November 12 / 15.00 Bangor-on-Dee

15.00

Good To Soft

Christopher Shinton Memorial Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 0f 145y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Christopher Shinton Memorial Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: 16- D

Last run: 223 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat racer who comfortably justified odds-on favouritism on stable/hurdle debut at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in March; gave good account before weakening into sixth in Aintree Festival Grade 1 (2m1f, good to soft) the following month and ought to cope if the ground softens here; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Filibustering

9st 7lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Harry Derham

Tongue-tie went on for six-runner handicaps on his last two hurdle races (2m1f/2m) and he won them both; his last Flat race was in 2024 for Tim Easterby and that was a pretty solid campaign; acts on Tapeta, unraced on Polytrack; needs to be at his best on return to Flat but no shock if he's a major player.

6/1

1st

2

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

18:45 Hexham

Filibustering

11st 5lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Harry Derham

Back to form in first-time tongue-tie when winning at Newcastle last time (2m1f, good; third has since won on the Flat); up 4lb; chance.

9/4

1st

4

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

15:25 Newcastle

Filibustering

11st 5lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Harry Derham

Hasn't kicked on since making winning hurdles/stable debut at Kelso (2m, juvenile) in March 2025, failing to see out races at Doncaster, Kelso, and Ludlow; hopes are pinned on a revival with an added tongue-tie; trainer is 5-11 (45%) over jumps here in the last five years.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2-1 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Impressed on Irish point debut last autumn (good to yielding) and also when making all to win readily by 12l on hurdling debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good) last month; leading contender if suited by the slower ground here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Ffos Las

Shabalko dHerm

12st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Launched hurdling career with two 2m wins in the autumn (good/soft) but weakened tamely on next two outings (bled from nose last time); up in trip for handicap debut and may still have potential but comes with risk.

12/1

Form: 500

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well down the field when a big-priced outsider for first two hurdle races.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:27 Southwell

Bombay Pete

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Showed some promise in an Irish point (3m, heavy) and a Worcester bumper (2m, good); rather disappointing over hurrdles including in handicaps on last two runs, but on a good mark now and an interesting contender in a fairly weak event.

9/1

Form: 45-5

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not beaten far when fourth of six in what has turned out to be a pretty good Newbury bumper last November but his second bumper run was disappointing and he made a low-key start to his hurdling career when well-held fifth at Kelso (2m, good to soft) last month; needs a big step forward here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

16:30 Haydock

Brookside La

11st 3lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won on handicap debut at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) on Boxing Day before 4l third of 17 here (2m5f, good to soft) in January, when shaping as though this longer trip could suit; in excellent hands to continue to progress.

5/2

3rd

17

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 50y

Class 4

15:10 Haydock

Brookside La

10st 12lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Made a winning handicap debut in Wetherby contest (2m3f, soft) last time, opening his account; this Skelton runner looks the type to show further progress; big player at the foot of the weights upped further in trip.

9/2

Form: 131- D

Last run: 275 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won bumpers at Sedgefield (good) and Catterick (good to soft) last season, and was third in Listed race at Cheltenham (good) in between; should have a future over jumps and features prominently in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

17:35 Haydock

Count Of Vendome

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Dual bumper winner who hasn't been out of the first two over hurdles and his defeat two runs back was at the hands of a useful horse; odds of 1-4 last time and that win told us little, but he brings momentum into this handicap debut.

5/2

1st

1

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

13:42 Doncaster

Count Of Vendome

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

A fairly useful dual bumper winner who has made a promising start in this sphere, landing C&D novice in February before advancing his form when second of five under a penalty at Bangor (2m) 16 days ago; holds major claims.

4/7

2nd

1

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

14:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Count Of Vendome

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Won two bumpers and also ran well in a Listed race at Cheltenham; narrowly denied on his hurdle debut here (soft) but comfortably went one better as an odds-on chance at Doncaster (good to soft); talented and going the right way.

11/8

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner in Poland in 2024 and also on target in France (1m4f, very soft) in March this year; has a tendency to race too freely but wears a first-time hood for this hurdling debut and it will be interesting to see what Olly Murphy can do with him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

16:10 Perth

Mister Ursus

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Confirmed previous promise over hurdles when an easy winner of a maiden at Fakenham last time; stiffer task here but looks the stable's number one and he's a possible player.

7/2

1st

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

13:35 Fakenham

Mister Ursus

11st 6lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Won twice on the Flat in Poland in 2024 and once in France last year; has shaped with promise on his three hurdle starts and this looks an ideal opportunity for him to get off the mark.

Evs

2nd

4

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

13:40 Chepstow

Mister Ursus

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Won twice on the Flat in Poland in 2024 and once in France last year; sometimes races a bit too freely but has made the frame on both hurdling starts, more recently when keeping-on second at Leicester (1m7f, heavy) last month, and probably still has potential over jumps; likely contender.

