Executive Summary

This briefing synthesizes comprehensive data and expert analysis for the five race meetings scheduled for Friday, November 28, 2025, at Newbury, Southwell, Doncaster, Musselburgh, and Dundalk. The day features high-stakes contests, including two Grade 2 hurdles at Newbury and two valuable Listed races on the all-weather track at Southwell.

Quantitative analysis identifies Strong Leader (451 rating) in the 3.00 at Newbury and Gaucher (420 rating) in the 8.00 at Dundalk as two of the highest-rated horses of the day. Expert analysis from the Spotlight verdicts points to several key selections, designated as “naps,” including Heltenham (2.25 Newbury), Marshman (3.15 Southwell), See The Green (3.08 Doncaster), Ravenscraig Castle (2.48 Musselburgh), and Rappell (7.30 Dundalk).

Key contests include the £75,000 Coral Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, where last year’s winner Strong Leader faces progressive challenger Impose Toi, and the £75,000 Coral John Francome Novices’ Chase, which presents a compelling clash between promising chasers Regent’s Stroll and Wendigo. The all-weather fixtures are highlighted by Southwell’s £50,000 Midnite Churchill Stakes, featuring a showdown between top-class globetrotter Dubai Honour and the progressive Shader.

Detailed Race Meeting Analysis

Newbury

The Newbury card is the day’s premier National Hunt fixture, hosting two Grade 2 events and a highly competitive Listed fillies’ hurdle.

3.00 Coral Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2)

• Race Value: £75,000

• Distance: 3m 1/2f

• Conditions: Soft, 4yo+

• Analysis: A high-class field contests this staying hurdle. Strong Leader, last year’s winner, returns with a 6lb penalty after a successful reappearance at Wetherby. He holds the day’s highest quantitative rating (451). His main challenger is Nicky Henderson’s Impose Toi (433 rating), who was a convincing winner on his first attempt at this trip at Aintree. Take No Chances was beaten only by a neck by Strong Leader at Wetherby on the same terms and is expected to be a factor again.

• Spotlight Verdict: The verdict favors the progressive, unpenalized Impose Toi, stating he can “capitalise” on the 6lb he receives from Strong Leader. The verdict summary notes: “Last year’s winner Strong Leader holds strong claims once more but concedes 6lb to rising star IMPOSE TOI, who can capitalise.”

1.50 Coral John Francome Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)

• Race Value: £75,000

• Distance: 2m 4f

• Conditions: Good To Soft, 4yo+

• Analysis: This race features several highly promising novices making their mark over fences. Regent’s Stroll (401 rating), second in a Grade 1 hurdle at Aintree, makes his chase debut with considerable potential but is noted as a “headstrong sort.” Wendigo (369 rating), a Grade 1 placed hurdler, narrowly lost on his chase debut at Worcester and is a major player. Kingston Pride won on his chase debut at Perth and is considered unexposed.

• Spotlight Verdict: The selection is the chasing newcomer Regent’s Stroll, despite the risks. The verdict states: “Chasing newcomer REGENT’S STROLL was headstrong last season and returns minus the hood… but he has reportedly been ‘much more settled’ at home. He gets the nod.”

1.15 Coral Daily Rewards Shaker Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle (Listed)

• Race Value: £45,000

• Distance: 2m 1/2f

• Conditions: Soft, 3yo fillies

• Analysis: An intriguing contest featuring Irish raider Highland Crystal, who won easily on her debut at Punchestown for top trainer Gordon Elliott. The highest-rated horse in the field is Zahra Dodville (366 total rating), an easy winner on her British debut at Fakenham. Kate O’Riley (334 rating) holds strong claims after finishing third in a Cheltenham Grade 2 against males.

• Spotlight Verdict: The Irish challenger is preferred. “Gordon Elliott won this in 2023 with recent Ascot Hurdle winner Wodhooh and his HIGHLAND CRYSTAL looks a highly likeable prospect having won easily at Punchestown on her recent debut.”

Southwell (All-Weather)

Southwell hosts two valuable Listed races, providing high-quality flat racing action.

2.40 Midnite Churchill Stakes (Listed)

• Race Value: £50,000

• Distance: 1m 3f

• Conditions: Standard, 3yo+

• Analysis: This race is framed as a duel between two standout contenders. Dubai Honour, a multiple Group 1 winner, sets a formidable standard with a rating of 118, despite conceding weight. The primary challenger is the lightly raced four-year-old Shader, who was described as a “runaway winner” of a Kempton Listed race three weeks ago and is unbeaten in three starts on all-weather surfaces. Numerically, Shader holds the edge with a 395 total rating versus Dubai Honour’s 323.

• Spotlight Verdict: The verdict sides with the progressive challenger: “the vote goes to the Gosdens’ lightly raced 4yo. He has improved with each of his five runs and made it 3-3 on AW when romping 9l clear in a Listed race at Kempton three weeks ago.”

3.15 Midnite Golden Rose Stakes (Listed)

• Race Value: £50,000

• Distance: 6f

• Conditions: Standard, 3yo+

• Analysis: A competitive sprint featuring Marshman, who won a Listed race at Lingfield earlier in the year and has an “excellent record fresh.” His total rating of 338 is second only to Zoum Zoum (368 rating), who was runner-up in a Doncaster Listed race three weeks ago. Apollo One also brings strong form, having placed in a Group 3 at Ascot.

