August 18 / 15.15 Stratford

15.15

Good To Firm

Walls & Ceilings International Limited Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3485.44
  • 2m 0f 70y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Walls & Ceilings International Limited Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.00
  • Place: £3.80

Form: 2408-P D

Last run: 73 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Yet to add to his Irish hurdling win in 2020 and failed to build upon reasonably encouraging stable when pulled up in refitted blinkers in June but still worth a glance in the betting here; 1lb out of the weights; no headgear this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Colonel Lesley

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Richard Hawker

Hasn't won for nearly three years but he's often placed and was only just denied over 2m1f here in June, though he has to be forgiven a below-par run when well behind Stinginhisstep over C&D last month; could place again, with Brian Hughes taking over from a claimer, if back on song.

9/1

6th

7

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:07 Newton Abbot

Colonel Lesley

11st 0lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Richard Hawker

Went down fighting when beaten a head off today's mark here (2m1f, good) last month, his second run after a layoff, and will be fine over today's longer trip; featured prominently in calculations.

4/1

2nd

8

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:57 Newton Abbot

Colonel Lesley

10st 7lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Richard Hawker

C&D winner (2022, no win since) who was second twice here last summer; shaped as though the run might have been needed when finishing sixth of ten on reappearance over C&D (good) 20 days ago; on a competitive mark and likely to be all the sharper for that.

6/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 1222-4 D BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Made good progress in second half of 2021, winning three times along the way, and made satisfactory return from seven-month layoff when fourth at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) in July; probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Sergeant

11st 8lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: Anthony Charlton

Refused to race at Wincanton in October so not without risk; won at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) last August and returned to form with 11l third under Anna Johnston at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) in December; the winner aside, that latest form is working out well and he could be thereabouts down 2lb.

16/1

10

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Sergeant

11st 8lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: Anthony Charlton

Refused to race at Wincanton in October so not without risk; won at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) last August and returned to form with 11l third under Anna Johnston at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) in December; the winner aside, that latest form is working out well and he could be thereabouts down 2lb.

16/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 3-3382

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
0-8 over hurdles but placed in four of her five handicaps, most recently when just losing out to Durragh at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) last month; ought to be right in the thick of things again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

1st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 113y

Class 5

14:17 Leicester

Encashment

10st 4lb

J: Dylan Whelan

T: Ben Pauling

mounted on course and taken down early

4/1

10

22nd Nov 2022

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:35 Southwell

Encashment

10st 4lb

J: Dylan Whelan

T: Ben Pauling

Largely consistent maiden who has been placed several times, most recently in a blanket finish at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) where she idled in front but kept on; unseated early here last time after clipping heels and she was one of the favourites that day; should have a say once more.

9/2

8

11th Nov 2022

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:05 Southwell

Encashment

10st 5lb

J: Dylan Whelan

T: Ben Pauling

bucked and almost unseated rider start, prominent, stumbled and unseated rider before 1st

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 33064-

Last run: 175 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
0-6 over hurdles and not seen in this sphere since struggling in soft-ground handicap in February but ought to be better suited by today's quicker surface, and last month's reappearance run on the Flat was encouraging; could have say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(7)

5th Jul 2023

Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

20:10 Bath

Order Of St John

9st 9lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: D J Jeffreys

Out of form on the Flat this spring and also ran poorly over fences on latest outing one month ago; comes here with a lot to prove; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers; considered only if lively in the betting.

10/1

1

4th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 59y

Class 5

15:30 Fakenham

Order Of St John

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: D J Jeffreys

Won four-runner maiden hurdle at Leicester (1m7f, good to firm) last November and soft ground may not have suited in Sandown handicap next time; however, he's failed to shine on the Flat this year which dents confidence in his claims on this chase debut.

10/1

Form: -12431 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Progressive mare who collected two wins at Perth (2m, good to soft) this spring and added to her tally when just too strong for Encashment at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) last month; usually ridden patiently; may yet have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

11th Nov 2022

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:05 Southwell

Durragh

11st 11lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

The winner of two mares' handicaps this season but is higher in the weights now; held when brought down at the final flight on latest outing; others may prove better treated.

11/2

Form: 7/4-4

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful on the Flat at his best; safely held on all three hurdling starts but was prominent for a long way before weakening into fourth at Cartmel last month (2m1f, good; first-time tongue-tie); no surprise if he lasts longer on this handicap hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(10)

15th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Rains Of Castamere

9st 5lb

J: David Allan

T: R Mike Smith

led, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong

66/1

10th

2

(3)

10th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

17:50 Newcastle (AW)

Rains Of Castamere

9st 9lb

J: Archie Young

T: R Mike Smith

Multiple Flat wins; 2-3 on AW, albeit four winters ago; unknown quantity these days, not showing much on the Flat and over hurdles for previous trainer in 2022 and finished remote back from absence on stable debut at Ayr last month; tongue-tie discarded.

