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Newcastle Race 5 - Border Minstrel Sunday Lunch Handicap Hurdle

FORGED WELL (5) secured an impressive 4.75L victory attempting a Musselburgh handicap chase before pulling up in the Edinburgh National Handicap Chase last week at the same course. Can bounce back. ESPRIT DU POTIER (1) improved from pulling up in the Stayers Premier Handicap Hurdle two starts ago placing third at Kelso. Holds winning form at this track. Will be thereabouts. SKUNA BAY (4) is racing consistently with one win and three placed efforts last six starts including second at Leicester. May go one better. BOTH BARRELS (2) cannot be discounted after winning by 1.5L a Kelso handicap hurdle.

Race Time:3:30 PM

Sunday, February 8, 2026

Track:Heavy

Weather:N/A

Prize Money:$0.00

Distance:4762m

Esprit Du Potier (1)x21017x4p3

Trainer: Lucinda Scudamore (Milnathort, Kinross-shire)12 mths 13: 4-3-1

Jockey: D R Fox

Weight: 76kgs

7 yo Grey G

Sire: MONTMARTRE (FR)

Dam: ABSENT MINDED (GB)

Dam's Sire: Medicean

Stats

Prize Money$44,892.00

Avg $$3,453.23

Win %30.77%

Place %61.54%

Career13: 4-3-1

Track1: 1-0-0

Distance0: 0-0-0

Tr / Dist0: 0-0-0

1st Up4: 0-3-0

2nd Up3: 2-0-0

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good7: 1-1-1

Soft3: 0-2-0

Heavy3: 3-0-0

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Comes off a 41 day let-up. Last start made some head-way from midfield; finished third of 7 runners at Kelso on December 29 over 4500m, 4.5 len behind Both Barrels with 76kg at $8.50. The start before that; pulled up at Haydock Park on November 22 over 4900m. Only needs to jump well to be right in the finish.

Last Starts 41 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Result	Margin	Starting Price
3/7	29/12/2025	37	HDLE HCP 3U	$32,670.00	Kelso	4526m	Good Soft	Derek Fox	76kg	5:56.73	3-5-3	1. Both Barrels 2. Magic Wave 3. Esprit Du Potier	4.5L	$8.50
99/17	22/11/2025	21	HDLE HCP 4U	$181,490.00	Haydock Park	4928m	Good Soft	Derek Fox	67.5kg	5:55.60	-	1. Electric Mason 2. Hartington 3. Phantomofthepoints	99.0L	$41.00
4/7	01/11/2025	567	HCP HDLE 3U	$29,690.00	Ayr	4928m	Soft	Derek Fox	71.5kg	6:32.03	1-4-4	1. Nab Wood 2. Whistle Stop Tour 3. Lavida Adiva	5.0L	$5.50
7/8	13/04/2024	39	G1 NHDLE 4U	$179,650.00	Aintree	4023m	Good Soft	Derek Fox	73kg	5:04.76	1-3-7	1. Brighterdaysahead 2. Staffordshire Knot 3. Bugise Seagull	22.8L	$23.00
1/5	05/03/2024	38	NHDLE APP 4U	$13,980.00	Newcastle Uk	4123m	Heavy	Derek Fox	75.5kg	5:21.10	1-1-1	1. Esprit Du Potier 2. Raceview Road 3. Chosen Templar	26.0L	$1.33
99/10	27/01/2024	25	G2 NHDLE 5U	$99,820.00	Doncaster	4928m	Good	P Wadge	70kg	5:54.00	-	1. Kerryhill 2. Welcom To Cartries 3. The Newest One	99.0L	$15.00
1/7	02/01/2024	22	MHDLE 4U	$15,150.00	Ayr	4123m	Heavy	Derek Fox	72.5kg	5:27.68	1-1-1	1. Esprit Du Potier 2. President Scottie 3. Hombre De Guerra	5.5L	$1.57
2/14	11/12/2023	64	MHDLE HUNT 3U	$14,520.00	Ayr	3218m	Soft	Derek Fox	72.5kg	4:01.58	3-2-2	1. Doyen Du Bar 2. Esprit Du Potier 3. President Scottie	5.0L	$1.50
2/9	08/10/2023	176	NHDLE 4U	$16,330.00	Kelso	3218m	Good Soft	Derek Fox	69.5kg	3:58.73	3-4-2	1. Slugger 2. Esprit Du Potier 3. Dutch Schultz	1.5L	$2.00
6/20	15/04/2023	47	G2 FLAT 46	$92,250.00	Aintree	3410m	Good Soft	Derek Fox	69kg	4:01.74	-	1. Florida Dreams 2. Blizzard Of Oz 3. Hasthing	4.4L	$34.00
1/9	27/02/2023	49	APP FLAT 46	$7,880.00	Ayr	3219m	Good Soft	P Wadge	65.5kg	3:52.86	-	1. Esprit Du Potier 2. Slugger 3. Giacosa	3.3L	$3.50

