October 27 / 16.30 Bangor-on-Dee

16.30

Good

Countryside Day On 12th November Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 7f 32y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Countryside Day On 12th November Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 231-21 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won readily on seasonal debut at Stratford (2m6f, good) this month and is now 3-7 over hurdles (including a C&D win); will have something to prove if the ground softens but may still be on the upgrade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Serious Chat

11st 1lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Regular winner, including of ten-runner C&D race (good) last month when he travelled up smoothly to lead two out before answering some serious questions; raised another 5lb but highly respected after that career best.

10/1

1st

5

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Serious Chat

10st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

The winner of three handicaps, at 2m7f, 2m6f and 2m3f; probably ran as well as he ever has when beaten half a length at Doncaster last time (3m, soft); thereabouts.

14/1

2nd

6

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Serious Chat

11st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Has won three (2m7f, 2m6f and 2m3f) of his seven handicaps, including here on penultimate start; he didn't fire in quite the same way at Musselburgh on latest and needs a career best.

8/1

Form: 2/11-1 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
All runs on good ground; 2-2 over hurdles, the latter win gained from the front in four-runner Uttoxeter novice (2m7f) on seasonal debut three weeks ago; has more on his plate in this handicap, but we don't yet known the limit of his ability and Nathan Andrews' 10lb claim is a big help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Worcester

Court In A Storm

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Confined to good ground for all eight races; a bumper and two-time novice hurdle winner who has been running well in staying handicap hurdles and he may well improve for going chasing, as did his useful dam.

7/2

3rd

2

16th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:30 Hereford

Court In A Storm

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Good ground for all seven of his races; won in small fields for a maiden (here) and a novice hurdle; ran creditably in 3m/2m7f handicaps on last two outings, seemingly needing some respite from the handicapper, who's not made much of a reaction, but this field may offer him a better chance.

11/4

Form: 2P66-3 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won twice last November (chase/hurdle) and was creditable second at Cheltenham (3m hurdle, good to soft) on New Year's Day; ended last season with some below-par efforts, but returned with pretty good third at Chepstow (2m7f, good) this month and will be favoured by any rain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 12lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Rebecca Curtis

Not wholly straightforward, but appreciated the return to hurdling sufficiently to record a new personal best in victory at Uttoxeter latest (2m7f, good to soft); blinkers debuted there will need to work at least as well now returned to his previous highest mark; has won on good.

11/2

1st

8

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 8lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Rebecca Curtis

Completed a double over hurdles at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in November 2024 but he's been up and down since and was pulled up over fences at Chepstow (11-4 favourite) last month; new headgear is now tried and he comes with risks attached back in this sphere.

6/1

7

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Won over C&D (good) last season and has made the frame all three hurdling starts this term, the latest here (2m7f, good to soft) in December; seems versatile ground-wise and, from a workable mark, probably won't be far away.

6/1

Form: /P423- C BF

Last run: 212 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Course bumper winner for Nicky Henderson in April 2024 (soft ground); 0-4 over hurdles for that stable last season, signing off with defeat at odds of 4-11 in 2m7f Uttoxeter maiden won by Stone's Throw in March; however, he sports a first-time tongue-tie and visor for this stable/handicap debut and it will be very interesting to see what Sam Thomas can do with him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Doctor Kildare

11st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Course bumper winner for Nicky Henderson in April 2024 (soft ground); 0-4 over hurdles for that stable last season, signing off with defeat at odds of 4-11 in 2m7f Uttoxeter maiden won by Stone's Throw in March; however, he sports a first-time tongue-tie and visor for this stable/handicap debut and it will be very interesting to see what Sam Thomas can do with him.

9/2

4

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Doctor Kildare

11st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Course bumper winner for Nicky Henderson in April 2024 (soft ground); 0-4 over hurdles for that stable last season, signing off with defeat at odds of 4-11 in 2m7f Uttoxeter maiden won by Stone's Throw in March; however, he sports a first-time tongue-tie and visor for this stable/handicap debut and it will be very interesting to see what Sam Thomas can do with him.

9/2

3rd

2

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

14:45 Uttoxeter

Doctor Kildare

11st 10lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Nicky Henderson

Bred to be useful and won Bangor bumper last April; ran as if amiss on hurdles debut but he looks to be progressing now and took second behind an impressive odds-on shot in maiden at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) four weeks ago; shapes as if he'll stay this longer trip; leading player.

