November 13 / 12.45 Kempton

12.45

Good

Watch Racing TV Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
RTV
View Course
Watch Racing TV Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £1.62
  • Place: £1.10

Form: /120-1 D

Last run: 196 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual Cheltenham bumper winner for Oliver Sherwood last season, latterly in a Listed race; not particularly impressive when winning modest mares' hurdle at very skinny odds at Warwick (2m, good) in May, but ought to be capable of much better than that bare form; now with Harry Derham.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 149y

Class 3

16:30 Wincanton

Queens Gamble

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

A winner at Listed level in bumpers, over hurdles and fences; jumped particularly well when flooring odds-on Bluey here in February (heavy) and again ran well behind a sharp improver at Doncaster six weeks ago (soft; off 1lb higher); has won on good ground; very solid.

11/8

2nd

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

13:55 Doncaster

Queens Gamble

10st 10lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Looked hot property in bumpers and has won at Listed level in that scene and over hurdles and fences; appreciated the drop back to 1m7f (heavy; versatile ground-wise) when flooring a talented favourite on her third chase start at Wincanton where her jumping was slick throughout; the close proximity of the third horse (rated way lower) in that Listed race holds the form down, but this mare has shown she can deal with her current mark.

3/1

1st

5

14th Feb 2026

1m 7f 149y

Class 1

13:05 Wincanton

Queens Gamble

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Dual Listed winner (bumper/hurdle), who is unexposed over fences and ran well for a long way when third of six in a Musselburgh handicap (2m4f, good to soft) 13 days ago; wasn't far off her best with that promising effort and she's respected on this drop back in trip.

7/4

7/2

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 342-1 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Delivered on promise shown in bumpers last season when readily drawing 10l clear to make winning hurdle debut at Wincanton (1m7f, good) last month; ought to play a major role under 7lb penalty here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

15:50 Market Rasen

Classic King

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Better known as a hurdler and has had some jumping issues over fences (even when he won) but he kept on well for clear second in first-time cheekpieces at Stratford (2m6f, good) six weeks ago and gets another chance off the same mark here.

9/4

2nd

1

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Classic King

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Scored over fences at Doncaster (2m3f) last term; in good nick without winning over hurdles this season until 17th in Pertemps Hurdle at Cheltenham 16 days ago; back chasing here with cheekpieces fitted and no forlorn hope.

5/2

17th

10

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Classic King

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Did well at 2m3f-2m5f when reverting to hurdles for his last three starts last season; not quite so good this term and he did not shout stamina when upped to 3m for last two outings; others have more compelling claims.

25/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 4/1- D

Last run: 218 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Signed off for Fergal O'Brien with clearcut bumper success at Market Rasen (good to soft) in April, his second run; now with Nicky Henderson for hurdling career (same owner); likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

14:35 Uttoxeter

Bhaloo

10st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Seemingly boosted by first-time cheekpieces when placed in Summer Plate at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) last year but looked out of sorts when pulled up twice in November and it's hard to predict whether this will be a going day.

14/1

8

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Bhaloo

11st 3lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won the novice handicap chase on this card 12 months ago when also returning from a break; has pulled up in his two previous races over 3m but he wasn't stopping when tried in cheekpieces and finishing third in Market Rasen's 2m5f Summer Plate in July (just behind Courtland); there's stamina in his pedigree; considered.

8/1

Form: 9

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful Flat-racer at up to 1m with 5-42 strike-rate, but struggled to get seriously competitive on last month's stable/hurdle debut at Stratford (2m, good); has a lot on his plate here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

4th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

12:58 Ludlow

Global Esteem

11st 8lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Recorded his sixth Flat win when scoring at Sandown in August and he's won twice over hurdles since then, with his latest success in a Huntingdon handicap (2m, good) last month; open to more progress in this sphere and he's strongly respected on this switch to a claimer.