Both Barrels (2)21x761x816

Trainer: D W Whillans (Hawick)12 mths 13: 3-1-3

Jockey: Craig Nichol

Weight: 76kgs

8 yo Chestnut G

Sire: SADDLER'S ROCK (IRE)

Dam: RED LEGEND (GB)

Dam's Sire: Midnight Legend

Stats

Prize Money$51,920.00

Avg $$3,993.85

Win %23.08%

Place %53.85%

Career13: 3-1-3

Track1: 0-0-1

Distance0: 0-0-0

Tr / Dist0: 0-0-0

1st Up6: 0-1-1

2nd Up5: 2-0-2

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good2: 1-0-0

Soft9: 2-0-2

Heavy2: 0-1-1

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Useful type. Last start ran on from midfield; finished sixth of 10 runners at Haydock Park on January 17 over 4860m, 18 len behind Dalston Lad carrying 71kg at $11. The start before that; won by 1.5 len Kelso on December 29 over 4500m defeating Magic Wave carrying 74kg at $9 in a hurdle. Likely to make amends for the last-start miss.

Last Starts 22 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Result	Margin	Starting Price
6/10	17/01/2026	19	HCP HDLE 4U	$55,350.00	Haydock Park	4881m	Good Soft	Craig Nichol	71kg	6:10.01	5-7-6	1. Dalston Lad 2. Stay Away Fay 3. Heather Honey	18.8L	$11.00
1/7	29/12/2025	47	HDLE HCP 3U	$32,670.00	Kelso	4526m	Good Soft	Sean Quinlan	74kg	5:56.73	2-1-1	1. Both Barrels 2. Magic Wave 3. Esprit Du Potier	1.5L	$9.00
8/11	12/11/2025	250	HCP HDLE 3U	$16,610.00	Ayr	4114m	Soft	Richie Mclernon	75.5kg	5:24.35	1-4-8	1. Follow Charlie 2. Captain Butler 3. El Jefe	28.2L	$7.00
1/10	07/03/2025	21	HCP HDLE 4U	$18,450.00	Ayr	4114m	Soft	Craig Nichol	75kg	5:42.50	1-1-1	1. Both Barrels 2. Buy Some Time 3. Follow Charlie	4.3L	$4.00
6/12	14/02/2025	43	HCP HDLE 4U	$14,760.00	Kelso	4563m	Soft	Murray Dodd	73kg	6:01.34	4-3-6	1. Stay If U Want To 2. Rocheval 3. Young Jack	9.3L	$5.00
7/10	02/01/2025	262	HCP HDLE 4U	$27,680.00	Ayr	4892m	Soft	Craig Nichol	69kg	6:30.34	4-7-7	1. O'toole 2. Gaillimh A Stor 3. Adveram	27.3L	$3.75
1/10	15/04/2024	49	HDLE HCP 4U	$16,340.00	Kelso	4526m	Soft	Craig Nichol	73.5kg	5:51.50	2-2-1	1. Both Barrels 2. Bushypark 3. Artic Mann	2.3L	$2.88
2/7	26/02/2024	74	HCP HDLE 4U	$16,610.00	Ayr	4114m	Heavy	Craig Nichol	71kg	5:23.94	5-4-2	1. Eire Street 2. Both Barrels 3. Dance Thief	4.8L	$4.50
3/7	14/12/2023	39	NHDLE 4U	$14,520.00	Newcastle Uk	4425m	Heavy	Craig Nichol	70kg	5:46.40	-	1. Ikarak 2. Young Jack 3. Both Barrels	7.0L	$2.38
4/11	05/11/2023	225	NHDLE 4U	$16,510.00	Carlisle	4023m	Soft	Craig Nichol	70kg	5:17.94	-	1. Johnnywho 2. Moon D'orange 3. Whistle Stop Tour	10.5L	$9.50
3/14	25/03/2023	52	FLAT 47	$53,670.00	Kelso	3265m	Soft	Craig Nichol	72kg	5:37.35	-	1. Bertie's Ballet 2. Idem 3. Both Barrels	3.1L	$67.00

Jupiter Des Mottes (3)1x126x9x

Trainer: N G Richards (Greystoke, Cumbria)12 mths 5: 2-1-0

Jockey: Danny Mcmenamin

Weight: 75.5kgs

7 yo Bay G

Sire: CASTLE DU BERLAIS (FR)

Dam: POUR TOI GEORGES (FR)

