12:05 Newbury

Monday 29 December 2025

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2215:0015:35

Play Coral's Free 'Racing-Super-Series' Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:05 | Winning time: 3m 51.56s

Arclight¹⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 124| D

10/1

Isn't the easiest to catch right, ran creditably in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham in April but disappointed over hurdles subsequently. Back to form when runner-up in a 2½m chase at Warwick in September and can be competitive if on a going day following a break.

Form: 7-42142

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Rula Bula⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124| D

3/1

Fairly useful bumper made a bright start last season, including second in listed novice company (solid form) over C&D. Lost her form after but back on track when making a successful reappearance at Carlisle (second franked form since) and rates a definite player if backing that up.

Form: 12P25-1

Miss Altea Blue^t³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 120| D

11/2

Yet to recapture fairly useful French form but has won a pair of novice hurdles for Paul Nicholls, latterly when landing short odds in routine style at Taunton last time. Still relatively early days but will need to back to her best on return to a handicap.

Form: 51F6-21

White Noise^t1⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 119| D

4/1

Progressive mare left hurdles debut form well behind when scoring on reappearance at Worcester (2m) in October. Took another sizeable step forward when following up decisively on handicap debut at Market Rasen (18.6f) last month. Tongue strap on and should go well in hat-trick bid.

Form: 23-11

Tour Ovalie²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Isabel Williams| T: Evan Williams| OR: 118| CD

6/1

Could be set for another productive campaign, better than ever when repeating 2024 win in a mares' handicap hurdle at Ludlow last time, doing well to reel in one that got first run. 8 lb higher than when successful in this race last year but likeable mare cannot be discounted.

Form: 198-771

Lagertha⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: G Sheehan| T: Katy Price| OR: 113| D

14/1

Useful bumper performer left previous hurdles form behind to win 2m Chepstow novice in the mud in January. Wasn't up to Grade 2 company next time and given a considerate ride when well held on Stratford comeback. Track will suit and no surprise to see her closer to form with a run under her belt.

Form: 4/9710-4

Golden Falls^h³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-8| J: S Bowen| T: L Wadham| OR: 119

14/1

Winner of juvenile hurdle at Dieppe (16.9f) and runner-up in Class 1 listed juvenile over same C&D. Bought for €60,000 from George/Zetterholm yard and possibly needed the run (hood replaced usual tongue tie) on stable debut over C&D. Interesting on French form and receives handy 3-y-o allowance.

Form: 68-127

Graecia^h,t²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 97| D

9/2

Cosy winner over 2m at Worcester in September and found a chunk of improvement when runner-up at Hereford, shaping as though still well-treated. Ran well faced with better company/softer ground when third at Huntingdon latest and strong-travelling filly makes appeal back on sounder surface.

Form: 441223

Forecasts

Rula Bula (3/1), White Noise (4/1), Graecia (9/2), Miss Altea Blue (11/2), Tour Ovalie (6/1), Arclight (10/1), Lagertha (14/1), Golden Falls (14/1)

GRAECIA has enjoyed a fine year over hurdles and may be able to take another step forward returned to better ground. She's narrowly preferred to the improving White Noise, who looks capable of a bold bid for the hat-trick, while last year's winner Tour Ovalie shouldn't be overlooked following a career-best success at Ludlow last time. Rula Bula and Golden Falls both deserve an honourable mention in a trappy handicap.