January 15 / 12.15 Newcastle

12.15

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £5446
  • 2m 0f 190y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Virgin Bet Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.90
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 51-44 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won a British point (2m4f) on soft and a Kelso bumper (2m) on good to soft; held in fourth in both hurdle runs but was beaten only about 3l at Taunton (2m, good) last month and he probably would have gone close if he didn't make some late mistakes; strongly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

16th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

17:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Is This For Real

11st 12lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

3-4 under Liam Harrison, gaining this year's Newcastle (good to soft) and Huntingdon (good) hurdles wins from the front but earlier bumper and point gains came under patient tactics; no chasers in immediate pedigree but his mark looks about right for this chasing/handicap debut.

5/2

1st

1

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:47 Huntingdon

Is This For Real

11st 12lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Soft-ground 2m4f point winner who landed a valuable Kelso bumper for this yard; off the mark over hurdles on third attempt when taking Newcastle maiden (2m1f, good to soft) in January but pulled up on handicap debut at Haydock (2m3f, good to soft) last month; drops back in distance here and warrants another chance.

9/4

3

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 191y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Is This For Real

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Soft-ground 2m4f British point winner who landed a valuable Kelso bumper for this yard; off the mark on third hurdle start when taking Newcastle maiden (2m1f, also good to soft) seven weeks ago; up in trip and carries plenty of potential into this handicap debut.

5/2

2/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1/58-2

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who reappeared for new yard with a promising second on hurdling debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) last month; that was behind a useful prospect who made all and she sets the standard on that eyecatching effort; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

16

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:10 Kelso

Madame La Papillon

10st 4lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Claire Dyson

Bumper winner who was runner-up on her first two hurdle starts (2m/2m1f, soft/good to soft); disappointing favourite at Hereford (2m, soft) since but she failed to settle and was hampered a couple of times; retains potential and she's not ruled out each-way on handicap debut.

33/1

6th

7

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

14:40 Hereford

Madame La Papillon

11st 6lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Claire Dyson

Bumper winner for Laura Morgan in 2024 (2m, soft); runner-up on both runs over hurdles, last time finishing a long way clear of the remainder at Newcastle (2m, good to soft); should go well again.

7/4

Form: 5173 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) in June on second start; tailed off on hurdle debut at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November but, after wind surgery, he bounced back with a promising third at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) last month; now drops back in trip but he travelled smoothly for a long way last time and he's in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:57 Worcester

Alba Crus

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Good-ground bumper winner who was placed in a 2m3f novice hurdle last season; ran poorly on recent handicap hurdle debut (2m4f) and now has a point to prove but might be aided by first-time tongue-tie and connections are evidently keen to switch him to fences.

11/4

9th

1

5th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:48 Ffos Las

Alba Crus

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Bumper winner on good ground; two underwhelming runs over hurdles but the middle effort was respectable and he now enters handicaps; this mark is no gift, however.

8/1

Form: 225-3

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two of his three bumpers last season and he made an encouraging start over hurdles when 6l third at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) three weeks ago; this is a deeper race but he should benefit from that reappearance run and he's effective on slow ground; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:07 Newcastle

Noble George

11st 10lb

J: Ian Power

T: Jennie Candlish

Twice a runner-up in bumpers; failed to build on earlier promise in this sphere when pulled up on his handicap debut at Bangor (2m4f) three weeks ago; cheekpieces are retained and he could still do better for good yard.

25/1

8

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Noble George

11st 8lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Couldn't make a compelling case on this handicap debut and others preferred even if he is backed in the first-time cheekpieces.

14/1

6th

11

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:55 Southwell

Noble George

11st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Beaten a combined 73l on last two starts; captured the stewards' attention at Newcastle on first occasion; needs this fourth run for a mark.

16/1

Form: 764

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten fourth in two Irish points; finished in rear in sole bumper and he's been well held switched to hurdling in last two starts; still early days but he needs improvement on this drop back in trip; hood added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

16th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Siege Of Acres

11st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Early switch to chasing hasn't gone entirely to plan; looking a bit more realistic now, but needs to tease out his resources longer.

20/1

10th

4

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Siege Of Acres

11st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Lightly raced hurdler; ran well in his first chase and was doing likewise when falling at Sedgefield, though wouldn't have won; others preferred.

