November 19 / 13.16 Hexham

13.16

Soft

British Stallion Studs EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 0f 48y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
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British Stallion Studs EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

OUR TIP

Form: 63-

Last run: 257 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed ability when sixth of 12 on debut in bumper at Ayr (2m, soft) in January then well beaten into third in maiden hurdle there (2m, soft) in March; however, there's potential in his pedigree and he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 4

15:55 Haydock

Count Adhemar

11st 3lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Low-mileage 6yo; improved form since switched to fences, finishing second in 2m handicaps at Ludlow (soft) and Newcastle (good to soft) in recent months; the return to a longer trip won't need to unlock much improvement.

9/4

2nd

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:15 Newcastle

Count Adhemar

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Low mileage 6yo; improved form since switched to fences, doing his best work from the back of the last (mistake two out) when chasing home the subsequent Leicester scorer Falco Des Pins at Ludlow (2m, soft; beaten a neck) latest; 3lb rise justifiable; a major threat.

6/4

Form: P-P

Last run: 193 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won two-runner point-to-point at Alnwick (2m4f, good to soft) in January but well beaten/unseated on next two runs and pulled up at 50-1 when back over hurdles here (2m7f, good) in May; wind op since; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

17:05 Hexham

Eastern Storm

12st 0lb

J: Mr Nick Orpwood

T: James Walton

Pulled up in a maiden hurdle on this card 12 months ago; has since won all four of his point-to-points, showing useful form last time when winning at Tranwell; has since been aimed at this race; bold bid expected.

5/2

5

10th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 4

17:50 Hexham

Eastern Storm

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: James Walton

Pulled up in this race last season; won a two-runner UK point in January (2m4f, good to soft) but hasn't fared as well since; bit to prove.

22/1

Form: 4

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
10-1 when fourth of five in blanket finish on debut in bumper here (2m, good) last month; that was a promising start to his career and he's in good hands to progress; one of two for stable; one to consider on hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

14:11 Hexham

Hourman

11st 7lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Very close fourth of four finishers on debut in bumper here (2m, good) in October and took a step forward at Ayr (2m, soft) recently on third hurdle start, when keeping on into sixth (jockey suspended for ten days for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to obtain the best possible placing); the step up in trip could be a positive move and he's not ruled out.

6/1

6th

7

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Ayr

Hourman

11st 6lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Beaten under 1l when last of four finishers in tactical Hexham bumper in the autumn but it's hard to weigh up what that form is worth and he was well beaten on both hurdling starts this year.

40/1

7th

5

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

13:50 Musselburgh

Hourman

11st 7lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Beaten long way over hurdles at Wetherby (2m) last time, failing to back up his Hexham bumper effort; others have stronger claims.

33/1

Form: 4-44

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed some ability when fourth in all bumpers (good to soft/good) but was soundly beaten each time and improvement is needed from this headstrong sort on his first hurdle start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

15:48 Kelso

Ivans Legacy

11st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Susan Corbett

Consistent in bumpers, albeit with ordinary RPRs; couple of poorer results at Kelso since switched to hurdles; plenty to find.

66/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
47,000euros 3yo; fourth foal; half-brother to a point winner; dam last in bumper only start, out of useful bumper and 2m-2m4f hurdle/chase winning sister to Irish National winner Thunder And Roses; from a respected stable (one of two for the yard) and represents JP McManus; interesting newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran okay but failed to threaten in his two Irish maiden points (2m4f/3m, yielding/yielding to soft) earlier this year; his claims aren't compelling on this rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth on debut in British maiden point (2m4f, good) in March, when he would have finished closer but for a bad mistake four out; not discounted now switched to rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Verdict

JP McManus’ 4yo LIKE MINDED has been found a weak race for his debut and gets the nod ahead of stablemate Hourman, who was fourth in a blanket finish to a bumper here last month. Wherearethejudges is next on the list.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Like Minded

POSTDATA:

Hourman

D Express:

Nosy Neighbour

The Guardian:

Like Minded

Daily Mail:

Like Minded

The Sun:

Like Minded

Daily Record:

Like Minded

The Times:

Hourman

Telegraph:

Hourman

Daily Mirror:

Hourman

The Star:

Hourman