October 21 / 14.35 Stratford

14.35

Soft

Parallel Creative Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4039.96
  • 2m 2f 148y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
Parallel Creative Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 6369P/

Last run: 663 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Not seen over hurdles since struggling in heavy-ground handicap in Ireland in December 2021 but has done very well on the Flat since joining Seb Spencer in summer 2022, collecting five AW wins; has fitness to prove after 204-day break but could be on a very good mark in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

29th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:20 Cartmel

Victory March

11st 9lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Started off for Rebecca Menzies with two poor AW runs in February/March (started very slowly both times) but his sixth of 15 over hurdles at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) this month gives him something to build on here.

14/1

6th

3

15th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

20:22 Perth

Victory March

11st 12lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Five-time winner on Tapeta but he's been out of sorts on AW in two runs for new yard this year; still unexposed over hurdles but his last run in this sphere was in December 2021 and it is not hard to have reservations; reapplied cheekpieces replace a visor.

25/1

6th

3

15th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

20:22 Perth

Victory March

11st 12lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Five-time winner on Tapeta but he's been out of sorts on AW in two runs for new yard this year; still unexposed over hurdles but his last run in this sphere was in December 2021 and it is not hard to have reservations; reapplied cheekpieces replace a visor.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: FF78P/

Last run: 601 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Easily won three-runner novice on stable debut in October 2021 but became very disappointing in handicaps that season; returns from 601-day absence here; considered only if lively in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

22nd Jan 2024

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

15:55 Plumpton

Canford Light

11st 6lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Well beaten in 2m Chepstow handicap in October, after a long absence, and did not achieve a great deal when remote second in a seller over that trip here the following month (first-time cheekpieces); revival needed.

25/1

Form: 98-24

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Began hurdling career two two heavy defeats in the spring but recent efforts have been much better; seemed to cope pretty well with heavy ground two starts ago and ran well for a long way when fourth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft to soft) last time; no surprise if he features on his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:47 Fontwell

Chankaya

12st 0lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

A soft-ground hurdle winner off this mark at Taunton last February for previous stable but well held on all starts this season for current connections, latest when pulled up back at Taunton last month; sliding down the weights but doesn't look like capitalising on that anytime soon.

16/1

3

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:05 Taunton

Chankaya

11st 11lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

always behind, pulled up before 2 out

14/1

3

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:05 Taunton

Chankaya

11st 11lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

always behind, pulled up before 2 out

14/1

Form: 5P5-8

Last run: 165 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on handicap debut at Ffos Las (2m, soft) in May and not seen again since but it would be reckless to write him off at this stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Call Me Arthur

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Only his third run over fences when forging clear at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) in January; that resulted in a 10lb rise but he was only 9-2 when departing early at Taunton; seemingly on the upgrade.

7/2

4

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

14:50 Taunton

Call Me Arthur

11st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

All the sharper for his Hereford reappearance when making it third time lucky over fences in 2m7f Huntingdon handicap (soft) three weeks ago, forging 15l clear; that resulted in a 10lb rise but he should remain competitive if in the same form.

9/2

1st

5

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

13:30 Huntingdon

Call Me Arthur

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Temporary switch to front-running over a sharp 3m netted him a Southwell hurdle off this mark in May 2024 (soft), but rather lost in the crowd in big-field chases on only two starts since; tongue tie off.

12/1

Form: 7326-3

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
0-19 over hurdles but ran big race when close second in C&D seller on heavy ground in April and struck to his task very well when third in Market Rasen handicap (2m2f, good) last month, after a break; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

6th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

13:35 Market Rasen

Captain Jack

11st 9lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: James Evans

held up in rear

4/1

2nd

6

26th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

14:22 Market Rasen

Captain Jack

11st 3lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: James Evans

18-race maiden; some fair form, including last time when third over 2m2f here (good); back after a break on this stable debut with no headgear (has been tried in cheekpieces and a tongue-tie); probably best watched.

8/1

Abandoned

Form: 00-526

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish maiden; struggled in basement-grade Flat race on stable debut in August but ran pretty well when sixth over hurdles at Fontwell (2m3f, good) a fortnight ago; not out of this if he settles better this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

16:35 Stratford

Mi Sueno

10st 5lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: David Brace

Returned to form with creditable second at Taunton (2m, good) last month, his third start for David Brace, but was pulled up on recent chasing debut and has become hard to predict.

