CSP Maiden Hurdle Race (GBB Race)

13:17 Newbury Thu 05 Nov 2026 2m69y Class 3 Good to Soft 9 runners

Mr Fox’s call

Merlin Allen

MEDIUM Advised 11/8 Est. 42%

🥉 3RD

Mr Fox says

Merlin Allen (SR:166, 11/8) is the standout performer in this field by a significant margin — a 9-point SR gap over Presley (SR:157) and 13 points over Moments Away (SR:153). The market has backed him in sharply by 35%, the strongest steam in the race, confirming significant confidence from connections. His form 133- shows consistency at a high level, and at age 4 in a maiden hurdle he carries the profile of an improving type. Mrs Jane Williams runs a compact yard (164 runners) with a 15% strike rate, and Ciaran Gethings at 11% is not flashy but is trusted here. The only concern is the final '-' (last run a non-finish or unplaced), but the 35% market move inward tells us connections are not worried — this is a horse they want to win today. Each-way alternative: Moments Away. Main danger: Presley — Presley (SR:157, 7/4) is trained by Dan Skelton (22% strike rate) and ridden by Harry Skelton (27%), the strongest jockey-trainer combination in the field, and despite a 242-day absence and stepping up two classes, raw ability could compensate if Merlin Allen's latest unplaced run signals a problem.

Verify· #27123

Full result

Winner: Presley (IRE) at SP 85/40. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.

1 Presley Fox #3 Dan Skelton · Harry Skelton 6/4
2 Octo Gane Ben Pauling · Ben Jones 18/1
3 Merlin Allen Fox #1 Mrs Jane Williams · Ciaran Gethings 7/4
4 Insanity Alan King · Tom Bellamy 12/1
5 Moments Away Fox #2 Martin Keighley · Sean Bowen 7/2
6 Youcancountonme Anthony Honeyball · Richie McLernon 18/1
7 Fervent Warren Greatrex · Sam Twiston-Davies 80/1
8 Aquaman Richard Bandey · Jack Quinlan 300/1
9 Military Air Michael Blake · Charlie Todd 100/1

Top 4 — how each finished

1 Merlin Allen 11/8 🥉 3RD
2 Moments Away 7/2 5TH
3 Presley 7/4 SP 85/40 🏆 WON