4/9

Form: 4822-4

Last run: 155 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced for his age and was seemingly boosted by new cheekpieces when runner-up twice on good ground in the spring (2m7f/3m1f); should cope if there's rain about but we haven't seen him since a disappointing run in May; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Kaituna River

11st 7lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Alex Hales

Lightly raced for his age and was seemingly boosted by new cheekpieces when runner-up twice on good ground in the spring (2m7f/3m1f); should cope if there's rain about but we haven't seen him since a disappointing run in May; tongue-tie added.

12/1

5

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Kaituna River

11st 7lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Alex Hales

Lightly raced for his age and was seemingly boosted by new cheekpieces when runner-up twice on good ground in the spring (2m7f/3m1f); should cope if there's rain about but we haven't seen him since a disappointing run in May; tongue-tie added.

12/1

Form: P-8531 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Arguably posted career-best performance when winning at Warwick (3m, good) 12 days ago, but is 6lb higher in a stronger race and not always one to rely upon; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Kiss My Face

11st 10lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Alastair Ralph

Hurdles record of 5-32 includes wins over 3m on good ground at Wetherby in October and Haydock latest start; holding his form well and is better than ever; may remain competitive.

12/1

4

19th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Kiss My Face

11st 8lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Alastair Ralph

Running well at present and he followed a Wetherby win (3m) in October with a solid third at Bangor (2m7f, also good), despite giving Joe Anderson a workout, 12 days later; has form on soft and is one to consider.

8/1

6

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Kiss My Face

11st 6lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Alastair Ralph

Arguably posted career-best performance when winning at Warwick (3m, good) 12 days ago, but is 6lb higher in a stronger race and not always one to rely upon; others appeal more.

11/2

Form: 34461- D

Last run: 212 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 5yo who recovered from dip in form to win uncompetitive Uttoxeter maiden (2m7f, good) in March, the race in which Doctor Kildare was below form at odds of 4-11; returns from seven-month break in much deeper race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

15:02 Doncaster

Stones Throw

11st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Billy Aprahamian

Won at Southwell (3m, good to soft) and over C&D (good) in December and probably found the ground too soft when well beaten last time; on a career-high mark but a possible.

9/2

7th

9

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Stones Throw

10st 4lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Billy Aprahamian

Stepped up to this sort of trip for last four starts and won three of them, from the front at Southwell and Doncaster on last two occasions; those were all in pretty small fields, he has more to prove on soft ground (he did win a bumper on it to start career) and has been raised another 7lb, but this 6yo also has more to offer as a stayer.

11/2

Form: 41064- D

Last run: 210 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Kept on well to score off 2lb lower at Exeter (2m7f, soft) in January, his third hurdling success, but was safely held on final three runs last season and needs to have been refreshed by seven-month break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Jack Sprat

11st 13lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: James Moffatt

Capable on his day for Jamie Snowden, winning three times; didn't sign off for that yard in bad form and he joined this one for £12,000; could go well.

33/1

4th

5

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

18:40 Exeter

Jack Sprat

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Course scorer who went freely when a below-par seventh of ten in 3m Wincanton handicap 25 days ago; drops back in trip now.

9/1

7th

8

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Jack Sprat

11st 9lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Jamie Snowden

Three-time hurdle winner who seemed to have been refreshed by a 12-week break when a very respectable fourth over C&D (good to soft) in refitted cheekpieces this month; in the mix if in similar form.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.90
Straight Forecast £25.58
Tricast £201.40
Trifecta £145.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Court In A Storm

SPOTLIGHT:

Doctor Kildare

Telegraph:

Serious Chat

TOPSPEED:

Kiss My Face

LAMBOURN:

Jack Sprat

The Star:

Idefix De Ciergues

Daily Mail:

Serious Chat

WEST COUNTRY:

Court In A Storm

The Times:

Court In A Storm

D Express:

Court In A Storm

Daily Mirror:

Court In A Storm

Daily Record:

Court In A Storm

The Guardian:

Doctor Kildare

The Sun:

Doctor Kildare

POSTDATA:

Kiss My Face