11/8

Form: 67

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed only minor promise when fifth in two Irish points this year and was soundly beaten on both hurdle starts last month, the latter over C&D.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

14th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Saint Polo

12st 0lb

J: Ian Power

T: Jennie Candlish

Went close on handicap debut over hurdles at Sedgefield (2m4f) in March before solid third at Taunton (3m, also good) one month later; drops sharply back in trip with cheekpieces enlisted and he remains unexposed on this introduction to fences.

11/4

3rd

3

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:07 Taunton

Saint Polo

11st 11lb

J: Ian Power

T: Jennie Candlish

Brought along steadily before taking a big step forward on his handicap debut when a clear second of seven at Sedgefield (2m4f) last month; up 5lb but remains low mileage and has his first go over this trip.

7/4

2nd

2

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

14:18 Sedgefield

Saint Polo

11st 12lb

J: Ian Power

T: Jennie Candlish

Did not get competitive in first five hurdle races (1m7f-2m; one run attracted stewards' attention) but has now been given a handicap mark, and is open to improvement over this new trip; watch the betting.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Seemed to be getting his act together in Irish points when close third on latest outing in April (good to yielding) but is probably best watched on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:00 Huntingdon

Sweeper System

11st 6lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Sam Allwood

Built upon previous form when coming good at the fifth attempt over hurdles at Wetherby (2m, good to soft) last month; up 7lb but if the better ground was the reason for his improvement then he must also be considered here.

7/2

1st

1

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Wetherby

Sweeper System

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Sam Allwood

Encouraging third in maiden hurdle at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in December; pulled up on handicap debut here (2m3f, soft) since; might be back on better ground today which, along with the drop back in trip, could make him a different proposition; no surprise to see a good run.

14/1

3

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

13:55 Wetherby

Sweeper System

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Sam Allwood

6yo who has improved with each of his three runs in novice hurdles, finishing third at Southwell (2m, good to soft) last month; placed in a 3m point and open to improvement now up in trip on handicap debut.

11/2

Form: 623P-2

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in two bumpers last winter (soft/good to soft); flopped on hurdle debut in February but gave it a good shot from the front when second at Worcester (2m, good) last month, and that form makes her of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

16th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Diamonds Galore

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Clearly not herself when pulled up in valuable series final in March but quickly got career back on track with odds-on maiden win at Market Rasen (2m, good) last month; returns to a handicap on workable mark and remains lightly raced; shortlisted.

5/2

1st

4

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

14:10 Market Rasen

Diamonds Galore

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Runner-up on first three hurdling starts this season, losing out only narrowly on handicap debut at Ludlow (2m, soft; front pair clear) in February; clearly not herself when pulled up in valuable series final last month but should be fine on the forecast good ground here and will be hard to beat if back on song.

1/2

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:10 Kelso

Diamonds Galore

10st 13lb

J: David Bass

T: Nicky Henderson

Runner-up in two novice hurdles towards end of last year (2m/2m5f, good/good to soft) and filled the same position when beaten half a length on last month's handicap debut at Ludlow (2m, soft); she was well clear of the third last time and could play another leading role even now 4lb higher.

14/1

Form: 78P

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Did not emerge from the rear division in any of her first three hurdle races and remains best watched until the handicapper has seen fit to give her a mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Betting Forcast

9/4 Filibustering, 2/1 Shabalko dHerm, 100/1 Bombay Pete, 12/1 Brookside La, 5/1 Count Of Vendome, 10/1 Mister Ursus, 100/1 Saint Polo, 50/1 Sweeper System, 4/1 Diamonds Galore, 100/1 Urban Rhythm

Verdict

Shabalko d’Herm launched his hurdling career with an emphatic win last month and is not opposed with any confidence but slight preference is for FILIBUSTERING, who drops in class after running well for a long way in the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at Aintree in April. Dual bumper winner Count Of Vendome and recent Worcester runner-up Diamonds Galore should also feature.[Chris Wilson]

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Shabalko d'Herm

SPOTLIGHT:

Filibustering

The Star:

Diamonds Galore

POSTDATA:

Shabalko d'Herm

WEST COUNTRY:

Shabalko d'Herm

The Times:

Shabalko d'Herm

Telegraph:

Shabalko d'Herm

The Guardian:

Shabalko d'Herm

D Express:

Shabalko d'Herm

Daily Mirror:

Shabalko d'Herm

The Sun:

Shabalko d'Herm

Daily Record:

Shabalko d'Herm

RP RATINGS:

Filibustering

LAMBOURN:

Filibustering

Daily Mail:

Filibustering