17:35 Newcastle

Tuesday 31 March 2026

All14:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:35

Virgin Bet Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 190y | 14 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: William Maggs⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 100WS

Fairly useful Flat winner who showed more than first time up over hurdles when second in a C&D maiden in January. Failed to repeat that effort at Catterick last time, but she could still have more to offer on handicap debut in this sphere (has had a breathing operation).

Form: 624

Book of Secrets^h,t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Leah Noreci⁽¹⁰⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 99| D

Good second at Newton Abbot in September but hasn't been in the same form since, finishing mid-field at Musselburgh 11 days ago. Drop back in grade could help, though, with tongue strap reapplied.

Form: 727877

Lady Babs^p²³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Conor Rabbitt| T: A Crook| OR: 96| D

Successful on 4 of last 5 starts in 2024/25 but has struggled for form this season. However, there were better signs before departing at the last at Carlisle 23 days ago and she's eased another 3 lb in the weights.

Form: 1-P500F

Nottodaybobo^t¹¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Joshua Thompson⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 95

Irish maiden hurdle winner in 2023 and proved that ability remains intact following a lengthy absence when third on debut for this yard at Market Rasen in July. Has gone backwards from that effort in 4 subsequent outings, though.

Form: 5/379P7

Greer Hill¹⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Luke Scott⁽³⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 95

Runner-up sole outing in Irish points but down the field in 3 starts over hurdles so far, well-beaten sixth of 9 in 2½m novice at Uttoxeter when last seen in October. Market could be informative as he goes handicapping.

Form: 2-876

Newport^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Midgley| T: I Jardine| OR: 94

Without a win when trained in Ireland but successful on second start for current yard at Musselburgh in December. Below form last 2 starts, though, never dangerous when third of 9 at Sedgefield on the back of a breathing operation 3 weeks ago.

Form: 0313P3

Travis Wheatley^p1¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Power| T: A Nicol| OR: 94

Still looking for a first success over hurdles but went off too hard when mid-field in a well-contested handicap at Musselburgh 11 days ago. Remains early days for current yard and he can make his presence felt back down in grade with cheekpieces added.

Form: 4F-4P68

Natzor^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Atkins⁽³⁾| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 91

Fairly useful on the Flat for David O'Meara and third in a Musselburgh maiden on stable/hurdling debut in February last year. Struggled for form in the rest of 2025, including back on the level, but made the frame in handicap on the Flat here 26 days ago.

Form: 384-P

Ellistrin Bay^b,t⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Murray Dodd⁽³⁾| T: D W Whillans| OR: 87

Third of 5 in a Kelso bumper but hasn't offered much over hurdles, completing for the first time when seventh of 11 in novice at Kelso in February. Has work to do as he makes handicap debut.

Form: 3-PPP7

Glenridding^h⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Tristan Durrell| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 95

Fair Flat winner for Daniel & Claire Kubler and showed more than on hurdles debut when fifth of 10 in juvenile at Musselburgh on New Year's Day. However, in first-time hood he was well held at Catterick 2 months ago. Has something to find on handicap debut in this sphere.

Form: 755

Blazing Echo³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Dominic Hislop⁽⁷⁾| T: Eloise Quayle| OR: 83

Little promise in a pair of bumpers and hasn't fared any better over hurdles, eighth of 12 in maiden over C&D last time. Has enough to prove on handicap bow.

Form: 69P08

Littletown Lad^t1⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Isabelle Ryder| T: S England| OR: 81

Made the frame on second of 2 starts in bumpers for Daragh Bourke. Little impact over hurdles for current yard this season, tenth of 11 in novice at Wetherby in December, but any market support should be noted as he goes handicapping with tongue strap fitted.

Form: 3/94-800

Junkyard Dog^b1,t⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Dylan Johnston| T: I Jardine| OR: 88

Fair winner on the Flat but yet to recapture form shown when modest third on hurdle debut for Joseph O'Brien last summer, sixth of 9 in handicap at Carlisle 6 weeks ago. Has been given a chance by the handicapper, though, as he drops back in trip with blinkers added.

Form: 34506

Defying Gravity^t1¹²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Shane Fenelon| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 64WS

In the frame in a couple of points but has found things tough in a trio of starts over hurdles, tailed off in an Ayr novice when last seen in December (has had breathing operation since). Tongue strap applied, though he's 10 lb out of the weights for his first handicap.

Form: 44-F000

Forecasts

Roarin' Success (5/2), Newport (6/1), Book of Secrets (7/1), Travis Wheatley (7/1), Greer Hill (8/1), Glenridding (10/1), Lady Babs (12/1), Littletown Lad (14/1), Blazing Echo (20/1), Junkyard Dog (20/1), Defying Gravity (20/1), Nottodaybobo (25/1), Natzor (25/1), Ellistrin Bay (25/1)

Preference is for TRAVIS WHEATLEY, who wasn't seen to best effect at Musselburgh last time and could be able to take advantage of this drop in grade with cheekpieces applied. Roarin' Success is respected on handicap debut given his level of ability on the Flat, with Junkyard Dog completing the shortlist.