10/1

4

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Siege Of Acres

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

4-1 for last month's chase and handicap debut at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft), beaten about 6l in third of six; this unexposed 5yo is open to improvement if finding greater fluency over his fences; chance.

11/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won three of his last five Flat runs for Paddy Butler, including a clearcut success at Bath (2m1f, soft) in October; that was a Class 6 handicap but he changed hands for 36,000gns after that and he should have a future at this new discipline; needs watching in market on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(3)

17th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:17 Ripon

Rupert The Prince

9st 1lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won three times (once from rear, twice making all) at up to 2m last term on the Flat for Paddy Butler; remote this year in his two hurdle races (three-runner race last time) but he was a fair third over C&D (a head behind No More Bolero) in between and peak form gives him a good shout.

7/2

2nd

3

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

13:55 Kelso

Rupert The Prince

10st 7lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won three times at up to 2m on the Flat for Paddy Butler; bought for 36,000gns in October; third in a 2m handicap at Ripon 11 days ago having disappointed in a Newcastle maiden hurdle on jumps debut in January (2m1f, good to soft; cheekpieces on instead of visor); visor back on, this longer trip should suit, and improvement likely.

7/1

3rd

6

(3)

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ripon

Rupert The Prince

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won three of his last five Flat runs for Paddy Butler, including a clearcut success at Bath (2m1f, soft) in October; no impact on hurdle debut for new yard in January but could fare a lot better back on the Flat.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 1-33 C

Last run: 96 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won on bumper debut here (2m1f, good) in April and he's finished a close third on both starts since (1m7f/2m, good); out of a 2m hurdle winner and he needs a close look on this switch to jumping; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(1)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 195y

Class 4

16:00 Carlisle

Freddie Steady Go

10st 1lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Susan Corbett

Bumper who has finished only seventh over 1m in both Flat starts; likely to find better opportunities in handicaps shortly.

40/1

7th

1

(1)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

16:40 Redcar

Freddie Steady Go

10st 2lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Susan Corbett

Won a bumper in good style last year but very disappointing on hurdle debut in January and made an underwhelming start to his Flat career last month; remains best watched.

66/1

Form: 69

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well held off at big prices in two bumpers in the autumn and is best watched on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle

Blazing Echo

10st 11lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: Eloise Quayle

Well beaten in two bumpers and he's struggled at massive prices in his three races over hurdles, two of them over C&D; handicap debut should offer improved prospects but he has no solid claims.

25/1

8th

4

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

13:05 Newcastle

Blazing Echo

11st 7lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Eloise Quayle

Well beaten in two bumpers and he's struggled at massive prices in two hurdle runs this year, including over C&D.

100/1

12th

1

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:30 Carlisle

Blazing Echo

11st 5lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Eloise Quayle

Well beaten in two bumpers and pulled up on hurdles debut; best watched for now.

100/1

Form: 4

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 89-734

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Promising third in a Carlisle novice (2m1f, good) in October but he failed to build on that when a never-dangerous fourth here (2m4f, good to soft) the following month; that took his record to 0-6 and he needs to kick on again back at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

17:22 Kelso

Walk On Son

10st 11lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Remains winless and he has been well below form in handicaps at Perth (2m4f) and Hexham (2m) this spring since undergoing wind surgery; others appeal more.

16/1

4th

3

9th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:15 Hexham

Walk On Son

11st 11lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Ordinary form in bumpers; has improved since going hurdling, best run when third in a Carlisle novice in October (2m1f, good); bit disappointing this year, including on handicap debut on first run after a second wind op last time (2m4f, good); bit to prove now.

12/1

8th

4

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:25 Perth

Walk On Son

11st 8lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Disappointing in maiden hurdles on his last two outings but showed a bit of promise in similar races prior to that and has had wind surgery ahead of this handicap debut; also refitted with the tongue-tie he wore in bumpers.

9/1

Form: 5

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Lyric

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.30
Straight Forecast £9.93
Trifecta £811.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Madame La Papillon

POSTDATA:

Is This For Real

D Express:

Lyric

The Star:

Is This For Real

RP RATINGS:

Madame La Papillon

TOPSPEED:

Madame La Papillon

The Times:

Madame La Papillon

Telegraph:

Madame La Papillon

The Guardian:

Madame La Papillon

Daily Mail:

Madame La Papillon

Daily Mirror:

Madame La Papillon

Daily Record:

Madame La Papillon

The Sun:

Lyric