11/2

6

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

20:17 Hereford

Mi Sueno

10st 8lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: David Brace

Dual soft-ground hurdle winner (handles good) in early 2024 but had been badly out of sorts prior to his second at Taunton (2m, good) last month; now switches to fences and needs to build on that revival, though he remains attractively treated on old form.

9/2

2nd

10

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

18:30 Taunton

Mi Sueno

10st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: David Brace

Dual soft-ground hurdle winner (handles good) in early 2024 but has struggled for form since, including on both starts for this stable; latest C&D effort offered a glimmer of encouragement and he's well treated on old form, but he needs another step forward today.

14/1

Form: -634P4

Last run: 2 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in two good-ground handicaps this summer (2m/2m4f) and bounced back quickly from a lacklustre effort when respectable fourth at Wincanton (3m, good) in Thursday but others appeal more here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

7th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Let It Shine

10st 9lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Well beaten in both outings (hurdle/chase) for new yard this term, taking record to 0-13; has only one piece of placed form; treated as far from solid, unless the betting suggests better is expected.

16/1

8th

8

19th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:05 Worcester

Let It Shine

10st 9lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Unable to justify strong market support when well beaten on stable debut three weeks ago and now 0-10 over hurdles; drops back in trip and sports first-time cheekpieces for this chasing debut; may yet come good.

9/1

6th

6

30th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Warwick

Let It Shine

10st 9lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Placed just once (2m, good) in 11 starts at up to 3m when with Michael Scudamore; returns from a break for new trainer, needing to improve on his last few efforts to have a winning chance.

7/2

Form: 1U-U75 D

Last run: 127 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Won Market Rasen chase (2m3f, good to soft) by wide margin a year ago but returned from layoff with some underwhelming chase/hurdle runs in early part of this season; back from another four months off today; others have more persuasive profiles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

21st Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

14:40 Market Rasen

Livings Boy An Co

10st 8lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: John Wainwright

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, hit 10th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

16/1

10

10th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Livings Boy An Co

10st 5lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: John Wainwright

towards rear

9/1

10

10th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Livings Boy An Co

10st 5lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: John Wainwright

towards rear

9/1

Form: 81233- BF

Last run: 205 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Has poor record over hurdles but scored on chasing debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) last November and ran well on all three subsequent starts over fences; switches back to hurdling off a lower mark today; not seen since March; market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

6th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:42 Fontwell

Boys Of Wexford

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Henry Oliver

Returned to winning ways in the new visor at Taunton (2m7f, good) but whether he'll follow one good run with another is questionable and he's gone up 6lb.

9/2

1st

8

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

17:20 Taunton

Boys Of Wexford

10st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Henry Oliver

Dual chase winner who showed up well until tiring on his first start for three months when fourth of eight finishers at Hereford (2m5f, good) 15 days ago; first-time visor replaces regular cheekpieces; place claims.

10/1

4th

7

25th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:30 Hereford

Boys Of Wexford

10st 6lb

J: James Davies

T: Henry Oliver

Dual chase winner; seemingly back in good nick when second at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) in November but ended 2025 with two non-completions and his record when fresh is not good; others preferred.

8/1

Abandoned

Form: 098-P

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Struggled in three maiden hurdles in early part of this year but appeared to be travelling okay until awkward jump caused saddle to slip on last month's handicap debut; due to run in first-time hood at Fakenham (4.18) yesterday; will be of interest if he turns up here; 4lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Coilrock

10st 3lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: D J Jeffreys

Remote fourth in his two chases and now returns to hurdles, over which he has run well off higher marks; ground/trip fine and blinkers are now tried (effective in cheekpieces); possibilities.

16/1

10

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Coilrock

10st 3lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: D J Jeffreys

led, headed after 8th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up approaching last

16/1

4th

6

8th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

17:00 Carlisle

Coilrock

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: D J Jeffreys

raced in third, dropped to last before 2 out, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened

10/1

Verdict

Victory March has made good progress on the Flat since joining Seb Spencer and could be a potent force in this grade of handicap hurdle if his improvement transfers to this code but it’s questionable whether today’s muddy conditions will suit this AW specialist. CAPTAIN JACK is 0-19 over hurdles but he went down fighting over C&D on heavy ground in the spring and returned from a break with a pleasing effort last month. Chankaya (second choice) and Mi Sueno are others to consider.[Chris Wilson]