5/2

2nd

2

4th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

12:58 Ludlow

Global Esteem

11st 8lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Recorded his sixth Flat win when scoring at Sandown in August and he's won twice over hurdles since then, with his latest success in a Huntingdon handicap (2m, good) last month; open to more progress in this sphere and he's strongly respected on this switch to a claimer.

5/2

1st

2

12th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

12:50 Huntingdon

Global Esteem

11st 8lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

took keen hold, raced in second, jumped slightly right 2nd, led after 3rd, pestered home turn, good jump 2 out, ridden out run-in, always doing enough

11/8

Form: 5-

Last run: 214 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Just a respectable fifth of 13 on bumper debut at Taunton (good to soft) in April but should have more to offer over hurdles this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:20 Stratford

Star Of Affinity

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Won three times over hurdles and got off the mark in this sphere in a match at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) four weeks ago; up 4lb and difficult to evaluate but on an upward curve and one to be interested in.

11/4

1st

1

9th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 166y

Class 4

13:45 Plumpton

Star Of Affinity

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Three-time hurdle winner (2m-2m5f; all on right-handed tracks); respectable efforts in both runs over fences, last time runner-up at Wincanton; won't mind returning to further or getting back on softer ground.

11/4

Form: 31 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of unraced half-sister to smart jumper Junior; led close home to make winning stable debut in run-of-the-mill Ludlow bumper (good) last month, but more improvement needed to land a telling blow here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:50 Cartmel

Bobbys Fortune

10st 5lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Unable to justify good market support when well beaten on final two starts last season (2m4f/2m3f) but got his act together when dropped back to 2m at Ffos Las (good to soft) last month, coming from behind to win stylishly by over 4l; 7lb higher in a stronger race here but might kick on again.

11/2

1st

7

5th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

19:20 Ffos Las

Bobbys Fortune

10st 12lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Unable to justify solid market support on final two appearances last season (pulled up/beaten 38l) and has now been unplaced all seven hurdling starts; evidently thought capable of better, though, and it will be interesting to see whether his supporters wade in again; drops back in trip; cheekpieces removed after one use.

5/1

Form: 7

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Maiden pointer; not disgraced when midfield in 15-runner maiden hurdle at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) a fortnight ago, but seems very unlikely to make the necessary improvement here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

16:10 Exeter

Hellstopatthetop

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Richenda Ford

0-4 in points and 0-14 under rules (0-9 chasing); out of form late last year and out of the handicap this afternoon.

50/1

6

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

14:05 Ffos Las

Hellstopatthetop

10st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

0-6 over fences when trained by Keiran Burke and absent since modest third in first-time blinkers (now removed) at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) last September; 7lb lower for this stable debut but others look safer.

12/1

3rd

4

24th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

13:55 Fontwell

Hellstopatthetop

10st 12lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Keiran Burke

didn't always jump with fluency, led, awkward jump 4th, joined 6th, went clear again 8th, headed 13th, soon niggled along

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful at up to 1m4f on the Flat in his prime, but became disappointing for Ralph Beckett last year and there was no revival for new stable this summer; makes hurdling debut; difficult to enthuse over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

24th Aug 2024

Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

17:35 Cartmel

Sky Power

10st 9lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

AW Flat winner for Ralph Beckett in 2021; modest efforts at triple-figure odds in three runs over hurdles; improvement likely on handicap/stable debut.

7/1

8th

7

(8)

2nd Jul 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

18:30 Lingfield (AW)

Sky Power

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Robert Stephens

towards rear

25/1

6th

5

(1)

12th Jun 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

20:45 Kempton (AW)

Sky Power

9st 5lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Robert Stephens

Useful in his pomp over middle distances on AW Flat but the last time he accomplished anything significant was December 2021; had wind surgery after latest start and is also now tongue tied first time.

40/1

Form: 7

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
With a top stable but made low-key bumper debut when seventh of ten at Worcester (good to soft; raced freely) last month; needs to take a huge step forward here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

11th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:42 Southwell

Huckleberry Sting

11st 1lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Poor five-race maiden over hurdles but this winning pointer was a different proposition when winning by 5l on chase debut at Bangor (3m, good; second run in this headgear combination); could cope with the 10lb rise.

