14:30 Newcastle

Sunday 8 February 2026

All13:2514:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30

Virgin Bet A Good Bet Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 4f 62y | 11 Runners | Turf

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr P Thomas⁽⁷⁾| T: R Menzies

Best effort came when third in a bumper at Navan last September but has failed to build on that since leaving William Harvey's yard. Tenth of 16 in maiden hurdle at this C&D (200/1) 24 days ago. One for longer-term.

Form: 03-00

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Big Jon^h²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies

Lightly-raced gelding well held in two bumpers before hurdling debut, showing no more when eleventh of 12 in maiden at this course (150/1) 24 days ago, jumping left first and always behind. Upped in trip but likely needs more time.

Form: 670

Crackersnap^p1²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Ryan Mania| T: Paul Robson

Showed only greenness when pulled up in maiden hurdle at this C&D (250/1) 24 days ago on debut. Wears first-time cheekpieces but needs to improve markedly.

Form: P-P

Finbarr²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson

Once-raced half-brother to fair hurdler Lunar Chief. Fourth of 15 in bumper here (6/1) 24 days ago, took keen hold mid-field before hanging left when beaten over 2f out. Now sent hurdling and entitled to improve considerably for that experience.

Form: 4

Johnny Moonshine³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr

Runner-up sole start in an Irish point in March. Showed ability on bumper debut and shaped quite well switched to hurdling when fourth of 13 in maiden at Ayr (20/1) 37 days ago, pecked at the first before rallying in the straight. Step up in trip should suit as stamina appears his strength.

Form: 2-44

King Kodiak^p1⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley

Pulled up at Catterick (250/1) 42 days ago, going with no encouragement and his erratic jumping of particular concern. First-time cheekpieces. Plenty to prove.

Form: 75U-0P

Loulou Madrik^p1¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 113

Has improved in last two starts over C&D, runner-up in maiden company before backing that up when third of 8 in novice (10/3) 12 days ago, beaten by a pair of last-time-out winners. Back in a maiden and looks sure to go well in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 45-8423

Malayalam⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore

Won in points before making hurdle debut when seventh of 10 in maiden at Kelso (7/2) 41 days ago, losing place when blundering fourth and outpaced from 3 out. Step up in trip should suit but yard still enduring quiet spell.

Form: 531-7

Mr Ramoon²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽³⁾| T: S Corbett

A maiden pointer who was prominent early on hurdle debut at this C&D (125/1) 24 days ago before being left behind from home turn, finishing ninth of 16. Will make little appeal this side of handicaps.

Form: F64-9

Nosy Neighbour⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies

Creditable form to hit frame on second of 2 starts in Irish points and showed ability on hurdling debut when third of 11 in maiden at Southwell (16/1) 75 days ago, novicey jumping errors and no chance behind pair of subsequent improvers. Looks interesting stepping up in trip.

Form: 54-3

Union Avenue^p1⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Alan Doyle⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt| BF

Fairly useful form to win twice in bumpers in 2023 but disappointing on hurdling debut when pulled up at Hexham (1/1) 60 days ago after 21 months off, shaped as if amiss. Cannot be discounted if back on song in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 21149/P

Forecasts

Loulou Madrik (11/8), Johnny Moonshine (5/2), Union Avenue (9/2), Finbarr (8/1), Nosy Neighbour (10/1), Malayalam (10/1), Mr Ramoon (66/1), Big Jon (100/1), Au Plaisir (100/1), Crackersnap (150/1), King Kodiak (200/1)

NOSY NEIGHBOUR's debut form has worked out well and he should be suited by this step up in distance. He gets the vote. Loulou Madrik has improved here recently, having been beaten by a pair of last-time-out winners in novice company, and he's respected with first-time cheekpieces applied, along with Johnny Moonshine who'll appreciate this trip.