19.00
GoodHappy Birthday Fergal O’Brien Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (Summer Novices’ Brush Hurdle Qualifier) (GBB)
- Prize money: £4193.42
- 2m 0f 0y
- Class 4
- 15 runners
Runners: 15 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
Form: /89-39
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 9 |
28th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
Things appeared to be picking up when fourth at Uttoxeter (stepped up to 2m4f, good) but she then disappointed over a tad further at Sedgefield; hard to be confident. |
20/1 |
33/1
Form: 76
Last run: 49 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 2 |
27th Sep 2025 Good 2m 0f 125y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Shaped quite well before weakening into sixth in good-ground Worcester bumper in July but was well held before final-flight unseat there on last month's hurdling debut and was beaten about 36l there 12 days ago. |
50/1 |
|
13 |
15th Sep 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
10st 11lb |
Shaped quite well before weakening into sixth of ten in good-ground course bumper in July, her second start, but was well held before final-flight unseat here on last month's hurdling debut. |
66/1 |
|
2 |
20th Aug 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Shaped quite well before weakening into sixth of ten in good-ground course bumper last month, her second start, but improvement is required on this hurdling debut. |
33/1 |
Form: 610-16 D
Last run: 79 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
23rd Oct 2025 Good To Firm 2m 5f 55y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Jumped stickily and hung left on June's hurdling debut, but back on track with a facile Worcester win latest (2m, good), over 7l ahead of La Lolita eased down; no shortage of encouragement for longer trips in pedigree (half-sister won three 2m4f-3m hurdles for these connections). |
4/7 |
|
3 |
20th Aug 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Dual good-ground bumper winner, latterly at Hexham in May; lacked fluency and was very disappointing when switched to hurdling in early June but it won't be a surprise if she fares considerably better here. |
4/1 |
|
2 |
2nd Jun 2025 Good 2m 2f 140y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Outclassed in a Grade 2 at Aintree in April but won her two bumpers either side of that, last time making all at Hexham; obvious claims on hurdling debut. |
5/2 |
10/1
Form: 834
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Filly
OR: 94
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
21st Oct 2025 Good To Firm 2m 0f 161y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Capable Flat performer who ran okay in maiden hurdles during the summer before losing her way; had wind surgery but others look safer. |
8/1 |
|
3 |
6th Sep 2025 Good To Firm 2m 0f 70y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Fair Flat racer who made the frame in two of her first four hurdling starts for new stable this year, more notably when third over C&D (good to firm) in July; below form last time, though, and has a point to prove on this handicap hurdle debut. |
20/1 |
|
4 |
20th Aug 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Fair Flat racer who has made the frame on two of her three hurdling starts for new stable this year, more notably when third at Stratford (2m, good to firm) in early July; well beaten when back on the Flat last time but still enters calculations here. |
10/1 |
50/1
Form: 4-0859
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Filly
OR: 71
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
31st Aug 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Mostly soundly beaten after three bumpers and ten hurdle races over a range of distances; wore cheekpieces last time; flimsy claims. |
25/1 |
|
5 |
20th Aug 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Didn't run badly off her lowly handicap mark here (2m4f, good) last month but looks exposed after nine hurdling starts and faces a tough task on these terms; sports first-time cheekpieces. |
50/1 |
100/1
Form: 86-8
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
18th Feb 2026 3m 0f 60y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
Distant third at Worcester (2m, good) in September probably the best of her qualifying runs; no impact when 33-1 for a Hereford handicap in October and came down at the first when back in maiden company a fortnight ago; it's still relatively early days but others are far more solid. |
40/1 |
|
5 |
4th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 5f 55y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
0-2 in bumpers and 0-4 over hurdles, and her third was remote; has no form claims. |
200/1 |
|
8th 5 |
13th Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 147y Class 5 |
10st 13lb |
Modest form so far; was a bit keen when beaten 20l last time and has further to go on this handicap debut, so will need to settle better. |
14/1 |
50/1
Form: 75-7
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 8 |
15th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 169y Class 4 |
10st 7lb |
Has produced two respectable efforts since switching to handicaps this season, most recently when fourth over 2m4f at Aintree last month, though that did appear to stretch her stamina; dropping back in trip should help, but she does appear to be on a tough mark. |
16/1 |
|
6 |
31st Oct 2025 Good 1m 7f 168y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Outran 80-1 odds when second in run-of-the-mill Worcester maiden (2m, good) in August and was running well before falling on both subsequent outings but today's race is much stronger. |
33/1 |
|
6 |
31st Oct 2025 Good 1m 7f 168y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Outran 80-1 odds when second in run-of-the-mill Worcester maiden (2m, good) in August and was running well before falling on both subsequent outings but today's race is much stronger. |
33/1 |
15/8
Form: 42-2
Last run: 87 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
9th Apr 2026 Good 2m 0f 104y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Fontwell runner-up on her hurdling debut last May but she's twice failed to build on it, hooded when ninth in 2m Newbury novice in November; needs this switch to handicaps to spark improvement after a break. |
6/1 |
7/1
Form: 2-32 BF
Last run: 87 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 10 |
23rd May 2026 Good To Soft 2m 6f 31y Class 4 |
10st 11lb |
