October 18 / 13.53 Wetherby

13.53

Good

Alfred Brown Worsted Mills Ltd Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4084.5
  • 2m 3f 154y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Alfred Brown Worsted Mills Ltd Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 12lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
1m2f/1m4f winner and warmed to her task when comfortably making a successful start over hurdles under Alice Stevens at Sedgefield (2m4f, good); beat her market rival there and the form looks fairly solid; respected despite a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:10 Cartmel

My Chiquita

12st 0lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

A fairly useful 2m4f hurdles winner for Ben Brookhouse; made a promising start for her new yard after eight months off when third of eight over 2m4f at Aintree eight days ago; she should strip sharper here and rates a player off the same mark.

7/1

3rd

1

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

My Chiquita

12st 2lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Runner-up to Masked Dance in this race two years ago and her final two runs of last year were right up there with her best; could easily be a factor if in the same form for new stable after a break.

8/1

2nd

6

11th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

18:05 Uttoxeter

My Chiquita

11st 8lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: B F Brookhouse

Below best in two Flat runs this year but returned to hurdling with close second at Worcester (2m4f, good); might have won that day with greater fluency and only 2lb higher; wouldn't want the ground to slow up.

7/2

2/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 3/32-

Last run: 191 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in three bumpers and it was a good race last time at Huntingdon (soft; first two runs on good) as the winner ran third in last week's Grade 2 Persian War and the third has impressed since; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 4

14:20 Plumpton

Bob Bob Ricard

12st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Record of 3-6 over fences; only beat two rivals for the last of those wins (2m) but he ran well in a useful chase at Newbury a month ago (2m4f, good) and this is easier than that; respected.

100/30

3rd

1

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 4

14:20 Plumpton

Bob Bob Ricard

12st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Record of 3-6 over fences; only beat two rivals for the last of those wins (2m) but he ran well in a useful chase at Newbury a month ago (2m4f, good) and this is easier than that; respected.

100/30

4th

11

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Bob Bob Ricard

10st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won last May/June (2m/2m4f, good) in the first two of his five runs over fences, but it took a three-runner race for him to score again three weeks ago (Doncaster 2m, good) and he still threw in a blunder even then; in this company, others are a bit more persuasive.

4/1

33/1

  • Place: £6.30

Form: 95-5

Last run: 155 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No worse for the tongue-tie when fifth in a Newcastle bumper but others have shown more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

18:10 Uttoxeter

Magical Arthur

12st 0lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Made good progress when headgear was added in the autumn, winning three times (2m7f-3m1f, good), but was given a break after disappointing run in January and made a low-key reappearance last month; needs to get back in the groove.

10/1

12th

11

6th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:18 Worcester

Magical Arthur

11st 4lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Jennie Candlish

Headgear helped last autumn, with three wins over further, latterly off a 6lb lower mark; has been off for four months since a poor one in blinkers (goes back to cheekpieces tonight) early in the year and will want a good test over this trip.

16/1

12th

11

6th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:18 Worcester

Magical Arthur

11st 4lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Jennie Candlish

Headgear helped last autumn, with three wins over further, latterly off a 6lb lower mark; has been off for four months since a poor one in blinkers (goes back to cheekpieces tonight) early in the year and will want a good test over this trip.

16/1

Form: 325-

Last run: 177 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third and second in bumpers here on good to soft, posting a decent RPR of 109 on the second occasion; seemed to get stuck in the mud last time at Hexham; should be a factor with a clean round of jumping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:52 Carlisle

Paddy OMahler

10st 13lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Solid record (22112) having wind surgery, proving better than ever; beaten only half a length by Chasingouttheblues at Catterick (3m1f, good to soft) most recently; firmly in the mix.

4/1

2nd

5

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 4

16:00 Catterick

Paddy OMahler

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Won in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) in December on third chase start and followed up at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft); climbing the weights but this 8yo is clearly on the up.

7/2

Form: 38-4FU

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Placed in bumpers and a maiden hurdle; in touch when falling on his handicap debut and again failed to complete when departing mid-race back in novice company at Uttoxeter; probably vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

7th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:15 Huntingdon

Indian Sunbird

11st 8lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Dual hurdle winner last year, latterly over C&D (good) in October; absent since lesser effort here in November, though, and will need to resume in prime form to have a chance off his current mark.

5/1

5th

10

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Indian Sunbird

11st 9lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Well backed when returning to winning form over C&D (good) last month with three of these behind; a 6lb rise and a lack of consistency the main obstacles to a follow-up.

8/1

5th

10

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Indian Sunbird

11st 9lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Well backed when returning to winning form over C&D (good) last month with three of these behind; a 6lb rise and a lack of consistency the main obstacles to a follow-up.

8/1

Form: P/F2 BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Five-time Flat winner who stayed well; lost both her front shoes when failing to justify market confidence in a maiden at Bangor last month; unlikely that she was seen to best effect that day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(1)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:30 Catterick

Arctic Fox

9st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

10yo who snapped a losing sequence at Carlisle last June and reappeared with a good second here (1m6f, good) last month; she should be fine back up in trip and can be bang there if backing up that latest performance.