33/1

13th

3

(14)

12th Oct 2023

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:05 Ayr

Rains Of Castamere

9st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: R Mike Smith

Four-time Flat winner but the latest was in June 2021 and he struggled to get competitive off a lowly hurdle mark last year; makes his stable debut after an absence and could be best watched.

33/1

Form: 6U-25

Last run: 52 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Best known for his AW exploits but has shown some aptitude for hurdling, and ran well for a long way when fifth on handicap debut at Southwell (2m, good) in June; eachh-way claims at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

2nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:00 Sedgefield

Madeeh

10st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Philip Kirby

Capable of fairly useful winning form on the level but his form doesn't read nearly so well in this sphere and he came in well held over C&D in September; others are preferred.

25/1

9

17th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

12:47 Market Rasen

Madeeh

10st 6lb

J: Jay Kozaczek

T: Philip Kirby

Enjoyed a purple spell with four AW Flat wins in early-2021 but has largely struggled since; the fact his best hurdle run came over C&D offers some hope but was well beaten in handicap hurdles in August/September; also well held on AW Flat six weeks ago; first-time cheekpieces replace usual tongue-tie.

12/1

7th

4

(4)

7th Oct 2022

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Madeeh

9st 11lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

slowly away and lost many lengths start, always towards rear (jockey said gelding was slowly away)

12/1

Form: 607-00 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Always towards rear on both outings since returning from a break last month but has landed a few gambles over the years and is back on a good mark now; watch the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(5)

28th Sep 2022

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

16:04 Catterick

Near Kettering

9st 11lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

always towards rear (trainer said gelding had blood in his trachea following a post-race endoscopic examination)

14/1

2

31st Jul 2022

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

16:20 Market Rasen

Near Kettering

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Always towards rear on both outings since returning from a break this month but has landed a few gambles over the years, including when winning easily off 1lb lower over C&D (good) last summer; watch the market.

8/1

Form: 549-P7 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper last year but has proved disappointing since switched to hurdling; well beaten after racing too freely in two 2m4f handicaps this year (hood added last time); drops back in trip today; 2lb out of weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

6th Oct 2022

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Worcester

Tiffany Rose

10st 10lb

J: Tom O’Brien

T: Robert Stephens

took keen hold, towards rear, ridden and weakened after 4 out, well behind when pulled up before 2 out (jockey said mare ran too free)

20/1

6th

8

3rd Sep 2022

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:24 Stratford

Tiffany Rose

10st 2lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Robert Stephens

hampered start, took keen hold, held up in last, headway after 2nd, went second 3rd, lost second and prominent in chasing group home turn, lost position and dropped to rear last, ridden and weakened run-in

25/1

Form: 66870-

Last run: 289 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Badly out of form when last seen over hurdles last autumn and returned from layoff with two very disappointing Flat runs this summer; has plummeted to a dangerous mark but urgently needs to turn over a new leaf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

2nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

12:50 Exeter

Sideshift

10st 10lb

J: Mr A J O’Neill

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Without a win in 11 starts over hurdles and tailed off on chasing debut last month; one of his strong yard's lesser lights and no obvious reason why he should be winning this.

25/1

7th

6

9th Oct 2022

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Ffos Las

Sideshift

10st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo O’Neill

held up in rear, ridden after 8th, weakened 4 out, tailed off

20/1

Form: 41-117 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Resurgent 10yo who has won four times since December, most recently in Cartmel selling handicap (2m1f, good to soft) on stable debut in June; put in pretty good front-running shift at Bangor (2m, good) last month but was safely held in the end and needs to prove he can cope with a mark his high.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

31st May 2023

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:50 Cartmel

Hey Bob

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Seven-time hurdle winner, most recently in this race a year ago; lost his way a bit afterwards and, following a layoff, was no match for the easy winner when second of five in this grade at Fakenham (2m, good) three weeks ago; however, still makes more appeal than most of these.

4/1

2nd

4

9th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

15:45 Fakenham

Hey Bob

10st 12lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Won this race off a 10lb lower mark for Olly Murphy last year; won Cartmel seller last June (2m1f, good to soft) for present connections but well beaten since; a bit to prove on first run since September.

10/1

11th

1

18th Aug 2022

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

15:15 Stratford

Hey Bob

12st 1lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

took keen hold, prominent, ridden and lost position before 3 out, weakened quickly after 2 out

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £61.60
Straight Forecast £42.84
Tricast £147.59
Trifecta £163.30

Selections

RP Ratings:

Sergeant

POSTDATA:

Durragh

WEST COUNTRY:

Encashment

TOPSPEED:

Sideshift

SPOTLIGHT:

Rains Of Castamere

Daily Mail:

Hey Bob

The Times:

Sergeant

Telegraph:

Sergeant

The Guardian:

Sergeant

Daily Express:

Sergeant

The Sun:

Durragh

Daily Record:

Durragh

Daily Mirror:

Encashment

The Star:

Sideshift