April 16 / 17.30 Hereford

17.30

Good

Richard Layton Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5446
  • 2m 0f 53y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
SKY
View Course
Richard Layton Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £19.20
  • Place: £3.40

Form: 24P3P

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
6f winner for Ralph Beckett; placed over hurdles for previous yard but pulled up on debut for this one when tried in a hood (now left off); others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:30 Newton Abbot

Arctic Voyage

10st 9lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

Useful on testing ground on the Flat early in career and this 4yo has tapped back into that promise over hurdles this spring, winning a maiden at Hereford (2m, good) in April on his second stable start and following up in a C&D novice (good); trainer won this with Clearance, after whom this race is named, in 2022 and 2024; intriguing candidate back in a handicap.

5/2

1st

1

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

17:30 Newton Abbot

Arctic Voyage

11st 3lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

6f winner for Ralph Beckett and came good at the sixth attempt over hurdles with a clearcut win at Hereford (2m, good; hood removed); this 4yo now carries a penalty but has less to prove than most of these.

4/6

1st

10

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Arctic Voyage

10st 10lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

6f winner for Ralph Beckett; placed over hurdles for previous yard but pulled up on debut for this one when tried in a hood (now left off); others preferred.

8/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1-342P D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Good-ground bumper winner; 0-4 as a hurdler but placed on two occasions and was highly tried last time (after wind surgery); respected at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

4th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Warwick

Crystal Days

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Good-ground bumper winner; has missed the frame on only one occasion over hurdles, when highly tried at Kelso on handicap debut following wind surgery; better judged on latest Hereford second (2m, good) when back in maiden company; respected at this level against her own sex.

7/2

2nd

8

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Crystal Days

10st 11lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Good-ground bumper winner; 0-4 as a hurdler but placed on two occasions and was highly tried last time (after wind surgery); respected at this level.

3/1

15

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:10 Kelso

Crystal Days

10st 5lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Good-ground bumper winner who has run well in defeat on two of her three hurdle starts, most recently runner-up at Catterick (1m7f, good) in December; has had wind op since; makes handicap debut off workable mark and she's the sole runner here today for her in-form southern trainer; interesting.

16/1

OUR TIP

11/2

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 1-6324 D

Last run: 169 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner; placed form over hurdles and he's had wind surgery since a poor run at Fakenham in October; has to be considered in this modest a race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

19:47 Hereford

American Empire

11st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Bumper winner who made the frame in his first two runs over hurdles before a disappointing effort at Fakenham (2m, good to soft) in October, after which he underwent wind surgery; returned from a break to finish a solid third over C&D last month and, still unexposed, may have more to offer now switching to handicaps.

6/4

3rd

2

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

American Empire

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Bumper winner; placed form over hurdles and he's had wind surgery since a poor run at Fakenham in October; has to be considered in this modest a race.

11/2

1

29th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

13:07 Fakenham

American Empire

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Placed on both hurdling starts, more recently when second of five at Warwick (2m, good) this month; ought to give another good account here but his form isn't anything to get too excited about.

9/2

Form: 0-

Last run: 471 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Had one run over hurdles, finishing tailed off in a maiden in late 2024; multiple Flat winner since December and wasn't beaten far at Pontefract last week (1m; stays 1m4f); should run well if jumping stands the test.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

22nd Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:30 Ludlow

Latin

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Six-time Flat winner including five on AW (1m-1m2f) since December; unexposed over hurdles and was fair fourth of 13 back in this sphere at Hereford (2m, good; 12-1) last week; should have more to offer as a jumper but this looks a tough task against Un Sens A La Vie.

14/1

4th

7

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Latin

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Had one run over hurdles, finishing tailed off in a maiden in late 2024; multiple Flat winner since December and wasn't beaten far at Pontefract last week (1m; stays 1m4f); should run well if jumping stands the test.

5/1

4th

7

(5)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

15:27 Pontefract

Latin

9st 5lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: James Owen

Successful five times (1m-1m2f) on AW since December and ran well at Southwell (1m3f) last week; likely player, provided the form is transferred back to turf; 1-14 in this sphere.

7/2

Form: 45-

Last run: 413 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Some notable Flat form last year, in victory and defeat; two runs over hurdles last February were underwhelming but raw ability is respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(8)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 5

15:20 Brighton

Gallant Lion

9st 0lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Ian Williams

1m2f win here (good to firm) kicked off a four-timer in 2023 for Tony Carroll but he took a while to rediscover his level before scoring at Chepstow (1m4f, good; first-time blinkers) for this yard one year ago; raced mainly over further without success since and latest start over 1m can be written off; handy mark and he's not discounted on just his second visit to Brighton.

9/1

11th

5

(1)

7th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Gallant Lion

9st 7lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Beaten 11l when fifth in a maiden hurdle at Hereford three weeks ago; only 1lb higher than for his win at Chepstow (1m4f, good) last May but will likely find this trip on the sharp side on his switch back to the Flat (all wins over 1m2f or further).

14/1

5th

4

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Gallant Lion

11st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Ian Williams

Some notable Flat form last year, in victory and defeat; two runs over hurdles last February were underwhelming but raw ability is respected.

10/1

Form: 5-596P

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
None too consistent thus far over hurdles and now 0-7; each-way chance on the pick of his efforts but others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Good For You

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

None too consistent thus far over hurdles and now 0-7; each-way chance on the pick of his efforts but others preferred.