Fair bumper performer who has shown similar form in this sphere, finishing third of nine in 2m Hexham novice three weeks ago; she's no forlorn hope in a refitted hood. |
8/1 |
|
3rd 10 |
2nd May 2026 Good 2m 0f 48y Class 4 |
10st 11lb |
Usually runs some sort of race and she was third of eight at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) at the end of March, fading; will be fine back at around 2m; each-way possibilities. |
8/1 |
|
3rd 6 |
31st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 62y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
Second or third in three bumpers and modest form in two of her three hurdle races, including in a hood on latest outing; the lesser hurdles effort was on her one attempt at this sort of trip, though, and overall improvement should be required anyway. |
3/1 |
12/1
Form: 44-524
Last run: 56 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Filly
OR: 80
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
18th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 3y Class 5 |
10st 10lb |
Longstanding maiden but has run some solid races in handicaps, including on her last four appearances (new yard on last two starts); handicap mark hasn't really gone anywhere so looks sure to be heavily involved. |
9/4 |
|
9 |
29th Oct 2025 Good 2m 0f 3y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
Yet to win over hurdles (0-11) but shaped better than the bare form suggests when a rallying third at Stratford (2m, good; hood discarded) 11 days ago on second start for the stable and may have more to offer; worth considering with Theo Gillard back in the saddle. |
14/1 |
5/1
Form: 78-5
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
31st May 2026 Good 2m 0f 3y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Displayed clear promise in three good-ground maiden hurdles last summer, perhaps most notably when second of five at Newton Abbot (2m1f) on latest appearance; had wind op in September and should have more to offer this year; hood removed after one use. |
5/1 |
|
2 |
30th Aug 2025 Good 2m 0f 167y Class 4 |
11st 8lb |
Very respectable eighth of 18 in Cheltenham bumper for Polly Gundry in April and has shaped with clear promise in two maiden hurdles for Fergal O'Brien this summer, arguably performing better than bare form suggests on both occasions; now hooded for first time; leading contender. |
7/2 |
|
11 |
20th Aug 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Very respectable eighth of 18 in Cheltenham bumper for Polly Gundry in April and shaped with more promise than bare form suggests when fifth (just behind Chips And Rice) on recent stable/hurdle debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good); can improve here, particularly if her jumping if more fluent. |
5/1 |
25/1
Form: 368
Last run: 4 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
2nd May 2026 Good 3m 0f 41y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Two wins over hurdles last October (first over 3m) and creditable runs since; quite interesting on her chase debut. |
13/2 |
|
2nd 3 |
1st Apr 2026 Good 3m 0f 60y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Made a winning start for this trainer at Wetherby (2m5f, good) in October; hasn't really built on that since (beaten 17l when second over just short of 3m at Newcastle latest) but this is a weak race and being dropped another 2lb can only help. |
3/1 |
|
2nd 7 |
3rd Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 149y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Made a winning start for this trainer at Wetherby (2m5f, good; 4-1) in October, but she has found a few stronger since, including when a weakening third at Southwell (3m; beaten 12l) a fortnight ago; place possible, but no more than that from this mark. |
7/1 |
9/2
Form: 1
Last run: 38 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
31st Aug 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
10st 11lb |
1-10 in points and won on last month's rules debut at Sligo (2m2f, good); it's too soon to write her off but she was tailed off at 18-1 on her hurdle/stable debut over C&D (good) just 11 days ago. |
16/1 |
|
13 |
20th Aug 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
1-10 in points (mainly in Ireland) before winning good-ground Sligo bumper on last month's rules debut (front pair well clear); should have a future over hurdles for latest new stable; must be considered. |
9/2 |
|
1st 5 |
13th Jul 2025 Good 2m 2f 59y |
11st 11lb |
Point winner; distant runner-up to rules winner last time in a point; experience on side may help but is probably going to need further. |
8/1 |
100/1
Form: PP0
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 1lb
4 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 4 (1) |
21st Jan 2026 Standard 1m 2f 0y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Has failed to beat a rival on both her runs over 7f here this year; she's not easy to make a case for with tongue-tie added. |
66/1 |
|
10 (7) |
23rd Oct 2025 Standard 1m 0f 0y Class 6 |
9st 0lb |
No worthwhile form on the Flat or over hurdles; new trainer now. |
100/1 |
|
14 |
20th Aug 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 1lb |
Well beaten at huge odds on all three hurdling starts for new stable this summer. |
100/1 |
50/1
Form: 6544
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 1lb
4 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
2nd Nov 2025 Good 2m 3f 137y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Off the mark over hurdles at fourth attempt, leading close home in tactical, four-runner race at Ludlow (2m5f, good) ten days ago; that form isn't anything to get too excited about but she ought to run well again here. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
2nd Nov 2025 Good 2m 3f 137y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Off the mark over hurdles at fourth attempt, leading close home in tactical, four-runner race at Ludlow (2m5f, good) ten days ago; that form isn't anything to get too excited about but she ought to run well again here. |
6/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £374.40 |
| Straight Forecast | £225.31 |
| Trifecta | £4062.70 |
Selections
The Times:
Just A HeartbeatTOPSPEED:
Chips And RiceSPOTLIGHT:
Never Told MeRP RATINGS:
Celestron StarPOSTDATA:
Never Told MeTelegraph:
Just A HeartbeatThe Guardian:
Just A HeartbeatDaily Mirror:
Just A HeartbeatThe Sun:
Just A HeartbeatThe Star:
Just A HeartbeatDaily Record:
Just A HeartbeatDaily Mail:
Chips And RiceD Express:
Chips And Rice