The Formby Novices’ Hurdle of 2025 is the third edition of the Grade 1 event since it left Sandown for Aintree. This race, formerly the Tolworth, has enjoyed immediate credibility following the switch thanks to the exploits of Jango Baie and Potters Charm. This renewal is all about Dan Skelton runner Mydaddypaddy, who faces seven rivals on Boxing Day.
A four-year-old taking on his elders off level weights normally presents challenges. Mydaddypaddy has been equal to the task in his career so far, however, landing a Huntingdon bumper in some style last season before going in again in a Carlisle maiden hurdle. When following-up in a three-horse Haydock introductory event last time, we didn’t learn much about him.
Mydaddypaddy clearly travels well from Skelton’s West Midlands base near Alcester. Traders already fear him as the next big thing from this yard as he’s Cheltenham favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. The bare form doesn’t read like a “good thing” for the Festival, but he can show himself full worthy of an opening mark of 138 in the Formby Novices’ Hurdle of 2025 by maintaining his undefeated record.
The exciting Mydaddypaddy, a four-year-old by Walk In The Park, wins as he likes on hurdles debut to remain unbeaten under Rules for @DSkeltonRacing @CarlisleRaces pic.twitter.com/RmfiO7ED5k
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 10, 2025
Although the third from Carlisle has come out and won since, the second and fourth home have been well-beaten. The two horses who dared take Mydaddypaddy on during his last visit to Merseyside had won their own hurdling debuts as well. While his jumping wasn’t foot perfect, he demonstrated the engine and strong travelling from his bumper success.
Skelton wants to win the British Trainers Championship over jumps and holds pole position going into the busy festive period. Mydaddypaddy can certainly help in this regard, but there are credible alternatives to the odds-on favourite worthy of closer inspection.
Champion Bumper Sixth Idaho Sun Has Formby Novices’ Hurdle Claims
Harry Fry won the old Tolworth Hurdle with Metier in 2021, so now bids to capture its Aintree successor with Idaho Sun. As the Cheltenham Festival results show, this horse was one of the best from the home team in last season’s Champion Bumper. Idaho Sun ran sixth in that Grade 1, but has since landed both his hurdles outings.
As with Mydaddypaddy, Fry has kept a talented runner in the easiest company but now steps him up in class. Wins around Fontwell and Bangor are sharp, left-handed tracks just like the Mildmay Course at Aintree. Idaho Sun’s old bumper rival Supreme Malinas has made up into a Listed winner over hurdles, there’s arguably more substance to his overall form than the favourite’s.
Diamond Hunter fends off Masked Man to secure the @Betfair Supports Safer Gambling Week Newton Novices’ Hurdle in strong style in the hands of Freddie Gordon for trainer Chris Gordon @Chrisgordonrac1 pic.twitter.com/rpZLCVe0Qc
— Haydock Park Races (@haydockraces) November 22, 2025
There is a graded winner in the Formby Novices’ Hurdle line-up in Chris Gordon inmate Diamond Hunter. He built on a wide-margin Plumpton success on his bow in this sphere by following-up in the Newton at Haydock. Diamond Hunter had too much speed for Persian War winner Sticktotheplan, while the horse splitting them in second has gone one better since around Lingfield.
Ben Pauling’s Starmount is also a contender after jumping well and making all at Wetherby for an unchallenged success. Such opposition means Mydaddypaddy won’t have it all his own way. As in previous editions, this may turn into a test of stamina even on drying ground if there’s plenty of pace on. The other four in the line-up are outsiders, however.
Glance At Midnight finished behind Storming George in a Doncaster bumper, but both have readily landed hurdle races since. Perth specialist The Last Cloud has progressed out of handicaps and was perhaps a little unlucky at Cheltenham races in October when a hampered fourth in the Sharp Novices’ Hurdle during The Showcase.
Formby Novices’ Hurdle Shortlist & Verdict
It’s worth opposing Mydaddypaddy with Cheltenham bookmakers for Aintree at a prohibitive price. The two who appeal most are fellow hurdles hat-trick seekers IDAHO SUN and DIAMOND HUNTER. Chris Gordon is improving the quality of his horses all the time, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the latter ran a big race each-way. As for the Fry runner, this will tell us more about whether his future lies in handicaps.