• Spotlight Verdict: The selection is Marshman (nap), citing his strong all-weather form and freshness. “He ran some mighty races on AW early in the year, isn’t burdened with a Listed penalty any more and has an excellent record fresh.”

Spotlight Selections Across Other Meetings

Expert analysis provides clear selections for the cards at Doncaster, Musselburgh, and Dundalk.

Meeting	Time	Race Name	Spotlight Selection	Verdict Snippet
Doncaster	11.55	Ice Cream Direct Members Handicap Hurdle	Doctor Kildare	“a 6lb rise might not matter all that much in this weak a handicap.”
Doncaster	12.25	Cadburys Ice Cream EBF Junior Hurdle	Aqua Bleu	“The only runner with hurdling experience is AQUA BLEU and that was a promising start.”
Doncaster	12.55	Eden Farm Champions Cup Maiden Hurdle	Dalston Lad	“It’s not hard to give another chance to useful bumper performer DALSTON LAD.”
Doncaster	1.27	Ice Cream Direct Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase	Moon Rocket	“preference is for MOON ROCKET whose hurdling career was going well until pulled up in a Grade 1.”
Doncaster	2.02	Consort/DWF Christmas Handicap Chase	Road To Home	“As a chaser there should be plenty more to come from ROAD TO HOME.”
Doncaster	2.33	Magnum Ice Cream Company Novices’ Handicap Hurdle	Guillaume	“It’s surely only a matter of time before winning chaser GUILLAUME gets a break over hurdles.”
Doncaster	3.08	Kellys Dairy Soft Ice Cream Handicap Hurdle	See The Green (nap)	“The 4yo SEE THE GREEN (nap) was close up behind in-form opposition at Stratford.”
Musselburgh	12.05	Watch On Racing TV Juvenile Maiden Hurdle	Arctic Voyage	“His useful Flat form was shy of a mile but ARCTIC VOYAGE still ran well on his hurdling debut.”
Musselburgh	12.35	Musselburgh Racecourse Handicap Chase	Heaven Smart	“Another chance is given to HEAVEN SMART… remains very well handicapped on older form.”
Musselburgh	1.05	Mainetti Maiden Hurdle	Chanonry Point	“still has more to offer and makes obvious appeal.”
Musselburgh	1.38	100% Racing TV Profits Mares Handicap Hurdle	Magnolia	“The most obvious answer is MAGNOLIA… 4lb ahead of the handicapper under her penalty.”
Musselburgh	2.13	ERMG Insurance Brokers Handicap Chase	Scots Poet	“…is on a good mark now and ought to get a good pace to chase here.”
Musselburgh	2.48	Badachro Hydro Handicap Hurdle	Ravenscraig Castle (nap)	“began 2025 with three creditable runs in competitive handicaps at this track.”
Musselburgh	3.20	100% Racing TV Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle	Snow Dragon	“gets the vote in the hope today’s longer trip unlocks more improvement.”
Dundalk	4.50	New Saddle Bar Claiming Race	Manifest Destiny	“can go one better, having finished a runner-up over a mile here.”
Dundalk	5.25	Christmas Party Nights Apprentice Handicap	Turn Up The Beat	“now runs off an 8lb lower mark and has the champion apprentice on his back.”
Dundalk	6.00	BAR 1 Betting Fillies Maiden	Indigo Dream	“just shades it to get off the mark following runner-up finishes in three of her five maiden runs.”
Dundalk	6.30	Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden	Glen And Tonic	“can go one better than her recent nursery second back in calmer waters.”
Dundalk	7.00	Floodlit Fridays Nursery Handicap	Mr Kobe	“can score after finishing fourth over C&D 16 days ago.”
Dundalk	7.30	BAR 1 Betting Handicap	Rappell (nap)	“Billy Lee can make all the difference on RAPPELL (nap), who got going far too late last time.”
Dundalk	8.00	BAR 1 Casino Handicap	Bryant	“…looked a stayer when winning at Roscommon and has age on his side.”
Dundalk	8.30	Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap	Benavente	“…has been running well in defeat and will appreciate the step up in trip.”

Top Rated Horses by Quantitative Analysis

The following table lists the top ten horses of the day based on the “Total” score from the “Daily Race Card: November 28th Ratings Compendium,” providing a purely data-driven perspective.

Rank	Horse	Race Time	Meeting	Total Rating	Odds
1	Strong Leader	3:00 PM	Newbury	451	15/8
2	Impose Toi (FR)	3:00 PM	Newbury	433	9/4
3	Gaucher	8:00 PM	Dundalk	420	13/8
4	Regents Stroll (IRE)	1:50 PM	Newbury	401	2/1
5	Shader	2:40 PM	Southwell	395	5/6
6	Mambonumberfive (FR)	12:45 PM	Newbury	374	2/1
7	Doddiethegreat (IRE)	3:00 PM	Newbury	373	8/1
8	Take No Chances (IRE)	3:00 PM	Newbury	373	5/1
9	Wendigo (FR)	1:50 PM	Newbury	369	15/8
10	Zoum Zoum	3:15 PM	Southwell	368	15/2