11/2

2nd

2

(3)

22nd Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 192y

Class 6

17:00 Catterick

Arctic Fox

9st 3lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

Six-time winner at up to this trip on varying ground, including soft; back on the same mark she scored from at Carlisle (1m6f, soft) in June; chance rests on whether she's ready to roll for this reappearance.

8/1

10th

2

(1)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:10 Catterick

Arctic Fox

10st 0lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Martin Todhunter

Multiple winner at up to 1m6f on varying ground, including soft; 1lb higher than her latest success at Carlisle in June; thereabouts over 1m6f (good) here latest but still has to prove she fully sees out this longer trip.

11/4

Form: P

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest in points and he was tailed off when pulled up in a novice hurdle at Hexham.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

13:30 Newcastle

Empty Nest

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Usually goes well over C&D - form figures 212 - that win gained from a 2lb higher mark (favourite) over a year ago; recent Wetherby efforts were not so good but there was plenty to admire about the manner in which he rallied behind Always A Reason over C&D (good to soft) in January.

15/8

5th

7

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

14:37 Wetherby

Empty Nest

10st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

C&D winner who was runner-up at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in January and filled same position at Doncaster (2m4f, soft) last month; disappointing over C&D last time but no surprise if he bounces back with a bold show.

13/2

6th

7

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

15:35 Wetherby

Empty Nest

10st 13lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Two wins last season (including C&D) and he's run well to finish second on both outings this year (2m4f, good to soft/soft), most recently at Doncaster three weeks ago; solid contender.

11/2

Form: 0-

Last run: 207 days

W: 10st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished a tailed-off last in a valuable Newbury bumper in March when 22-1; this should reveal more, though he's the stable second string on jockey bookings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

11th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:25 Ludlow

Jaxonne

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Easily won a division of this last year (good) and he returned to form when second at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in March last time; key player.

5/2

5th

2

11th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:25 Ludlow

Jaxonne

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Easily won a division of this last year (good) and he returned to form when second at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in March last time; key player.

5/2

Form: P32O7

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Looked a tricky ride (in this first-time headgear combination) when tailed off behind My Chiquita at Sedgefield.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

27th Jan 2024

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 1

14:05 Doncaster

Riccirella

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

held up in last, weakened after 2 out

100/1

7th

5

12th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

15:07 Sedgefield

Riccirella

10st 10lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Lightly raced 6yo who doesn't look the easiest of rides and best form thus far has come on good ground; however, she stormed home for 2l fourth on handicap debut at Doncaster (2m, good) in November, despite being hampered after final flight, and could prove well treated when things really click.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4080-P

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Struggled in his four bumpers and the same again when 150-1 for recent hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

5th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

12:45 Musselburgh

Ask My Heather

11st 2lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Susan Corbett

Tailed off in his four bumpers and pulled up at triple-figure odds on all three hurdle starts.

100/1

0

1

16th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

14:35 Sedgefield

Ask My Heather

11st 4lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Susan Corbett

took keen hold, prominent on outer, mistake 2nd, led 3rd, headed 4 out, soon weakened and lost touch, pulled up before 3 out

200/1

Form: 4/682-

Last run: 469 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Maiden in France but was runner-up in a Listed chase and filled the same berth in a hurdle when last seen in July 2022; clearly has ability but has been a long-while absent and may need soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

25th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

16:36 Cartmel

Coup De Coeur

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

Won four-runner race by 19l at Sedgefield (2m, good to soft) in February and showed better form when second in competitive races on final two starts last season (2m, good to soft/good); could still be on a good mark after latest 2lb nudge; must be considered.

11/10

2nd

6

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Coup De Coeur

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

Can be hit and miss in the jumping department but his profile over fences is generally progressive and he backed up February's Sedgefield romp with good second in fairly valuable series final at Carlisle (also 2m, good to soft) one month ago; respected.

7/2

2nd

1

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 2

15:17 Carlisle

Coup De Coeur

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

Can make mistakes but not last time at Sedgefield when beating three rivals with ease (2m, good to soft); that race rather fell apart and he's up 7lb; could be vulnerable.

13/2

Non-runners

Mount Falcon, Globe Player

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.50
Straight Forecast £4.55
Trifecta £81.10

Selections

RP RATINGS:

My Chiquita

SPOTLIGHT:

Bob Bob Ricard

The Times:

Paddy O'Mahler

The Star:

Paddy O'Mahler

POSTDATA:

My Chiquita

Telegraph:

My Chiquita

The Guardian:

My Chiquita

D Express:

My Chiquita

The Sun:

My Chiquita

Daily Record:

My Chiquita

WEST COUNTRY:

Bob Bob Ricard

Daily Mail:

Bob Bob Ricard

Daily Mirror:

Bob Bob Ricard