13:35 Newcastle
Saturday 21 February 2026
All13:0513:3514:1014:4315:2015:5816:33
Costello's Cleaning Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 5  |  2m 4f 62y  |  Good to Soft  |  15 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 13:35Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 8.71s
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Race-by-race progress in trio of maiden hurdles in 2024/25. Limited impact both handicap starts 8 months apart but this step up in trip is expected to unlock more. Major player dropped slightly in class.
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2
Starlytep,t99
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-13| J: Gregor Walkingshaw(10)| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR:  99| CD
22/1
C&D winner but essentially falling in the weights without really looking ready to take advantage this term.
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Modest Flat winner who has displayed aptitude for hurdling this winter. Handicaps more suitable but mark looks a stiff one.
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Back-to-back Flat winner on April 2024. Lightly raced but out of form in both codes since so isn't one to be interested in. Blinkers replace cheekpieces.
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Minor promise only in 5 starts under Rules. Makes handicap debut but tendency to jump right so far a concern at this track.
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Left his 3 qualifying runs behind when making a successful handicap debut at Carlisle (19.3f) in November. Placed all 3 starts since, most recently in a big-field C&D contest a month ago and he looks a very solid proposition.
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C&D winner back in 2023. More miss than hit since but a tongue strap and a breathing operation enabled her to get career back on track when third returned to this venue 4 weeks ago.
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Dual winner of handicap hurdles during 2024 who made a much better fist of things than previously this season from a tumbling mark when staying on for fifth in 19-runner handicap hurdle at Ayr (20,5f) last month. Failed badly to repeat that over C&D last time, though.
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Opened his account at Perth (2m4f) in July and has continued in good form since, better than ever in fact when making a winning start for new yard at Sedgefield on Boxing Day. 4 lb rise shouldn't prevent bold follow-up bid.
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Successful on sole outing in points. Looked a work-in-progress under Rules to end 2025 and a potential improver now allotted a mark.
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Still a maiden but brace of placed efforts in December confirm she's competitive at this level. Failed to stay 3m last time so that run can be overlooked.
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Proved consistent sent handicapping over hurdles, opening account at Carlisle (24.6f) last season and in the frame 3 of next 4 outings. Didn't take to fences but shaped as though back on good order at Wetherby last month, finding 3m in the mud a shade too much of a test.
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Lightly-raced 7-y-o but hasn't yet done anything in handicaps to recommend him.
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Low-mileage 8-y-o who was far from disgraced when third on the second of his 3 starts in handicaps last winter. Reportedly bled when pulled up on his return/chase debut at Ayr in December and while latest run here wasn't devoid of promise, he has plenty to prove for now with headgear now on.
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Got off the mark over hurdles in 21f Ayr handicap (heavy) last January. Backed that up when third at Wetherby later that month but a handful of lesser runs have followed. Blinkers now the headgear of choice.
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Forecasts
Unleash The Beast (13/8), Drop Kick (3/1), Our Laura B (7/1), Glory Hights (10/1), Boolamore Classic (12/1), Holly Bird (14/1), Mooserwirt (16/1), Top Flight Century (20/1), Starlyte (22/1), Wainwright (25/1), Eire Street (28/1), Cold Henry (33/1), Sparky Tom (40/1), Sam's Falcon (50/1), Justus (66/1)
UNLEASH THE BEAST has been crying out for an increased emphasis on stamina and getting that here for his in-form yard, he looks the one to be with. Drop Kick and Top Flight Century are in-form rivals expected to offer most resistance.
- Drop Kick3/1
Prize Money
1st: £3,697.002nd: £1,701.003rd: £850.004th: £426.005th: £212.00
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