16/1

3

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

13:00 Chepstow

Good For You

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Faded over about 2m2f on handicap debut at Exeter (soft) but he fared better back at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft; first-time blinkers, retained) last month; has hopes of better but some stamina queries remain over this far on a stiff track.

16/1

5th

4

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:05 Taunton

Good For You

11st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Out of a half-sister to high-class jumper Crystal D'Ainay; seemed to have learned from debut outing when creditable second of 14 at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) last month, and that form makes him a leading contender.

3/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
1m2f winner 14 months ago; has always operated at a modest level and likely best watched on this hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:00 Huntingdon

Backer Bilk

10st 12lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Low-grade AW winner; did not achieve huge amount when well-held second of seven behind short-odds favourite at Hereford (2m, good) a fortnight ago, his second hurdle run, but might collect another minor prize here.

6/1

2nd

7

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

18:12 Hereford

Backer Bilk

10st 12lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Has shown most of his Flat form on AW, winning once; never landed a blow over C&D switched to hurdles last time but this looks a weaker race.

13/2

7th

11

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Backer Bilk

10st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

1m2f winner 14 months ago; has always operated at a modest level and likely best watched on this hurdle debut.

20/1

100/1

Form: 9P

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished third in two Flat races for Brian Meehan; has shown nothing so far over hurdles; had a wind op.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Hellion

10st 10lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Finished third in two Flat races for Brian Meehan; has shown nothing so far over hurdles; had a wind op.

100/1

14

27th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:20 Wetherby

Hellion

10st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Finished third in a couple of Flat races for previous yard but lacked fluency and trailed home last of nine at Catterick on the switch to this code; tongue-tie applied.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
High-mileage three-time Flat winner who is now limited in that scene, only ten days ago finishing well held off a basement mark on the AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

20th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

14:30 Warwick

Alex The Great

11st 4lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Tony Carroll

Three-time AW winner at a modest level on Flat; beaten long way in two similar events over 2m at Hereford recently; steps up in trip but easy to dismiss.

40/1

4th

1

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

18:12 Hereford

Alex The Great

11st 4lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Tony Carroll

Three-time AW winner at a modest level on Flat; beaten long way over C&D switched to hurdles time; opposed.

33/1

9th

1

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Alex The Great

11st 4lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Tony Carroll

High-mileage three-time Flat winner who is now limited in that scene, only ten days ago finishing well held off a basement mark on the AW.

100/1

Form: 80

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Limited in four Flat runs and tailed off in both his runs over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

12

5th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:48 Ffos Las

Bowling Shane

10st 7lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Limited in four Flat runs and tailed off in three runs over hurdles; plenty to prove on this handicap debut.

14/1

10th

12

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Bowling Shane

10st 10lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Limited in four Flat runs and tailed off in both his runs over hurdles.

50/1

100/1

Form: 74-UP

Last run: 143 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Two non-completions over hurdles; placed on the AW last month but over 1m and at a very modest level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:41 Worcester

Hopjes

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

Placed once over 1m (AW) in the other code and 0-3 over hurdles; well beaten at Hereford latest; watch.

40/1

11th

6

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Hopjes

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

Two non-completions over hurdles; placed on the AW last month but over 1m and at a very modest level.

100/1

5th

3

(1)

14th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Hopjes

9st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Harriet Dickin

Attracted support and ran a better race when a front-running third of seven over C&D ten days ago (Dash Power second); one to consider with a new visor replacing blinkers

5/1

Form: /5432-

Last run: 408 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Last seen finishing runner-up in a 2m novice at Market Rasen in March 2025 and that form has worked out tremendously well, as the horses he divided have won high-profile handicaps during the last fortnight; market confidence would be welcomed after so long out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Fidendum

12st 0lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Has his quirks (ran out two runs back) but he made all to floor a subsequent Skelton winner in a 2m maiden at Market Rasen (good) and enters handicaps with an unexposed profile; respected.

2/1

1st

2

8th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

14:10 Market Rasen

Fidendum

11st 4lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Lightly raced and headstrong 7yo who inexplicably jinked right and ran out at fourth fight when in front at Hereford last month; however, he was second to a useful rival over C&D (good) on his penultimate appearance in March 2025 and has good form claims if he behaves himself.

9/4

3

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Fidendum

11st 4lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Last seen finishing runner-up in a 2m novice at Market Rasen in March 2025 and that form has worked out tremendously well, as the horses he divided have won high-profile handicaps during the last fortnight; market confidence would be welcomed after so long out.

2/1

Form: 00

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten 49l on bumper debut and 29l in a maiden hurdle at Ludlow.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

16th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

14:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Dinkys Rose

10st 5lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Henry Oliver

Yet to show any significant promise after contesting a bumper and three maiden hurdles (all 2m).

150/1

12th

12

4th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Warwick

Dinkys Rose

10st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Henry Oliver

Unseated latest and had only shown modest form in a bumper and on hurdle debut previously; needs a major step forward.

150/1

14

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Dinkys Rose

10st 3lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Henry Oliver

Beaten 49l on bumper debut and 29l in a maiden hurdle at Ludlow.

100/1

Non-runners

Gaelic Saint

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £63.90
Straight Forecast £44.95
Trifecta £272.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Fidendum

SPOTLIGHT:

Crystal Days

Daily Mail:

American Empire

TOPSPEED:

Arctic Voyage

The Star:

Latin

POSTDATA:

Alex The Great

Telegraph:

Crystal Days

The Sun:

Crystal Days

The Times:

Fidendum

The Guardian:

Fidendum

Daily Mirror:

Fidendum

Daily Record:

Fidendum

D Express:

American Empire