7/4

1st

14

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Huckleberry Sting

10st 5lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Poor five-race maiden over hurdles; has won a point but unconvincing claims on chase debut.

20/1

7th

13

11th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

13:38 Huntingdon

Huckleberry Sting

10st 8lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Point winner who hinted at promise in a first-time hood on his stable/handicap debut when a keen-going seventh of 11 at Southwell (2m4f) last month; tried in a tongue tie now and he can't be discounted if taking a step forward.

15/2

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won twice on the Flat when trained in Poland but absent since 19l defeat in Leicester seller in July 2021 and can't be recommended on this stable/hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:33 Uttoxeter

Barbarosa

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy

Won basement-grade AW contest in February (1m2f, AW; RPR 56) but struggled when back over hurdles in May and can't be recommended here.

100/1

10th

1

21st May 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:40 Huntingdon

Barbarosa

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy

Won basement-grade AW contest for Clare Hobson in February (1m2f, AW; RPR 56) but struggled on both hurdling attempts last season; now back in the care of his owner-trainer.

66/1

10th

1

21st May 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:40 Huntingdon

Barbarosa

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy

Won basement-grade AW contest for Clare Hobson in February (1m2f, AW; RPR 56) but struggled on both hurdling attempts last season; now back in the care of his owner-trainer.

66/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful on the Flat at his best and should be fine stamina-wise over hurdles, but was out of sorts when last seen last summer and faces a tough task here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

13th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

12:45 Kempton

City Tour

11st 0lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Lydia Richards

Fairly useful on the Flat at his best and should be fine stamina-wise over hurdles, but was out of sorts when last seen last summer and faces a tough task here.

33/1

5th

3

19th Aug 2022

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 4

19:45 Salisbury

City Tour

9st 10lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Lydia Richards

in touch with leaders, left in third after 4f, went second 4f out, ridden and lost second over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out

33/1

Form: 6-9

Last run: 184 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Safely held in two bumpers in the spring (both on good to soft); best watched on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:17 Chepstow

No No Espresso

10st 12lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Harry Derham

Unplaced all five hurdling starts; arguably ran better than bare form suggests when fifth of 16 at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) last month but subsequent 2lb drop is not enough to tempt.

11/1

5th

14

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

13:28 Doncaster

No No Espresso

11st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Six-race maiden; needs improvement but market support should be noted on this second handicap attempt and third run for Harry Derham.

10/1

5th

14

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

13:28 Doncaster

No No Espresso

11st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Six-race maiden; needs improvement but market support should be noted on this second handicap attempt and third run for Harry Derham.

10/1

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful on the Flat in France last year, winning three times (1m2f-1m4f), but well beaten (albeit in good-quality handicaps) on both British Flat starts in the spring; makes hurdling debut; others are much less risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Selwan

11st 12lb

J: James Davies

T: Christopher Kellett

Three-time Flat winner and twice competitive in that scene during the summer; made an okay return to hurdling when an 18l third at Market Rasen and now tackles his first handicap.

10/1

3rd

4

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

17:50 Market Rasen

Selwan

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Christopher Kellett

Exposed as a fair Flat performer at best these days; pulled up twice and tailed off on the other occasion when tried over hurdles two seasons ago when with Alan King; best watched for now.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.10
Straight Forecast £3.54
Trifecta £7.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Queens Gamble

SPOTLIGHT:

Classic King

The Times:

Bhaloo

WEST COUNTRY:

Star Of Affinity

The Guardian:

Classic King

Daily Mail:

Classic King

POSTDATA:

Queens Gamble

Telegraph:

Queens Gamble

Daily Mirror:

Queens Gamble

The Sun:

Queens Gamble

Daily Record:

Queens Gamble

D Express:

Bhaloo

The Star:

Bhaloo