13:17 Newbury

Thursday 5 November 2026

All12:4213:1713:5214:2514:5815:3316:05

CSP Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:18 | Winning time: 4m 9.45s

Aquaman³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Bandey

250/1

Cracksman gelding who became rather disappointing on the Flat in Germany after a Group 3 placing as a 3-y-o and he made a discouraging start sent hurdling after 5 months for present yard at Fontwell (2¼m) 33 days ago (pulled up). Looks best watched for now.

Form: P

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Fervent^h⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: W Greatrex

100/1

Back-to-back winner on Flat in Ireland for Stuart Crawford last summer. Offered something to work on amid inexperience in 2 hurdle runs for new yard, falling on debut but noted keeping on when fourth at Worcester (2m) in August. Handicaps likely to be more his bag after this. Hood goes back on.

Form: F4

Insanity²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King

12/1

Some promise on first of 2 starts over hurdles back in 2023 and developed into a useful performer on the Flat subsequently, resuming with a good second at Pontefract in April. Disappointed on 2 of 3 starts since but he surely remains capable of better on this second stint hurdling.

Form: 3P/

Merlin Allen²⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs J WilliamsWS

2/1

Choeur du Nord gelding who made a winning bumper debut at Aintree (17f) 12 months ago and enhanced his form in defeat in 2 starts after, running a cracker when third in Grade 2 there at the National Meeting in the spring. Looks a very bright prospect now hurdling following a breathing operation.

Form: 133-

Military Air^h⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: C J Todd| T: M Blake

250/1

Useful ex-French performer but totally out of sorts in handful of runs upon joining David O'Meara earlier this year. Stopped the slide following a yard switch in a 1¼m handicap here 7 weeks ago and now his task is to build on that switched to hurdles.

Form:

Moments Away^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| BF

2/1

Getaway gelding who displayed steady progress in 4 bumper runs, including an excellent fifth in Aintree Grade 2 in April (Merlin Allen placed third). Held back by inexperience when second on last month's hurdle debut at Southwell (2½m) and likelihood is he's capable of a good deal better.

Form: 2325-2

Octo Gane²¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Jones| T: B PaulingWS

11/1

Muhtathir gelding who again shaped with some encouragement 2 years on from his debut fourth, when sixth of 12 in a Fairyhouse bumper (2m, soft) back in April. Had breathing operation ahead of return/hurdles debut and interesting what the market makes of him.

Form: 4/6-

Presley²⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| BF

85/40

Related to some above-average jumpers and he confirmed bumper debut promise (race working out well) when second in a Warwick bumper (2m) in March, seeing out well despite going with plenty of exuberance. Very bright prospect now hurdling for his top yard.

Form: 32-

Youcancountonme²⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball

18/1

€125,000 3-y-o, Walk In The Park gelding. Half-brother to modest 23f hurdle winner Tennessee Orange. Finished runner-up sole start in Irish points (Feb 2026) and interesting what the market makes of him debuting under Rules in what could prove quite a warm race.

Form: 2-

Forecasts

Merlin Allen (2/1), Moments Away (2/1), Presley (85/40), Octo Gane (11/1), Insanity (12/1), Youcancountonme (18/1), Fervent (100/1), Aquaman (250/1), Military Air (250/1)

PRESLEY shaped with plenty of promise in a couple of bumpers last season, building on his debut effort despite his exuberance when second at Warwick in March. He rates a very bright prospect now hurdling for his top stable and shades preference over Merlin Allen, who was a very good third in an Aintree Grade 2 bumper himself in the spring. Moments Away and useful Flat performer Insanity are also respected.