16:38 Hexham 02 Oct 2026
David Clarke Memorial 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle
GBB Race | Class 4 | 4YO plus
Winner £5,446 - 7 declared to run
Good-good to firm in places
Draw Advantage: None
Forecast: Light rain
Temperature: 8.8° - 19.4°
Rainfall: 2.36mm
Wind: 13.5 mph S
Last Update: 01/10/2026 12:00
Never put into the race comfortably held in a novice hurdle at Sedgefield last time; yet to show anything, hard to fancy.
Unplaced in all five starts. Well beaten at 150-1 behind Cadillac Ranch when sixth of 8 on his latest outing in a hurdle race at Sedgefield over 2m 4f (good to firm) in August.
Never put into the race comfortably held in a novice hurdle at Sedgefield last time; yet to show anything, hard to fancy.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Hurdle | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Similar Going | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (H only) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Conor Rabbitt | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| T | J Bedi | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Confirmed debut level when fourth beaten 12l in a bumper here latest; returning from a break; effective 2m on good; improvement likely now hurdling.
Unplaced in both NH starts. Finished 12l behind Loman Lady when fourth of 8 at 18-1 on his latest outing in a NH flat race here over 2m (good) in June.
Confirmed debut level when fourth beaten 12l in a bumper here latest; returning from a break; effective 2m on good; improvement likely now hurdling.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hurdle | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Distance | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Similar Going | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Nathan Moscrop | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| T | S Corbett | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
No match for useful winner but ran to form when second beaten 6l in a novice hurdle at Bangor-on-Dee latest; effective 2m, acts on soft, good; consistent and sets the standard of those to have raced over hurdles.
Successful in a hurdle race and a NH flat race at 2m on good to firm and good ground. Beaten 6l by Hidden Fortune when second of 8 at 9-2 on her latest outing in a hurdle race at Bangor-on-Dee over 2m 1f (good) last month.
No match for useful winner but ran to form when second beaten 6l in a novice hurdle at Bangor-on-Dee latest; effective 2m, acts on soft, good; consistent and sets the standard of those to have raced over hurdles.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 6 | 1 | 3 | 16.7% | |
| Hurdle | 6 | 1 | 3 | 16.7% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 8 | 2 | 4 | 25% |
| G | Similar Going | 8 | 2 | 4 | 25% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 33.3% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 4 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | G Sheehan | 8 | 2 | 4 | 25% |
| T | Jamie Snowden | 9 | 2 | 5 | 22.2% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Improved again after wind op back from 13 months off beaten 2 1/4l in a bumper at Worcester last time; effective 2m, acts on good; should come on for latest now hurdling.
Yet to place in three starts. Finished 2 1/2l behind I've Got A Friend when fifth of 10 at 40-1 on his latest outing in a NH flat race at Worcester over 2m (good) in August.
Improved again after wind op back from 13 months off beaten 2 1/4l in a bumper at Worcester last time; effective 2m, acts on good; should come on for latest now hurdling.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hurdle | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Similar Going | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | C O'Farrell | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| T | John Dawson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Stole race at start, likely flattered when winning a bumper at Worcester by 15l last time; effective 2m, acts on good; more to offer now hurdling but will do well to repeat those winning tactics.
A winner at 9-2 in a NH flat race at Worcester over 2m (good) on his latest outing last month, beating Brave Lion by 15l.
Stole race at start, likely flattered when winning a bumper at Worcester by 15l last time; effective 2m, acts on good; more to offer now hurdling but will do well to repeat those winning tactics.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hurdle | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| G | Similar Going | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 20% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Kielan Woods | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| T | T R George | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Improved on poor debut comfortably held in a maiden at Bartlemy last time; returning from a break; needs much more now under rules.
Unplaced in both NH starts. Well beaten at 7-1fav behind Fiercestone when sixth of 14 on her latest outing in a point-to-point race at Bartlemy over 3m (good) in May. Having her first run for a new stable today, previously with John Joseph Murphy in Ireland.
Improved on poor debut comfortably held in a maiden at Bartlemy last time; returning from a break; needs much more now under rules.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hurdle | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Similar Going | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Callum Bewley | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | M Todhunter | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Mistakes, needed run when fourth beaten 15l in a maiden hurdle at Plumpton latest; effective 2m, acts on heavy and good; vulnerable again, stable has stronger candidate in Dark Tide Rising.
A winner of a point-to-point at 3m on good to firm ground. Finished 15l behind One Dimensional when fourth of 6 at 11-1 on her latest outing in a maiden hurdle race at Plumpton over 2m 4f (good) last month.
Mistakes, needed run when fourth beaten 15l in a maiden hurdle at Plumpton latest; effective 2m, acts on heavy and good; vulnerable again, stable has stronger candidate in Dark Tide Rising.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Hurdle | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Similar Going | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (T & P) | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Cheek Pieces | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Mr Harry O'Dwyer | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | T R George | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Verdict
Dark Tide Rising is flattered by his wide-margin success in a bumper at Worcester. Presented with a clear lead at the start, he was never seriously challenged and will find life tougher now hurdling for the first time. RIDE LIKE A GIRL makes more appeal, despite carrying a penalty for winning a handicap at Huntingdon back in May. She'll be sharper for a recent second at Bangor and could prove the one to side with. Whin Cover looks the pick of the rest.
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good | 8 | Spadestep | 6 | 11 0 | - | 122 | 161 days | L Russell & M Scudamore (126 miles) | Derek Fox | 1/ 4 | 4:24.59 | |
| 2024 | Good | 7 | Kingston James | 5 | 11 0 | - | F11-4 | 149 days | Miss Lucinda V Russell (126 miles) | Patrick Wadge | 5/ 6 | 4:06.88 | |
| 2023 | Soft | 11 | Whistle Stop Tour | 5 | 11 0 | - | 51 | 194 days | Miss Lucinda V Russell (126 miles) | Derek Fox | 8/ 11 | 4:29.93 | |
| 2022 | Good to Soft | 8 | Fringill Dike | 5 | 11 12 | - | 14U21-1 | 153 days | Jedd O'Keeffe (62 miles) | Sean Quinlan | 2/ 7 | 4:27.10 | |
| 2021 | Good | 6 | Bob's Bar | 5 | 10 12 | - | 336 | 167 days | D McCain Jnr (168 miles) | Brian Hughes | 13/ 2 | 4:21.10 | |
| 2020 | Good | 12 | Sea Prince | 4 | 10 12 | - | 77 | 252 days | A M Hales (246 miles) | Kielan Woods | 9/ 1 | 4:10.24 |