Dam's Sire: Michel Georges

Stats

Prize Money$17,299.00

Avg $$3,459.80

Win %40.00%

Place %60.00%

Career5: 2-1-0

Track1: 1-0-0

Distance0: 0-0-0

Tr / Dist0: 0-0-0

1st Up3: 2-0-0

2nd Up1: 0-1-0

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good2: 0-0-0

Soft3: 2-1-0

Heavy0: 0-0-0

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Resuming after a break; having raced just once last campaign finished ninth of 12 starters at Carlisle on November 2 over 4200m, 41 len behind The Jukebox Kid with 71.5kg at $6. Won previous preparation first up on from midfield and won by a neck this track on January 28 2025 over 4100m slow track defeating Lawrenny with 72kg at $4.50 in a hurdle. Well beaten latest and prepared to risk.

Last Starts 98 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Result	Margin	Starting Price
9/12	02/11/2025	193	HCP CHSE 4U	$36,900.00	Carlisle	4204m	Good Soft	Derek Fox	71.5kg	5:25.38	10-9-9	1. The Jukebox Kid 2. Grand Geste 3. First Confession	41.0L	$6.00
6/14	23/04/2025	46	LR HDLE HUNT 5U	$72,600.00	Perth Uk	4828m	Good Soft	Patrick Wadge	71kg	6:02.57	12-8-6	1. Kiss Will 2. Royal Infantry 3. Horaces Pearl	13.8L	$51.00
2/5	08/03/2025	39	HDLE 4U	$14,520.00	Ayr	4123m	Soft	Derek Fox	73kg	5:40.99	3-2-2	1. Crest Of Fortune 2. Jupiter Des Mottes 3. Wholly Boley	5.0L	$1.53
1/12	28/01/2025	306	HDLE 4U	$13,980.00	Newcastle Uk	4123m	Soft	Patrick Wadge	72kg	5:18.20	5-5-1	1. Jupiter Des Mottes 2. Lawrenny 3. Monaco Rules	0.3L	$4.50
1/13	28/03/2024	-	HUNT FLAT 46	$9,070.00	Wetherby	3218m	Soft	Danny Mcmenamin	71kg	4:05.55	8-5-1	1. Jupiter Des Mottes 2. Get The Beat 3. Farmer Jimmy	3.8L	$8.00

Skuna Bay (4)32x342x152

Trainer: Donald Mccain Jnr (Cholmondeley, Cheshire)12 mths 8: 1-3-2

Jockey: Theo Gillard

Weight: 74.5kgs

7 yo Bay G

Sire: MAHLER (GB)

Dam: MISS ISLAND (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Dr Massini

Stats

Prize Money$23,274.00

Avg $$2,909.25

Win %12.50%

Place %75.00%

Career8: 1-3-2

Track0: 0-0-0

Distance1: 0-0-0

Tr / Dist0: 0-0-0

1st Up3: 1-0-2

2nd Up3: 0-1-0

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good1: 0-0-1

Soft5: 1-2-0

Heavy2: 0-1-1

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Last run set the pace for much of the race finished second of 8 starters at Leicester on January 20 over 4100m, on heavy track; 9 len behind Ubatuba with 75.5kg at $7.50. Run before ran on from midfield; ran last in a small field at Kelso on December 7 over 4700m, slow track; 38 len behind King Of Answers carrying 71kg at $5.50. Definite threat.

Last Starts 19 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Result	Margin	Starting Price
2/8	20/01/2026	44	HDLE 4U	$18,150.00	Leicester	4123m	Heavy	Theo Gillard	75.5kg	5:30.57	1-1-2	1. Ubatuba 2. Skuna Bay 3. Starzand	9.5L	$7.50
5/5	07/12/2025	25	STPLE HCP 4U	$59,620.00	Kelso	4727m	Soft	Theo Gillard	71kg	6:13.87	3-5-5	1. King Of Answers 2. Young Jack 3. Al Kalila	38.3L	$5.50
1/5	12/11/2025	284	HDLE 4U	$16,340.00	Bangor On Dee	4626m	Soft	Theo Gillard	70kg	6:10.29	1-1-1	1. Skuna Bay 2. Firm But Fair 3. In The Age	7.5L	$5.50
2/14	01/02/2025	50	HDLE MDN 4U	$14,520.00	Wetherby	3922m	Soft	Theo Gillard	71.5kg	5:04.00	1-3-2	1. Lud'or 2. Skuna Bay 3. Followcato	3.0L	$13.00
4/10	13/12/2024	24	HDLE MDN 4U	$26,900.00	Bangor On Dee	3922m	Soft	Brian Hughes	72kg	5:08.85	2-4-4	1. Galassian 2. Kevin's Pride 3. Alan De Banks	13.5L	$6.00
3/11	19/11/2024	317	HDLE MDN 4U	$11,800.00	Carlisle	4023m	Good Soft	Brian Hughes	71.5kg	5:17.24	2-4-3	1. Ira Hayes 2. Dazzlelikethis 3. Skuna Bay	12.5L	$11.00
2/9	07/01/2024	42	P2P MDN G 5	$0.00	Tinahely P2p	4828m	Soft	J W Hendrick	61kg	-	-	1. Admiral Stewart 2. Skuna Bay 3. Mount Rinjani	6.0L	$1.00
3/7	26/11/2023	-	P2P MDN 4	$0.00	Moig South P2p	4828m	Heavy	J Dunne	57.5kg	-	-	1. First Confession 2. General Briar 3. Skuna Bay	13.5L	$1.00

