorly when dropped back to 2m last month and it's hard to know what to expect from him on first attempt at 3m under rules.

12/1

6

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:50 Hexham

Fairly Fulling

11st 4lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Came good over hurdles at 14th attempt, with clear success at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in March; should be okay back at 2m on this stiff track but 7lb rise demands more from him.

11/4

Form: /9PPP-

Last run: 350 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in all three handicap hurdles, the latest over 2m7f last October; drops back in trip and swaps blinkers for first-time cheekpieces here; 5lb out of the weights; can't be recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

30th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:07 Sedgefield

Youre Kidding Me

10st 2lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Mike Sowersby

Pulled up in all three handicap hurdles, the latest over 2m7f last October; drops back in trip and swaps blinkers for first-time cheekpieces here; 5lb out of the weights; can't be recommended.

66/1

12

15th Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:35 Market Rasen

Youre Kidding Me

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

in touch with leaders

66/1

13

23rd Sep 2024

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

16:15 Sedgefield

Youre Kidding Me

10st 2lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Mike Sowersby

Poor form in two Irish runs and a similar tale for current yard; the ground was heavy on handicap debut four weeks ago but has a lot to prove.

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.40
Straight Forecast £30.21
Tricast £335.27
Trifecta £278.00

Selections

The Guardian:

Roadshow

RP RATINGS:

Trailblazer

SPOTLIGHT:

Captain Cool

POSTDATA:

Zafaan

The Times:

Wind Your Neck In

TOPSPEED:

Ambassador

Telegraph:

Captain Cool

Daily Mail:

Roadshow

The Sun:

Roadshow

Daily Record:

Roadshow

NEWMARKET:

Zafaan

Daily Mirror:

Trailblazer

The Star:

Trailblazer

D Express:

Wind Your Neck In