Forged Well (5)26f93x6f10

Trainer: M Todhunter (Orton, Cumbria)12 mths 17: 3-2-4

Jockey: Ryan Mania

Weight: 70kgs

7 yo Bay G

Sire: JET AWAY (GB)

Dam: FORGE FIELD (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Gold Well

Stats

Prize Money$51,801.00

Avg $$3,047.12

Win %17.65%

Place %52.94%

Career17: 3-2-4

Track2: 0-0-1

Distance1: 1-0-0

Tr / Dist0: 0-0-0

1st Up4: 1-0-2

2nd Up3: 1-0-1

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good8: 3-0-2

Soft8: 0-2-2

Heavy1: 0-0-0

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Useful gelding. Last start didn't finish the race at Musselburgh on February 1 over 6300m. The run before won by 5 len Musselburgh on December 22 over 4700m defeating Special Rate with 71.5kg at $6 in a steeplechase. Looks very hard to beat if he is on-song.

Last Starts 7 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Result	Margin	Starting Price
99/7	01/02/2026	41	STPLE HCP 5U	$108,900.00	Musselburgh	6336m	Good Soft	Charlie Maggs	64kg	8:13.02	-	1. Transmission 2. Rock My Way 3. Bodhisattva	99.0L	$4.50
1/8	22/12/2025	40	STPLE HCP 4U	$18,150.00	Musselburgh	4727m	Good Soft	Ryan Mania	71.5kg	6:03.91	3-1-1	1. Forged Well 2. Special Rate 3. Giovanni Change	4.8L	$6.00
99/10	12/11/2025	27	HCP CHSE 4U	$20,300.00	Ayr	4846m	Soft	Ryan Mania	70.5kg	6:35.72	-	1. De Legislator 2. Broomfield Present 3. Busty Boy	99.0L	$6.50
6/7	16/10/2025	180	HCP CHSE 4U	$18,600.00	Carlisle	4023m	Good	Patrick Wadge	73kg	5:02.27	7-7-6	1. Hello Judge 2. Busty Boy 3. Alshadhian	73.5L	$4.33
3/6	19/04/2025	29	HCP HDLE 4U	$16,340.00	Carlisle	5029m	Good	Sean Quinlan	72kg	6:21.22	2-2-3	1. Kilmore Rock 2. Cruden 3. Forged Well	3.8L	$2.75
9/15	21/03/2025	23	HCP HDLE 4U	$60,600.00	Musselburgh	4828m	Good Soft	Henry Brooke	75kg	5:54.90	6-10-9	1. Fierce Warrior 2. Punxsutawney Phil 3. Anamanda	9.3L	$15.00
99/12	26/02/2025	55	HCP HDLE 4U	$22,690.00	Wetherby	4828m	Soft	Sean Quinlan	70.5kg	6:33.80	-	1. Outer Banks 2. Shared 3. Benassi	99.0L	$7.00
6/10	02/01/2025	25	HCP HDLE 4U	$27,680.00	Ayr	4892m	Soft	Sean Quinlan	69kg	6:30.34	5-6-6	1. O'toole 2. Gaillimh A Stor 3. Adveram	15.3L	$5.50
2/10	08/12/2024	29	HCP HDLE 3U	$27,680.00	Kelso	4563m	Soft	Sean Quinlan	74kg	6:13.98	5-4-2	1. Young Jack 2. Forged Well 3. Gaillimh A Stor	1.3L	$3.00
1/8	09/11/2024	16	HCP HDLE 4U	$27,220.00	Kelso	4224m	Good Soft	Sean Quinlan	69kg	5:22.34	7-2-1	1. Forged Well 2. Harper Valley 3. Luckie Seven	0.3L	$3.75
3/11	24/10/2024	192	HDLE HCP 3U	$27,220.00	Carlisle	3419m	Good Soft	Callum Bewley	70.5kg	4:20.20	6-3-3	1. To Chase A Dream 2. Parvos 3. Forged Well	5.3L	$8.50